NZ Secondary Schools Individual Cycling Championships

26,27 and 28 August 2011

The National Individual Cycling Championships is a three-discipline event held over three days in the Mt Wellington area and this year we had over 40 Grammar riders compete for titles in Individual Time Trial, Hill Climb and Criterium events. The cyclists have enjoyed an awesome weekend of racing, with perfect weather and medals in every single grade.
Friday’s Time Trial got everything off to a great start with J. Morreau winning the Under 16 boys grade. Although this was the only Grammar medal in this event, many of the riders had top ten finishes.

The Hill Climb up Mt Wellington on Saturday was a great spectator event with Grammar supporters out in force and blue and gold visible all the way up the hill. H. Seagar put in a gutsy performance to win gold in the Under 15 boys, with A. Morreau taking bronze. Brother J. Morreau then launched his attack in the Under 16s and put in another gold-winning performance, breaking the course record for his age group in the process and earning bonus points. This is the second year in succession that he has pulled off this feat so he is now the holder of two records for the Hill Climb in different age categories. The Under 20 boys event saw T.Fox make his debut as a road cyclist by taking the bronze medal; a result made all the more impressive as he dropped his chain just before the finish.

The Criterium race is perhaps the most exciting event, with points awarded on every lap for first, second and third placings then major points for the final finish. The Under 15s race was not without controversy, as an early crash brought down almost half the pack – an incident which ended the hopes of two Grammar riders. Despite being involved in the crash, H. Seagar demonstrated that Auckland Grammar cyclists are made of something special and rode to victory. In the Under 16s race, no less than six Grammar riders gained points, including J Morreau who got the silver medal. As the age grades go up, so does the pace and the Under 17s race was no exception.

C. Elliston suffered a mechanical failure early on which almost put him out of the race. However, he managed to rejoin the pack and eventually got the bronze medal. The Under 20 boys race is the most exciting – 20 laps of the course at speeds well over 40km/hour! All our Senior A riders stayed in the main bunch with Captain of Cycling D. Gate winning three of the laps and the final lap to take the bronze medal.

Points were accumulated by riders over the three events and used to decide General Classification for overall titles. Grammar had riders placed in the top ten in all grades which is testament to the talent of the whole squad.

H. Seagar gained a silver medal in the Under 15s and J.Morreau took overall honours and the gold medal in the Under 16 boys.

Overall, it was a very successful three days for Auckland Grammar cyclists and the squad is now looking forward to Waterfront finals day next weekend and Nationals in early October.
 

Mission Statement

Grammar Cycling exists to help develop top athletes, and good citizens. These top athletes learn to be self-empowering and organised, and people who contribute to their community.

Elaboration

Grammar Cycling is a path for the building of character but also community.

Cycling teaches competition, as well as cooperation.

It emphasizes athletic excellence, but also introduces a life-long, health-giving sport.

It requires self-discipline, at the same time it necessitates communication with others.

Cycling focuses on citizenship and giving of oneself, first at school to one’s teammates, then to the broader cycling community, then to society at large.

Finally, Grammar encourages young men to use cycles safely for transport, as an environmentally friendly, sustainable form of locomotion.

Grammar Cycling is more than just gaining skills; it provides a new way of looking at life.

Sam Burridge	Daniel Smith
Hamish Snow	Max Justice