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.
Cyclists Battle Elements and Each Other
The Tinwald Cycling Club held the LL Kirwan and Son Ltd : AshburtonOnline graded scratch event around the Blackbridge block on Sunday. "A" and "B" competed over 60km with "C" and "D" grade covering 40km. The riders not only battled each other but also a strong nor-wester ensuring a tough race.
Nathan Tew showed a strong final kick to claim "A" grade honours from Michael Templeton, with Alex Hooper picking up the third place spoils. Brad Hudson and Tony Ward were in the thick of the finish securing fourth and fifth.
"B" grade saw a three person final lap break away. Rob Hooper held on in a tight finish to claim the win from Myles O'Donnell and Kristine Marriott. Rachel Thow led the chasing bunch in with fifth place getter Bruce McClelland right on her wheel.
Paul McFie continued his solid early season form with victory in "C" grade. In a large bunch sprint McFie got up over second place getter Brendon Tocher with Dave Shurrock in third. Brendan Davidson stormed into fourth place with Tonee Hurley settling for fifth.
Roger Wilson had too many guns in the final charge to the line setting up victory in "D" grade. Don Morrison showed his strength claiming second place with John Harcourt securing the final podium position. Rosey Acker took fourth place with Liz Wylie in fifth.
The Juniors and Division 2 raced a handicap event over 20km.
Ryan Jackson rode strongly off the front to keep the chasing riders at bay and in doing so secured the win. Caitlin Titheridge took the second place spoils and also fastest time honours. Co-marker Oliver Davidson was right on her wheel in third place. Henry Smith fresh from recent success on the mountain bike charged into fourth place. Sonya Hyde took the honours in Division 2.
Next week the Club travels to Chertsey to contest a 40km handicap event.
Ferguson has last say
Birthday boy John Ferguson capped off a memorable weekend with victory in Tinwald Cycling Club's, Robbies Bar and Bistro : The Courier, 47km handicap event around the Dawsons Road block on Sunday.
Ferguson and his co-markers steadily moved through the field creating a hard working group of 14 riders. Having reached the front of the race inside the last 10km it came down to a hard fought sprint finish.
Ferguson found the front in the shadow of the finish line to edge a game Doug Coley into second place. Tonee Hurley pulled out her best race of the season so far to claim the final podium position. Paul McFie and Janis Crawford were in the thick of the finish to lift fourth and fifth place respectively.
Scott Albon covered the course in 65.11, showing he can match it with the scratch riders by securing fastest honours from co-markers, Tony Ward and Nathan Tew.
The juniors and division 2 raced over 16km.
Jenna Borthwick continues to impress with a strong ride to take victory in the junior event, digging deep to hold out the flying scratch markers. Caitlin Titheridge charged her way through the field to secure second place and record a time of 29.37 to take fastest time honours. Cameron Prattley was right on her tail in third place and was rewarded with second fastest time. Ryan Jackson took the fourth place spoils.
Tony Tarbotton claimed division 2 honours with Sonya Hydes pulling out a top effort to ride into second place.
Next week the Club will race a graded scratch race around the Blackbridge block.