Teenager Finnegan Murphy claimed the coveted Couchman Cup for his maiden trophy win at the Wanganui Cycling Club's annual event on Saturday.
The 15-year-old gave a glimpse of the enormous potential he has over the 66km course from the Durie Hill School to the Red Shed Hill in the Turakina Valley and return. The trip includes the tough Reids Hill section, especially on the uphilll return ride.
The Couchman Cup was donated in 1948 in memory of Len Couchman who was killed in action in 1944 during World War II and is a handicap event.
In warm, windy conditions 23 riders started and all finished in a pleasant easterly wind.
Marty Hewson and Kerry Bennett were first away with a seven minute time gap to Brian Hayward, Allan Luff, and Johnny Black.
They, in turn, were seven minutes in front of a larger group comprised of Murphy, Catherine McMurray, Ashley Christie, Graeme Cox, Ross McNeil, Chris Pinkney and Clint Black. The next group of six riders followed seven minutes later with the fastest riders (scratch bunch) another eight minutes back.