Riders hit the road for the first race of the Tinwald Cycling Club’s road programme for 2019/20 on Sunday. Photo Heather MackenzieMore than 60 riders were greeted by perfect spring conditions when they went to the line for the Tinwald Cycling Club’s first event of the season on Sunday.

The season opened with the Health 2000, Dpi/EmbroidMe graded scratch race, around the Christys Road block on Sunday, where A and B grade riders raced over 36km, and C and D grade battled it out over 27km.

Fresh off a second placing in the Twizel-Timaru Classic, Oliver Davidson secured the first win of the season in A grade, riding the distance in 52.08 minutes.

Tony Ward was in the thick of the sprint finish to take second place, with Nigel Douglas and Brad Hudson rounding out the top four

It was also a bunch finish in B grade, with Caitlin Titheridge showing a clean set of heels in the charge to the line to lift the winner’s trophy, covering the distance in 56.31 minutes.

Matt Marshall stormed home to take second place honours, while John Uden and Tinwald’s club captain Kevin Opele showed good early season form, filling third and fourth places respectively.

Roger Wilson kicked his season off in the best possible way taking victory in C grade.

Wilson rode the course in 44.00 minutes, while in another tight finish Larry Neal charged into second place, with Don Morrison and Shona McGrath-Proctor taking the minor spoils.

Veteran Tony McManus saw off all challengers on his way to victory in D grade, recording a time of 47.59 minutes, while sisters Amy Ferguson and Nicole Hands produced top rides to fill the final two podium positions.

Ferguson secured family bragging rights this week, getting up to take second place, while Dave Shurrock rounded out the top four.

Meanwhile, the junior A graders competed over 18km with the B graders covering 9km.

Maddie Lowry showed her strength, taking A grade honours after riding the distance in 31.31 minutes, while Zoe Spillane put up a good fight to take second place, with Mitch Brookland third.

First timers James Reid and Cooper Spillane went to the line in B grade, and Reid produced a great race to take the trophy, riding the course in 20.10, with Cooper Spillane showing plenty of fight on his way to second place.

In division two, Hillary Singlewood saw off all challengers to secure victory.

This Sunday the club will contest a 32km handicap event, racing around the Wakanui Beach block.

© The Ashburton Guardian -  October 2019