Cycle Champs take on Rotorua's Finest

The 2009 Police Association Cycle and MTB Champs were held in Rotorua in November. 

The road event was first up with a half century of riders gracing the 9km Blue Lake road circuit.

As usual a lead bunch emerged from the pack with a dozen or so riders in the lead peleton. This formation held throughout the six laps climaxing with a sprint to the finish line. Lower Hutt’s Dan Waluszewski (103 - Dan W.) had the final word using his former professional experience to secure the win. Dan was followed home by all round legend Tony Brownrigg and Ryan Blair.

The ladies field was not as competitive with only two riders game enough to take on the 5 laps. Cycling ‘guruess’ Nina Pedersen took the honours but not without a gutsy ride from 2nd placed Lisa Hogan.

From the lakes the competition moved to the hills for a 6km climb up the magnificent Mount Ngongotahä.

This road (which is closed to the public) leads to the telecommunications mast that looks over Rotorua. On a sunny day it is easy to see the coast, Mt Ruapehu, Mt. Tarawera along with many other splendid vistas - however not on this day. The rain came down and the wind picked up to make the hill climb pretty difficult.

The conditions didn’t have any effect on Dan W. as he powered his way to the summit in just over 18 minutes. Nina P. took out the women's with a 25.15.

With a field of 35 riders started at 1 minute's gaps the race was well over within an hour. This made exciting viewing for the support crews who had driven to the top with supplies, and to support their colleagues.

The following day the rain had cleared to bright blue skies for the mountain bike cross country and downhill events. The tracks were in stunning condition riding fast with plenty of traction.

As the start pistol fired it was Dave Donaldson (riding in the 50+ age group) that stunned the others as he raced for position in to the first section of single track. Tauranga's Tim Mills pipped him into the track and quickly pulled out into an irrecoverable lead on the rest of the pack. The swirling wind played a joke on the chasing pack when a sign post blew down meaning 8 or so riders got to see a bit more of the Rotorua forest than the others did.

There were some fantastic battles going on within the field with Vaughan Smith, Wade Jennings, chasing the leaders. Mike'y Burr, the single southerner Bruce Telford and Dave D' rode like they were possessed and super grand master Robin House came home with a very respectable 1st in the over 60's.

Nina P, Karen Chambers and Lisa Hogan battled the 21km course to finish in that order.

The final event is as much for the spectators as it is for the riders. Downhill mountain biking is basically as fast as you can from the top of the hill to the bottom with everything you could imagine in between.

After a thorough safety brief the riders apprehensively took to the Taniwha National Downhill Track in Rotorua's Whaka Forest. The first piece of carnage happened just 50 meters into the track when Eddie Sutherland found out why riders wear full face helmets as he used his chin to stop himself on the dusty rooty surface.

With half of the riders forfeiting a 2nd practice run in the name of survival the race kicked off for real.

Riders were set off at one-minute intervals to blast down the grade 5 track. Spectators had lined the track at nasty points to get the best views of any potential crashes. All in all the list of injuries and bikes breakages was acceptable considering the gradient of the hill and skill (or lack off skill) on show.

Event organiser and gravity powered Dave Hamilton (hard to believe he is 40 years old) took the gold with a strong 3.58 followed by Auckland young guns Dan Brown (4.17) and Gareth Davis (5.00) to make 2nd and 3rd. A big shout out to Lisa Hogan who was the only female brave enough to post a time on the 2.3km course.

The event finished with prize giving at the Pig & Whistle bar (Rotorua's original police station) where prizes, medals and stories of bicycle gymnastics were enjoyed by all.  Click here for a full list of individual times and placings.

The Superman Trophy of the 2 day event went to New Plymouth's Tony Brownrigg and the Super Woman Trophy went to Otahuhu's Lisa Hogan (Outstanding performance in all 4 events in the open category). 

Massive thanks to the Police Association and Council of Sport for funding the event.

The 2010 Championships are heading south to the splendours of Queenstown - keep posted for more information.