A field of 40 contested the 2018 Invercargill to Browns Road race in ideal conditions.
With the field handicapped over a 16 minute spread, all of the bunches were in contention as the race progressed across the rolling terrain of Spring Hills before making the final surge towards the Browns township. However, some bunches found themselves with some willing passengers and hence made life for those trying to ensure the bunch kept working solidly a difficult task.
The remaining four limit riders of Nicola Stevens, Sam Kopae, Eion McKenzie and Wayne Murchland kept their heads down and shared the workload as they attempted to halt the onslaught of the field behind.
Coming onto the back straight of the grass track the limit riders were the first to have to adjust to the unique finishing section of the race.
Stevens made her move down the home straight with a lap to go and quickly opened a 40m gap on her co-markers before going on to take the victory.
A large portion of the field entered on to the grass a mere 400m behind as Stevens was approaching the closing metres. Amongst them were some of the break riders desperately trying to secure fastest time. However, the ever determined Matt Zenovich who started with fellow scratch marker Josh Haggerty had other ideas. Zenovich found himself very early into the race having to ride solo to try and shut down the 1min 30 gap to the break riders. In the end he came within 45 seconds to add his name to the fastest time honours trophy.
RESULTS
1st Nicola Stevens
2nd Sam Kopae
3rd Eion McKenzie
4th Wayne Murchland
5th Jake Willis
6th Hunter Gough
7th Josh Miller
8th Derek Tan
9th Finlay Wall
10th La'chlan Robertson
Fastest Time
Matt Zenovich
JUNIOR ROAD RACE
1st Kane Borrie
2nd Oliver Borrie
3rd Pearl Harris-Blain
Fastest Time
Ronan Shearing
GRASS TRACK
Large fields contested the Junior and Open Grass Track racing today with crowd appreciative of the display of racing put on by both grades.
Ronan Shearing took out two of the three Junior races while Corbin Strong, Nicole Marshall and La'chlan Robertson proved some of the strongest contenders within the various Open Races.
Strong added his name to the prestigious Ray O'Connor 1500m Memorial race. O'Connor was a rider many years ago before becoming known as the voice of the Tour of Southland and cycling events in the deep south.
Thanks to all those that assisted with officiating at both the road race and track racing. Our thanks also to the Browns Sports Society, Jesco Hydraulics and Findlater Sawmill for their sponsorship.
Caption
Browns Race fastest time winner Matt Zenovich and race winner Nicola Stevens
Report courtesy of Julian Ineson