Harris leads the way
The Tinwald Cycling Club took to the roads of Flemington on Sunday to contest the AshburtonOnline, LL Kirwan and Sons Ltd, graded scratch event around the Blackbridge block.
Despite the grey weather conditions good fields went to the line in all grades.
“A” and “B” grade competed over 60km, with “C” and “D” riding 40km.
Cole Harris showed his strength to claim “A” honours, riding the distance in 83.21.
Gareth Lewis will be rightfully happy with his solid effort, securing the second place spoils.
Monique Brake picked up the final podium position.
“B” grade saw a grandstand finish with Jake Beeman getting the nod on the line.
Chris Reid charged into second, with Kristine Marriott in the thick of the finish to claim third place.
Alex Hooper held on strongly in the charge to the line, to claim the “C” grade spoils, in a bunch sprint.
Jelle Hendrikson produced a top ride to take second place, with Nick Grijns rounding out the top three.
“D” grade saw Timaru visitor Shane Fix take the honours in a tight finish.
Matt Marshall had his best race of the season to secure second place, with Glen Moore on his heels in third.
The juniors contested a 20km handicap event.
Eliza McKenzie had a great ride to find the front of the race in the concluding stages and hold on strongly for the victory.
Jack Hooper continued his good form with a strong second place.
Tm Reid produced a top shelf ride to hold on for third place.
Big brother James Reid was hot on his tail in fourth.
Fifth place getter, back marker Zac Brookland claimed fastest time, riding the course in 35.23.
Next week the Club travels to Methven to contest a 45km handicap event.
Sutton on top
Don Sutton stood a top of the podium on Sunday having taking victory in Tinwald Cycling Club’s, Advance Ashburton, Spray Marks, 48km handicap event around the Grahams road block.
Sutton and his co-markers paced the race to perfection, keeping enough in the tank to keep the chasing groups at bay come the business end of the race.
In the charge to the line it was Sutton who had the strongest legs, getting up on the line to take the winners spoils.
John Doherty fought hard to the finish to secure second place.
Ben Knights showed plenty of fight to claim third place.
Ross Templeton produced his best race of the season, putting himself in the thick of the finish, to take fourth place.
Neil Wylie and Roger Wilson rounded out the top half dozen.
Scratch marker Sam Baltrop continued his great form to claim fastest time honour, riding the course in 68.00.
Cole Harris and Monique Brake recorded second and third time.
The juniors and division 2 contested a 16km handicap event.
Carter Shepherd continued his good start to the season with a great ride to find the line first and lift the winners shield.
Jimmy Ward having his first start, showed plenty of promise, storming into second place.
Back marker Jack Hooper secured third place and fastest time honours, covering the distance in 30.07.
Rachel Shurrock took division 2 honours in a close finish with Brian Ellis.
Next week the Club will contest a graded scratch event around the Blackbridge block.
One from one for Nicholls
Ollie Nicholls made his first up start for the Tinwald Cycling Club a memorable one, when he took victory in the RMF Silva, 45km handicap event around the Dawson Road block on Sunday.
In a final hit out before heading off shore to compete in a number of international downhill mountain bike events, Nicholls and his co-markers rode a steady tempo ensuring the chasing bunches where kept at a distance.
In the charge to the line it was Nicholls who had the final say to take the win, edging out Paul Brake in a tight finish.
For the second week running Andrew Shepherd produced another solid effort to secure the final podium position.
Matt Ward had a great ride to take fourth place.
Charlotte Cox and Simon Chapman were rewarded for strong rides with the fifth and sixth place spoils.
Scratch marker Craig Domigan, having his final race day hit out before contesting next weeks Tour of Southland, secured fastest time honours, riding the course in 59.33.
Kyle Gray who will also be heading south next week recording second time, with Tony Ward taking third time.
The juniors contested a 15km handicap event.
It was a good day for first up starts with James Reid holding on bravely to lift the cup and winners spoils.
Carter Shepherd kept the Shepherd flag flying with a great ride to take second place.
Jack Hooper stormed through the field from the back mark to secure third, and fastest time honours, covering the distance in 27.43.
Charlotte Neal and Thomas Stevenson rounded out the top five.
Next week the Club will contest a 45km handicap event around the Grahams Road block.