Hub 2012Once again the Hawkes Bay Ramblers Cycling Club held another very successful HUB tour in Hastings on 13-15 January 2012. 

The Hawkes Bay weather turned on a beautiful hot weekend but the winds were a test of courage and commitment to most as the prologue started on Friday night with very strong north westerly gusts. 

There were many riders winning top ten positions in the 6km prologue (or time trial), but with the win of over 40 seconds to Kate Stewart in the U17 girls race was the most impressive win of the night. Coming in close behind was Ruby Perry finishing 3rd in the U17 girls prologue. George Roberts also finished exceptionally well in the prologue coming 7th in the U17 boys grade, with Matiu Kaihau finished 13th in his first A-Grade prologue. Kelsi Eccles was in great form over the weekend winning two stages of the B-Grade Women's races earning the huge privilege of wearing the yellow jersey.

The General Classification is always a hard fought race over the grades, and the Mens B-Grade was no exception. Mark Waterland had a strong ride over the weekend with the B-Grade races following close to the furious pace of the A-Grade men. Kate Stewart finished an incredible weekend coming 2nd overall GC with 3rd GC going to Elizabeth Stannard. There were plenty of spills, crashes and mechanical failures to add to the pressure of the riders, but overall it was an impressive weekend for the large contingent of Bike Manawatu riders.  

A Grade Men Final GC 

1.Jeremy Vennell
2.Hayden Mccormick
3.Tim Gudsell
A Grade Women Final GC

1.Kerri-Anne Torckler
2.Bridget Lodge
3.Linda Ringlever
B Grade Men Final GC

1.Stephen Sheldrake
2.Clark Ellice
3.Gary Hall
B Grade Women Final GC

1.Megan Watson
2.Ingrid Perols
3.Sue Daniels
C Grade Men Final GC 

1.James Lochhead
2.Keri Wakely
3.Hayden Le Compte
U17 Boys Final GC

1.Regan Gough
2.Luke Mudgway
3.Ollie Jones
U17 Girls Final GC

1.Phoebe Treseder
2.Kate Stewart
3.Elizabeth Stannard