Chance of victory deflated

A late puncture denied Marlborough's Richard Anderson his first Rainbow Rage mountainbike title, instead finishing third in the annual race between St Arnaud and Hanmer Springs on Saturday.

Anderson, Nelson's Joel MacMillan and Hokitika's Brent (Shorty) Allnutt worked together to build a sizeable lead over the rest of the field in the 106km race.

However, with 15km to ride, Anderson punctured, costing him six minutes and any shot at victory.

Allnutt also punctured just short of the finish line, leaving MacMillan to take the win in 3hr 44min 52sec.

Allnutt, an accomplished road cyclist, finished runner-up, three minutes back with Anderson following in 3hr 49min 08sec.

While disappointed to miss his title chance Anderson said he was pleased to see fellow teenager and mate MacMillan win, especially after the Nelson rider suffered an early crash.

"I was happy to help him out. I haven't trained at all after nationals so it was good to get back out riding.

"This race is completely different to a normal cross country mountainbike race. It's a bit like a road race. You can't just take off on your own, the last 40 kilometres you want to be in a group," Anderson said.

As well as overall honours MacMillan also claimed the men's 13-18 years age group title, with Anderson second.

Allnutt won the men's 30-39 years.

Nelson's Suzie Wood was first female home, 12th overall in 4hr 11min 58sec.

Chris Heywood was second Marlborough rider into Hanmer Springs, placing 21st in 4hr 23min 39sec. Josh Scott placed 24th while Ken Anderson was 26th, Scotty Boon 27th and Jimmy Johnston 38th.

Jane Roberts was first of the Marlborough women, seventh female home and 177th overall in 5hr 34min 25sec. She was third in the female 30-39 years.

Amy Fox also bagged a podium finish in her age group, placing third in the female 19-29 years and 12th woman across the finish line in 215th place.

Riders faced a slight head wind for the start of the race before receiving a tail wind for the run into Hanmer, meaning times were much quicker than last year.

Rage organiser Mike Gane said the event ran successfully with only one serious injury, a rider needing to be helicoptered out with a broken leg.

He said most of the other 500 riders in the race finished with only a few mechanical breakdowns and some missing cut-off times.

After 15 years Gane said the Rainbow Rage would have a new look next year.

The classic ride would still be offered, but so would two other options.

An extended 140km race would see riders cover the traditional course until the Clarence River where they would turn off to head through Maling Pass and into the St James area next to the Waiau River before crossing back to Hanmer.

A shorter 55km to 60km option would allow riders to start from Lake Tennyson and take in just the new circuit.

Gane said the changes would be updated soon in more detail on www.rainbowrage.co.nz

- The Marlborough Express