Ward on Top

The evergreen Tony Ward lifted the major spoils in Tinwald Cycling Club's, Tavendale and Partners Ltd, David Smith Suryeying Ltd, 48km handicap event around the Wakanui Beach block on Sunday.

With Club patron, long time rider, and supporter, 85 year old Merv Ineson on hand to watch the race and present his Cups, it was fitting that Ward, one of the longest standing riders in the Club, secured victory in a bunch sprint and in doing so also take fastest time honours.

Ward and his co-markers, riding off the scratch mark, steadily made their way through the field to find the front inside the last 4km. It was Ward who had the final say in the kick to the line to edge out Nathan Tew. Steve Hands claimed third place with Brad Hudson and Nigel Douglas in the thick of the finish to round out the top five.

Ward's riding time was 68.07.

The juniors and division 2 competed over 16km.

Matt Clough opened his season account with a strong ride to secure victory in the junior event. Oliver Davidson produced his best ride of the season to date to charge into second place. Front markers Maddie Lowry and Maddison Clark showed plenty of fight to take third and fourth places respectively with Ryan Jackson storming into fifth.

Bailey O'Donnell covered the course in 28.03 to claim fastest time honours from Abe O'Donnell and Connor Leov.

Kerry Clough mirrored his son's efforts to take division 2 honours from Janette Hooper who secured fastest time honours and second place with Rachel Russell and Tony Tarbotton rounding out the top 4.

Next week the Club travels to Mt Somers to contest a 45km mass start event.