Blayney makes history on the hills

Auckland's Neil Blayney recorded the fastest overall time to become the first 50-plus rider to win the fourth annual 40-50 cycle tour at the weekend.

The hills of Tasman district played a huge role in the outcome of New Zealand's premier cycle race for riders 40 years and over.

Organised by Ten Events director Nathan Fa'avae, the new tour route replaced the previous course that used to include Nelson and Marlborough roads.

Riders had to conquer the hills of Moutere, Neudorf, Stanley Brook and Kerrs Hill plus the Reay and Hope saddles.

The tour began on Thursday night with the 48 riders tackling a 10km individual time trial down the Lee Valley to Brightwater.

Defending men's tour winner Kerry Harford (Hastings) set a blistering pace to claim the leader's yellow jersey. His time of 9min 33sec was a minute faster than second placegetter Mark Taylor (Auckland), with Richie Van Vugt (Tasman) taking third.

Auckland's Rachael Larner was equally impressive in claiming the women's pink leader's jersey in 10min 40sec. Second was Mary McBride (Wellington), with Jacqueline Davies (Britain) third.

Friday morning saw the riders leave Brightwater for the Waimea Plains and the Moutere Hill. The peleton stayed together until near the top of the hill, when Rob Searle (Tasman) sprinted over the summit to earn the King of the Mountains points.

Larner collected the maximum points for the Queen of the Mountains, with Eileen Searle (Tasman) close behind.

The group rode together again until Neudorf Hill, when Blayney increased the tempo. Searle joined him, and the two climbed hard to the summit to grab the King of the Mountains points.

Nearing Dovedale, they were joined by Harford and Mike Sanders (Auckland), and the group of four worked well together to gain time on the chasing pack.

Blayney, who had lost time to Van Vugt in the 50-plus grey jersey competition, did the lion's share of the work to put as much time between himself and Van Vugt as possible. His Avanti Plus Mount Eden-Muffin Break team did their best to slow the progress of the peleton to aid his efforts.

Searle jumped away again on Stanley Brook Hill to earn more points, but it was Harford who won the stage sprint into Tapawera. Larner rode a solid stage to finish high up the field and tighten her grip on the pink jersey.

Stage three started with a sprint up Golden Downs road, won by Harford, as the bunch rode steadily to the base of Kerrs Hill. Once on the hill, the peleton quickly split up as Harford uncharacteristically suffered a low patch to allow Blayney and Searle to ride away. Searle was first to the top but misjudged a corner on the descent and careered off the road.

Harford rode superbly to pass almost the entire field to claim second place by St Arnaud. However, Blayney had broken clear and won the stage, creating a huge lead in the 50-plus category and also putting time on 40-plus leader Harford. Larner won the women's stage over Searle and McBride.

Saturday morning dawned overcast, but by the time the riders reached the Korere Valley the sun was out. The main bunch stayed intact until the Hope Saddle, with Searle winning the King of the Mountains points race before a fast descent to Kawatiri Junction.

Peter Baron (Auckland) rode over 40km by himself, although Harford won the 90km stage back into St Arnaud.

The afternoon's 30km fourth stage headed into the Wairau Valley and return. Windy conditions prevented any successful attacks, and the field rode together until the climb up Rainbow Hill, returning to St Arnaud.

Harford was eager to distance himself from Blayney and rode aggressively to try to claw back the 40 seconds that separated the pair. He managed the stage win and an eight-second gap, with Searle third, although Harford's efforts did help his Borlase Breakaways team extend their lead in the teams general classification.

The final day started with a 55km fifth stage from St Arnaud to Belgrove, passing over Kerrs Hill and the Reay Saddle, and the final chance for second-placed Harford to gain time on Blayney's overall tour lead.

Harford and team-mates Searle, Van Vugt and Warren Borlase (Nelson) tried hard, but Blayney responded to all their challenges. Although Harford did enough to win the stage, it wasn't enough to take the overall lead.

The final stage was a 15km teams time trial from Belgrove to Brightwater. When a rider from Borlase Breakaways incurred a two-minute time penalty for crossing the centre line, it reduced their lead to only 9sec from Avanti Plus Mount Eden-Muffin Break. Both teams rode at full speed to try to capture the overall top teams award, but the Breakaways did enough to take the victory.

Larner produced a great performance to win the pink jersey for the 40-plus women, and Jo Holden (Wellington) won the 50-plus women's purple jersey.

Blayney won the 50-plus category with the fastest overall time, while Harford won the men's 40-plus category.

Eileen Searle won the Queen of the Mountains hill climb points competition, with husband Rob winning the King of the Mountains. The Sprint Ace competition was dominated by Harford.

The tour was supported by the Summit Rescue Helicopter trust and Nelson Bays Holden. For overall results, go to www.4050tour.co.nz.

- © Fairfax NZ News