.: CREAM RISES TO THE TOP IN TAKAPUNA

With the streets of North Shore packed with spectators, a top field of riders gave the crowd what they wanted to see, great action and top class winners.

The North Shore City Grand Prix crowned two worthy champions in Takapuna Beach last night where Emma Peterson and NZ Criterium Champion Peter Latham proved their criterium skills against strong fields.

"I always enjoy coming up to race the Grand Prix, the crowd was electric and the location on Hurstmere Rd is the best in NZ. To pull off the win for the Kiwivelo team is a great start to the season," said Latham who took out the men's event.

In the strong field of Elite Women it was ex-Olympic rower Sonia Waddell who opened the account first, claiming the night's first sprint.

NZ Team Pursuiter and international road cyclist Kaytee Boyd followed with two consecutive sprints before Waikato's Emma Petersen launched off the front. Petersen claimed the next sprint before being joined by Oceania Champion Bridie O'Donnell (Australia).

This proved to be the decisive move of the race with the two riders working in harmony to stave off chasing riders including Boyd and triple Grand Prix champion Marina Duvnjak.

It was out of the final corner where Petersen out kicked the powerful O'Donnell in the desperate gallop for the line. Duvnjak rounded out the podium with Boyd fourth.

By the start of the Elite Men's race, the bars & pavements of Hurstmere Rd were overflowing with expectant crowds anticipating the night's final showdown.

It was all Bici Vida for the first ten minutes with Patrick Bevin (Taupo) & Alex Ray (Auckland) sharing the sprint primes.

NZ Time Trial Champion, Subway-Avanti's Gordon McCauley, claimed sprint three before the most significant break of the night formed taking with it Kiwi international Clinton Avery (Rotorua), Eric Drower (Subway-Avanti), Kiwivelo's Shem Rodger (Waikato) and Bevin.

With Drower & Bevin sharing the sprint prizes along the way, the field's strong teams were happy to let the break sit no more than 250m off the front.

However, with the mid-race antics finished with five minutes to race, it was time for the serious shake-up for the finish line.

It was here that a masterclass in power and timing was delivered. With two laps to go the field was strung the length of Hurstmere Rd with Kiwivelo riding for NZ Criterium Champion Latham, Bici Vida riding for Northey and Bevin, and Subway-Avanti for Gordon McCauley.

Storming into the finishline stretch, pro-tour rider Tim Gudsell who had remained anonymous until the penultimate lap, led his teammate Peter Latham through the final corner.

From here it was Latham who finished the business crossing the line ahead of Northey & McCauley in a superb demonstration of teamwork & judgement.

The crowds loved the racing and so did the riders.

"Everyone was impressed with the size of the crowds - really awesome to see. The calibre of riders has been stepped up too - a minimal number of crashes on a technical course," said Roman Van Uden (Bici Vida).

Karl Murray (Placemakers-Black Peloton) agreed. "Takapuna is always the best crowd & a mass of cycling history in & around the race with NZ's best cyclists turning up the speed. The Grand Prix is a growing event & well-run," he said.

Special thanks to North Shore City Council, Takapuna Beach Business Association, SRAM, Giro Helmets & RICOH

RESULTS

Elite Men

1. Peter Latham

2. Mike Northey

3. Gordon McCauley

4. Matt Gorter

5. Tom Findlay

6. Mark Langlands

7. Clinton Avery

8. Shem Roger

Elite Women

1. Emma Petersen

2. Bridie O'Donnell

3. Marina Duvnjak

4. Kaytee Boyd

5. Philippa MacDonald

6. Emma Crum

7. Gayle Brownlee

8. Kate Chilcott

9. Sonia Waddell

10. Naila Hassan

Age Group

1. Lee Johnstone

2. Regan Sheath

3. Graeme Miller

4. John Rippon

5. Nick Harding

6. Daymon Shack

7. Blair Taylor

8. Paul Williams

9. Daniel Poole

10. Andy Grainger

U17 Boys

1. Hayden McCormick

2. Matthew Zenovich

3. Hardy Michel

U17 Girls

1. Georgina Wilson

2. Paige Patterson

3. Racquel Sheath

For more info contact – Peter Ulmer : : . 021 75 45 75 : : . peter@smartsport.co.nz