Big fields order of the day
65 riders took to the roads of Wakanui on Sunday to contest Tinwald Cycling Club’s, Netherby Meats, Stoked Cycles, graded scratch event raced over 48km and associated junior races.
All grades were hotly contested with the Don and Ruth Kirdy trophies up for grabs.
Michael Audeau had the best of the bunch sprint to claim the major spoils in “A” grade, beating home Astin Myles and Kyle Gray.
Audeau and his fellow riders covered the distance in 65.11.
“B” grade honours went to Alex Hooper holding of the challenges from the bunch in the charge to the line. Kyra Marett and Jesse Thomson secured second and third places respectively.
Ralph Tompsett took bad luck out of the equation jumping clear on the last rise to hold on for victory to claim "C" grade victory. Marty Cuttle and Anna Redmond filled the remaining podium positions.
Andrew Shepherd was another to hold on strongly in the shadow of the line to see of the game challenges from Paul Williams and Jason Bedford, to take the "D" grades spoils and lift the winner trophy.
The juniors and division 2 contested a 16km handicap event.
Eden Brake having her first kick out of the season made it a memorable one getting home first to claim the win.
Flynn Scott stormed into second place with Nic Dalley continuing his good run of form taking third place.
Oscar Gorrie and Declan Gilbert rounded out the top five.
Kaidyn Broomhall rode the course in 26.36 to claim fastest time honours.
Michael Richards was the division 2 victor.
Isabella Harris caught Pippa Scott in sight of the finish line to take the future roadie honours.
Next week the Club will travel to Mt Somers to contest a 45km handicap race.
Hooper sees off challengers
Eamon Hooper made the trip to the low lands of Methven a memorable one, taking victory in Tinwald Cycling Club’s, Peach Family, 41km handicap event on the out skirts of the town.
Hooper and his co-markers worked well as a group to find the front of the race in the concluding stages.
In the charge to line it was Hooper who had the best of the finish to see of the gallant challenges of second place getter Matt Marshall, and third place getter Don Morrison.
Graham McDougall was in the thick of the finish to secure fourth place.
Aiden O’Leary and Kenny Johnson produced top rides to round out the top six.
Scratch marker Craig Domigan rode the distance in 52.41, to lift fastest time honours.
Kyle Gray and Conner Toomey recorded second and third time.
The juniors and division 2 contested a 14km handicap event.
George Stevenson produced a great ride to secure the win and major spoils in the junior race.
Nic Dalley continued his good form with another strong ride to take second place.
Lucy Hudson is the model of consistency, with another strong effort to claim the final podium position.
Declan Gilbert and Cody Rollinson filled out the top five positions.
Back marker Kaidyn Broomhall covered the course in 21.01, to take fastest time honours.
Michael Richards secured division 2 honours from Stacey Hooper.
Next week the Club will contest a graded scratch race around the Wakanui Beach block.
Gilbert has final say
Chris Gilbert showed plenty of kick to lead a solid bunch of riders in to take victory in Tinwald Cycling Club’s, LL Kirwan and Sons Ltd, AshburtonOnline, 44km handicap event round the Wakanui 7 Rises course on Sunday.
Mick O’Conner having his first season of racing produced a strong effort to secure the second place spoils.
Marty Cuttle continued his great early season form with a tradesman’s like effort to claim the final podium position.
Jason Wilson found some good form to take a well-earned fourth place.
Nick Grijns and Ross Templeton were in the thick of the finish to round out the top six.
Scratch marker Kyle Gray rode the course in 57.00 minutes to lift fastest time honours, from Craig Domigan and Cole Harris.
A good field of juniors went to the line to contest a 16km handicap event.
Thomas Stevenson produced a top effort to see him take the win and in doing so lifted fastest time honours, riding the distance in 30.51.
Charlotte Stevenson backed up her good recent form with second place.
Declan Gilbert had an eye catching ride to claim third place.
The ever consistent Nic Dalley was in fourth, with Lucy Hudson charging into fifth.
Stacey Hooper saw of all challengers in division 2 to take the bragging the rights, from Michael Richards and Liz Wylie.
The future roadies saw Isabella Harris go back to back over the 6km course, from Pippa Scott, and Brooklyn Richards.
Next week the Club will travel to Methven to contest a 43km handicap event around the Highbank-Cairnbrea Road block.