Cowley sprints to win
Luc Cowley produced a strong sprint finish to take first place and fastest time in Cuddon Cycling Marlborough’s Okaramio Hotel Challenge Trophy event last Saturday afternoon.
The 52km handicap event was ridden in cool and windy conditions over four laps of an outand-return course on Taylor Pass Rd. Good efforts were made by the handicap groups to keep away from the strong seven-man scratch bunch.
The rolling course and hard conditions took its toll with most groups splitting apart. Break rider Mike Murphy (off 6min) had a good ride to be caught halfway through the third lap with 11 minute markers Kim Marshall and Craig Anderson teaming well to be caught just 6km from home.
The final sprint to the line saw Cowley prevail over Niels van Antwerpen and Craig Harper, followed by Nick Batt, Marshall, Tony Catterick, Sean O’Neill, and Anderson.
On Saturday, Cuddon Cycling Marlborough riders will compete in a 40km two-up time trial for the Geddes Memorial Cups on the Waihopai Valley Rd. A shorter 16km time trial event will be held for under-17 riders. All riders are to assemble opposite the Grove Mill Winery at 1pm for a 1.30pm start. Results:Okaramio Hotel Challenge Trophy 52km handicap: L Cowley (off scr) 1, N van Antwerpen (off scr) 2, C Harper (off scr) 3, N Batt (off scr) 4, K Marshall (off 11m) 5, T Catterick (off scr) 6, S O’Neill (off scr) 7, C Anderson (off 11m) 8, M Murphy (off 6m) 9, D Hutchison (off 16m30s) 10. Fastest time: L Cowley (scr) 1hr 22m 05s 1, N van Antwerpen (scr) 1hr 22m 06s 2, C Harper (scr) 1hr 22m 07s 3, N Batt (scr) 1hr 22m 08s 4, T Catterick (scr) 1hr 22m 11s 5.