Close Racing Order of the Day
Tinwald Cycling Club riders tested themselves over 45km, in Drummond and Etheridge : Laser Electrical graded scratch event around the Christies Road block on Sunday.
All four grades were evenly contested with the final results determined on the finish line by the barest of margins.
Stu Lowe held on grimly having ridden off the front inside the last few kilometres to take A grade victory by a slim margin over the charging bunch led in by Alex Hooper with Steve Hands on his shoulder securing the third place spoils.
B grade honours were lifted by Kevin McCormick fresh from a very successful Masters Games. Irish ex-pat, Coleman Burke took second place in a tight finish with Kristine Marriott.
Barry Begg put his good Christmas / New Year training to use claiming the number one spot in C grade. Bruce Blackburn continued his good form securing second place with Christchurch visitor, Ray O’Connor taking the final podium position.
Roger Wilson pulled out all the stops to chase down Don Morrison in the shadows of the finish line to win D grade. Morrison held on gamely for second with John Harcourt showing plenty of cheek in third.
The juniors and division 2 contested an 18km handicap event.
Dylan Leech backed up his first place last week with another storming ride to take victory.
He saw off the challenge of his sister Suzie Leech by the smallest of margins, having almost chased him down on the line.
Matheson Colquhoun had both Team Leech riders in his sights on the line to take third place.
Scratch marker, Jessie Banks rode the course in 29.32 to claim fastest time honours.
Beth Begg made it a good day for the Begg stable securing division 2 honours from Hillary Singlewood and Brian Ellis.
Next week the Club travels to Terrace Downs to contest a 45km handicap event.
Hyde has last say
Martin Hyde used all his experience and strength to see off a game challenge from first year senior Ryan Jackson to claim the John Cleary Memorial Trophy in Tinwald Cycling Club’s, Railway Tavern, 47km handicap event in Rakaia on Sunday.
Hyde and his co-markers found the front 10kn from the finish and kept the pace solid mindful of the chasing groups.
It came down to a sprint finish with Hyde getting the better of Jackson, who is having a first season in open ranks to remember.
Leeston visitor Mark Maddren secured the final podium position.
Lucy Kirwan produced her best ride of the season securing the fourth place spoils with Liz Wylie right on her tail in fifth.
Matt Marshall led in the chasing bunch to round out the top six.
Darrell Kircher secured fastest time honours riding the course in 65.46. Co-markers Tony Ward and Greg Manson took second and third time.
The juniors and division 2 contested a 25km handicap event
Dylan Leech had a storming ride to lead in the large field and claim the winner’s spoils.
Bella Roulston continued her great form on road and track this season securing second place in a sprint finish with third place getter Oliver Davidson.
Suzie Leech made it a good day for Team Leech locking down fourth place.
Scratch marker, Jessie Banks took fifth and fastest time honours covering the distance in 40.09.
Banks co-markers, Hennetta Christie and Caitlin Titheridge were hot on her tail to claim second and third time in what was an all girl’s scratch group.
Sandy Harper claimed victory in division 2 from Beth Begg and Kerry Clough.
Brian Ellis, Janette Hooper and Jay Christie rounded out the top six in a solid field of 10 division 2 riders.
Christie secured fastest time honours riding the course in 40.20.
Next week the Club will contest a 48km graded scratch event around the Wakanui block.
Robertson lifts Dean Cooksley Memorial
Methven local, Jamie Robertson, secured a home town victory as the Tinwald Cycling Club travelled to the foot hills to contest a 45km handicap event around the roads of Methven.
Up for grabs was the Dean Cooksley Memorial Trophy, presented in memory of Cooksley, a renowned cyclist at the highest level, and proud Methven local.
Robertson and his co-markers found the front on the final lap, but had plenty of work to do to keep a charging group of back markers at bay.
Robertson made a break for glory inside the final 3km with only Kristine Marriott able to go with him.
They had an 8 second advantage on the line with Robertson winning the sprint finish to take victory from Marriott.
Dean Longhurst rode strongly to secure the final podium position.
Gary Weston is riding himself into some good late season form, claiming fourth place, with Dave Knight and Marty Cuttle rounding out the top six.
Scratch rider, Michael Templeton, took fastest time honours covering the distance in 66.14. Co-markers Tony Ward and Darryl Kircher claimed second and third time.
The juniors and Division 2 contested a 15km handicap event.
Madison Clark had a storming ride to deservedly take line honours and the winner’s spoils.
Maddi Lowry was hot on her tail to secure the second place ribbon.
Oliver Davidson’s recent block of solid training paid off taking third place and securing fastest time honours riding the course in 28.58.
Connie Davidson took fourth place from Suzie Leech and Emma Begg.
Beth Begg claimed Division 2 spoils from Michael Clark and Hillary Singlewood, with Janette Hooper lifting fastest time honours.
Next week the Club travels to Rakaia to contest a 50km handicap event.