Vink beats opposition and weather in school cycling

New Zealand junior representative Michael Vink beat the atrocious conditions and the opposition to win the RaboPlus national secondary schools points race in Feilding today.

Vink (Christchurch Boys High School) dominated to win all but one sprint as the weather closed in at the Manfeild motor race track.

Four riders went clear early in the 13-lap race, opening up a one minute gap on the field. Auckland’s Sam Lindsay (Macleans College) took out the first sprint but after that Vinc dominated with an impressive display. He finished with 30 points with Lindsay second on 18 and Michael Poole (Auckland Grammar) third on 16.

Christchurch cyclist Cara Smith, second in the road race yesterday, won the under-20 women’s race in a tight battle.

They got the worst of the weather with strong winds and constant rain, with Smith (Villa Maria) winning with 11 points from defending champion Chloe Harding-Sheath (Massey HS) second and Philippa Sutton (Waikato Diocesan) third.

Results:

Male, under 20: Michael Vink (Christchurch BHS) 30 points, 1; Sam Lindsay (Macleans College) 18, 2; Michael Poole (Auckland Grammar) 16, 3.

Under -17: Fraser Gough (Havelock North HS) 17, 1; James Oram (Westlake) 12, 2; Daniel Cross (Westlake) 7, 3.

Under-16: Hardy Michel (Kristin) 16, 1; George Hubbard (Christchurch BHS) 9, 2; Hayden McCormick (St Johns) 6, 3.

Under-15: Dan Pavis (Auckland Grammar) 9, 1; Hugh Wilkie (Rangitoto) 5, 2; Harry Ross (Takapuna Grammar) 5, 3.

Under-14: Jonty Morreau (Auckland Grammar) 13, 1; Ollie Jones (Hutt International) 11, 2; Connor Stead (Christchurch BHS) 4, 3.

Female, under-20: Cara Smith (Villa Maria) 11, 1; Chloe Harding-Sheath (Massey HS) 7, 2; Philippa Sutton (Waikato Diocesan) 6, 3.

Under-17: Brittany: Thompson (Waikato Diocesan) 15, 1; Tania Rouber (Waikato Diocesan) 9, 2; Rebecca Burridge (Diocesan) 5, 3.

Under-16: Paige Paterson (St Cuthberts) 15, 1; Sophie Williamson (Dunstan HS) 13, 2; Rachel Sheath (Whangaparaoa Col) 7, 3.

Under-15: Devon Hiley (St Cuthberts) 13, 1; Robyn Hacker-Cray (Waikato Diocesan) 7, 2; Tessa Hogan (Baradean Col) 4, 3.

Under-14: Jordyn Crouch (Waikato Diocesan) 13, 1; Madison Farrant (Waikato Diocesan) 11, 2; Emily O’Shea (Westlake) 6, 3.