Yates wins second Le Race in impressive fashion

Former world junior champion and national points series leader Jeremy Yates won his second Le Race title in impressive fashion today.

Yates fended off attacks from the strong Subway - Avanti Cycling team that included national champion Gordon McCauley, stayed patient and made his winning move 20 kilometres from the finish line on the steepest climb of the 100 kilometre Christchurch to Akaroa course.

“It was a tough day; I was under attack from the other teams in the event but stayed cool, found some friends to work with and made my move on a steep climb and held them off to win, I’m stoked,” Yates said.

After a large leading bunch with all the favourites came over the first King of the Mountain climb together, Paul Odlin, Gordon McAuley and James Gibson broke clear on the flat but were caught after the second King of the Mountain stage with 40 kilometres to go.

Yates then worked with Eric Drower, Brett Dawber, Josh Atkins, James Early and Joe Copper to take control at the front of the field until his hill climbing strength saw him ride away with 15 kilometres to go.

“The key was I didn’t panic. I didn’t have any team support so I needed to stay in touch and let the race pan out until there was an opportunity to attack – things worked out really well.”

Yates won in two hours and 43 minutes with Drower second 41 seconds later and Dawber was third.

Early, Cooper and McCauley completed the top six finishing over three minutes behind Yates.

Seventh place Oldin won the King of the Mountain title.

Less than a year after a cycle crash saw him in a coma and lucky to survive Jono Gee finished 30th in two hours and 54 minutes.

The woman’s race was an Australian affair after race favourite and Lion Foundation National Points Series leader Serena Sheridan punctured early.

Australian Country hockey representative turned cyclist Simone Grounds from Brisbane beat fellow Australian, Laura Luxford by one minute and 45 seconds to win in a time of three hours and two minutes.

Luxford and Grounds were both part of a large group three times Commonwealth Games medallist and New Zealand Olympian Blair Stockwell, bought over from Brisbane.

Grounds only turned to bike racing last year and was 17th in the Australian National elite road championships in January.

“If you can ride this race you can ride anything,” Grounds said. “It was a real shame Serena punctured as it would have been good to benchmark myself against her.”

Grounds also won the Queen of the Mountain title.

“I was looking for people to work with but ended up riding much of the last 20 kilometres solo. I knew I was in front but a race is never over until it’s over.”

What made Luxfords runner up effort even more impressive is the former 23 year old elite triathlete also only started cycling last year but had two months off the bike after fracturing her hip late last year.

Three time winner former professional Jo Buick came home third.

The Subway – Avanti team won the teams competition.
Hand cyclist Rob Martin completed the event kin five hours and 36 minutes.

Provisional results - Individuals

men
Jeremy Yates Hastings 1 02:43:00
Eric Drower Cambridge 2 02:43:41
Brett Dawber Christchurch 3 02:43:52
James Early Christchurch 4 02:46:07
Joseph Cooper Wellington 5 02:46:33
Gordon McCauley Auckland 6 02:46:34
Paul Odlin Christchurch 7 02:47:25
Michael Vink Christchurch 8 02:47:39
Tom Hubbard Christchurch 9 02:47:43
michael naylor nelson 10 02:48:14
Josh Atkins Christchurch 11 02:48:25
Patrick Williamson Central Otago 12 02:50:04
scott mcdonnell CHCH 13 02:50:05
Samuel Horgan Christchurch 14 02:50:06
James Gibson Christchurch 15 02:50:08
Brad McFarlane Christchurch 16 02:50:12
Nathan Smith Christchurch 17 02:50:32
James Williamson Central Otago 18 02:50:37
Scott Lyttle Carterton, NZ 19 02:50:51
Steve Elden Lower Hutt 20 02:52:12

woman
Simone Grounds BRISBANE 1 03:02:17
Laura Luxford Brisbane 2 03:04:02
Johanna Buick Christchurch 3 03:07:00
Julie Uebel Brisbane 4 03:13:59
Annaliisa Farrell Christchurch 5 03:16:15
Julie Timmings CHRISTCHURCH 6 03:16:16
Rebecca Hensley Christchurch 7 03:16:31
Talisa Stanton Christchurch 8 03:17:07
Aimee Burns Christchurch 9 03:17:45
Julia Grant Christchurch 10 03:17:53
Shelley Bothamley Christchurch 11 03:20:18
Pam Hewlett Auckland 12 03:22:04
LISA DUNCAN QUEENSLAND, 13 03:22:05
Victoria Beck Dunedin 14 03:22:28
Kylie Rochford Christchurch 15 03:23:55
Bridget Robertshawe Havelock North 16 03:26:11
Sara Macdonald Dunedin 9010 17 03:28:10
Laura Hollingsworth Christchurch 18 03:28:59
Shanice Nitis Brisbane AUSTRALIA 19 03:30:31
Donna Gutberlet Christchurch 20 03:30:49

Ends
For more information please contact:

Simon Hollander
Mainland Cycling
0274 737 253

John McKenzie
enthuse ltd
021 384 730
03 384 7338