Shepherd rounds up the top prize
Andrew Shepherd timed his charge to the line to perfection to claim victory and lift the John Cleary Memorial Trophy in Tinwald Cycling Clubs, 50km handicap event in Rakaia on Sunday.
With the front runners caught inside the final 300 metres the outcome went to the wire with the first 35 riders finishing inside one and an half minutes of each other.
Glenn Moore continued his good form securing the second place spoils with Steve Tocher pulling out his best race of the season charging into third place. Pam Harcourt was right on his tail to take fourth place leading in Kathy Askin and Lucy Kirwan who rounded out the top six.
Mike Messerze rode the distance in 74.45 to secure fastest time honours from co-markers Mike Gallagher and Nigel Douglas.
Ben Suttons super ride is worthy of mention having lead the field in but due to being a junior was not eligible for the top prize but I am sure will be in the winners circle next season.
Bailey O'Donnell took line and fastest time honours charging through the field to grab victory by the barest of margins in the junior event raced over 18km.
With the three podium finishers recording the same time the result was decided on the line. Ryan Jackson claimed second place with Abe O'Donnell settling for third in the tight finish. Bella Roulston rode strongly to take fourth place.
Geoff Skerten put his local knowledge to good use winning division two from Janette Hooper, Keryn O'Donnell and Rachel Russell.
Next Saturday the Club will contest a 48km handicap event at Green Street.
Moore breaks through
Having been edged into second spot last week, Glenn Moore went one better this week to secure victory in Tinwald Cycling Clubs, McDonalds Family Restaurant, 48km handicap event at Green Street on Saturday.
With the Club celebrating its 90th jubilee it was fitting that Merv Ineson, a life member was on hand to present the Merv Ineson Cup to the victor.
The finish was only finalised on the line with a solid group of 15 competitors contesting the sprint for podium positions with the chasing scratch riders only 8 seconds back.
A trio of Methven riders secured the next three spots. Marty Cuttle backed up some great racing of late to take second place. Adena Middleton pulled out her best performance of the season showing good strength in the charge to the line to take third place. Mike Kennish continued his run of good form to secure fourth place. Shane Gerken and Steve Tocher rounded out the top six.
As was the case last week junior Ben Sutton produced a top shelf ride to lead the field in and will be looking forward to moving into the senior ranks.
Scratch rider Nathan Tew claimed fastest time honours riding in the course in 70.38. Co-markers Tony Ward and Michael Templeton took second and third time.
The juniors and division 2 raced over 16km.
Ryan Jackson was rewarded for some constant top efforts in recent weeks to take the win. He sprinted in second and third place getters Abe O'Donnell and Oliver Davidson. It was a great battle between these three. Bella Roulston found the line strongly to take fourth place with Caitlin Titheridge in fifth. Matthew Clough filled sixth place and in doing so also lifted the fastest time spoils.
Matthew's father Kerry rounded out a good day for the Cloughs taking Division 2 honours.
Next week the Club travels to Terrace Downs to contest the picturesque Lake Coleridge course.
Big Field contests Dean Cooksley Memorial
Making the most of a hot summer's day, in excess of 70 bike riders took to the roads around Methven in the Tinwald Cycling Clubs, 45km handicap event.
With the Dean Cooksley Memorial trophies up for grabs, races were hotly contested.
Front marker Helen Bancroft held on gamely to keep the chasing riders at bay to deservedly take victory.
Local rider Barrie Begg showed a clean pair heels in large bunch sprint to the line to secure the second place spoils.
Michael Kennish stormed into third with Phil Duff right on this tail in fourth place. The flying Scotsman Gregor Robertson and Kathy Askin rounded out the top six.
Tony Ward rode the course in a slick 63.27 to claim fastest time honours from co-markers Nathan Tew and Brad Hudson.
The juniors and division 2 raced over 17km.
Isabella Roulston made it a day to remember securing the win and lift the Trophy.
Connie Davidson continued her hot run of good form to take second place. Ryan Jackson pulled out a top shelf effort to secure the final podium position and in doing so took second fastest time.
Abe O'Donnell claimed fourth with his brother Bailey O'Donnell charging into fifth to take fastest time honours riding the distance in 32.48.
Rachel Russell took victory in division 2 holding out a good field. Keryn O'Donnell hit the line strongly to secure second and fastest time honours from Janette Hooper in third place. Jenny and Al Gilchrist, and Irene Duff filled the next three spots.
Next week the Club travels to Rakaia to contest a 50km handicap event.