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.
Albon too Strong
Scott Albon showed plenty of strength in a head wind sprint finish to claim victory in Tinwald Cycling Clubs, Brad Hudson Flooring : Mathieson Chartered Accountants, 38km handicap event around the Wakanui - Hakatere block on Sunday.
Albon and his co-markers made their way through the near 60 strong field finding the front in the final 5km, setting up a grandstand finish. This was made all the more interesting with the scratch markers on the charge, eventually getting within 8 seconds of the front on the finish line.
Albon had the final say with a solid early sprint getting the decisive break on the bunch. Matt Marshall hit the line strongly to secure second place with Ross Templeton backing up his early good season form taking third. Rob Hooper and Kristine Marriott held out the chasers to secure fourth and fifth places respectively.
Jamie Smitheram continues to impress with another top ride to take bragging rights in the junior "A" division.
Scratch marker Alex Hooper rode the course in 54.02 to lift fastest time honours from co-markers Tony Ward and Nathan Tew.
The juniors contested a 17km handicap event.
Connie Davidson rode a super race in tough conditions to keep all the chasing riders at bay to take the win and lift the Wakanui Cup. Cameron Prattley continues his rise in the sport with a solid effort to claim second place. Jenna Borthwick backed up her top finish last week with third place. Oliver Davidson and Abe O'Donnell rounded out the top five. Bailey O'Donnell secured fastest time from Oliver Davidson, riding the distance in 35.04.
Keryn O'Donnell took the Division 2 spoils with Helen Bancroft in second.
Next week the Club will contest a handicap race on Dawson Road.