Tinwald Cycling Club members reaped the rewards of some hard training over the holiday break collecting 21 of the 22 junior titles up for grabs at the Mid-South Canterbury Track Cycling Championships held at the Timaru velodrome on Saturday.

Tinwald travelled with a strong team of 20 riders competing in the under 13, 15 and 17 grades, ably supported by friends and family.  

Alex Hooper proved to be one of the stars of the Championships winning all five of the under 17 boys titles up for grabs.  With ten competitors in the grade all races were hotly contested.  Daniel Rafferty rode strongly to secure four second places and a third whilst Nick Ralston showed his potential claiming two third place finishes.

The remainder of Tinwald cyclists in their first year of riding in this grade, found themselves in the thick of the finishes, boding well for next year.

The under 17 girls saw a three way battle between three evenly placed riders.  Frances Smith, in her first year of track cycling, will be a rider to watch, winning three titles and taking second place in the remaining two events.  Harriett Sutton fought hard to lift two titles and grab three seconds.  Julia Tarbotton showed real potential in her first year of cycling grabbing five third places, pushing Harriett and Frances to the line in all the events. 

The under 15 boys saw titles spread around.  Sam Cullimore was unbeatable in the endurance events claiming two firsts and a second.  Josh Donaldson was consistently amongst the finishers and was rewarded with the 750m derby title, a second and two thirds.  Josh Wotton showed his sprinting strength securing second place in the 500m time trial.  Ben Sutton also stepped onto the podium claiming a third place.  

Alex Wootton and Isabella Smith battled out the girls under 15 grade.  Alex came out on top securing all four titles but not without a hard fight from Isabella.  Both these girls raced against the boys and their performances were top shelf.

The under 13 boys saw Bailey Kershaw shine, securing the first two titles before moving up to the under 15 grade where he deservedly claimed third place in the 750m derby.  Kees Donaldson, not to be outdone by his older brother, claimed two titles, a second, and a third.  Bailey O'Donnell pulled out four great rides, securing three second places and a third.  Henry Smith and Josiah Penno were rewarded for their hard work and enthusiasm with a third place in the points race and 750m derby respectively.

At the conclusion of the championships the Mid-South Canterbury team was named to represent the Centre at the up and coming NZ Track Cycling Championships in Invercargill.  TInwald riders were to the fore: Alex Hooper, Daniel Rafferty, Nick Ralston, Josh Connor, Harriett Sutton, Frances Smith, Josh Wotton, Sam Cullimore, Ben Sutton, Josh Donaldson, Bailey Kershaw, Alex Wootton, and Isabella Smith.  Timaru cyclists Cameron Fitzgerald and Cameron Miller complete the team.

Tinwald Cycling Club took to the roads of Methven on Sunday to contest the Dean Cooksley Memorial Cups.

Good fields in all grades with great support from Methven riders and members of the Cooksley family, did battle with challenging winds over 45km handicap event.

The trying conditions suited the back markers who battled hard to find the front in the last 5km.

Scratch rider Hamish Wright won the sprint to the line to claim victory and secure fastest time honours.

Co-markers Tony Ward grabbed second place spoils with local Methven man Glen Currie showcasing his cycling talent taking third place honours.

Jaron Stephens and Robbie Risdon were in the thick of the finish securing fourth and fifth places respectively.

Wright covered the distance in 68.23.

Alex Hooper claimed under 17"A" honours riding strongly off the break mark.

The juniors completed in a handicap event over 14km.

Isabella Smith secured back to back victories over the past two weeks by claiming victory over her fellow competitors.

Alex Wootton and Hayley Gimblett rode strongly to register second and third places and ensure an all girls trifecta.

Ben Sutton and Matthew Caldwell grabbed the fourth and fifth place spoils.    

Brendon Whalley produced a solid solo ride to take fastest time honours with Josh Connor and Mark Harrison taking second and third time.

Brendon rode the course in 26.27.

Brian Ellis took top honours in Division 2 and in doing so grabbed fastest time for good measure.  Co-markers Glen Beeman and Shannon Rafferty rode strongly with Ellis to lift second and third place spoils.  Barry Linwood and Janette Hooper filled fourth and fifth spots.

Next week the Club will contest the Merv Ineson Cups on Greenstreet course.

A good field of in excess of 70 riders contested the Wylie Memorial Cups in Tinwald Cycling Clubs, 45km handicap event around the Christy's Road block on Sunday.

For the second week in a row Jason Christie stepped onto the top of the podium securing victory and fastest time honours.

He had to work hard off the back mark picking up some good support on the way from Tony Ward and Hamish Wright.  Christie only found the front inside the last kilometre.

Tony Ward held on tenaciously to secure the second place spoils with Roger Stephens finding a bit extra in the charge to the line claiming third place honours.

