Amy Ferguson had the best possible result leading into the National Road Cycling Championships in Nelson this week taking top honours in Tinwald Cycling Clubs, Taste Cafe / Laser Electrical 32 km handicap event raced around the Wakanui Beach block on Sunday.

The under 19, Ashburton College student and her co-markers found the front of the race in the concluding stages setting up an interesting finish with a group of a dozen riders in contention for the win. 

Ferguson found a bit extra to get over the top of Bob McDonald who held on strongly to claim the second place spoils. Rob Redmond had his best race of the season securing third spot with Nigel Douglas and Dell Philips right on his tail picking up fourth and fifth respectively.

Scratch rider Tony Ward topped his preparations off for the Nationals with a solid ride to claim fastest time honours from Steve Hands and Brad Hudson.

Ward rode the distance in 47 minutes, 59 seconds.

Janis Crawford continues to improve, deservedly receiving the first unplaced women's prize.

A hardy bunch of juniors raced a handicap event over 16 km.

Back marker Ollie Redmond put on a top display securing first place and fastest time with Alex Hooper right on his wheel securing second place and time.  Both boys will be happy with their final hit out before heading to the Nationals. George McDonald showed he is also a force on the bike taking third place spoils.

Ollie covered the course in 24 minutes, 45 seconds.

Next week the Club travels to Chertsey to compete in a handicap event.

Good fields and weather greeted race one of Tinwald Cycling Club's, Kelly's Cafe and Bar / AshburtonOnline, five race series on Sunday.

Raced on a graded points race format over a 32km course around the Wakanui Beach block, the event incorporated four sprints that enabled riders to accumulate points determining final placings. 

A grade was evenly contested with Brad Hudson consistently picking up points to claim top honours from Steve Hands, Wayne Clement and Bruce McClelland securing fourth position.

B grade also saw the majority of riders secure points, however it was Anna Borthwick who came out on top in a close fought battle with second place getter Brendon Tocher.  Multi sporter Steve Mealings showed he is no slouch on the bike taking third position with Hugh Copland grabbing fourth spot on count back.

C grade saw 21 riders go the line, in a tightly contested grade Brendon Davidson lifted the top prize, with Amy Ferguson showing good form picking up second place spoils.  Colin Teahen secured third place on count back from the evergreen Don Summerfield.

Bruce Patterson laid claim to the major D grade spoils taking the top spot in a close run event.  Brian Ellis continued his good form picking up second place by the barest of margins from Nicole Ferguson with Peter Wood in fourth position.

A great field of eighteen riders contested the junior handicap event raced over 18km.

Flynn Beeman rode strongly to stay away from the chasing riders to lift the winner's trophy.  Alex Hooper continuing his good form secured second place with Johnny Callaghan also pulling out a solid ride to step onto the podium in third position.  Ollie Redmond secured fastest time honours, riding the distance in 24 minutes, 54 seconds.

Division 2 saw Janette Hooper find a little extra in the charge to the line to claim the top spot from Keryn O'Donnell with Tania Tocher close behind in third.

Next week is the popular teams mini tour consisting of three short stages raced around Wakanui.   

Gavin Borthwick brought to the attention of those at prize giving his main goal of the day was getting to the line in front of his wife.  This goes some way to explain the strong finish he displayed to secure the winner's prize in the Tinwald Cycling Club's, ACL / Devon Tavern, 36km handicap event raced at Winchmore on Sunday.

Borthwick would have only been too aware that his wife Anna was right on his tail and with only a second to spare he ensured bragging rights for the week.

Anna Borthwick claimed third place spoils with Rob Hooper splitting the couple to take second place and foil the family quinella by the smallest of margins.

Janet Cuttle and Hugh Copland rode strongly to take fourth and fifth places respectively, in a solid field containing in excess of 40 competitors.

Scratch rider Brad Hudson took fastest time honours from co-markers Tony Ward and Steve Hands.  Hudson covered the distance in 54 minutes, 01 second.

A good field of juniors braved the cooler conditions in their handicap event raced over 18km.

Marcus Armstrong rode strongly off the front to keep the chasing field at bay and claim the winner's prize with the ever improving Brendon Whalley securing the second place spoils from Shannon Rafferty.  Daniel Rafferty clinched fastest time from Alex Hooper, riding the course in 30 minutes, 38 seconds.  

Next weeks race will be Race 1 of a 5 race series, in the form of a graded points race around the Wakanui Beach block.

McGee Cup Series

McGee Cup   Senior            Steven Hands          170pts

     "         "       U19            Scott Albon               12pts

     "         "       Novice        Alex Hooper              117pts

     "         "       Vet            Tony Ward                 162pts

     "         "       Ladies        Emma Ryan             131pts

     "         "       Girls           Amy Ferguson         74pts

Tom Pipin Cup                    Steven Hands

Track Racing Points Cups

Saraha Ellmar Trophy         most points wizz wheelers - girls   Eimar Gray

Tom Hartill Trophy              most points wizz wheelers - boys  Cathal Gray

Trainer Wheels Trophy       most points wizz wheelers             Jasmin Greer

A Grade Cadet Trophy        most points A grade U17              Alex Green

B Grade Cadet Trophy        most points B grade U17              Josh Wotton

Girls Trophy                       most points U17 girls                   Greer Hooper

Tinwald Track Cup              most points U17                          Alex Green

Colville Memorial Trophy     most helpful cadet                       Josh Connor

Road Racing Points Cups

Alf Arnst Trophy                 most points U17 girls                    Harriett Sutton

J Ching Juvenile Trophy      most points cadet                         Mark Harrison

Hawk Memorial Trophy       most points road and track U17     Daniel Rafferty

Newall's Challenge Trophy  most points U19                           Scott Albon

Sid Watson Trophy             most points ladies                        Anna Borthwick

TCC vet Points Cup            most points veteran                     Neil Wylie

William Skilling Cup            most points off scratch                 Tony Ward

Presidents Trophy               most points - senior/junior           Neil Wylie

Hessell Cup                        runner up - most points               Tony Ward

Wylie Challenge Cup           most points ladies section            Rebekah Clement 

TCC Cup                            most improved cadet                  Ollie Redmond

Tilley Challenge Cup           most improved senior                  John Ferguson