It was a nice fine but cool day with a lightish ENE wind that saw 67 riders sign on for the one lap ride, two-lap massed start race of the Tisbury Circuit. After a delayed start, due to the number lined up to sign on, the riders eventually set off on the first but neutral lap of three behind the Cycling Southland lead car which ensured a controlled pace was kept for that first lap.
Leading into the second, but first race lap, the car pulled away and the field was racing. It only took that lap to sort out the various abilities contained within the field to establish a number of bunches strung out chasing each other into the third and final lap. The front bunch of nine, mainly driven by the Placemakers livery clad riders were prominent but at the line it was Matt Zenovich who showed his recent hard racing and good form to cross first followed by Brent Allnutt and Brendan Akeroyd. Various bunches followed in regular succession with sprints being produced to prove individual ascendency within each bunch.
Results: 1st Matt Zenovich, 2nd Brent Allnutt, 3rd Brendan Akeroyd, 4th Mitchel Fitzsimons
First Female Rider: Helena Rikiti
Thanks go to those who assisted with the event, namely Tracey Miller, Robin Criglington, Lindsay Jones and marshalls Hamish Keast, Tony Raggett and Keith Wilson.
Report courtesy Race Manager Ray Robinson
Junior Report
Another good day for racing and great to see another excellent turn out with 18 Juniors rider across all grades. Big thanks to senior riders once again helping juniors out and having a chat with them about different things during the one lap neutral. Also thanks to Don Frew and Donald Heslip riding with the D and E grade riders and helping them out, they really do appreciate your guidance and help. Great to see wee Caitlyn Kelly, back to E grade with her 'don't give up attitude' and completing both laps.
Good performance all round by all juniors this weekend. Good work to Mitchel Fitzsimons coming fourth over all and great work to D grade rider Jade Cameron, fighting off an attack from Ciara Kelly. Ciara put an attack on the group of D grade riders just before the last climb into the final leg. Rueben Heslip was leading out the group went rolling back and taking a drink from his bottle, Kelly put on the sneaky attack catching the field by surprise and leaving Rueben in her wake. Jade Cameron managed to chase down the attack and over took Ciara and taking top stop in D Grade.
See you all next weekend for the Middle Pub Handicap Race.
Juniors: 1st Jade Cameron, 2nd Caira Kelly, 3rd Marshall Erwood
Report courtesy Brendon McLeod