Robertson Tames Picturesque Course
The Tinwald Cycling Club travelled north on Sunday to contest the AshburtonOnLine 50km handicap event on the picturesque Terrace Downs - Lake Coleridge course.
In excess of 50 riders battled each other and the building nor-westers.
It was local man Jamie Robertson who dug deep to keep the chasing scratch markers at bay who were charging their way through the field, to claim victory.
Nathan Tew led the chasing group in to claim second place and fastest time honours riding the course in 80.02.
Craig Domigan secured third and second fastest time with Steve Hands taking third time.
Fresh from a creditable fourth in the Coast to Coast 2 day event, Rob Nesbitt took the fourth place spoils with Nigel Douglas and Mike Kennish rounding out the top six.
Caitlin Titheridge had a battle royal with her co-marker India Domigan to secure victory in the junior 14km race. With both girls starting on the back mark, fastest time honours were also up for grabs and were only determined after a tight sprint to the line.
Chase Domigan led in Abe O'Donnell and Oliver Davidson to take the final podium position.
Brian Ellis took top spot in division 2 with Janette Hooper right on his tail in second.
Next week the Club travels to Hinds to contest a 50km handicap race.
Shepherd rounds up the top prize
Andrew Shepherd timed his charge to the line to perfection to claim victory and lift the John Cleary Memorial Trophy in Tinwald Cycling Clubs, 50km handicap event in Rakaia on Sunday.
With the front runners caught inside the final 300 metres the outcome went to the wire with the first 35 riders finishing inside one and an half minutes of each other.
Glenn Moore continued his good form securing the second place spoils with Steve Tocher pulling out his best race of the season charging into third place. Pam Harcourt was right on his tail to take fourth place leading in Kathy Askin and Lucy Kirwan who rounded out the top six.
Mike Messerze rode the distance in 74.45 to secure fastest time honours from co-markers Mike Gallagher and Nigel Douglas.
Ben Suttons super ride is worthy of mention having lead the field in but due to being a junior was not eligible for the top prize but I am sure will be in the winners circle next season.
Bailey O'Donnell took line and fastest time honours charging through the field to grab victory by the barest of margins in the junior event raced over 18km.
With the three podium finishers recording the same time the result was decided on the line. Ryan Jackson claimed second place with Abe O'Donnell settling for third in the tight finish. Bella Roulston rode strongly to take fourth place.
Geoff Skerten put his local knowledge to good use winning division two from Janette Hooper, Keryn O'Donnell and Rachel Russell.
Next Saturday the Club will contest a 48km handicap event at Green Street.
Moore breaks through
Having been edged into second spot last week, Glenn Moore went one better this week to secure victory in Tinwald Cycling Clubs, McDonalds Family Restaurant, 48km handicap event at Green Street on Saturday.
With the Club celebrating its 90th jubilee it was fitting that Merv Ineson, a life member was on hand to present the Merv Ineson Cup to the victor.
The finish was only finalised on the line with a solid group of 15 competitors contesting the sprint for podium positions with the chasing scratch riders only 8 seconds back.
A trio of Methven riders secured the next three spots. Marty Cuttle backed up some great racing of late to take second place. Adena Middleton pulled out her best performance of the season showing good strength in the charge to the line to take third place. Mike Kennish continued his run of good form to secure fourth place. Shane Gerken and Steve Tocher rounded out the top six.
As was the case last week junior Ben Sutton produced a top shelf ride to lead the field in and will be looking forward to moving into the senior ranks.
Scratch rider Nathan Tew claimed fastest time honours riding in the course in 70.38. Co-markers Tony Ward and Michael Templeton took second and third time.
The juniors and division 2 raced over 16km.
Ryan Jackson was rewarded for some constant top efforts in recent weeks to take the win. He sprinted in second and third place getters Abe O'Donnell and Oliver Davidson. It was a great battle between these three. Bella Roulston found the line strongly to take fourth place with Caitlin Titheridge in fifth. Matthew Clough filled sixth place and in doing so also lifted the fastest time spoils.
Matthew's father Kerry rounded out a good day for the Cloughs taking Division 2 honours.
Next week the Club travels to Terrace Downs to contest the picturesque Lake Coleridge course.