Cycling season kicks off under blue skies
In excess of 60 riders were greeted with perfect spring conditions when they went to the line in Tinwald Cycling Club’s first event of the season, the Health 2000, Dpi / EmboidMe graded scratch race, around the Christys Road block on Sunday.
“A” and “B” grade honours were contested over 36km while “C” and “D” grade battled it out over 27km.
Oliver Davidson carried his good form on from his second place in the Twizel-Timaru Classic, to secure the winners spoils in “A” grade, riding the distance in 52.08.
Tony Ward was in the thick of the sprint finish to take second place, with Nigel Douglas and Brad Hudson rounding out the top four.
“B” grade also saw a bunch finish with Caitlin Titheridge showing a clean set of heels in the charge to the line, to lift the winner’s trophy, covering the distance in 56.31.
Matt Marshall stormed home to take second place honours.
John Uden and Kevin Opele showed good early season form, filling third and fourth places respectively.
Roger Wilson kicked his season off in the best possible way taking victory in “C” grade. Wilson rode the course in 44.00.
In another tight finish Larry Neal charged into second place, with Don Morrison and Shona McGrath-Proctor in the thick of the finish taking the minor spoils.
Veteran Tony McManus saw off the challengers on his way to victory in “D” grade, recording a time of 47.59.
Sisters Amy Ferguson and Nicole Hands produced top rides to fill the final two podium positions. Amy secured bragging rights this week getting up to take second place. Dave Shurrock rounded out the top four.
The junior “A” graders competed over 18km with the “B” graders covering 9km.
Maddie Lowry showed her strength taking “A” grade honours, riding the distance in 31.31. Zoe Spillane put up a good fight to take second place with Mitch Brookland securing the third place spoils.
First timers James Reid and Cooper Spillane went to the line in “B” grade.
James had a great race to take the winner’s trophy, riding the course in 20.10. Cooper showed plenty of fight to storm home in second place.
Hillary Singlewood saw off all challengers to secure division 2 victory.
Next week the Club will contest a 32km handicap event around the Wakanui Beach block.
Marriott rounds out season in style
Kristine Marriott finished off Tinwald Cycling Club’s final event of the season in style.
Not only did Marriott claim victory and lift the Tinwald Tavern, Mid-Canterbury Championship title, but she recorded the fastest time, covering the 64km course around the Wakanui Beach block on Saturday, in 93.12.
Marriott and her co-markers worked hard from the start, finding the front of the race inside the final 7 kilometres.
With the front bunch swelling to 30 riders there were numerous chances leading into the final charge to the line.
Marriott showed her experience picking the right moment to jump to claim the victory in a grandstand finish.
Paul Sinclair showed his strength with a gutsy ride and was rewarded with second place and the senior men’s fastest time honours.
Mark Summerfield made an eye-catching late charge from the middle of the pack to grab the final podium position and deservedly secured the fastest time ribbon for the veteran 1 men.
Leeston rider and regular starter Steve Caldwell, put in a great days work to take fourth spot and veteran 3 time honours.
Caitlin Titheridge showed plenty of cheek, riding off the front of the peloton in the final two kilometres, only to get caught in the shadow of the finish line, her sterling ride was rewarded with the under 19 championship title.
Rob Hooper found himself in the thick of the finish, claiming the veteran 2 men’s fastest time spoils.
Don Morrison continues to defy his years, his finishing position in the front bunch saw him lift the veteran 4 men’s time title.
Michelle Knight continues to impress, putting herself in the thick of the finish to secure the senior females fastest time honours.
Liz Wylie and Rachel Reid’s growth in the sport this season has been noteworthy, both rewarded for their efforts by recording veteran 4 and 1 women’s fastest times respectively.
The juniors also raced for Mid-Canterbury titles over 16km.
Like the senior race the result came down to a sprint finish.
It was Jack Templeton who had the final say, producing a powerful sprint to lift the under 17 Championship title for 2019.
Penny Marriott, who has made huge strides in her first season of racing, secured second place.
Zack Brookland was hard on their tail to claim the third place getters spoils.
Big brother Mitch Brookland was fourth and secured the under 15 boy’s fastest time ribbon.
Maddie Lowry backed up her recent busy track cycling commitments to claim fifth place and the under 17 girl’s fastest time spoils.
Zoe Spillane continued her great season, talking sixth spot and the under 15 girl’s time title.
Scratch marker Ethan Titheridge, also recently returning from a successful campaign at the NZ Track Cycle Champs, recorded the fastest time of the day, riding the distance in 26.00. His efforts earned him the under 17 fastest time title.
Sue Templeton had the final say in the Division 2 ranks for the season, seeing off the challenges from Brian Ellis, Janette Hooper, and Andy Skinner.
Scratch markers go back to back
The back markers are hitting their straps, taking out the major spoils two weeks running in the Tinwald Cycling Club, Templeton Motors, 65km handicap event around the Wakanui – Haketere course on Sunday.
A dominate display from the four scratch riders saw them charge through the field, finding the front inside the final 10km.
Oliver Davidson produced a solid ride to lead in his co-markers and claim the victory.
Hayden Jefferson backed up last week’s win, securing second place.
Brad Hudson continued his consistent season’s performances, stepping onto the final podium position.
Tony Ward, Kristine Marriott, and Paul Sinclair produced top rides to round out the first six.
Davidson was further rewarded for his efforts, securing fastest time honours riding the distance in 92.16.
The juniors and division 2 tested themselves over 19km.
Penny Marriott showed her potential on the bike taking out a hard win in the junior event.
In a tight finish, Penny saw off the hard charging Jack Templeton, who secured second place and fastest time honours, riding the course in 42.41.
Division 2 honours went to Brain Ellis, securing the victory from Janette Hooper, and Andy Skinner.
Next week all eyes will be on the Mid-Canterbury Championships, raced over 64km around the Wakanui Beach block.