Robertson lifts Dean Cooksley Memorial
Methven local, Jamie Robertson, secured a home town victory as the Tinwald Cycling Club travelled to the foot hills to contest a 45km handicap event around the roads of Methven.
Up for grabs was the Dean Cooksley Memorial Trophy, presented in memory of Cooksley, a renowned cyclist at the highest level, and proud Methven local.
Robertson and his co-markers found the front on the final lap, but had plenty of work to do to keep a charging group of back markers at bay.
Robertson made a break for glory inside the final 3km with only Kristine Marriott able to go with him.
They had an 8 second advantage on the line with Robertson winning the sprint finish to take victory from Marriott.
Dean Longhurst rode strongly to secure the final podium position.
Gary Weston is riding himself into some good late season form, claiming fourth place, with Dave Knight and Marty Cuttle rounding out the top six.
Scratch rider, Michael Templeton, took fastest time honours covering the distance in 66.14. Co-markers Tony Ward and Darryl Kircher claimed second and third time.
The juniors and Division 2 contested a 15km handicap event.
Madison Clark had a storming ride to deservedly take line honours and the winner’s spoils.
Maddi Lowry was hot on her tail to secure the second place ribbon.
Oliver Davidson’s recent block of solid training paid off taking third place and securing fastest time honours riding the course in 28.58.
Connie Davidson took fourth place from Suzie Leech and Emma Begg.
Beth Begg claimed Division 2 spoils from Michael Clark and Hillary Singlewood, with Janette Hooper lifting fastest time honours.
Next week the Club travels to Rakaia to contest a 50km handicap event.
McClelland has Final Say
Bruce McClelland rediscovered some of his form of old, sprinting in a solid group of riders to take victory in Tinwald Cycling Club’s 45km handicap event around the Christy’s Road block on Sunday.
In doing so McClelland lifted the Alan Wylie Memorial Trophy.
McClelland timed his final kick to the line to perfection seeing off the challenge of second place getter Bruce Blackburn.
Ben Sutton produced his best race of the season securing the final podium position.
Don Morrison stormed into fourth place with Shane Gerken and John Harcourt rounding out the top six.
Steve Hands led in a big scratch group to take fastest time honours riding the course in 61.47. Ex pats Darrell Kircher and Stu Lowe claimed second and third time.
The juniors and division 2 competed over 18km.
Caitlin Titheridge had a stellar day securing the win and in doing so also picked up fastest time honours.
Bella Roulston continued her good form claiming the runner up and second fastest time spoils.
It was a good day for the Titheridge stable with Ethan taking third place.
Suzie Leech and Madison Clark rode strongly to take fourth and fifth places.
Kerry Clough continued his good form of recent weeks taking the win in Division 2 with Nicole Ellis and Hillary Singlewood hot on this tail filling the major placings.
Next week the Club travels to Methven to contest a 45km handicap event.
Teahen starts New Year off in Style
Long-time rider, Colin Teahen started the New Year off in style winning Tinwald Cycling Club’s first race of the year, the Bedrock Bar and Stone Grill, 36km handicap event around the Winchmore Church block on Sunday.
Teahen and his co-markers kept the big field of riders at bay, timing their effort to perfection to keep the chasing group out by a mere second on the finish line.
It was enough however to lift the Blackburn Cup.
Brian Ellis was the best performer in the strong Ellis stable securing the second place spoils.
Glen Marshall led the chasing group in to claim the final podium spot.
Seasoned campaigner Ross Templeton took fourth place with Kate Smith and Alex Crawford rounding out the top six.
Steve Hands had the final say in the race for fastest time honours riding the course in 48.44. Co-markers Michael Templeton and Nigel Douglas took second and third time.
The juniors and division 2 competed over 18km.
Connie Davidson secured the junior victory by the barest of margins in a sprint finish with ever improving Suzie Leech.
Laurence Pithie charged through the field from the scratch mark to take third and fastest time honours riding the distance in 26.56.
Abe O’Donnell took fourth place and second time with Oliver Davidson and Maddie Lowry securing top six finishes.
Division 2 honours were taken by Nicole Ellis with Hillary Singlewood and Andrew Colquhoun stepping onto the podium. Kerry Clough took the fastest time spoils.
Next week the Club will contest a 45km handicap event around the Christy’s Road block.