27/03/2011 - The weather gods had the major say during Cycling Southland's annual Southland Road Championships held over the weekend. Yesterday was a real battle of attrition as riders battled heavy rain and strong southerlies around their curcuit course at Wyndham.
Dillon Bennett took out the Senior Men title with a powerful ride to beat home Brehan Cairns and Nick Rice for the gold medal over their 110 kilometre journey while Mat Zenovich was the last Under 19 standing after their three laps.
Kylie Young defended her Senior Women's crown while Josh Haggerty backed up from his dominant time trial on Saturday to also take out the road race from a gallant Nick Kergozou-De La Boessiere.
The Under 17 Girls saw one of the best finishes of the day as Jen Muhl edged ahead of Georgia Vessey in a sprint finish down Wyndham's Main Street.
Erin Criglington took out the afternoon's Masters Women race from Shirlene Rollo while Michael White powered home to claim the Masters Men 35-44 gold, with Garry Smith taking silver and Derek Tan bronze. Another sprint finish in the Masters Men 45+ category went the way of Dave Beadle, ahead of Steve Brough and Neil Familton.
The Under 13 and 15 races were postponed to be held at a later date.
Video Highlights
Full Road Race Results
Under 17 Girls (36km)
1. Jennifer Muhl 1'09'10
2. Georgia Vessey
Under 17 Boys (36km)
1. Josh Haggerty 1'02'30
2. Nick Kergozou De La Boess
Masters Women (36km)
1. Erin Criglington 1'09'10
2. Shirlene Rollo
3. Kylea Gough
4. Nicola Stevens
Masters Men 45+ (73km)
1. Dave Beadle 2'14'35
2. Steve Brough
3. Neil Familton
4. Brendan Monaghan
Masters Men 35-44 (73km)
1. Michael White 2'07'10
2. Garry Smith
3. Derek Tan
4. Shane Fletcher
Senior Women (73km)
1. Kylie Young 2'37'20
Under 19 Men (110km)
1. Mat Zenovich 3'00'33
Senior Men (110km)
1. Dillon Bennett 3'00'18
2. Brehan Cairns
3. Nick Rice
4. Blake Tait-Jones
5. Nick Atkinson
6. Kieran Caldwell
For race report and results from Saturday's Time Trial Champs click here.