January 12 2010

Ross Templeton timed his sprint to perfection to claim top honours in Tinwald Cycling Club’s 36km mass start sealed handicap event raced around the roads of Winchmore on Sunday.

Templeton was in a group of five riders that established a decisive break early in the race and managed to build a race-winning gap over a determined chasing group of seven riders.

 The charge to the line saw Templeton secure the victory and in doing so lifted the Blackburn Memorial Cup.

 Marty Cuttle finished in second place with Rob Hooper in third and Mike Gallagher filling the fourth position.

 Fifth placed Alastair Holmes deservedly took the sealed handicap honours after finding himself in the early break and working hard with his co-riders to secure the winning margin.

 The chasing group contained the second place getter in the sealed handicap section in Shane Gerken, along with Tonee Hurley who was the first woman home.

 Gary Weston pulled out a solid race to claim third place in the sealed handicap.

 Alex Hooper took top honours in the junior sealed handicap event, which was raced over 18 kilometres.

 Josh Connor may have finished in second place, but still won the sealed handicap spoils.

 Division 2 came down to a sprint finish, with Richie McCrea grabbing victory by the barest of margins over Janette Hooper, and Sandra Connor took out third spot.

 Next week the club will have race four of the race series that will be in the form of a 25km time trial at Wakanui.

Pictured: Michael Gallagher (left) leads eventual winner Ross Templeton around a bend in the first Tinwald Cycling club race of the new year. - Photo Sarah Chamberlain 100110-SC-095