Mixing things up for the winter programme, last Saturday’s Whakatāne Cycling Club race stretched to 42 kilometres, including 14km of gravel and a decisive category 3 climb of just over 3km at 5 percent.

Despite light rain falling in the hour before the start, 21 riders lined up to enjoy what became near perfect riding conditions. Mountain bikes, cyclo-cross bikes, gravel bikes and ebikes were all represented.

Albie Hulse was first to start and, given his hill climbing strength, was never seen again.

He was followed at intervals by Noel Hutchins and Kim Izett, riding e- bikes, then Liz White, Nolene Jackson, Dylan Jackson, Wendy Boonen, Ethan Jackson, Mark Mexted, Warren Smart, Chris Mexted and Matt Fredericksen, making his return after an extended injury break.

First-time rider Lewie Hubbard joined the largest bunch of nine riders, who rolled out 10 minutes later. Alex Coventry, the lone scratch rider, set himself a long chase by starting 10 minutes behind the bunch.

After a 14km flat warm-up, most riders had found a group to work with. Then the race hit the Stanley Road climb, and the hill did what good hills do – splitting the field into ones and twos.

E-bikes and the lighter gravel and cyclocross bikes had the initial advantage on the ascent, but the sharp gravel descents that followed favoured those with wider tyres and a steadier line.

Fredericksen showed his recovery is well under way by forging ahead on the rolling hills after the big climb, leaving Jackson, who was struggling on the downhills, with a low-geared mountain bike.

From the large bunch behind, Lorien Hickson made an early break, steadily picking off riders until only Hulse and the e-bikes remained ahead.

On the flat gravel of Maraetotara Road, e-bike speed limiters gave Hickson the advantage, and he surged past, hoping to build enough of a buffer to counter the uphill strength of the e- bikes on the final climb.

Behind Hickson, riders from the shattered bunches – and Coventry – were fighting their own battles. Mark Mexted drifted offline on the gravel and skilfully rescued himself from disappearing into a deep drain.

Neil Jones, Malcolm Harison, Dean Sisson, Hubbard, Ethan Jackson and Fredericksen formed a working group along the Ohiwa flats.

Further back, Nolene Jackson and Wendy Boonen worked together, making up several places, while Dave Wright, Denis Sax and Chris Mexted teamed up at the back of the field.

Eleven-year-old Dylan Jackson rode especially well in what must have been one of the longest rides he has completed.

Burma Road had the final say on the race outcome, watching riders wobble their way through the finishing gate at the top of the hill.

Hulse was first to pass through the finishing gate, and e-bikers Hutchins and Izett overhauled Hickson on the last hill.

Coventry’s individual time trial effort pushed him past 17 riders on his way to finishing just behind Hickson in fifth place.

Sisson, Harison, Jones and Hubbard fought out a close battle in the final metres of the climb. Both Hickson and Nolene Jackson demonstrated their current form, and fast men Jason Boonen and Dennis Sax managed the climber- friendly course well.

The last race before the June break starts at 1pm tomorrow, from the grassy area opposite 100 Valley Road, Whakatāne, and will take riders on a pan flat 35-kilometre course where any wind usually has the last say.

Full details are available at: www.whakatanecycleclub.org