Kircher crowned Club Champion

Darrell Kircher made the trip south from Christchurch a worthwhile one, securing the title of Tinwald Cycling Club’s open Champion for 2017.

With plenty to race for, a good field of riders went to the line in Tinwald Cycling Club’s, Ashburton MSA Liquor Centre, Club Championship, 64km mass start event around the Wakanui Beach block on Sunday.

Kircher and Tony Ward made a break inside the first 25km and built a buffer between them and the chasing bunch.

A concerted effort late in the race saw the chasing bunch pull the break back inside the last 10km, setting up an exciting finish.

It was Kircher however who regrouped and out kicked the opposition in the charge to the line to lift the major spoils, riding the distance in 96.40. 

Steve Hands charged into second place and also took the senior championship ribbon. 

Ward was rewarded for his aggressive ride securing third place.

Kristine Marriott put together a strong ride to secure the Open women’s and Veteran 1 titles in a tight battle with second place getter Rachel Thow.

Matt Clough put his multisport talents to the test securing the u19 title.

Alex Hooper rode strongly in the chasing group to claim the u23 title.

Michael Gallagher was another to find some good form in the last race of the calendar year to lift the men’s vet 1 ribbon.

Neil Wylie backed up his recent good results by securing vet 3 honours.

Don Morrison showed plenty of fight to put himself into a strong position and in doing so secured the vet 4 club title.

Michelle Davidson stuck to her task to take the women’s vet 2 spoils, with Sarah Hewson lifting the senior women’s ribbon. 

Liz Wylie rounded the year out the year in style by securing the women’s vet 3 honours.

Sealed handicap honours went to Mark Smitheram from Richard Kirwan and Hugh Copland.

The juniors also raced for Club titles over 16km.

Oliver Davidson built on his improving year on the bike to secure the u17 Club Championship title, riding the course in 24.16.

Caitlin Titheridge showed a good set of heels in the charge to the line to lift the girl’s u17 Championship title, in a tight contest with second place getter Bella Roulston.

Ethan Titheridge had an eye catching ride to take the u15 title, beating off the challenges from Ashton Stanger and Jack Templeton, who claimed second and third places respectively.

Maddi Lowry continued her good form to lift the girl’s u15 club title, from Paige Kiesanowski and Lily Davidson.

Paige took the sealed handicap spoils from Jack and Lily.

The Club will kick off post-Christmas racing on 7 January 2018, with a 36km handicap event around the Winchmore Church block