Hooper on the charge
Alex Hooper kicked the New Year of in style taking victory in Tinwald Cycling Club’s, Loyal Interior Plastering, Cycling Solutions, 35km handicap event around the Winchmore Church block on Sunday.
Having been off the bike for close to 10 years Hooper has wasted no time finding some of his old form.
He and his co-markers produced a solid bunch effort to find the front of the race inside the last kilometre, where Hooper was able to kick clear in the charge to the line to lift the Blackburn Cup.
Jelle Hendrikson will be happy with his efforts securing a hard fought second place.
Dave Knight produced his trade mark tough ride to step onto the final podium position.
Kyra Marrett stormed into fourth place with Ralph Tompsett, and Ross Templeton rounding out the top six.
Back marker Kyle Gray rode the course in 49.19, to claim fastest time honours.
Thomas Audeau and Cole Harris recorded second and third time.
The juniors and division 2 raced over 18km.
Tom Reid had a great ride of the front mark to stay away and take the win.
Charlotte Neal was another to produce a top ride to take the second place spoils.
Kaidyn Broomhall was hot on her heels in third place.
Fourth place getter Jack Gorrie recorded the fastest time, covering the distance in 29.37.
Louie Audeau and Jack Hooper rounded out the first five.
Brian Ellis had the best of the finish to take division 2 honours from Alan Johns.
Next week the Club will contest a 45km handicap event around the Christies Road block.
Audeau kicks clear
There will be a new name etched on the Club Championship Cup after Michael Audeau took victory in the NBS Ashburton, Tinwald Cycling Club, Club Championship race contested over 64km around the Wakanui Beach block on Sunday.
Audeau and a select group made an early break in the mass start event, there were a number of attempted breaks throughout the race that were brought back, setting up a group sprint.
Audeau got the best of the finish to take a hard fought win.
The ever present Craig Domigan finished strongly to secure the second place spoils and also lift veteran 2 honours.
Kyle Gray continued his great form with third place and the vet 1 ribbon.
Thomas Audeau produced a solid effort to take the u19 title.
The evergreen Tony Ward produced another trade mark tough ride to take the vet 3 spoils.
Monique Brake secured the overall women’s title with an inch perfect sprint nabbing victory on the line for Kristine Marriott who was rewarded with the women’s vet 2 ribbon for her efforts.
Emma Waite backed up a busy weekend by taking out the senior women’s title and third women overall.
John Doherty continued his good season winning the vet 4 title.
Duncan Grant produced his best race of the season to secure sealed handicap honours from Matt Ward, and Ross Templeton.
The juniors contested a 16km mass start event with Club titles up for grabs.
Zac Brookland powered to the front in the shadow of the line to secure the win and lift the Club junior title.
Flynn Turnbull produced his best ride of the season to take second place.
Louie Audeau rounded out his great first half of the season with a strong third place finish.
Eliza McKenzie was in the thick of the finish to secure the girls junior Club ribbon and also picked up sealed handicap honours.
Charlotte Neal was second home in the girls grade.
The Club will kick off the New Year on 7 January with a 36km handicap event around the Winchmore Church block.
All Ward Affair
The Tinwald Cycling Club contest the McIntosh Group, Ward Family, 60km handicap event around the Dawsons Road block on Sunday.
Tony Ward had a day to remember when he lifted the Eddie Ward Shield, raced in memory of his father.
Ward and his co-markers found the front of the race in the final 5km ensuring a grandstand finish with plenty of chances leading into the final sprint.
Ward had the best of the bunch finish to take the victory.
Alex Hooper will be happy with his days work, finding the line strongly to secure second place.
Monique Brake continued her great run of form charging into third place, and lifted the Chris Ward Cup, for first lady home..
Don Sutton is finding his best form of the season leading into next week’s Club Championships claimed the fourth place spoils.
Nick Grijns and Lucy Reeves rounded out the top six.
Back marker Kyle Gray took fastest time honours, riding the distance in 78.59.
Craig Domigan and Steve Hands recorded second and third time.
The juniors and division 2 raced over 15km.
Charlotte Neal produced a top shelf effort to take the winners spoils.
Thomas Stevenson was hot on her heels to claim second place.
Zac Brookland produced an eye catching ride to secure the final podium position.
James Ward took fourth place, with fifth place getter Olivia Ewing riding the course in 25.31, claiming fastest time honours.
Kenny Johnston secured Division 2 bragging rights.
Next week Club Championship titles will be on the line in a 64km event around the Wakanui Beach block.