Big Field contests Dean Cooksley Memorial
Making the most of a hot summer's day, in excess of 70 bike riders took to the roads around Methven in the Tinwald Cycling Clubs, 45km handicap event.
With the Dean Cooksley Memorial trophies up for grabs, races were hotly contested.
Front marker Helen Bancroft held on gamely to keep the chasing riders at bay to deservedly take victory.
Local rider Barrie Begg showed a clean pair heels in large bunch sprint to the line to secure the second place spoils.
Michael Kennish stormed into third with Phil Duff right on this tail in fourth place. The flying Scotsman Gregor Robertson and Kathy Askin rounded out the top six.
Tony Ward rode the course in a slick 63.27 to claim fastest time honours from co-markers Nathan Tew and Brad Hudson.
The juniors and division 2 raced over 17km.
Isabella Roulston made it a day to remember securing the win and lift the Trophy.
Connie Davidson continued her hot run of good form to take second place. Ryan Jackson pulled out a top shelf effort to secure the final podium position and in doing so took second fastest time.
Abe O'Donnell claimed fourth with his brother Bailey O'Donnell charging into fifth to take fastest time honours riding the distance in 32.48.
Rachel Russell took victory in division 2 holding out a good field. Keryn O'Donnell hit the line strongly to secure second and fastest time honours from Janette Hooper in third place. Jenny and Al Gilchrist, and Irene Duff filled the next three spots.
Next week the Club travels to Rakaia to contest a 50km handicap event.
Marriott cleans up
Kristine Marriott kicked off the New Year in the best possible way securing line and fastest time honours in Tinwald Cycling Club's, Bedrock Bar and Stone Grill, 36km handicap event around the Winchmore Church block on Sunday.
Marriott and her co-markers steadily made their way through the field to find the front inside the final 5km ensuring a tight sprint finish.
It was Marriott who hit the line the strongest recording a time of 54.14. Rob Redmond put in a solid sprint to take the second place spoils. Marty Cuttle produced some of his form of old to charge into third place with fourth place getter Brendan Davidson showing the festive season has not slowed him up. Paul Macfie and Martin Hyde rounded out the top half dozen.
The juniors and division 2 competed in an 18km handicap event.
Oliver Davidson secured the victory catching the front marker and rode strongly to ensure the back markers didn't spoil his day. His sister Connie dug deep in the final stages to keep the chasing group at bay to take second place and secure a Davidson quinella. Caitlin Titheridge flew into third place riding the course in 31.17 to take fastest time honours. Ryan Jackson put in a strong ride to secure fourth place.
Janette Hooper had a great hit out lifting the division 2 spoils.
Next week the Club will contest the Wylie Memorial Cup around the Christys Road block.
Christie too hot
One of Tinwald Cycling Club's blue ribbon events was held on Sunday when open and age group Club titles were up for grabs over a 64km course around the Wakanui Beach block. Racing was keen with a good number of spectators around the course offering support.
The decisive break was made mid way through the first lap when Jason Christie and Alex Hooper went off the front of the peloton and stretched out the margin as the race progressed. Christie showed his class on the final lap to put some distance between him and Hooper to secure the Club open and senior championship titles. Hooper was rewarded for his effort with second place in the open grade and lifting the u19 title.
Meanwhile there was plenty of interest in the chasing group results. Michael Templeton led in a group of 11 riders to secure the third place spoils in the open event. The evergreen Tony Ward was in the thick of the finish securing fifth and in doing so claim vet 2 honours. Nathan Tew rounded out the top 6 to lift the u23 title. In the hotly contested vet 1 grade it was Nigel Douglas who found the line the strongest to edge out Michael Gallagher and Kevin Opele in a tight finish.
Lauren Ellis showed the "A" game that has bought her success on both the track and road crossing the line in fourth place overall and securing the women's open and senior titles.
Kristine Marriott lifted second place in the open and secured the vet 1 title in a tough tussle with third place getter Rachel Thow.
Paul Macfie continued his rise in the sport securing the vet 3 title with Bruce McClelland back to some of his best form taking out vet 4 honours.
Lucy Kirwan dug deep to take out the women's vet 2 championship with the highly competitive women's vet 3 grade being won by Janis Crawford.
Sealed handicap honours were taken out by Gene Shurrock with last year's winner Don Morrison in second place. Roger Wilson rounded out the top 3.
Ben Sutton lifted the u17 title covering the 32km distance in 60.49.
Kees Donaldson secured the u15 boys title from the ever improving Ryan Jackson and Cameron Prattley.
Jessie Banks continues her run of hot form taking the u15 girls title but not after a tough battle with second place getter Caitlin Titheridge. Caitlin was rewarded for her top effort with the sealed handicap spoils over Ryan and Kees.
The Club now breaks for the Christmas-New Year period and will be back on the road 19 January 2014.