LOWE TAKES CHAMPIONSHIP
With Club Championship titles on the line, racing was fast and spirited in Tinwald Cycling Club’s, Ashburton MSA Liquor Centre, 64km mass start event around the Wakanui Beach block on Sunday.
A solid nor-wester ensured there would be no easy ride, creating early splits in the field.
The lead bunch containing 9 of the main contenders got into their work from the start.
It was Stu Lowe who produced the number one ride of the day proving too strong in the charge to the line to take overall victory and the veteran 2 title.
Brad Hudson pulled out his best ride of the season to snare second place and vet 1 honours.
Darryl Kircher led the bunch sprint in, to take the final podium position.
Steve Hands was in the thick of the finish to claim fourth spot and senior honours.
In the chasing group a battle was taking place between the two leading women contenders.
Kristine Marriott pulled out her trade mark sprint to take the women’s open victory and vet 1 title.
Rachel Thow produced a top shelf ride securing the second place spoils.
Michelle Davidson reaped the rewards of a good ride securing third place overall and the vet 2 title.
Ryan Jackson and Michelle Knight battled bravely in the challenging conditions to lift the under 19 and senior women’s titles respectively.
Club president Paul Macfie produced a great ride fresh up to secure the vet 3 ribbon.
Janice Crawford rode strongly to see off all challengers to secure the women’s vet 3 spoils.
Don Morrison rounded out the day lifting the vet 4 title.
Sealed handicap honours were also up for grabs. Ronnie Campbell dug deep to stick with a solid mark and was rewarded with the win and lifted the Kirdy Cup.
Gary Weston and Aaron Fitzsimmons produced stand out rides to fill the minor spots.
The juniors raced over 16km.
The under 15 title was secured by an up and coming talent, Mitchell Fitzsimmons who broke clear of his competition mid-race.
Oliver Davidson continued this good form taking second place with the ever- improving Ethan Titheridge in third.
The under 15 girl’s title was secured by Caitlin Titheridge with a dominant display.
Maddi Lowry produced her trademark gutsy ride to take the second place spoils, with Lily Davidson having her first taste of championship racing securing third place.
Matt Clough lifted the under 17 title coming in on the back of a solid week of off road training.