Tim Chapman impressed on his return to track racing at the Seddon Park velodrome on Tuesday.
After an extended break from track riding, and with Tour of Southland racing in his legs, Chapman sealed a fine win in a thrilling senior A feature points race, finishing with 18 points.
Lachie McGregor claimed a well-earned second place on 11 points, with Stu Crooks third on eight points.
Chapman also won the eight-lap scratch race, and was denied the clean sweep by only a tyre's width, when Cantabrian Joshua Haggerty pipped him in a thrilling keirin. Another returning rider, Shane Melrose, looks as if he will be a threat when he finds his form.
Holding off challenges from Wayne Evans and Karl Haddock, Ewan Syme dominated B grade.
He had wins in the scratch, with an impressive solo breakaway, keirin and points races. Syme will now be looking to A grade racing in future weeks.
In C grade, Simon Morris returned from an extended break and clinched a points race victory, holding off Tracey Havard and Wayne Green.
In junior A, Thirza Smith sealed the eight-lap scratch from Holly Cameron and Sian Remon in a tight finish.
Bradley White won the handicap in convincing fashion, riding through the field off scratch.
In junior B, Mila Rollo held off a concerted effort from Grace Hurring in the scratch to win by half a wheel.
Caleb Rollo held off the chasers to win the five-lap handicap, and also had a narrow win from Olivia McDonald in the roadster two-lap handicap.
Attention will now turn to next week's Otago championships.
-by Mark Falcous
