With a strong finishing burst Darcy Forrester won the time-honoured Couchman Memorial Cup on Saturday after a hard 80km race from Durie Hill School to Mangamahu and return.
Although numbers were down this year with only 17 starters in the handicapped event, the race was still keenly contested. The cuphas a long history after being donated to the Wanganui Cycling Club by the Couchman family in memory of club member Len Couchman who was killed in air action over France nearly 70 years ago on April 11, 1944.
Riding in the second break group, Forrester got away from his co-markers on the return journey and he and lightweight veteran Allan Luff, who had started in the limit group, were left alone in the lead shortly after the ascent of Reid's Hill - the day's major obstacle. Behind them there was plenty of action, with Brian Scrimshaw putting in a strong attack on the climb and getting a gap on his rivals. Further back the scratch-men were chasing hard - with good work being done by Pat Johnstone, Jason Sturzaker, Adam Gosney, and Phil Groves. Youngsters Boaz Darby and Lewis Bunker were also contributing well.
By Fordell, with help from Cassie Cameron, Scrimshaw had reeled in Forrester and Luff and this quartet knuckled down to their work to ensure they stayed clear. Approaching the finish Forrester rallied well - producing a good late sprint to cross first and claim the silverware. Scrimshaw who had ridden himself into the ground clung on gamely for second. Luff rounded off a great race by holding on for third just in front of Cameron who had also done a power of work.
Just over a minute back, Adrian Pettit headed in the next bunch to finish, He is getting back to his best form after recovering from injuries sustained in a race crash late last year. Richard Stanton battled on well for sixth with Paul Forrest and Marty Hewson next home. Hewson has rediscovered his form of old in recent times and is now racing consistently well.
A further minute elapsed before the scratch bunch appeared - Lewis Bunker showing youthful speed to out-sprint reigning club champion Jason Sturzaker and take time honours (2.19.39) for the day.
In the 60km B-grade race to Mangamahu bridge and return, the remarkable Rob Manson showed he has put his health issues of last year behind him, with a gutsy sprint finish win over the improving Ricky Symes. The experienced campaigner Pat Carroll, always a threat in this grade, was a close-up third with Catherine McMurray - back in the fray after producing two children - right on his wheel in fourth place. After a gap Sandro Kuehne was next in, ahead of Ron Cheatley and Graham Jefferies - the latter back after a long break.
A small field of enthusiastic C-graders raced 30km out to the top of Reid's hill and back and it was the experienced Steve Carle who held out Rod Trott to take victory. Heather Johnson was a close-up third, with Jane Winchcombe and Tavis Cameron fourth and fifth respectively.
