A timely stock movement helped set up a thrilling finish to Saturday’s 45-kilometre race on a new course starting on Old Coach Road. The break group set out with determination, six minutes ahead of scratch, who were relishing the prospect of catching them before the turnaround point.

That plan evaporated when a local farmer saw the gap between groups as the perfect moment to move his herd across the road. While scratch were forced to stand and wait for a long 90 seconds, the break caught the five‑rider limit bunch, reached the turnaround, and began 15km of exhilarating rolling downhill racing back toward Old Coach Road.

Dean Sisson, Jason Boonen and Finn Shilton in the break group put their heads down and rode as if the yellow jersey were on the line. Malcolm Harison and Jasper Heijtel contributed strongly, and when Mat Fredericksen joined the group, the average speed surged to 45knh, helped by a timely 7kmh tailwind.

Scratch were not deterred. Visiting Taupō mountainbiker and multi‑sporter Zane Winiata added horsepower to long‑time club pace‑setters Phil McIlroy‑Bisley and Jeremy Anderson. This bunch has enjoyed good numbers recently, and with Lorien Hicksen and Donovan Jackson adding further firepower, all five riders recorded the fastest ever time on the Rotoehu descent segment, touching 57kmh at times.

Back on the rollercoaster of Old Coach Road, and with the tailwind gone, the break began to tire. Scratch finally made the catch with one kilometre and two punchy climbs remaining. Winiata attacked on the final downhill, only for McIlroy‑Bisley to jump across, shadow him up the rise, and edge ahead in a frantic sprint on the flat finish. Jackson followed them to claim a well‑earned third place.

"That was a strong group. We worked well together and managed to get the job done," McIlroy-Bisley commented after the race.

In other racing, Thursday’s Foster Road handicap race proved too great a challenge for scratch, who were unable to close down the break group driven strongly by Sisson and Dave Wright. Neil Jones' sprint burst put him behind Sisson to take second, with Wright securing third after a committed ride.

Monday’s Thornton race saw Jeremy Anderson in sizzling form, leading McIlroy‑Bisley and Xavier Christie to the finish. The trio blasted scratch apart, leaving Tania and Sam Jones, Donovan Jackson, Mat Fredericksen and Greg Malcolm to ride their own race.

In a separate battle, Coenie Hoffmann enjoyed one of his best outings of the season, managing to jump across to the speeding trio in the final kilometres to take top spot for the break, with Sisson and Dennis Sax fighting out the minor placings. Young rider Mark Birks had his first ride with this group, and returning rider Marty Madsen followed along in his first race for a while.

The faster riders in the club haven’t been the only ones enjoying good racing. A regular turnout of younger riders - supported by experienced older hands - is helping to build genuine competition and valuable skills in the group.

Upcoming races include Sunday’s 70km gravel ride from Matatā at 8am, Monday’s 6pm race from outside Thornton School, and Thursday’s 6pm team time trial from the corner of Awahou and Reid roads, Tāneatua.

The full racing calendar and club details are available at www.whakatanecyclingclub.org.nz.