Johnston overcomes elements
Not only did Kenny Johnston overcome the best efforts of his fellow cyclist on Sunday to take victory in Tinwald Cycling Club’s, 46km event around the rural roads of Methven but he had to beat off a cold winter blast.
Johnston and his co-marker worked strongly to find the front mid race and held on gamely to take the victory.
Helen Bancroft continued her stellar start to the season to secure second place.
Mark Smitheram produced a top ride from the middle mark to get within seconds of the front markers to claim the final podium position.
Rachel Reid was hot on tail to take fourth place.
Sarah Jenkins and Marcel Smithers rounded out the top six.
Scratch marker Tony Ward claimed fastest time honours, riding the course in 71.04.
Co-markers Kristine Marriott and Kyle Gray secured second and third time respectively.
The juniors and division 2 will need to wait until next week to get back on the bike after their event was cancelled due to the inclement weather.
Next week the Club will contest a 48km handicap event around the Wakanui Beach block.
Tight finishes order of the day
Tinwald Cycling Club members contested the LL Kirwan and Sons Ltd, AshburtonOnline, graded scratch event around the Blackbridge block on Sunday.
“A” and “B” grade stretched the legs out over 57km, with “C” and “D” grade fighting it out over 38km.
With all grades coming down to a bunch sprints the final results were determined on the line.
Brad Hudson timed his final kick to the line to perfection to secure the victory in “A” grade, seeing of the challenges of second and third place getters Tony Ward and Kyle Gray. Hudson covered the distance in 82.35.
In a tight finish, Steve Dodd held on bravely to claim the major “B” grade spoils, riding the course in 95.17.
Maddo Taylor produced a top ride to take second place with Ross Templeton pulling out his trade mark finish to take the final podium position.
Sam Cuttle continued his good run of form to take victory in “C” grade, recording a time of 63.14.
Michelle Knight produced her best result of the season to take second place, with Emma Hudson finishing strongly to secure third place.
“D” grade spoils went to Lucy Kirwan in a tight finish with last weeks winner Liz Wylie. Brent Hudson was hot on their heels in third place.
The junior and division 2 contested a 19km handicap event.
Penny Marriott led out strongly for the last corner and held on gamely to take the win.
Honor Bradford who continues to improve with every ride was right on her tail in second place.
Ryan Gallagher chased strongly for the middle mark to take the third-place spoils.
Tegan Marriott secured fourth spot, with fifth place getter Mitch Brookland recording the fastest time, riding the distance in 32.40.
Merv Grewar scored back to back wins in Division 2, with Janette Hooper leading in the chasing group to secure fastest time honours.
Next week the Club travels to Methven to contest a 45km handicap event.
Whiting reaps rewards
Wayne Whiting continued his great start to the season taking victory in Tinwald Cycling Club’s, White Fox and Jones Lawyers, Advance Ashburton, 45km handicap event around the Dawsons Road block on Sunday.
Having been in the thick of the finishes in recent weeks Whiting dug deep, finding the line the strongest to secure the major spoils.
Sam Cuttle showed plenty of strength, making a bold bid for victory in the last 2 kilometres and holding on gamely to claim second place.
Anna Redmond continues to improve with every ride and was rewarded for a good day’s work with third place.
Fourth place getter Chris Reid will be happy with his hit out.
Emma Hudson and Mark Smitheram rounded out the top six.
Scratch marker Steve Hands secured fastest time honours, riding the course in 62.50.
Co-markers Brad Hudson and Tony Ward took second and third time.
The juniors and division 2 contested a 15km handicap race.
Tom Reid made the most of his front mark producing a great ride to hold out all the chasers and lift the winner’s trophy.
Tegan Marriott also had an awesome ride charging to the line strongly to take second place.
Ryan Gallagher produced another eye-catching ride to secure the final podium position.
Leah Reid and Ella Turnbull were hot on his tail to take fourth and fifth place respectively.
Sixth place getter Mitch Brookland took fastest time honours, riding the distance in 25.01.
Sue Templeton secured division 2 spoils from Merv Grewar.
Third place getter Janette Hooper recorded the fastest time.
Next week the Club will contest a 48km handicap event around the Grahams Road block.