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.
Herewini Sprints to Victory
Aaron Herewini backed up last weeks fourth place with victory on Sunday in Tinwald Cycling Clubs, Tinwald Tavern : Sims Bakery, 32km handicap event on Frasers Road.
Herewini and his co-markers found the front in the final fast return leg of the race. The group swelled to 25 strong with all riders a winning chance leading into the final kilometre.
Herewini pulled out his trade mark sprint to hold out the flying Ross Templeton who secured the second place spoils. Brendon Tocher held on grimly to take third by the barest of margins from Gene Shurrock returning to the open ranks after a number of years off the bike. Craig Roulston showed he has some early season form holding out the ever improving junior, Jamie Smitheram.
Tony Ward took fastest time honours from co-markers Michael Templeton and Michael Gallagher riding the course in 49.38.
Jenna Borthwick swapped her running shoes for the bike and had immediate success winning the junior 16km handicap event. Ben Sutton took second and secured fastest time honours covering the distance in 29.40. Oliver Davidson had to work hard to see off the challenge of Ryan Jackson to take third place with Ryan in fourth. Their efforts were rewarded with second and third fastest time respectively.
Next week the Club will contest a 38km handicap event around the Wakanui - Hakatere course.
HARD FOUGHT WIN TO HARCOURT
John Harcourt had to pull out all the stops to take victory in Tinwald Cycling Club's, ACL : RX Plastics, 32km handicap event around the Wakanui Beach block on Sunday.
Harcourt and his co-markers set about the business from the gun, aware that the whole field were in hot pursuit. Leading into the final half of the race the brunch had been whittled down to three with Harcourt claiming the win in a tight sprint from Drew Titheridge and Liz Wylie.
If they had time to look behind them on the finish line they would have seen a group of 10 riders, the closest being Aaron Herewini, 1 second back in fourth place. Martin Hyde and Bruce Albon were right on his wheel taking fifth and sixth respectively.
Nathan Tew covered the distance in 45.51 to take fastest time honours from co-markers Michael Templeton and Tony Ward.
Bailey O'Donnell opened his new season's account with a hard victory in the junior 16km handicap event. Bailey caught his younger brother Abe and co-marker Ryan Jackson late in the race and was pushed right to the line by these two who finish second and third respectively.
Connie Davidson took fourth place with Ben Sutton claiming fifth and fastest time riding the course in 29.05.
Pete Restieaux held out Glen Shurrock to take Division 2 honours.
Next week the Club races a 35km handicap event on Frazers Road.