Knight to the fore
The Tinwald Cycling Club travelled to the highveld of Methven on Sunday to contest a 46km handicap event.
Ben Knight proved to strong over the concluding stages to jump clear in the charge to the line to claim the victory.
Andrew Shepherd continued his rich vein of form securing second place.
Gary Weston put his sprinting skills to good use leading in the chasing bunch to take the third place spoils.
Hot on his heels was Don Sutton with the evergreen Neil Wylie, and Paul Brake rounding out the top half dozen.
Scratch rider Cole Harris backed up last week top effort with a strong ride to claim fastest time honours, riding the course in 67.27.
Co-markers Larry Neal and Tony Ward secured second and third time.
The juniors raced over 15km.
Carter Shepherd made in a great day for the Shepherd stable taking the win with a strong ride.
Zac Brookland continued his good form taking the second place spoils in a three up sprint.
Flynn Turnbull stepped onto the final podium position.
Jack Gorrie was in the thick of the finish to secure fourth place.
Thomas Stevenson and Charlotte Neal were close behind to fill fifth and sixth place.
Back marker Zoe Spillane claimed fastest time, riding the distance in 26.28.
Next week the Club will contest a 48km handicap event around the Wakanui Beach block.
Spirited racing order of the day
The Tinwald Cycling Club took to the roads of Eiffelton on Sunday to contest the LL Kirwan and Sons Ltd, AshburtonOnline graded scratch event around the Blackbridge block.
“A” and “B” grade competed over 57km whilst “C” and “D” grade battled it out over 38km.
Thomas Audeau had the final say in “A” grade getting up in a tight finish to beat second place getter Larry Neal. Audeau rode the distance in 86.55.
Cole Harris produced a great fresh up ride to take third place with Mitch Brookland in fourth.
“B” grade was also decided on the line with Shane Brookland taking the winners spoils in a photo finish with Marcel Smithers.
Ben Ward battled bravely to secure third place with Ross Templeton, leading in the chasing bunch, to secure fourth place.
Jelle Hendrikson will be happy with his days work taking victory in “C” grade leading in the bunch sprint with the ever improving Mark Smitheram taking second place.
Chris Reid took the final podium spot with Paul Brake in fourth.
“D” grade spoils went to first time starter Emma Waite, who produced a great finish to take the win from the fast finishing Andrew Shepherd.
Kenny Johnston stormed into third place with Brian Ellis hot on his tail in fourth.
The juniors and division 2 contested a 19km handicap event.
Zac Brookland having his first hit out for the season dug deep in the charge to the line to lift the winner’s trophy.
Jack Gorrie was game in defeat to secure the second place spoils.
Scratch marker Zoe Spillane took third place and in doing so also recorded fastest time honours, riding the course in 34.57.
Zoe’s younger brother Cooper Spillane claimed fourth place with Louie Audeau, and Carter Shepherd rounding out the top six.
Harriett Sutton took division 2 bragging rights, securing a hard fought victory from Lucy Kirwan, and Ryan Spillane.
Next week the Club will travel to Methven to contest a 45km handicap event.
Doherty kicks it home
Christchurch visitor and long-time supporter John Doherty claimed victory in Tinwald Cycling Club’s, Advance Ashburton, Spray Marks, 47km handicap event around the Grahams Road block on Sunday.
The first warm summer conditions of the season added to the challenge.
Doherty and his co-markers found the front of the race mid-way through the final lap and set about ensuring the chasing bunches did not catch them.
In the final charge to the line it was Doherty who found a bit extra to take the win.
Mark Smitheram produced his best ride of the season to storm into second place.
Third place getter Michelle Davidson was another who will be happy with her efforts finishing of the race strongly.
Chris Reid was in the thick of the finish to claim fourth place.
Matt Marshall and Roger Stephens rounded out the top half dozen.
Scratch marker Larry Neal secured fastest time honours, riding the course in 68.49.
Kyle Gray and Steve Hands claimed second and third time respectively.
The juniors and division 2 contested a 16km handicap event.
Carter Shepherd in his first season of riding produce a huge effort to take a hard fought win.
Tom Reid was another to battle hard and was rewarded with the second place spoils.
Big sister Leah Reid will be rap with effort leading the chasing group in to step onto the final podium spot.
Thomas Stevenson, Isabel Wall, and Charlotte Neal Neal filled the top six spots.
Scratch rider Zoe Spillane rode the distance in 27.42 to secure fastest time honours.
Harriott Sutton took division 2 honours.
Next week the Club will contest a graded scratch event around the Blackbridge clock.