Uden lifts Eddie Ward Shield
John Uden had a day to remember in Tinwald Cycling Club’s, McIntosh Group, 48km handicap event around the Grahams Road block on Sunday. Uden found himself in the winner’s circle for the first time in a number of years, his victory securing him the Eddie Ward Shield.
This was the first time since Eddie’s passing that the Shield was presented and it was his brother and life member of the Tinwald Cycling Club, Chris Ward, who did the honours.
Uden and his co-markers found the front of the race inside the final 10km, but had plenty of work to do with the back markers in hot pursuit.
The sprint was hotly contested with the first 10 riders finishing within seconds of each other.
Uden saw off the challenge of the fast finishing Kevin Opele who claimed the second place spoils.
Don Sutton was again in the thick of the finish to climb onto the podium in third spot.
Ryan Jackson produced his best race of the season to secure fourth place, with Brett McGinity and Drew Titheridge rounding out the top six.
Fastest time honours went to Eddie’s son, Tony Ward, riding the distance in 67.58. Co-markers Brad Hudson and Michael Templeton claimed second and third time.
Kristine Marriott, Eddie’s niece, secured the women’s fastest time ribbon.
The juniors and division 2 contested a 16km handicap race.
Jake Marshall pulled out all the stops to find the front and hold out the chasing riders to secure the win.
Ethan Titheridge produced a strong ride to take the second place spoils with Jake’s younger brother, Daniel holding on bravely to claim third place.
Oliver Davidson took fourth place and fastest time honours riding the course in 26.03.
Caitlin Titheridge, fresh from securing third place in the under 17 girls New Zealand mountain bike championships, took fifth place.
Janette Hooper produced a solid sprint to claim division 2 honours with Andy Skinner in second place and Bill Hood third.
Next week the Club will contest a handicap event around the Blackbridge block.
DOUGLAS HAS FINAL SAY
Nigel Douglas built on his previous weeks top shelf effort to secure an overdue victory in Tinwald Cycling Club’s, Hinds Seed Cleaning, 50km handicap event at Hinds on Sunday.
Douglas’s performance not only secured him the winner’s trophy but saw him lift fastest time honours riding the course in 71.21.
Having found the front of the race in the final 10km, Douglas and his co-markers set about defending their lead from the chasing scratch markers with some jockeying for places approaching the finish line.
Douglas had the best of the sprint to the line with Myles O’Donnell, riding himself into some great form, taking the second place spoils.
Jelle Hendrikson produced a gutsy effort to take the final podium position.
The top six was rounded out by Rob Hooper, Kristine Marriott, and Paul Macfie.
The juniors and division 2 contested a 20 km handicap event.
Oliver Davidson continued his fantastic run of form with another solid ride to take the major prize and in doing so also claimed fastest time honours covering the distance in 33.11.
Ethan Titheridge chased hard and was rewarded for his efforts, picking up second place and second time.
Maddi Lowry was in the thick of the finish securing third place with Alysa McGinity in fourth.
Bill Hood wrapped up division 2 honours with Janette Hooper claiming fastest time honours in a close finish with local personality Brian Ellis.
Next week the Club will contest a 48km handicap race on the Grahams Road block.
Bancroft keeps field at bay
The Tinwald Cycling Club travelled north to contest the Jasama Farm, 43km handicap event on the picturesque Terrace Downs - Colderidge course on Sunday.
Front-marker Helen Bancroft rode strongly in the testing nor-west conditions to keep the chasing field at bay to take victory.
Ross Avis who produced his best ride of the season was rewarded with second place after making a bold solo bid to find the front in the second half of the race.
Nigel Douglas stormed into third place with an eye-catching ride.
German visitor Stefan Heuble had a day to remember taking fourth place spoils, with Myles O’Donnell and Rachel Thow rounding out the top six.
Scratch marker Campbell Pithie lifted fastest time honours covering the course in 65.55. Bailey O’Donnell and Hamish McDonald secured second and third time.
The juniors and division 2 competed over 15km.
Maddi Lowry returned to the winners’ circle with a top ride, seeing of the spirited fast finishing challenge from second place getter Bella Roulston.
Oliver Davidson charged in third place, his efforts saw him claim second fastest time.
Alyssa McGinity secured fourth place, with fifth place getter Hayden Jefferson taking fastest time honours, riding the distance in 22.53.
Debbie Skinner went back to back claiming division 2 honours from Beth Begg. Brian Ellis took fastest time honours in a close finish with Janette Hooper.
Next week the Club travels to Hinds to contest a 50km handicap event.