Logan Hutchings. Photo / Mark Mitchell
Perth-based New Zealand cyclist Logan Hutchings had consigned himself to the role of water boy before a "lucky break" led to his victory in the third stage of the Tour of Southland yesterday.
Hutchings, of the ColourPlus team, outsprinted a five-strong break on the 165km stage from Invercargill to Gore
via Edendale and Riversdale with the peloton rushing home just three seconds behind them.
There was no change on general classification with all of the major contenders finishing in the bunch.
That leaves Waimate's Heath Blackgrove, of Zookeepers-Cycle Surgery, still wearing the yellow jersey, 14s ahead of Nelson's Jack Bauer, of the Share The Road team.
Timaru's Marc Ryan, of ColourPlus, is next at 24s with Hastings rider Jeremy Vennell, of Bissell Pro Cycling, at 29s.
After the drama of Monday, when nearly half of the field were caught in a major crash, yesterday's stage was without incident in still conditions.
Hutchings found himself out of contention after Monday's chaos, leaving him with the role of supporting his teammates, Olympic medallists Ryan and Jesse Sergent, of Feilding, who are both high up on general classification.
However, he took his chance with 15km to go as a break of five riders went clear of the peloton, including Paul Odlin (Christchurch, Calder Stewart), Wade Mangham (Rotorua, Ascot Park Hotel), Jason Barlow (Invercargill, PlaceMakers) and Jonathon Atkinson (Auckland, Energy Smart).
They swooped on solo leader James McCoy (Christchurch, Benchmark Homes) before Hutchings came off the third wheel on the final corner to kick home for the stage win.
"It's my first stage win in New Zealand and it is always great to win at home," Hutchings said.
"It was a lucky day in the saddle really. I was carrying out the job as bottle boy for most of the day but managed to get into a lucky move.
"We got a few seconds on the pack and that's all that is needed sometimes to go clear. We worked pretty well together to stay clear and managed to hold off the peloton."
Today's fourth stage is 88.4km from Invercargill to Tuatapere before stage five over 102km from Tuatapere to Winton.
The six-day tour ends on Saturday.
- NZPA
