Hands has final say
Steve Hands led in the field to claim Tinwald Cycling Club’s, Jim’s Test and Tag, 46km mass start event held at Mt Somers on Sunday.
Hands kicked clear of the lead bunch with 500 metres to go and held on by the barest of margins to secure the victory.
Hands riding time for the distance was 66.58.
Brad Hudson charged into second place, with the evergreen Tony Ward securing the final podium position.
Kristine Marriott produced a strong ride to take fourth place.
Steve Caldwell and Robert Campfes made their trip south worthwhile rounding out the six spots.
Emma Hudson’s good season continued, delivering a strong ride to take sealed handicap honours.
Rachel Reid rounded out a good weekend of training with second place in the sealed handicap, with fifth place getter Steve Caldwell securing the third-place spoils.
The juniors and division 2 contested a 14km handicap event.
Timaru visitor Ella Turnbull pulled out a great sprint finish to take the win.
Honor Bradford shone again with a great ride to take second place.
Daniel Gould charged through the field from the back mark to secure third place and lift fastest time honours, riding the course in 31.36.
Sisters, Penny and Tegan Marriott filled fourth and fifth places, with Charlotte Neal riding into the top six.
Merv Grewar tightened his grip on the division 2, taking the win.
Next week the Club will contest a 48km handicap event around the Graham’s Road block.
Chamberlain holds on
Julia Chamberlain made her first ride for the Tinwald Cycling Club a memorable one when she took victory in the Spray Marks, Stoked Cycles, 48km handicap event around the Wakanui Beach block on Sunday.
Chamberlain made a bold solo mid race move breaking clear from her mark and holding on gamely to find the line with 20 seconds to spare from the chasing bunch of back markers.
Scratch marker Steve Hands led the chasing group in to secure second place and record fastest time honours, riding the distance in 68.38.
Tony Ward was hot on his tail to claim the third place spoils and take second fastest time.
Kyle Gray continued his rapid improvement this season with fourth place and third time.
Cole Harris produced his trade mark tough ride to take fifth place with Rob Hooper riding into sixth.
The juniors and division 2 contested a 16km handicap event.
After a couple of second places, Honor Bradford was rewarded for a great ride to take the win in the junior grade.
Like the open event, Honor held on strongly to keep the chasing marks at bay.
Ryan Gallagher chased strongly to get within 2 seconds of Honor on the finish line, securing second place and fastest time, riding the course in 31.47.
Leah Reid produced a top sprint to take third place with Penny Marriott challenging strongly to claim fourth place.
Tom Reid rounded out the top five.
Merv Grewar continued his good form to take first place in division 2.
Janette Hooper charged into second place to record fastest time, with Nigel Leary filling the final podium spot.
Next week the Club travels to Mt Somers to contest a 45km mass start event.
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.