Counties Manukau Club had a strong start to the season with 200 riders turning out for the opening race of the season at the relatively flat Ramarama course.

Four laps  was the order of the day for most grades, with late comers being slotted into the fields with the fewest entries in order not to make the bunches too big.

Jonathon Atkinson and Nick Lovegrove made a break on the final lap of the A grade event and while Lovegrove managed to stay away for victory, Atkinson was caught just as the sprint started and rolled in fifth behind Myron Simpson (2nd) and Mathew Peacock (3rd).

Most of the other events were decided in bunch kicks.

Next week racing is at the longer (18 kms a lap) Waiau Pa course which is a little more lumpy!

 

 

Counties Manukau Road Races

 

Ramarama circuit

 

A Grade, 40 kms: 1, N Lovegrove; 2, M Simpson; 3, M Peacock.

B Grade, 40 kms: 1, L Rattray; 2, M Rycroft; 3, A McKay; 1 Women, G Brownlee.

C Grade, 40 kms: 1, T Hewlett; 2, B Wallwork; 3, C Dalton; 1 Women, M Burke.

D Grade, 40 kms: 1, B Goldsworthy; 2, P Vandermeer; 3, R Simpson; 1 Women, S McOnie.

E Grade, 40 kms: 1, J Webster; 2, R Scott; 3, R Adams; 1 Women, C Young.

Under 17s, 40 kms: 1, B Ludlam; 2, D Hill; 3, A Stancliffe.

Under 15s, 10 kms: 1, S Ambrose; 2, E Bennett; 3, J Hunter.

Over 40s, 20 kms: 1, P Staub; 2, T Weaver; 3, D Williamson; 1 Women, C Forbes.