Tasman Wheelers Club Champs - Time Trial

Story by: JOSH REICH - Photo by: Chris Symes

Club bragging rights were up for grabs at the weekend as the Tasman Wheelers held their club championships in both the time trial and road race events.

Saturday saw riders tackle a tough headwind for part of the time trial at Mt Heslington in Brightwater.

George Bennett, back home between commitments with his pro team, RadioShack Nissan Trek, recorded the best time in the 40-kilometre senior men's category with 54min 11.85sec.

Matt Black, riding 40km in the men's under-19 grade, also set a quick time of 58min 47.46sec.

Karen Fulton was the quickest of the women over 25km, taking out the senior grade in 40min 25.37sec.

She also triumphed in the senior women's road race in Moutere on Sunday, placing fifth overall in the 10-lap race for riders in masters men two, three and four, under-19 women, senior women, and masters two and three women. That race was taken out by masters three rider Rob Searle.

The under-19 and senior men 12-lap race saw numerous attacks by the eight riders taking part.

Eventually, four riders managed to stay away, with Sean Hambrook, Tom Filmer and Black (under-19) coming home ahead of Bennett.

Richie Howes prevailed in the seven-lap race for masters five, six and seven in both men and women.

Club championship winners

Time trial – men: Ethan Batt (under-15), Matt Black (under-19), Nick Batt (masters two), Tom Jeffery (masters three), Eric Wylde (masters four), Richie Howes (masters five), Garry Overend (masters six), Karl van Hoppe (masters seven), George Bennett (senior); women: Tania Radman (masters three), Eileen Searle (masters four), Ann Rigg (masters five), Christine van Hoppe (masters six), Karen Fulton (senior), Kayley Murdoch (under-19).

Road race – men: Sean Hambrook (under-19), George Bennett (senior), Paul Mitchell (masters two), Rob Searle (masters three), Tony Catterick (masters four), Richie Howes (masters five), Gary Overend (masters six), Brian Samuels (masters seven); women: Caitlin Holmes (under-19), Karen Fulton (senior), Tania Radman (masters three), Eileen Searle (masters four), Ann Rigg (masters five).