The 2026 Cycling Schools Nationals were held in the Manawatū over three days at the start of the school holidays, with 34 Baradene riders delivering outstanding performances in extremely challenging conditions.
The championships began with the Team Time Trials in Rongotea, where riders welcomed perfect sunny conditions. It proved to be a historic day for Baradene Cycling, with our Year 7/8 A, Junior A, and Senior A teams all claiming first place, an achievement never before accomplished by the school.
Day Two saw riders tackle the Road Race in Halcombe under dramatically different conditions. Competitors faced cold temperatures, gale-force winds, and rain later in the day. Conditions deteriorated so significantly that the Under 20 Girls race was called off before its completion.
The final day featured the Points Race at the Manfeild Circuit, where strong winds once again tested the resilience and determination of our riders.
Despite the demanding weather throughout the event, Baradene athletes produced exceptional results. Most notably, Baradene was crowned Top Girls' School at both the Year 7/8 and Secondary School levels, an extraordinary achievement that reflects the depth of talent and commitment across the programme.
Congratulations to all our riders who contributed to this remarkable success. We are incredibly proud of you all. Top 10 placings are:
Team Time Trial:
Year 7/8A:
GOLD - Year 7/8A (Florence Harvey, Freya Knox, Niamh Lloyd, Annabelle McNaughton)
SILVER - Year 7/8B (Agnes Comber, Caitlin Cooper, Lucy Towers, Ida Wrigley)
5th – Year 7/8C (Jessica Fielder, Eve Street, Grace Caseanu, Victoria Easton)
Junior:
GOLD - Junior A (Cooper, Steph Grainger, Isla Knox, Sophie Spence)
BRONZE - Junior B BRONZE (Ava Arrowsmith, Jess Berrill, Anya Hancock, Ivy Matthews)
5th – Junior C (Stella Hyland, Zoe Crummy, Birdie Roughan, Georgia Gascoigne)
Senior:
GOLD - Senior A (Maddie Bell, Meg Brew, Mia Pepper, Charlie Shields, Charlotte Treadgold)
6th – Senior B (Elinor Collins, Estelle Wright, Belle Grainger, Mathilda Street)
Road Race:
U13 – BRONZE Lucy Towers, 5th Ida Wrigley, 8th Jessica Fielder, 9th Grace Caseanu, 10th Eve Street
U14 – BRONZE Ivy Matthews, 8th Georgie Gascoigne, 10th Florence Harvey
U15 – SILVER Sophie Spencer, BRONZE Anya Hancock. 8th Jessica Berrill, 9th Zoe Crummy
U16 – 4th Isla Knox, 5th Steph Grainger
U17 – BRONZE Charlotte Treadgold, 4th Charlie Shields, 9th Elinor Collins
Points Race:
U13 – 4th Lucy Towers
U14 – BRONZE – Ivy Matthews
U15 – GOLD Sophie Spence
U16 – 4th Steph Grainger, 7th Isla Knox
U17 – BRONZE Charlie Shields, 5th Charlotte Treadgold
U20 – GOLD Maddie Bell, BRONZE Mia Pepper, 4th Meg Brew
All of this could not be possible without our amazing coaches. We thank head coach, Paul Leitch, coaching co-ordinator, Andy Grainger, and squad leaders, Dave Gascoigne, Andrew Spence, Martin Cooper and Craig Knox. A huge thanks also to the very hard-working committee and all our wonderful, supportive parents. BCC is in a very good place because of you all!
