On Wednesday under glorious Southland sunny skies Josh Haggerty and Jen Muhl held off the charge from the pack to win the 2010 Southland Secondary Schools Points Series.
For Jen this was her second win in as many years and showed the promise that she has in the sport of cycling. Josh, in his first year as an U17 cyclist, amassed a total of 39 points and finished five points clear of Div 2 winner Hamish “Norm” Beadle, who is quickly becoming a force to be reckoned with at only 12 years of age!
The rookie of the year went to Laura Heywood on countback from Noah Knol, both tied on 21 points. A fine effort for these two who have only been cycling a matter of a few months.
Today's race produced a climatic finish with Josh’s younger brother Liam, holding off a fast finishing Josh (no love lost there) on the finish line by a mere few centimetres, after breaking away early from his bunch in the handicap format.
The Div 2 handicap was won by Tom Sexton from Caleb Hope and a strong ride by Rookie of the year Laura Heywood.
Southland Road and Track coach Ross Machejefski said he was stoked with the environment this series provided both new and existing riders. “It’s great to give them a solid mid week workout and also nurture the newer riders into the sport in a fun and safe setting. Everyone who rode this season produced some really great rides, it was awesome to see.”
All the riders are now setting themselves for their next main goal, the Yunca Junior Tour in October, where more work is getting underway in order to hold off the large Australian contingent coming to the south for the event.