March News Update
Prutton Training Systems sends out its best wishes to all those affected by the recent Earthquake and hope you can all get back to doing the things you enjoy as soon as possible.
2011 started brilliantly for a lot of PT SYSTEM riders with more time to train and less work stresses over the summer break, everyone seemed to be jumping out of their skins.
Road racing:
Ben Hillery placed 3rd in the masters overall classification at the Tour of Vineyards in Nelson over the New Year period. It was a tough battle between the top 4 with only seconds separating them.
In the first A grade club race of the year Ben Longworth just edged out fellow PT SYSTEM rider Hayden Sword for the win. With a break of 4 riders coming down to the last 1km Ben and Hayden jumped clear of the other two for the show down.
The following weekend the Bianca Strada 65km road race held on a wet and dull day out in North Loburn. Which included a 1km stretch of gravel road to be covered 3 times, testing everyone’s bike handling skills and machinery. On the final lap Ben Hopewell escaped the A grade field with 1 other rider to stay away to the finish and get a well-deserved 2nd place.
A new event that started this year was the “Summer Send off” series consisting of a criterium in downtown Wanaka on Friday night, a road race going from Queenstown to Wanaka over the massive crown range and return on the Saturday and a 65km Time trial on the Sunday. Back after a wee break due to sickness John McKenzie took out the B grade overall title after placing 2nd in the first two events and winning the final time trial.
Stewart Connolly place 2nd in the C grade Friday night criterium.
Last weekend at Eyreton PT SYSTEM riders took out the top 4 placing. Ben Hopewell took the win from Ben Hillery, John Mckenzie and Micheal Smart. Awesome effort guys!
Multisport:
A week out from this years Coast to coast things were looking like the competitors could again miss getting to do the Waimak paddle section due to the high river follow but fortunately it dropped over the week and things were set to rock and roll. Big congrat’s to PT SYSTEMS athlete Hadleigh Miles finished the two-day individual race in 8th place even after getting an unlucky puncture on the final ride into Christchurch.
This years Goldrush multi sport event, completed over 3 days of road cycling, mt biking, kayaking and cross country running on the 18th, 19th and 20th of March in central Otago was held in fantastic conditions. Jane Davison and Sharon Prutton won the veteran women’s category, eventually smashing their competition by over an hour.
Jane and Sharon collecting their spoils
Track Racing:
At the Canterbury Track championships this year Hayden Sword Won the Senior Men’s Keirin title in a super close finish over Elijah May.
Mt Biking:
The Rainbow Rage Epic covered 150km of cross-country single and 4x4 tracks with big ups and long downs following. As the race is such an “epic” to enter you have to do as a team. Tom Kissel and Hadleigh Miles teamed up crossing the line in 6 and 7 spot to be 3rd fastest team across the line.
Special
Till the end of April all remaining PT SYSTEMS cycling vests will be only $35.00
Coming Races
Good luck to all competitors in the coming events:
Graperide - April 2nd
Canterbury Road and Time trial Championships - April 9-10th
Around Brunner - April 16th
The country Road Manawatu cycling classic - April 16th
Tour de Lakes - April 22-24th
National Road and Time trial club championships - May 2nd
A tired Dean Cameron at the finish of the Charity classic