Jason Sturzaker added yet another trophy to his collection when taking a well-earned victory in Saturday's 70km race for the Garthorne Cup.
The time-honoured event was run under handicap conditions over a course which featured a reduced field of 11 competitors race from Durie Hill School out to the TurakinaValley Rd turn off and back.
At least seven regulars were away in the Wairarapa competing in the North Island road series, but with the quality riders like Brent Bismark, Adam Gosney and Lewis Bunker lining up locally, Sturzaker didn't have things all his own way.
In the end Sturzaker proved too seasoned for Bismark and pulled away for a narrow but authoritative win. Adam Gosney out-sprinted Lewis Bunker to take third spot after the youngster had done well to hang with his far more experienced rivals.
Just under a minute behind the leading quartet, remarkable veteran Brian Scott crossed fifth. Now in his 60s, Scott has an outstanding record in the event which includes four previous wins and several placings. Rob Gemmell, who hasn't raced much this year, rounded out the top six.
The C-graders raced out and back over about 40km and it was Brian Hayward - fashioning a handy record in his first season - who scored a convincing three-minute win over five rivals. Scott Francis battled well for second place, with Heather Jackson in third. Murray McDonald was next in, with a gap back to Steve Carle in fifth.
