Race moves won't sweeten bitter pill

A year ago today Auckland woman Tarryn Burton was told she may never see her husband Brett again.

Cyclist Brett Burton was critically injured when he crashed head-on into a milk tanker during the gruelling 200km K2 cycle race around the Coromandel Peninsula last year. "I broke my neck, my back and legs. I know I am lucky to be alive today," he said.

When the record number of 1500 cyclists set off on their race today Mr Burton will not be among them.

"My specialist told me I could never ride a road bike at speed again."

The 42-year-old admits feeling bitter that no-one was held accountable.

"One of the cyclists had a support vehicle following him during the race but it was causing mayhem with the riders. He overtook on a corner and it pushed me right into an oncoming tanker, I had nowhere to go," Mr Burton recalled.

An investigation earlier this year found no-one was at fault, a bitter pill for Mr Burton to swallow. "That driver knew what he was doing. The race organisers should have made an example of the situation rather than sit on the fence like a bunch of cowards." But race organisers have responded to last year's incident with a raft of strict safety measures. Race organiser Andy Reid said the changes would take effect right from the starting gun.

"We will have a staggered start where groups of 100 cyclists will leave at three-minute intervals. The police have also come on board and will supply 14 police cars strategically placed around the course," he said.

Support vehicles have also been banned from the course with riders facing instant disqualification if they are helped by support cars.

"To try and limit traffic on the roads we have taken various measures like offering electrolytes, bananas and jelly beans for sustenance at water stations around the course."

Flashing signs at Kopu Bridge and the entrance to Whangamata over Labour Weekend were aimed at making those from outside the peninsular aware the race was on.

Waikato road policing manager Inspector Leo Tooman said drivers need to be patient with groups of riders expected on roads throughout the Coromandel.

"We have lead vehicles in front of each group and these will be followed by organisers' lead cars," Mr Tooman said.

Motorists encountering lead vehicles coming towards them were being asked to pull over until the peloton had passed.

Organisers warned that with three races taking place from varying start points around the Coromandel the roads would be busy. "We have the K2 race starting from Buffalo Beach, Whitianga, at 7.45am, the K1 event leaving Thames at 11.45am and the QK departing Tairua at 9.30am," Mr Reid said. All races finish at Whitianga.

Among the 1500 riders will be 69-year-old Cyril Hibberd, Auckland, and last year's elite race winner Jeremy Yates, Hastings, who is aiming for a hat-trick of wins.

- © Fairfax NZ News