HARD FOUGHT WIN TO HARCOURT

John Harcourt had to pull out all the stops to take victory in Tinwald Cycling Club's, ACL : RX Plastics, 32km handicap event around the Wakanui Beach block on Sunday.

Harcourt and his co-markers set about the business from the gun, aware that the whole field were in hot pursuit. Leading into the final half of the race the brunch had been whittled down to three with Harcourt claiming the win in a tight sprint from Drew Titheridge and Liz Wylie.

If they had time to look behind them on the finish line they would have seen a group of 10 riders, the closest being Aaron Herewini, 1 second back in fourth place. Martin Hyde and Bruce Albon were right on his wheel taking fifth and sixth respectively.

Nathan Tew covered the distance in 45.51 to take fastest time honours from co-markers Michael Templeton and Tony Ward.

Bailey O'Donnell opened his new season's account with a hard victory in the junior 16km handicap event. Bailey caught his younger brother Abe and co-marker Ryan Jackson late in the race and was pushed right to the line by these two who finish second and third respectively.

Connie Davidson took fourth place with Ben Sutton claiming fifth and fastest time riding the course in 29.05.

Pete Restieaux held out Glen Shurrock to take Division 2 honours.

Next week the Club races a 35km handicap event on Frazers Road.

DAMP START TO THE SEASON

Sunday saw the opening of Tinwald Cycling Club's 90th season with the Health 2000 : Everyprint, graded scratch event around the Christies Road block.

Although the weather was not kind in excess of 30 hardy souls turned up to kick start their season.

Alex Hooper, recently back from having completed at the World Junior Track Championships, found the line the strongest to claim victory in the 27km A grade event. Nathan Tew, fresh from riding the Twizel to Timaru the previous day, secured second place with Michael Templeton taking the third place spoils. Michael Gallagher led in the chasing bunch to take fourth place.

B Grade was determined with a bunch charge to the line with Wayne Clement charging to the front in the shadow of the finish line to lift the number one spot with Scott Albon taking second place. John Uden showing good early season form took third place from Kristine Marriott in fourth.

C and D Grade combined their event over the shorter distance of 18km. Lucy Kirwan was rewarded for her efforts by claming victory in C Grade with Allan Johns right on her wheel in second place. Nicole Herd kick started her season in the best possible way taking the major spoils in D Grade with Helen Bancroft in second.

The juniors were split into two grades. Jessie Banks continued on from where she left off last season claiming the win in A Grade. Caitlin Titheridge kept the girl power going securing second place with Ryan Jackson close behind in third.

Abe O'Donnell got one back for the boys by claiming victory in B Grade. Libby Ross, having her first start, showed she will be a force be reckoned with as the season goes on, took the second place spoils.

Next week the Club will contest a 32km handicap event around the Wakanui Beach block.


Copyright © 2015. Tinwald Cycling Club - Powered by The West Wing.