Horgan out-toughs cycle prix foes
Christchurch’s Sam Horgan outsprinted Timaru’s Reon Park to win the gruelling Gorge Grand Prix.
The grand prix is one of the toughest events on the Cycling Timaru calendar and backmarkers Horgan and Park were able to catch the field of 75 and go one, two in the Pateman Cup. Horgan’s time was 1hr 25min 36sec.
The race was run over the climbs of the Limestone, Cave, Pareora Gorge and finally up Holme Station Road zig zag, on Saturday.
It was on the last climb that Horgan and Park broke clear of a large bunch to open up a half minute gap as they sped toward the finish at the Fairview Hall. Craig Domigan sprinted Chris Karton, Glen Gould and Bill Gibbs for third.
The front markers had a slender lead over the middle markers after the climb of the Pareora Gorge but in the ride across to the final climb all the bunches merged.
The season points leader is Park with 91, from Domigan on 86 with Josh Connor and Julieann Archbold share third with 79 each.
The under-17 race was over an 18km course. Bailey O’Donnell won the Stoddart Memorial Cup by 20sec from India Domigan and Cameron Prattley in 37min 08sec.
Regan Holland took the fastest time in 33min 33sec from Jesse Young.
The development grade was split into eight bunches and at the finish Carter Brewer held out his co-marker Tim Sorenson to win the 8km event in 20min 23sec with Charlotte Grant third.
Fastest time went to Nicholas Goodwin in 17min 53sec from Erin Hall.
It was the final races for the Leo Leonard points trophies, and in the under-17 India Domigan and Cullen Towler finished tied with 44, with Cameron Prattley third on 42.
Erin Hall won the development grade with 46 points with Nicholas Goodwin and Jonathan Fish finished second equal on 36.