Bancroft holds on gamely

Helen Bancroft took victory in Tinwald Cycling Club's penultimate race of the season, the Frontrunner / Avanti Plus : Kelly's Bar and Cafe, a 60km handicap event around the Blackbridge block on Sunday.

It was a solid hit out for riders leading into the 80km Mid Canterbury Championships next week.

Bancroft rode strongly off a front mark to keep the chasing groups at bay.

Kevin Opele led in the chasing group to secure the second place spoils. Kristine Marriott continued her good form to take third place and lay claims as one of the favourites to take the women's fastest time honours next week. Ross Templeton continued his top run of form sprinting into fourth position.

Martin Hyde and Gary Weston rounded out the top six.

Nigel Douglas is looming as a dark horse next weekend taking fastest time honours in a well contested sprint finish. Douglas led in co-markers Steve Hands and Tony Ward in a time of 83.30.

Jessie Banks back from a successful campaign at the NZ Age Group Track Cycling Championships took the win and fastest time honours in the junior 20km event.

Bailey O'Donnell produced a top shelf effort to lay claims to second place edging younger brother Abe into third. Connie Davidson secured fourth place spoils with Oliver Davidson and Ryan Jackson filling the top six spots.

Brian Ellis took division 2 honours sprinting in Janette Hooper with Shona McGrath-Proctor close behind in third, claiming fastest time.

Next Saturday the Club will host the final race of the season, the 80km Mid-Canterbury Championships around the Wakanui block.