February 2 2010

The Dean Cooksley Memorial attracted great fields with 84 riders contesting in the Tinwald Cycling Club’s 45 km handicap event around Methven on Sunday.

The event honours the life of local Methven man and nationally ranked cyclist Dean Cooksley, and with a large contingent of family and friends supporting and riding, the day was a fitting tribute to Cooksley’s life.

 The big field ensured an exciting race and a close finish with a group of 13 riders putting themselves into the final sprint for glory.

 Roger Stephens secured the perfect lead out that enabled him to time his lunge to the finish line to perfection, narrowly finishing just ahead of a game Brendon Davidson, with Don Sutton picking up the third place.

 Local men Phillip Duff and Richard Owen secured fourth and fifth respectively, only a second off the winning time.

 Scratch rider Tony Ward claimed fastest time honours from co-markers Peter Cox and Josie Giddens, as Ward covered the course in 68.50 minutes.

 The juniors and division two riders raced a handicap event over 15km.

 Flyn Beeman had a day he will remember as he deservedly won the junior race and lifted the major spoils.

 Greer Hooper rode a superb race to secure second spot and Cole Beeman filled the final podium position in third.

 Daniel Rafferty took fastest time honours from Ollie Redmond and Alex Hooper with a time of 23.36 minutes.

 Division 2 saw a large and spirited field of riders. Lisa and Thomas Clithbroe proved two is faster than one, teaming up on a tandem to cross the line first, with Janette Hooper taking second spot by the barest of margins from Jennifer Gilchrist.

 Husband Alistair Gilchrist secured fourth position with Barry Linwood in fifth.

 Hooper picked up fastest time honours from Jennifer Gilchrist and Linwood. Next week the club will contest a handicap event at Greenstreet.

Pictured: Greer Hooper and Flyn Beeman head out for the 15km junior race at the Dean Cooksley Memorial in Methven. The two would be the eventual winners with Beeman taking the honours and Hooper in second. - Photo Kirsty Graham 310110-KG-098