Christie shows class
The Tinwald Cycling Club travelled to the hills to contest a 45km mass start race at Mt Somers on Sunday.
The splits in the field came inside the first 5km with a group of 7 riders getting off the front of the main group. This group splintered into 3 short of the Hakatere Station turn around.
It was Jason Christie fresh from top shelf results in the Tour de Ijen in Indonesia who found the front and drove home his advantage from a game Nathan Tew who deservedly secured the second place spoils. Brad Hudson continued his good form claiming third place with Christchurch visitor Johno Gee and Tony Ward rounding out the top five.
Andrew Shepherd, having his first hit out of the season, secured the sealed handicap honours with Don Morrison and Gary Weston realising their potential to fill second and third places respectively.
The juniors and division 2 rode a 16km event.
Christchurch junior Louie Brown was too good taking the victory from fellow Club mate Joe Hutchinson. Abe O'Donnell showed his strength to take third spot with Connie Davidson and Oliver Davidson securing fourth and fifth places.
Renee Gage powered home to secure the top podium position in Division 2 from the ever improving Barry Linwood with Sonya Hyde rounding out the top 3.
Next week the Club will contest a 48km handicap event around the Grahams Road block.
Nesbit lifts Peach Cup
Rob Nesbit put his recent block of mountain bike training and racing to good use on Sunday in Tinwald Cycling Clubs, Peach Family : Canterbury Hotel, 45km handicap event in Methven, when scoring victory and in doing so lifted the Peach Cup.
Mrs Madge Peach was on hand to present the Cups and continue an association with the Club that has spanned 75 years.
Nesbit made a solo bid in challenging conditions on the final lap and held out the chasing back markers by a mere 9 seconds.
Brad Hudson led the scratch markers in to claim second place and secured fastest time honours riding the course in 69.05. Nathan Tew stepped onto the final podium position and also claiming second time. Co-markers Tony Ward and Steve Hands rounded out the top five.
Ethan Titheridge pulled out a top shelf ride to take the major prize in the junior 15km event. Ethan kicked clear on the finish line to see off a strong challenge from second place getter Connie Davidson.
Back marker Bailey O'Donnell put in a strong showing to secure third place and take fastest time honours
Abe O'Donnell and Oliver Davidson filled the top five spots.
Caitlin Titheridge was rewarded for her efforts taking second fastest time.
Jenny and Al Gilchrist contested the Division 2 event with Jenny securing the bragging rights for the coming weeks.
Next week the Club will contest a 48km handicap event at Wakanui.
Kirwan Hits his Straps
In excess of 60 riders took to the roads of Chertsey on Sunday competing in Tinwald Cycling Club's, Chertsey Tavern : Chicago Joes, 40km handicap race.
After a quiet start to the season Richard Kirwan has started to find his form in recent weeks and put this to good work on Sunday by taking victory and in doing so lifted the Brian Cavill Memorial Trophy.
It was a frantic finish with the first 9 riders finishing within 2 seconds of each other.
Martin Hyde caught in the shadow of the line by Kirwan took the second place spoils with John Ferguson continuing his good run of results securing third place. Rachel Thow and Brendon Tocher rounded out the top five.
Christchurch visitor Connor Stead lifted fastest time honours from fellow scratch markers Tony Ward and Michael Templeton, riding the distance in 57.11.
A solid field of juniors and division 2 riders took on a 14km handicap race.
Ben Sutton had a storming race riding through the field with his co-marker to take the win and fastest time honours. His co-marker Isabella Smith didn't go down without a fight getting pipped on the line to take the second place spoils.
Bailey O'Donnell held out his little brother Abe O'Donnell to step onto the final podium position.
Caitlin Titheridge was in fifth spot.
Renee Gage charged into first place in division 2 with Barry Linwood riding a solid race to take second place. Keryn O'Donnell secured third and fastest time honours.
Next week the Club travels to Methven to contest a 45km handicap event.