Shane Gerken and Dell Phillips were next across the line grabbing fourth and fifth respectively.

Christie covered the course in 62.20.

Alex Hooper claimed under 17 "A" grade honours after a hard fought battle with second place getter Nick Ralston.

A solid field of juniors raced over 18km.

Isabella Smith rode strongly off the front mark, holding on to secure victory from the fast finishing Josh Wotton.

Livvie Kennedy showed strength to grab third place after a three way sprint with Bailey O'Donnell and Hayley Gimblett.

Scratch rider Josh Conner secured fastest time honours, winning the sprint to the line with co-markers Mark Harrison and Laurent Fifield.

Josh rode the distance in 32.06.

Division 2 glory went to Brian Ellis, with Janette Hooper, Lyn Hart and Sue Templeton filling the next three positions.

Next week the Club will travel to Methven to contest the Dean Cooksley Memorial Trophy.

Tinwald Cycling Club championship titles were on the line on Sunday around the multi lap Wakanui beach block course covering 46km.

Jason Christie showed the form that netted him a top 6 position in the recent festival of cycling road race and fastest time honours in last weeks Ashburton to Christchurch event, to claim the open Club championship title.

Christie took control mid way though the first lap, Hamish Wright and Tony Ward bridged across early in the second lap and the three of them rode strongly to pull away from the chasing bunches.

Inside the last 6km, Christie turned on the power making a race winning break.  Wright pulled out a strong sprint to secure second place and was also rewarded for his efforts by lifting the senior championship title.

Ward claimed third place overall and worthy winner of the vet 2 grade.

Steve Hands led the chasing group in to take fourth place with fifth place getter Jaron Stephens, building on a good season to date, lifting the Under 19 title.

Rob Hooper sneered seventh place and in doing so received vet 1 honours.

A large and competitive group of riders were right on the tail of this group narrowing the time margin to 10 seconds on the line.

Contained in this group was the newly crowned open women's champion Tonee Hurley, who was also weighted down with the spoils of vet 2 and sealed handicap honours, just reward for some top efforts of late.

Steve Tocher backed up some solid racing in the past weeks to claim vet 3 victory.

Caroline Askin continued her growth in the sport to secure the senior women's title.

Michelle Davidson saw off a strong challenge from her fellow category riders to take top honours in women's vet 1. 

Shannon Rafferty in her first year of senior racing secured the under 19 women's title.

Juniors titles were also up for grabs with their event contested over 16km.     

Daniel Rafferty secured under 17 honours after a three way charge to the line with second place getter Alex Hooper and Nick Ralston who took third position.

Harriett Sutton lifted the winners ribbon in the under 17 girl's event.

The under 15 boy's title was also determined on the line with Josh Connor claiming the title after a hard fought sprint finish with Laurent Fifield, Brendon Whalley, and Mark Harrison, who filled the next 3 places respectively.

Bailey Kershaw continued to impress when claiming victory in the under 13 boys grade.  He was made to work hard by second place getter Ben Sutton who was rewarded for his efforts by picking up sealed handicap honours.

Division 2 saw a tight battle, with Keryn O'Donnell getting to the line first with Lucy Kirwan and Janette Hooper filling the second and third podium positions. 

Racing will recommence on 16 January 2011.  Tinwald Cycling Club wishes everyone a safe and happy festive season.   

Charlotte Berry made her first bike race a memorable one lifting the John Cleary Memorial Trophy in Tinwald Cycling Club's, 44km handicap event at Rakaia on Sunday.

Riding off the front mark, Berry made a solo bid for glory in the second half of the race but would have been only too aware that a large bunch had come together behind her and was making a solid charge to the line.

Berry held on to take victory by a mere 5 seconds.

Jaron Stephens led the chasing bunch in to secure second place and lift third fastest time.

Kevin Hurley reaped the rewards of a solid weeks training in the Marlborough Sounds to deservedly take third place from Ross Templeton and Myles O'Donnell.

Scratch rider Tony Ward claimed fastest time honours from co-marker Steve Hands.  Ward rode the course in 71.09.

George McDonald secured top honours in the under 17 "A" division.

In light of large number of juniors in Invercargill participating in a track training weekend a good field of juniors assembled to race for the L Lisle Cup over 14km.

Greer Hooper rode strongly of the front mark to secure victory, holding out the fast finishing Josh Donaldson who took second place.  Bailey Kershaw found the line strongly to claim third place and third fastest time.

Mark Harrison found his new bike to his liking securing fastest time honours with Jack Monahan taking second time.  Mark rode the distance in 25.20.

Keryn O'Donnell pulled out a top shelf ride to pocket the major spoils in Division 2 beating home Barry Linwood and Janette Hooper.

Next week Club Championship titles will be up for grabs around the Wakanui Beach block.  Entries to Bruce McClelland by Wednesday.