Last gasp victory for Hooper
A last gasp effort saw the back markers hit the front of the race inside the final 400 metres in the Tinwald Cycling Club’s, Robbie’s Bar and Bistro, White Fox and Jones Lawyers, 45km handicap event around the Dawsons Road block on Sunday.
Leading into the final lap of three it was anyone’s race, but the lure of riders in front drove the scratch markers on, as they slowly hauled in the leading bunches.
Having over taken the leading group in the shadow of the finish line it was Alex Hooper who produced the best sprint to the line to claim the victor’s spoils. Co-markers Steve Hands and Tony Ward securing second and third places respectively.
Hooper’s riding time of 66.31 secured the fastest time honours.
Kim Marshall produced a strong ride to claim fourth place, with Kristine Marriott and Dave Knight in the thick of the finish to round out the top six.
The juniors and division 2 contested a 15km handicap event.
Bella Roulston made it a good day for the scratch markers, getting up late in the race to take the win and fastest time honours, riding the course in 29.27.
Maddi Lowry continued her good form to take the second place spoils with little sister Emma Lowry battling on strongly to secure third place.
Hillary Singlewood took division 2 honours.
Next week the Club will contest a 48km event around the Grahams Road block.
LOWE SHOWS GOOD FORM
Building on his recent good form in the Calder Stewart elite race series, Stu Lowe secured victory in Tinwald Cycling Club’s, ACL, Small Business Accounting (SBA), 32km handicap event around the Wakanui Beach block on Sunday.
A good field of riders went to the starting line in the grey “spring like” weather conditions.
Lowe and his fellow scratch markers found the front of the race in the concluding stages.
Lowe attacked with 4km to go, establishing a break that his co-markers were unable to close. Steve Hands found the line strongly to secure second place honours.
Alex Hooper claimed the final podium position with Darrell Kircher, Tony Ward, and Nigel Douglas rounding out the top six places.
Lowe’s efforts also saw him claim fastest time honours, riding the course in 45.47.
With a large number of junior riders competing in the Junior Tour of Southland and inclement weather, there was no junior race.
Next week the Club will contest a 38km handicap event around the Wakanui – Hakatere course.
Tinwald Cycling Club kicks off season
The Tinwald Cycling Club kicked off the 2017-18 summer season with a grade scratch race around the Christys Road block on Sunday.
A good field of riders took the opportunity to blow out the cob webs with spirited racing across all grades.
“A” and “B” grade contested the Health 2000 – Dpi EmbriodMe, 36km event, while “C” and “D” grade raced over 27km.
Michael Templeton carried his good form over from last season, claiming victory in “A” grade, in a tight sprint finish. Alex Hooper secured second place with Tony Ward taking the final podium position.
“B” grade was hotly contested with the majority of the grade in the hunt leading into the finish.
Kristine Marriott produced the best sprint of the bunch to take the major spoils. Rob Hooper held onto second place, with the fast charging Ross Templeton in third.
“C” grade saw a split in the field late in the race, with five riders getting away.
Don Sutton saw off the challengers in the charge to the line, to secure the win. John Uden was hot on his tail to claim second place, with Hugh Copland producing a strong ride to take third.
Aimee Elliott showed her strength with a solid sprint to take the win in “D” grade. Richard Begg was in the thick of the finish to claim second place with Matt Caldwell taking out the third place spoils.
The junior “A” grade competed over 18km.
Ethan Titheridge nudged out his sister, Caitlin Titheridge in the closest finish of the day, to lift the winner’s trophy. Maddie Lowry claimed the third place spoils.
Emma Lowry rode a strong race to secure the 9km junior “B” grade title.
Next week the Club will contest a 36km handicap event around the Wakanui Beach block.