HOOD SAVES BEST FOR LAST
Bill Hood held out all challengers to take line honours in Tinwald Cycling Club's final race of the season, the Ashburton Trust, 80km Mid Canterbury Championships raced at Wakanui on Saturday.
Hood and his co-marker found the front 45km into the race. With the back markers making strong head way into their lead, Hood made a brave solo 35km bid for glory holding out the chasing riders to claim victory.
Timaru visitor Glen Marshall led in a solid group of riders to secure the second place spoils. Michael Gallagher was rewarded for a top ride to take the final podium position.
The evergreen Neil Wylie showed he can match it with the best taking fourth place and in doing so claimed veteran three fastest time honours.
Fifth place getter Kristine Marriott displayed her class claiming the overall fastest women's honours to round out a top season.
Fastest time honours went to Michael Templeton holding out a strong group of scratch riders, covering the course in a quick 1.54.53.
Tony Ward took second time honours and in doing so secured veteran two time honours with Brad Hudson taking third time.
Michelle Davidson produced a great ride to take veteran 2 women time honours with Shona Proctor building on her good track form to lift veteran 3 women's time honours.
Dave Shurrock delivered his best ride of the season to lift veteran 4 time honours.
Ryan Jackson rounded out his first season of bike racing in fine form claiming the u17 champions title with the well performed Ben Sutton taking fastest time honours over the 32km course.
The u15 title completed over 16km was hard fought with Bella Roulston riding strongly off the front to keep the chasing riders at bay. Connie Davidson charged into second place with Abe O'Donnell continuing his strong season taking the third place spoils.
Fourth placer getter Jessie Banks continues to impress and was rewarded for a top year on the bike with fastest time honours just ahead of Bailey O'Donnell.
Brian Ellis and Janette Hooper continued their weekly division 2 battle with a dead heat finish.
Bancroft holds on gamely
Helen Bancroft took victory in Tinwald Cycling Club's penultimate race of the season, the Frontrunner / Avanti Plus : Kelly's Bar and Cafe, a 60km handicap event around the Blackbridge block on Sunday.
It was a solid hit out for riders leading into the 80km Mid Canterbury Championships next week.
Bancroft rode strongly off a front mark to keep the chasing groups at bay.
Kevin Opele led in the chasing group to secure the second place spoils. Kristine Marriott continued her good form to take third place and lay claims as one of the favourites to take the women's fastest time honours next week. Ross Templeton continued his top run of form sprinting into fourth position.
Martin Hyde and Gary Weston rounded out the top six.
Nigel Douglas is looming as a dark horse next weekend taking fastest time honours in a well contested sprint finish. Douglas led in co-markers Steve Hands and Tony Ward in a time of 83.30.
Jessie Banks back from a successful campaign at the NZ Age Group Track Cycling Championships took the win and fastest time honours in the junior 20km event.
Bailey O'Donnell produced a top shelf effort to lay claims to second place edging younger brother Abe into third. Connie Davidson secured fourth place spoils with Oliver Davidson and Ryan Jackson filling the top six spots.
Brian Ellis took division 2 honours sprinting in Janette Hooper with Shona McGrath-Proctor close behind in third, claiming fastest time.
Next Saturday the Club will host the final race of the season, the 80km Mid-Canterbury Championships around the Wakanui block.
Hutchinson lifts Boomerang Cup
Chris Hutchinson led in a large group to claim victory and lift one of the oldest cups in the Tinwald Cycling Clubs cabinet, the 91 year old Boomerang Cup.
The Hinds Seed Cleaning : Paul Wylie Cyclerama, 50km handicap event raced in Hinds saw a number of groups come together inside the final 5 km, with the majority of the field finishing inside one and half minutes.
Hutchinson led out strongly with only Matt Marshall and junior Joe Hutchinson able to go with him.
Marshall held on gamely to secure second place with Rachel Thow charging into third in a tight finish with fourth place getter Dave Knight.
Glenn Moore continues his good season finding the line solidly in fifth with Kevin Opele rounding out the top six.
Michael Templeton lifted fastest time honours riding the course in 72.46 with co-markers Brad Hudson and Tony Ward taking second and third time.
Abe O'Donnell showed grit into the head wind finish to take the win in the junior 18km handicap event. Caitlin Titheridge continues to impress with a top ride to claim second place and secure fastest time honours. Bella Roulston dug deep to secure the third place spoils.
Bailey O'Donnell and Oliver Davidson filled the top five spots.
Brian Ellis put his home town knowledge to good use leading in Janette Hooper to take victory in division 2.
Next week the Club will run a 3 stage mini tour at Wakanui with seniors starting at midday.