Vink wins final round of Benchmark racing to win overall series
4 October 2013
Michael Vink won the final elite round of the Benchmark Homes Elite Cycling Series in
Canterbury’s Selwyn District today, also wining the overall elite series individual classification by
the slimmest of margins.
Riding for the strong Scotty Browns Racing, Vink was part of an early break of five riders that grew
to 10 that at one stage had a lead of over four minutes. Racing featured two sections of gravel the
riders tackled several times, and it was with 20 kilometres of racing to go and only one section of
gravel left that saw Vink make his winning move, forcing a selection of three riders that also
included Alex Hooper (Breads of Europe All About Plumbing) and Matthew Zenovich from
Southland’s H&J's Outdoor World Avanti+ team.
It was Vinks first win in the Benchmark Homes Elite Series in six years of racing, and he said he
knew it was ‘technically possible’ to claim the overall series win as well, but a few things had to go
his way.
“It was tough racing and there were some side winds, but once we were away we all worked well
to establish a lead and then I had to start working out the best option to win,” he said. “I knew
some things had to fall my way to claim the overall series win, and for once they did so I’m pretty
happy.”
With four kilometres left of racing Vink attacked his breakaway companions and put his time
trialling skills to good use to solo to victory winning the 127 kilometre race in three hours and ten
minutes, 17 seconds clear of Hooper who out sprinted Zenovich to take second.
The win tied Vink at the top of the elite individual points table with the Under 23 classification
leader, Dunedin’s Brad Evans, but Vink claimed the overall series elite win based on finishing
ahead of Evans today.
World Tour professional Hayden Roulston rode for the Scotty Browns Racing, and finished
comfortably in the bunch today as he looks to round out his professional season with two more
events overseas, including the Tour of Beijing that starts on Friday.
Breads of Europe All About Plumbing won the Faringdon elite team time trial that got racing
underway, confirming their team’s classification series win.
A crash marred racing in the 99 kilometres masters’ event, resulting in the field across the three
age group classifications being heavily disrupted and split. Several of the leading riders were
caught up in the crash, with most of them managing to ride their way back into the leading bunch.
The master’s individual 45 to 49 series result hangs in the balance overnight as officials consider
several appeals. Brent Marryatt was provisionally fourth across the line but was the first over 50
rider, cementing his series classification second place behind Jorg Engelbrecht of Team Thule
Cycling.
Marryatt was well looked after by team mate Wayne Smyth who shepherded him to the front and
then lead him out in the closing stages, sacrificing his own placing to get a result for Marryatt.
Ian Smallman (Team Thule Cycling), didn’t start today’s race due to illness, but had an unassailable
lead heading in the master’s 35 to 44 grade. Wellington’s David Rowlands (Armstrong Subaru)
provisionally finished second today, behind Warmup Cycling’s Lee Johnstone, but was first in the
35 to 44 age group, a result that saw him move up to second in the series standings.
Armstrong Subaru won the masters Farington team time trial which saw them claim the team’s
classification after being locked on equal points with Team Thule Cycling.
Sharlotte Lucas (Benchmark Homes) showed the form that recently saw her claim seventh on
general classification in Australia’s National Road Series Tour of Canberra, outsprinting her team
mate Elyse Fraser to win in three hours and 10 minutes, and claim the series title but only two
points.
Lucas and Fraser broke away from the leading bunch with five kilometres of racing left and made
an agreement on the road to let the sprint decide the overall winner.
Dunedin’s Georgia Catterick held hold off her Cycle World Fairweathers team mate Lydia Rippon
to win the women’s Under 19 series classification while Christchurch cyclist Tracy Clark finished
fifth to claim the over 35 series category.
The Benchmark Homes women's team completed their domination of the racing winning the
Faringdon team time trial comfortably to increase their teams classification lead over Dunedin’s
Cycle World Fairweathers team.
Ends
Photo Credit; rickoshayphotos: Michael Vink won the final elite round of the Benchmark Homes
Elite Cycling Series in Canterbury’s Selwyn District today, also wining the overall elite series
individual classification by the slimmest of margins.
For results see www.eliteseries.co.nz
For more information please contact:
John McKenzie
enthuse media & events
021 384 730