Hands has Final Say

The Tinwald Cycling Club travelled to Mount Somers to contest the Jims Test and Tag, Stronechrubie, 47km mass start race.  The event took in the lowland hills from the Mount Somers township to the historic Hakatere Station huts and return.

Steve Hands, along with Tony Ward, Wayne Clement, and Sam Letham, managed to break away from the main body of the field.  It was Hands who had the better of a tight finish to claim line honours from Ward and Clement.

The group rode the distance in 69.52

There was still plenty to race for back in the field with sealed handicap honours up for grabs.

Sam Letham’s efforts of getting into the break and staying at the front of the race earned him the sealed handicap honours.

 Great rides from the ever-improving Richard Kirwan saw him pick up the second place spoils.  Hugh Copland spurred on by his support team, claimed third place.  Neil Wylie, Marty Cuttle, and Paul Williams rounded out the top six.

The juniors and division 2 contested a 16km handicap event.

A good field of juniors bolstered by a great bunch of young riders from Leeston, made for interesting racing.

It was a Tinwald rider however, Jack Templeton, who pulled out a superb ride to secure victory and in doing so also claimed third fastest time.

Paige Kiesanowski dug deep to keep the chasing riders at bay and take the second place spoils.

Scratch marker Ashton Stainger produced an eye-catching ride to secure third place and lift fastest time honours riding the course in 31.28.

Damian Corbett stormed into fourth place, while Ashton’s younger brother Ethan Stainger, took fifth place and second time.

Toby Gollan rounded out the top six.

Janette Hooper secured division 2 honours.

Next week the Club will contest a 45km handicap event around the Grahams Road block.