Letham claims Championship title
Sam Letham showed his strength, having snuck off the front of the leading bunch in the concluding stage of the Ashburton Club and MSA, Tinwald Cycling Club Championships on Sunday, and keeping the chasing riders at bay to claim the overall championship title.
The 64km mass start event saw a group of 11 riders containing most of the pre-race favourites break away at the 25km stage and settle into their work.
Michael Templeton led the chasing group in to secure second place with Nigel Douglas taking third place overall and lifting the veteran 1 title.
Tony Ward was in the thick of the finish securing vet 2 championship honours.
First women home, Rachel Thow worked hard to get into the led bunch and deservedly secured the overall women’s and vet 1 championship titles. Kristine Marriott took second place honours from third place getter Janice Crawford, who claimed the women’s vet 3 honours.
Paul Macfie continued his strong season to claim the men’s vet 3 title with the evergreen Don Morrison picking up vet 4 honours.
Lucy Kirwan was rewarded for her solid effort taking the women’s vet 2 spoils.
Sealed handicap honours went to Jamie Robertson, who put in a strong effort to get into the led group. Ross Templeton claimed the second place spoils with Marty Cuttle right by his side securing third place.
The under 17s and division 2 competed over 20km.
Mathew Clough proved too strong for his competitors, riding off the front to take the under 17 and overall junior Club title.
Ryan Jackson got the jump on the chasing group to take second place with James Skinner rounding out the top three boys’ placings.
Connie Davidson saved her best for the big occasion sprinting in with the boys to take the girls under 17 title.
Janette Hooper claimed Division 2 honours in a sprint finish with second place getter Andy Skinner. Kerry Clough was hot on their tail in third.
The under 15’s contested a 16km event.
Oliver Davidson made it a good day for the Davidson stable taking the under 15 title in a tight sprint to the line with second place getter Ethan Titheridge. Luke Skinner pulled out one of his best rides of the season to take third place.
Maddie Lowry had too many guns in the girls’ ranks getting home strongly to take the championship title. Suzie Leech continued her good form to take second place with Madison Clark storming into third place.