The Auckland Anniversary race on the Braemar circuit produced a gripping contest across all grades of the Whakatāne Cycle Club, with Mark Birks making his first graded win of the season after a perfectly timed sprint on the rare uphill finish.

Birks, Albie Hulse and young rider Dylan Jackson combined well in the early stages and, after 10 kilometres, had established a clear break from the D-grade bunch.

Their momentum was interrupted when Hulse’s chain came adrift at the foot of the first major climb, forcing a rapid repair and leaving him with a sizeable gap to close over the remaining 25km.

Hulse is a strong climber, and he set about the chase with determination. He gradually reeled in the leaders and the trio briefly regrouped at the half- way turnaround.

Moments later, Jackson lost a wheel, leaving Birks and Hulse to press on alone.

There was nothing to separate the pair over the three hills and rolling terrain of the return leg, with the final 3km rising steadily toward the finish.

The race came down to an all-out sprint, Birks showing patience before launching for the line to secure the D-grade victory.

The rolling start had given the 12 riders of the B and C grades the chance to cling to the wheels of the three A-graders for the first 6km, before the elastic finally snapped and Jeremy Anderson, Phil McIlroy Bisley and Donovan Jackson disappeared into the hills.

The pace in the chasing group remained high, riders being shed one by one until a cohesive group of seven formed.

Coenie Hoffmann rode strongly until a late puncture ended his challenge.

The final 500m of the uphill finish fractured the group, with Neil Jones producing a decisive sprint to lead Malcolm Harison, Greg Malcolm, Finn Shilton, Sam Jones, Dave Wright and Tania Jones across the line.

Anderson was first home overall, ahead of McIlroy Bisley, with Donovan Jackson doing well to finish with the two speedsters.

There were encouraging performances throughout the field, with young riders Jacob Jones and Ethan Jackson both riding strongly, along with newcomers Jasper Heijtel, Nicola Klein and Noelene Jackson. The weather held long enough for a relaxed post race barbecue to round out the day.

Last Thursday’s race at Awahou also produced a notable first time winner, with William Young taking his maiden victory in the B grade, ahead of McIlroy Bisley and Jason Boonen.

In the C grade, Neil Jones crossed ahead of Malcolm and Hoffmann.

Next week’s races both begin at 6pm: Monday from outside Thornton School, and Thursday from the northern end of Foster Road, Tāneatua.

The full racing calendar and club details are available at www.whakatanecycleclub.org