Christie too hot
One of Tinwald Cycling Club's blue ribbon events was held on Sunday when open and age group Club titles were up for grabs over a 64km course around the Wakanui Beach block. Racing was keen with a good number of spectators around the course offering support.
The decisive break was made mid way through the first lap when Jason Christie and Alex Hooper went off the front of the peloton and stretched out the margin as the race progressed. Christie showed his class on the final lap to put some distance between him and Hooper to secure the Club open and senior championship titles. Hooper was rewarded for his effort with second place in the open grade and lifting the u19 title.
Meanwhile there was plenty of interest in the chasing group results. Michael Templeton led in a group of 11 riders to secure the third place spoils in the open event. The evergreen Tony Ward was in the thick of the finish securing fifth and in doing so claim vet 2 honours. Nathan Tew rounded out the top 6 to lift the u23 title. In the hotly contested vet 1 grade it was Nigel Douglas who found the line the strongest to edge out Michael Gallagher and Kevin Opele in a tight finish.
Lauren Ellis showed the "A" game that has bought her success on both the track and road crossing the line in fourth place overall and securing the women's open and senior titles.
Kristine Marriott lifted second place in the open and secured the vet 1 title in a tough tussle with third place getter Rachel Thow.
Paul Macfie continued his rise in the sport securing the vet 3 title with Bruce McClelland back to some of his best form taking out vet 4 honours.
Lucy Kirwan dug deep to take out the women's vet 2 championship with the highly competitive women's vet 3 grade being won by Janis Crawford.
Sealed handicap honours were taken out by Gene Shurrock with last year's winner Don Morrison in second place. Roger Wilson rounded out the top 3.
Ben Sutton lifted the u17 title covering the 32km distance in 60.49.
Kees Donaldson secured the u15 boys title from the ever improving Ryan Jackson and Cameron Prattley.
Jessie Banks continues her run of hot form taking the u15 girls title but not after a tough battle with second place getter Caitlin Titheridge. Caitlin was rewarded for her top effort with the sealed handicap spoils over Ryan and Kees.
The Club now breaks for the Christmas-New Year period and will be back on the road 19 January 2014.