Twenty-nine cyclists lined up for last week’s Whakatāne Cycle Club’s criterium, racing short 2.3-kilometresloops in four grades and producing fast, chaotic and highly entertaining action.

Within minutes of the start, riders from all grades were strung out across the course, each fighting their own battle as the groups fractured and re formed under pressure.

A 15kmh NNW wind blew directly down the virtually straight out and back course, making conditions challenging.

Riders faced a block headwind and a punchy rise in one direction, while the return leg offered no shelter despite the tailwind, with the speedsters driving hard down the fast, mainly downhill, run.

The club’s criterium format requires riders to race for a set time before completing a further two laps, with all riders in each grade covering the same distance.

Those final two laps are invariably decisive, and far easier to control for anyone who has managed to open a gap. The downwind leg proved the prime opportunity to attack.

Alex Coventry equalled the fastest time recorded on the downwind section, averaging an impressive 56.4kmh. A further six riders – Jacques Collombet, Jeremy Anderson, Sam Jones, Phil McIlroy Bisley, William Young and Scott Christie – also rode themselves into the all-time fastest list during the race.

The event served as an important hit out for Lilly and Jacques Collombet, who are competing for age-group honours at the Road Cycling National Championships this week.

Unfortunately, Lilly suffered a mechanical issue, leaving Jacques and Coventry to battle for the win. Jacques made his move with just over two laps remaining and held steady to take the honours.

The rolling start robbed the 10 strong B grade of a small group of strong riders who briefly became trapped behind a slower bunch.

While this reduced the competition for some, the extra effort required to chase back effectively ended the race for others.

McIlroy Bisley refused to yield over the 20 minutes and two laps, riding a strong race to hold off a fast-finishing Anderson.

William Young showed his strength in what became a solo time trial over the final laps, securing third ahead of Donovan Jackson, Scott Christie, Dave Milne, Sam and Tania Jones, and Zoe Christie.

In the C grade, Jasper Heijtel returned after a short break to ride an excellent race, finishing the 20 minutes and two laps ahead of Dennis Sax and Malcolm Harison.

Dave Wright and Sax did much of the early work before Wright launched a strong attack on the final downwind leg. With the two strong men fading, Heijtel and Harison timed their efforts perfectly to slip onto the podium in the closing metres.

Eight riders made up the D grade, where Ethan Donovan nudged Albie Hulse into second place, with Zak Brown following him home.

Liz White and Nicola Klein both rode hard, as did Jacob Jones, and Rachel Collombet, who also competed, rounding out a spirited grade.

Large numbers turned out for the regular Monday race at Thornton despite threatening rain clouds. Conditions stayed dry, allowing for fast racing.

The mass start produced an immediate shake up, with Jason Boonen and Greg Malcolm digging deep to not only hold the wheels of the speeding B grade group but contribute to the pace.

Their commitment paid off handsomely as the pair stayed well clear of their C-grade rivals and deservedly claimed the top two places in their grade.

A short, sharp sprint among the remaining C graders saw Dennis Sax doing what he so often does – powering to third place ahead of Malcolm Harison, Dave Wright, Finn Shilton and Dave Keown.

In the A grade, Alex Coventry turned the tables from the previous week, finishing ahead of young guns Oliver and Xavier Christie.

Phil McIlroy showed his class by finishing just behind the A grade, with Tania Jones finishing a great ride to nudge the evergreen Matt Fredericksen into third place.

Mark Birks’ improving form is now producing consistent results. He finished just ahead of Albie Hulse, Zak Brown and Jacob Jones, all of whom rode determined races.

Upcoming races include a 50km event from Otamarakau School on Saturday, starting at 10am to avoid the heat. Monday’s race is at 6pm from outside Thornton School, and Thursday’s Kevin Crook Memorial Race for women only, starts at 6pm from the Paroa School car park.

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