Shurrock conquers picturesque Terrace Downs race
The Tinwald Cycling Club travelled to Terrace Downs on Sunday to contest the AshburtonOnline, Terrace Downs Resort, Jasama Farm, 43km handicap event.
Riders were greeted with a picture perfect day enhancing the courses reputation as one of the best on the Clubs calendar.
Gene Shurrock made a decisive sole bid in the second half of the race and bridged across to the front markers before kicking on to take the victory and lift the Spicer Cup.
Doug Lowry and Shane Gerken chased hard making steady inroads into Shurrock's lead but the finish line came too early. Lowry led Gerken in to claim the second place spoils.
Kathy Askin held on bravely to secure fourth place with Dave Knight and Mike Kennish rounding out the top six.
Alex Hooper led in a solid bunch of back markers to claim fastest time honours riding the course in 64.37.
Co-markers Nathan Tew and Brad Hudson secured second and third time.
The juniors and Division 2 competed over 16km.
Timaru visitor Chase Domigan rode strongly off the front mark to take the win and step on top of the podium.
The fast finishing Oliver Davidson charged into second place and in doing so claimed third fastest time.
Ethan Titheridge continued his good form of late to take third place with Ryan Jackson in fourth.
Abe O'Donnell covered the course in 29.40 to secure fastest time honours from India Domigan.
John Harcourt powered to victory in Division 2 from Brian Ellis and Janette Hooper.
Next week the Club travels to Hinds to contest a 50km handicap race.
Close Racing Order of the Day
Hot weather and good fields were the order of the day in Tinwald Cycling Clubs, Drummond and Etheridge : Laser Electrical, 48km graded scratch race around the Wakanui Beach block on Sunday.
Alex Hooper fresh from the NZ Track Cycling Championships had the final say in "A" grade to take victory in a sprint finish having bridged across to the break away pair of Nathan Tew and Daryl Kircher. Christchurch riders Stu Lowe, Simon Earl, and Jaron Stephens rounded out the top six.
Paul Macfie showed real strength to hold the front to secure "B" grade honours in a tight finish. Simon White stormed into second place with Rachel Thow right on his tail in third.
Junior rider, Bailey O'Donnell continued his progression in the sport with a top shelf ride in "B" grade.
Marty Cuttle was made to work for his victory in a tough finish with a four man break away. Dean Longhurst continued his good form to secure second place with Doug Lowry taking the final podium position. Dave Knight was in the thick of the finish to take fourth place.
"D" grade spoils were lifted by Roger Wilson having shown a clean set of heels in the charge to the line. Pam Harcourt pulled out another top ride to take second place with Janis Crawford and John Harcourt filling the next two spots.
The junior and Division 2 raced over 16km.
A great field of juniors went to the starting line, the majority of whom had had a successful Waitangi Day competing at the Mid-South Canterbury Centre Track Cycling Champs.
Caitlin Titheridge held on gamely to take the victory. Scratch rider Abe O'Donnell charged through the field to take second place and fastest time honours riding the course in 27.50. Ethan Titheridge made it a good day for the family holding onto third position. Matt Clough, Bella Roulston, and James Skinner rounded out the top six.
Janette Hooper had the final say in Division 2 edging out Brian Ellis in a tight finish. Gary Weston secured third and fastest time honours with Drew Titheridge right on his tail.
The Club travels to Terrace Downs next Sunday to contest a 48km handicap event.
LETHAM TOO STRONG
Sam Letham continues to impress with a strong solo effort late in the race proving to be the decisive move leading to his victory in Tinwald Cycling Clubs, 45km handicap event in Methven on Sunday.
Letham's bold move earned him the Dean Cooksley Memorial Trophy presented by Dean's youngest nephew, Monty Kelk.
Having found the front of the event inside the final 8km, Letham rode away from the growing peloton and maintained his led to the line by a mere 8 seconds.
He would have been well aware the back markers were making strong progress through the field.
Steve Hands led the scratch markers in to claim second place and fastest time honours riding the course in 65.28.
Tony Ward secured third place with Jaron Stephens, Brad Hudson and Stu Lowe rounding out the top six.
With a large number of juniors competing in a Timaru track meet it was left to Ryan Jackson to storm home in the junior 15km event to take the victory and fastest time honours,
He had plenty of competition from a large division 2 field.
Methven local, Lizzy Barwell showed a clean set of heels to take the win with Rachel Russell charging into second place.
Irene Duff kept the Methven flag flying securing the third place spoils.
Vanessa Kelk pulled out a top shelf ride to take fastest time honours in a blanket finish with co-markers, Brian Ellis and Janette Hooper.
Next week the Club travels to Rakaia.