Duathlon series begins tonight

Last Thursdays Westpac Bank sponsored round Rarotonga cycle race was an interesting outing with fast times and a number of close finishes between some riders.

The start handicaps were spread over 14 minutes.

Congratulations to Roland Neururer for winning both the race across the line after starting second from the back, and having the fastest time of the night.

He reported that his time of 50:07 was his best ever.

And this was after cycling about three times around Raro for training beforehand.

Best times ever were reported by Richard Barltrop and Rob Buick at 53 and 54 minutes. Louise Wittwer also had a personal best of 1:08:26.

Intriguingly there were equal times recorded by Louise and Scott Howley after handicaps were deducted from the finish times.

Good efforts also by Justin Rous holding on for 3rd across the line as well as Anthony Will for holding fifth.

A top ride also by Richard Vinsen at 52:07 and the several others who were under that magic one hour mark.

Tonight will see the start of the Duathlon series – run-cycle-run .

The distances will be a 2km run, 8km cycle and a 1km run to finish.

Venue is adjacent to the Rarotonga Golf Club at Nikao on the inland side of the road starting at 5:15pm.

Net times from last week’s 31km cycle race – Roland Neururer 50:07, Geoff Stoddart 50:30, Richard Vinsen 52:07, Richard Barltrop 53:47, Rob Buick 54:24, Jennie George 57:29, Kevin Henderson 58:18, Rangi Apera 58:41, Justin Rous 58:59, Anthony Will 59:37, Steve Whitta 59:47, Jules Maher 1:00:02, Mel Wilson 1:06:34, Apii Napa 1:07:15, Scott Howley 1:08:26, Louise Wittwer 1:08:26, Jacob Pynenburg 1:10:47.