Horton lifts the major spoils

Colin Horton made his first road cycling race in Ashburton a memorial one when he claimed victory in the Tinwald Tavern Mid Canterbury Championships, raced over 64km under handicap conditions around the Wakanui Beach block on Saturday.

Horton and his co-markers hauled in the sole front marker inside the last 500 metres, to set themselves up for a winner takes all sprint.

It was Horton who hit the line the strongest to claim the victory from a very gallant Don Sutton, who secured the second place spoils and lifted the first local home trophy.

Nigel Chatterton charged into third place, backing up some great end of season form.

Penny Costello claimed fourth place and the senior women’s time ribbon.

Don Morrison and Nigel Leary rounded out the top six.

Overall fastest time was recorded by Craig Domigan, riding the distance in a quick 87.22.

Kristine Marriott finished her season off in style taking the women’s fastest time honours, covering the course in 92.20.

Maddi Lowry transferred her good recent track form to the road to secure the under 19 winners spoils.

Rachel Reid will be happy with her busy season taking the vet 1 women’s ribbon.

Liz Wylie capped off her top season with the vet 3 fastest time ribbon.

The senior men’s fastest time ribbon went to Sam Clement- Stewart, with Timaru visitor Hamish McDonald securing vet 2 honours.

Tony Ward added to his impressive collection of titles claiming the vet 3 fastest time spoils with Brent Cowie producing a great ride to lift vet 4 honours.

The juniors were also racing for Mid Canterbury titles, contested over the one lap 16km course.

Back marker Mitch Brookland put his recent hard work to good use, to ride through the field, finding the front late in the race to claim fastest time honours and lift the winners cup.  Mitch rode the distance in 24.35.

Charlotte Neal recorded another top ride to take second place,

Third place getter Zoe Spillane took the under 17 girls fastest time ribbon.

Flynn Turnbull showed he will be one to watch in coming years, recording fourth place, and securing the under 15 boys time honours.

Ryan Gallagher was in the thick of the finish to take fifth place.

Penny Marriott fought right to the end to fill sixth place and in doing so recorded the under 15 girls fastest time.

Alan Johns wound the clock back to claim division 2 honours, with Janette Hooper and Kerry Clough filling the other two podium positions.