Langlands prevails in thrilling finish

Cycling

Mark Langlands maintained his habit of claiming fastest time honours when the Masterton Cycling Club held a handicap road race over three laps of the Upper Plain circuit (36km) on Tuesday night.

With fine weather conditions and a flat course, the 42 riders were able to bowl along at a quick pace with Langlands eventually heading off Jack Sowry in a tight finish.

Donna Burkhart took the women's honours from Kirsten Goodin and Julie Millar, who was forced to stop to tighten her front wheel.

There were a few hard luck stories with one tandem suffering two punctures, three riders failing to finish and two disqualified for crossing the centre line.

Next Tuesday will see a 3km time trial followed by a handicap road race over one lap of the Pakarakas. Riders are to report to Watson's Road for a 6pm start and there will be no late registrations.

Times were: Mark Langlands 49.40, Jack Sowry 49.41, Eddie Kuipers 51.46, Andrew Linton 51.50, Dave Drummond 51.50, Paul Wallace 51.51, Jeff Saywell 51.52, Earle Whitcombe 52.34, Steve Brown 53.35, Craig and Jenna Mangin (tandem) 52.37, Harry Kent 54.05, Mike Clinton-Baker 55.18, Derek Cox 55.19, Donna Burkhart 55.34, Terry Blackburn 55.35, Simon Butler 56.51, Mark Sowry 56.53, Kerry Fitzgerald 56.53, Kirsten Goodin 56.54, Douglas Maclachlan 56.55, Richard Brooks 56.55, Damien Christofis 57.08, Julie Millar 59.34, John Murray 1.00.50, Dave Hodder 1.02.31, Stan Braaksma 1.03.32, Brett Gould 1.02.32, Viv Bunny 1.02.33, Grant Burkhart 1.02.34, Arni Raman 1.02.35, Diane Chesmar 1.02.35, Dave Howden 1.04.32, Emily Luytons 1.04.54, Denise Baker 1.05.08, Lotte Willemstein 1.08.48, Nesta Mele 1.13.17, Millie Robinson 1.26.03.