Persistence Pays Off
It has been 30 years in the making, and it came to fruition on Sunday when Don Morrison stood on the top step of the podium having taken victory in Tinwald Cycling Club’s, 50km handicap event around the Rakaia block.
Morrison’s victory saw him lift the John Cleary Memorial trophy.
Morrison and his co-markers rode their race to perfection, finding the front and continued to push on fully aware that the large field of riders were hunting them down.
The result was decided in a four up sprint, with Morrison finding a little extra from a game Nigel Chatterton, who produced his best ride of the season to take second place.
Mark Smitheram was in the thick of the finish to claim the third place spoils.
Rachel Reid rounding out her Coast to Coast preparation took fourth place.
The chasing bunch was led in by Grant McKenzie, with Ed Hobson taking sixth place.
Scratch marker Larry Neal secured fastest time honours, riding the course in 71.09.
Co-markers Nigel Douglas and Tony Ward recorded second and third time respectively.
The juniors and division 2 contested a 15km handicap event.
Charlotte Neal made it a good day for Team Neal, riding strongly to take a well-earned win in the junior event.
Tom Reid carried on his good form from the previous week digging deep to take second place.
James Reid is also coming into some good form with a great ride to secure the final podium position.
Sarah Gould took the fourth place spoils, with fifth place getter Ryan Gallagher securing fastest time honours, covering the distance in 32.07.
Merv Grewar saw off all challengers to take the win in division 2.
Brian Ellis and Kerry Clough filled the minor spots with back marker Kenny Johnston claiming fastest time honours.
Next week the Club will contest a 48km graded scratch event around the Wakanui Beach block.
Ward lifts Dean Cooksley Memorial
It was another day for the back markers in Tinwald Cycling Club’s, Dean Cooksley Memorial, 45km handicap event around the Methven block on Sunday.
With growing winds and temperature the scratch trio powered their way through the field to find the front of the race in the final 7km.
Tony Ward had the best of the charge to the line to take the victor’s spoils and also claim fastest time, riding the course in 68.50.
Larry Neal produced another solid ride to take second place.
Kyle Grey was in the thick of the finish to take the final podium position.
Rob Hooper battled gamely to secure fourth spot.
Kev Opele led in the chasing bunch to take fifth position, with Paul Summerfield rounding out the top six.
The juniors and division 2 competed over 15km.
It was the front marker Tom Reid who pulled out all the stops, riding strongly to keep the chasing riders at bay and take the win.
Jack Templeton, riding off the back mark, took second place and fastest time honours, riding the distance in 33.39.
James Reid dug deep, charging home to secure third spot.
Kenny Johnston produced a top shelf ride to secure division 2 honours and fastest time.
Merv Grewar was on top of his game in second place.
Brian Ellis led in the bunch to take third position.
Next week the Club will travel to Gardiners Road Rakaia to contest a 50km handicap event.
Hands too strong
As is often the case, the back markers fared the best in the tough rising windy conditions in Tinwald Cycling Club’s, Wylie Family, 45km handicap event around the Christys Road block on Sunday.
Carrying on from his recent success in the Club Championships, Steve Hands produced another strong ride to take the win in a bunch sprint with his co-markers.
Hands efforts also saw him lift fastest time honours, covering the distance in 63.14.
Kyle Grey continues to impress with a strong ride to secure second place and second time spoils.
Tony Ward claimed the final podium position and in doing so took third time honours.
Sam Clement-Stewart put in a solid ride to take fourth spot.
John McIntosh and Rob Hooper rounded out the top half dozen.
The juniors and division 2 contested a 18km handicap event.
In a two sprint to the line, it was Ryan Gallagher who found a little bit extra to secure a great win from a gallant Jack Templeton.
Both these two had ridden strongly from the middle marks to find the front and hold on strongly to stay away from the chasing riders.
Daniel Gould had a great ride to take third place and fastest time honours, riding the course in 37.08.
Tom Reid, James Reid, and Sarah Gould also put in a good days work to fill the top six spots.
Kenny Johnston had his best race of the season to take division 2 honours and record the fastest time.
Merv Grewar was back on the podium in second place.
The Skinner duo of Debbie and Andy took third and fourth places respectively.
Next week the Club will travel to Methven to contest a 45km handicap event.