Junior aces show class

The two South Canterbury New Zealand junior squad cycling members, Jack Ford and Holly Edmondston, showed top form to win the A and B grade races respectively last Saturday.

Held by Cycling Timaru at Totara Valley the senior field of 90 riders was split into five graded scratch races.

At the finish of the A grade a violent wind and rain storm greeted the two remaining riders Jack Ford and Reon Park with Ford sprinting to win the Excelsior Cup in 1hr-10-34. Patrick Jones was 3rd from a field of 16.

The B grade of 25 riders had just nine remaining as they sprinted for the Bram Lee Cup.

Holly Edmondston held out Mike Jenson and Ian Kirkman in 1hr-18 min.

The C section had just a handful of the twenty three starters as they vied for the Webb Cup Nathan Dickson with a powerful sprint won from David Whittaker and Brent Coe in 1-21-46.

The D grade began with 17 riders and as the finish neared just five were in contention for the Commercial Cup Jeff Allan rode well to win from Aaron Fitzsimmons and Laurie Chandler in 1-24-56.

The E grade lost just two riders as they battled the rain and wind, Veteran Gordon Duff won by almost a minute from Clayton Baird and Odette Edmondston. A wonderful turnout of 23 cadet riders braved the windy course.

In the Under 17yr 14km A grade race Chris Hogg rode well to win from Jack Gibbs and Regan Holland in 24min 03.

The B section was won by Bailey O’Donnell from India Domigan and Caitlin Titheridge in 25-07.

The 18 development grade cyclists rode 4km with Jonathan Fish winning the A group from Jaxson Whyte and Milly Ford in 10min-55. The B grade saw Kelsie James lead in Mitchell Fitzsimmons and Tim Sorenson in a time of 12-42.