Dunedin’s cold and windy wharf circuit is a far cry from professional criterium racing in the United States and Patrick Jones had to call on all his reserves to win race one of the series yesterday.
The 21 year old, who was third overall in the States, returned 3 weeks ago and, after a week’s break, is straight into training for the Tour of Southland, where he joins Dunedin dentist Jacob Grieve in Team Pure South. A creditable 10th placing in last week’s Twizel to Timaru race indicates Jones is on track. His 4 month absence has seen the emergence of young talent Kees Duyvestyn and John Wansink and the improvement of other riders such as triathlete Guy Carter. Yesterday, as Jones jumped away near the start he was joined by Carter, who had the race of his life to work with Jones during the 30 minute timed prelude and then the final 3 lap showdown. However 10 minutes into the race, Duyvestyn, with a gargantuan effort, managed to bridge across from the chasing bunch to join the leaders, the trio gradually putting time into the chasers.
With 2 laps and 1200 metres remaining, Duyvestyn, in his first criterium, accelerated away. The gutsy effort came to an end on the finish line as he was reeled in by the more experienced Jones.
In B grade Steve Grant crossed ahead of rapidly improving trackkie Bryony Telford, with Gavin Hartley third.
Mila Rollo was first in the junior race ahead of siblings Grace and Josh Hurring.
In Levin our junior girls made history by being the first South Island team to win the under 20 girls Team Time Trial at the Secondary Schools Nationals. Bailey Saville, Phoebe Swale, Ella Harris and Ruby Knight (Columba College) beat the more-fancied current titleholders, St Kentigern’s College, by 15 seconds.
Cycling Otago Criterium Sunday
- Patrick Jones
- Kees Duyvestyn
- Guy Carter
B grade
- Steve Grant
- Bryony Telford
- GavinHartley
Juniors
- Mila Rollo
- Grace Hurring
- Josh Hurring
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