Daniel Barry wins Benchmark Homes Series

May 23rd, 09.

Barry in a previous Benchmark round (c)Sonia Roussey

Race Director Greg Hume was heard to say that today had the worst conditions in the five years the Benchmark series has been racing. There was rain, wind, cold temperatures and even some snow on the surrounding hills.  

"It was a very tough day, a day you had to embrace the conditions.  A large number of riders, perhaps half the field pulled out," said John McKenzie from Warmup Cycle Team who did finish the race.

Race honours

Today's race was won by Paul Odlin (Canterbury Invitational Team) over Michael Vink (Subway Avanti) who was part of the early breakaway.  Joe Chapman was also part of the early break, he held on to take the final sprint in the lead bunch behind Odlin and Vink.

In the women's category, Star & Garter looked after their leader and protected her from start to finish delivering Tracy Clark over the line for the race honours.

Alan Williams from Warmup Cycling, who was touted as one to watch in this race, had a mechanical early on and withdrew from the race. "At about the 75km mark, while in the leading bunch,  Alan put his derailleur through his rear wheel," McKenzie told RoadCycling.co.nz. "It was disappointing for him and disappointing for our team."

Series honours

Daniel Barry's consistent high placings throughout the series gave him the points he needed to win the overall title at the end of today's racing. Jeannie Kuhajek of Star and Garter won the overall Women's title.

Earlier this week race leader Daniel Barry told RoadCycling.co.nz, "I'm really looking forward to the weekend's race. There is definitely some pressure going into the race with a lead to defend but I'm confident that the Benchmark team will step up and do the job."

Post race Barry said, "Winning the series was the completion of my goals for the season, I really wanted to win the series," he told RoadCycling.  Read the full interview here.

Kelly Chapman from Warmup Cycling Team wasn't racing today but he was on roadside watching the action unfold. "Barry rode well and marked McCauley all race," he told RoadCycling.co.nz. "It was miserable conditions, 7 degrees with a southerly wind chill that made it feel like about 3 degrees. It rained on and off all race."

The final words go to Gordon McCauley from his Twitter update, "Awful weather, got 6th, Dan won the series but deserved it, tried but couldn't shake him. About to step into the Subway-Avanti team piss up! Look out Christchurch!"

Round 6 unofficial results

• Paul Odlin, Canterbury Invitational
• Michael Vink, Subway Avanti Cycling Team +45sec 
• Joe Chapman, Ultimo 
• James Williamson, Subway Avanti Cycling Team
• Scott Lyttle, The Cycle Surgery - Scott Race Team
• Gordon McCauley,  Subway Avanti Cycling Team

Women's results

• Today's race was won by Tracy Clark from Team Thule Cycling.
  
• Jeannie Kuhajek of Star and Garter won the overall Women's title.

Team results

• Cat 1 - Subway Cycling Team
• Cat 2 - Team Thurle Cycling

• Post race interview with Benchmark winner Daniel Barry
• Greg Hume wraps up Benchmark Cycle Series
  
• Barry ready for Benchmark challenge
• Leader Board - pre race
• Teams and riders
• Final results

Thanks to Steve Elden (Protrain) Kelly Chapman (Warmup) and John McKenzie (Enthuse) for their help with this summary race report.