This year’s Kevin Hunt Memorial Race marked the 20th anniversary of Kevin’s passing, aged only 43 and still an active club member.

Hunt joined the club as a novice when it was based in Kawerau, and went on to compete in the Dulux Six Day Auckland to Wellington race, as well as representing New Zealand in the Tour of Tasmania while still a club rider.

Local stalwart Kevin McComb describes him as a “pocket rocket” with a wicked sense of humour – a fitting image for a rider whose legacy continues to be felt.

The 2026 edition produced a fitting tribute. On the Eagle Road circuit at Waimana, Dennis Sax delivered a perfectly timed sprint in the final 100 metres to win the Kevin Hunt Trophy.

The climb to the hilltop finish flattens slightly near the top, allowing Sax to unleash his trademark acceleration and edge ahead of Dave Wright and Jason Boonen.

The trio had earlier worked smoothly together to overhaul the first bunch of scratch riders at the end of the second of four laps.

It took another full lap before they finally reeled in Albie Hulse, who impressed by holding out alone into a stiff northerly on the long, grinding stretch of Bells Road.

Scratch riders Sam Jones and Tania Jones also found the going tough with only the two of them to share the workload. Sax will be pleased with his form heading into the longer winter races, while youngster Jacob Jones distinguished himself by completing two full laps solo.

Earlier in the week, riders lined up for the final summer Thornton race, which again drew a strong turnout.

Twenty-two riders took part in the now established format that blends handicap and graded racing, and for the first time in many seasons, D grade (novice) was the largest starting bunch.

On Maclean Road, the A grade trio of Jacques Collombet, Donovan Jackson and Lorien Hicksen easily shot past the two lowest grades, but the six B- grade riders managed to hold onto their wheels for the final three kilometres and contest the sprint.

As the finish neared, Jackson kicked hard, but the in-form Collombet matched the move and rode off the front to win comfortably.

Jackson held on for second, with Antoine Collombet taking third overall and first in B grade. Hicksen followed as the third placed A grader, with Tania Jones and Greg Malcolm close behind – a strong result for Malcolm, who has only recently stepped up to this grade.

In C grade, Dennis Sax added another success to his week by winning the sprint ahead of Coenie Hoffmann and a fast improving Mark Birks.

Hulse completed a commanding ride to take an easy win in D grade, finishing ahead of Ethan Jones and Dylan Jackson.

In other results, the club is proud of Alex Coventry and Jacques Collombet, who competed in the Auckland-Waikato-BoP Age Road Championships on a 100km course of four laps at Waiterimu last week.

The two rode in the same race and ended up working together to cross the line just behind the leading breakaway group.

Coventry finished third in the senior men, while Collombet placed fourth in the U19 age group and first among the Bay riders.

Jacob Jones and Dylan Jackson were also recently awarded club certificates recognising their progress this season.

Winter races are held each Saturday, starting at 1pm.

This Saturday’s race starts at the corner of Macdonald Road and Paul Road, Awakeri and takes riders around a 36km circuit including 330 metres of climbing.

Races are graded to ensure riders compete with others of similar ability.

Full details of the race programme, including course details, are available at www.whakatanecyclingclub.org.