Ward on Top
The evergreen Tony Ward lifted the major spoils in Tinwald Cycling Club's, Tavendale and Partners Ltd, David Smith Suryeying Ltd, 48km handicap event around the Wakanui Beach block on Sunday.
With Club patron, long time rider, and supporter, 85 year old Merv Ineson on hand to watch the race and present his Cups, it was fitting that Ward, one of the longest standing riders in the Club, secured victory in a bunch sprint and in doing so also take fastest time honours.
Ward and his co-markers, riding off the scratch mark, steadily made their way through the field to find the front inside the last 4km. It was Ward who had the final say in the kick to the line to edge out Nathan Tew. Steve Hands claimed third place with Brad Hudson and Nigel Douglas in the thick of the finish to round out the top five.
Ward's riding time was 68.07.
The juniors and division 2 competed over 16km.
Matt Clough opened his season account with a strong ride to secure victory in the junior event. Oliver Davidson produced his best ride of the season to date to charge into second place. Front markers Maddie Lowry and Maddison Clark showed plenty of fight to take third and fourth places respectively with Ryan Jackson storming into fifth.
Bailey O'Donnell covered the course in 28.03 to claim fastest time honours from Abe O'Donnell and Connor Leov.
Kerry Clough mirrored his son's efforts to take division 2 honours from Janette Hooper who secured fastest time honours and second place with Rachel Russell and Tony Tarbotton rounding out the top 4.
Next week the Club travels to Mt Somers to contest a 45km mass start event.
Marshall lifts Peach Cup
The Tinwald Cycling Club travelled to Methven to contest the Peach Family Cups on Sunday.
The 45km handicap event saw a good field of 45 riders go to the line.
The victor, Matt Marshall and his co-markers worked their way through the field from the break mark to find the front of the race inside the last two and half kilometres.
With a tight finish in the making Marshall showed real strength to gap the group to comfortably claim the winner's spoils on the line.
Sam Letham continued his stellar form securing second place in a tight finish with third place getter Wayne Clement.
Local rider, Marty Cuttle charged into fourth place with Dean Longhurst and Mike Gallagher rounding out the top six.
Scratch rider Steve Hands rode the course in 69.48 to secure fastest time honours from co-markers Tony Ward and Brad Hudson.
The juniors and division 2 competed over 15km.
Ethan Titheridge opened his seasons account with a good win keeping the chasing riders at bay. Madison Clark pulled out a top shelf effort to be right on his tail and deservedly secured the second place ribbon. Rosie Grey continues to ride strongly and was rewarded with third place. Isabella Roulston and Connie Davidson stormed into fourth and fifth respectively.
Bailey O'Donnell rode the distance in 26.43 to take fastest time honours.
Janette Hooper claimed victory and fastest time honours in division 2 with Keryn O'Donnell in the thick of the finish to take second from Tony Tarbotton and Rachel Russell.
Next week the Club will contest a 48km handicap event at Wakanui.
Kennedy Battles to Victory
Riders not only battled each other in Tinwald Cycling Clubs, Chertsey Tavern: Chicago Joes, 40km handicap event at Chertsey on Sunday but mother nature put in an appearance with strong gusty nor westers adding to the challenge.
Front markers, Mark Kennedy and Matt Ellis dug deep to keep the chasing riders at bay. It was Kennedy who had the best of the finish to claim victory and lift the Brian Cavill Memorial Shield with Ellis taking a game second.
Scratch rider Jason Christie showed his class riding through the field to claim third and fastest time honours riding the course in 61.44.
Richard Kirwan's recent training programme reaped rewards riding strongly to take the fourth place spoils from Paul Macfie and Trevor Prattley.
Nathan Tew and Brad Hudson lifted second and third fastest time honours respectively.
Due to the high winds the junior event was modified. The riders contested a 2km time trial consisting of a flying tail wind leg and a push home into a character building head wind.
Bailey O'Donnell just edged out his younger brother Abe by a solitary second to record the fastest time of 3.57. James Skinner also had a battle on his hands to take third from his younger brother Luke who secured fourth place.
Oliver Davidson and Jenna Borthwick rounded out the top six.
Kenny Johnstone claimed division 2 honours from Andy Skinner and Keryn O'Donnell.
Next week the Club travels to Methven to contest for the Peach Cups.