Tight racing order of the day
Good fields went to the line in Tinwald Cycling Club’s, Canterbury Tree Topping Ltd, 48km graded scratch event around the Wakanui Beach block on Sunday.
With a solid field of 17 riders in “A” grade there were plenty of chances on the start line.
It was Oliver Davidson who had the final say in a tight sprint finish with Steve Hands to secure the major spoils in “A” grade.
Fraser Sharp finished strongly to take third place, with Tony Ward in fourth.
“B” grade saw a bunch finish, with Jake Beeman finding enough in the charge to the line to take the victory.
Gary Weston stormed into second place.
Marty Cuttle produced one of his best efforts of the season to take third, with the ever present Jamie Smitheram in fourth.
Paul Chapman secured an all the way win in “C” grade, riding off the front mid race and holding on gamely.
Don Morrison took second place by the barest of margin in a grandstand finish with third place getter Roger Wilson.
Marcel Smithers was on their tails in fourth place.
Brent Hudson had the final say in “D” grade in another hotly contested finish, to take the win.
Kerry Clough was in the thick of the finish to take second, with Dave Shurrock and Rachel Reid rounding out the top four.
The juniors and division 2 contested a 16km handicap event.
A great field of juniors went to the line.
Jack Templeton produced a storming ride from the middle marks to find the front and take the victory.
Co-marker Daniel Gould was equally as impressive finishing several seconds behind in second.
Penny Marriott continues to show she will be one to watch in the future, with another trade mark strong ride to take the final podium spot.
Little sister Tegan Marriott gave nothing away, producing a super ride to secure the fourth place spoils.
James Reid and Sarah Gould rounded out the top six.
Scratch marker Mitch Brookland took time honours, riding the distance in 29.39.
Kenny Johnston took division 2 honours, seeing off the challenges from Brian Ellis and Janette Hooper.
Next week the Club travels to Terrace Downs to contest a 50km handicap event.
McManus turns back the clock
Tony McManus made his trip down from Christchurch worth its while, taking out Tinwald Cycling Clubs, 50km handicap event around the Rakaia block on Sunday.
McManus, an avid bike racer for many years, made a well-timed late solo bid for glory.
His decision paid off handsomely keeping the charging bunch at bay by a mere 6 seconds on the finish line.
McManus’s victory earned him the John Cleary Memorial Trophy.
Matt Clough led the chasing group in to claim second place and in doing so also secured fastest time honours, riding the distance in 75.38.
Larry Neal continued his good form claiming third and second fastest time.
Mark Taylor was in the thick of the finish to record fourth place, with Steve Franc in fifth.
Kev Opele round out the top six and secured third fastest time.
The juniors and division 2 contested a 15km handicap race.
Tom Reid produced a sterling effort off the front mark to stay away and score the win.
Lily Davidson pulled out a top shelf effort to take second place and fastest time honours, riding the course in 33.03.
Tegan Marriott dug deep to secure the third place spoils.
Jack Templeton and Leah Reid filled the next two spots.
Debbie Skinner had a great ride to take the Division 2 victory.
Second place getter Brain Ellis picked up fastest time honours.
Hot on his tail was Kenny Johnston, from Janette Hooper, and Hillary Singlewood.
Next week the Club will contest a 48km graded scratch event around the Wakanui Beach block.
Smitheram wins in close finish
Jamie Smitheram found the line the strongest in a two up sprint to claim victory in Tinwald Cycling Club’s, 45km handicap event at Methven on Sunday.
Smitheram’s efforts saw him lift the Dean Cooksley Memorial Trophy.
Gene Shurrock produced his best performance of the season to deservedly pick up the second place getter spoils.
The evergreen Don Morrison led in the chasing group to secure third place.
Bruce Blackburn held on gamely to take fourth place.
Paul Williams and Roger Wilson rounded out the top six.
Scratch marker Tony Ward secured fastest time honours, covering the distance in 68.05.
Co-markers Steve Hands and Nigel Douglas took second and third time.
The juniors and division 2 contested a 15km handicap event.
Local rider Lucy Reeve underlined her potential, storming home to secure the win and fastest time honours.
Lucy rode the course in in 27.28.
Holly Douglas-Crawford continued her great first season form with a great ride to take second place.
Debbie Skinner took division 2 honours in a close finish with Janette Hooper.
Kenny Johnston secured third place and fastest time honours.
Next week the Club will travel to Rakaia to contest a 50km handicap event on the new Gardiners Road block.