GIRL POWER TO THE FORE
It was a day for the women in Tinwald Cycling Club’s, Brad Hudson Flooring : Mathieson Chartered Accountants, 38km handicap event on the Wakanui – Hakatere course on Sunday.
Six of the top seven positions were filled by the ladies, an even more impressive effort when you take into account that over sixty riders went to the start line.
Kelly Dixon had the final say in the sprint to the finish to claim victory and major spoils from Michelle Knight, who put a spirited battle to secure second place.
Lucy Kirwan opened her seasons account with a gutsy ride, filling the final podium position.
Janette Hooper continues to improve with a fine fourth place.
Doreen Lembke took fifth with Brett McGinity in sixth place, the first man home.
Scratch rider Bailey O’Donnell carried on his great form from the recent junior Tour of Southland claiming fastest time honours, riding the course in 49.45. Darrell Kircher and Steve Hands took second and third time.
The juniors and division 2 contested a 16km handicap.
Scratch marker Abe O’Donnell had a day to remember securing the victory and taking fastest time honours covering the distance in 26.10.
Maddie Lowry charged into second place with Rosie Gray right on her tail in third position.
Noah Hollamby backed up last week’s win with a solid fourth place.
Ethan Titheridge’s strong start to the season continued securing fifth and third fastest time with Timaru visitor Mitchell Fitsimmons taking second time.
Beth Begg dug deep to take division 2 honours from Keryn O’Donnell and Jacquie Fitzsimmons.
Lily Davidson rode a super race to win the junior development 8km, holding out a fast finishing Jack Templeton.
Next week the Club will contest a 45km handicap event on the Dawson Road block.
WILKINSON SEES OFF CHALLENGERS
Tim Wilkinson made a strong statement in taking victory in Tinwald Cycling Club’s, ACL : RX Plastics, 32km handicap event around the Wakanui Beach block on Sunday.
Wilkinson made a solo bid for victory with 5km remaining, riding strongly to keep the chasing bunch at bay.
Gavin Borthwick showed some of his good form of old, leading in the bunch to claim the second place spoils.
Ryan Jackson continued his consistent start of the season with a hard fought third place.
The evergreen Dave Shurrock secured fourth spot with Dave Jackways and Pam Harcourt rounding out the top six.
Scratch marker Michael Templeton rode the course in 46.37 to take fastest time honours from co-markers Tony Ward and Amy Hollamby.
The juniors and division 2 contested a 16km handicap event.
Noah Hollamby had the final say in the sprint to the line to take the win from co-marker Maddie Lowry.
Josh Harkness continued his good start to the season, securing the final podium position.
Oliver Davidson charged into fourth place with Jacob Fitzsimmons and Daniel Marshall hot on his tail.
Mitchell Fitzsimmons covered the course in 26.33 to take fastest time honours from brother and sister duo Ethan and Caitlin Titheridge.
Jacquie Fitsimmons took division 2 honours from Debbie and Andy Skinner with Andy taking fastest time.
Next week the Club will contest a 38km handicap event on the Wakanui – Hakatere course.
TEMPLETON OPENS SEASON ACCOUNT
The Tinwald Cycling Club kicked off the 2016/17 season with the Health 2000 / EmbroidMe / Dpi graded scratch race around the Christys road block on Sunday.
With some 60 riders going to the line across all grades, good racing was assured with final positions hotly contest.
“A” and “B” grade raced over 35km.
Michael Templeton had the final say in the charge to the line in “A” grade, seeing off the challenge of second place getter Alex Hooper. Sam Letham backing up from competing in the Calder Stewart elite series the day before secured third spot.
“B” grade saw a spirited bunch sprint with Glen Marshall finding the line strongly to claim the victory from Ross Templeton and Kristine Marriott.
“C” and “D” grade battled it out over 27km.
“C” grade was again decided in the final charge to the line with Wayne Clement digging deep to claim the win and major spoils. Barrie Begg was in the thick of the finish powering his way to second spot, with Gregor Robertson picking up the final podium position.
Nigel Leary put his recent top effort in the Twizel to Timaru to good use claiming the win in “D” grade, getting up over Michelle Knight who produced a top effort to take second place. Ryan Jackson continued his good form from last season taking third spot.
The juniors also contested a graded scratch.
Matthew Clough carried on his good form claiming the victory in the 18km, “A” grade event. Second place getter Josh Harkness showed some real potential in taking second place, with the ever present Maddie Lowry and Liam Begg rounding out the top four.
Alyssa McGinity finished strongly to claim the “B” victory after a great battle with second place getter Emma Begg.
Division 2 saw a tight finish with Beth Begg rounding out a good day for the Begg stable taking the major spoils, edging Rachel Russell into second position. Kerry Clough and Les Brown rounded out the top four.
Next weekend the Club will contest a 36km handicap event around the Wakanui Beach block.