A MOUTH-watering spectacle is in prospect as riders prepare for the fourth stage of the New Zealand Cycling Classic tomorrow.
This is the stage which is guaranteed to have a big say in the outcome of the only UCI-sanctioned event to be held in New Zealand this year. Raced over 147km it starts in Te Ore Ore Rd in Masterton -- alongside Henley Lake -- and will involve three testing hill climbs, the Limeworks Hill at 111.8km, the Te Wharau Hill at 133km and the Admiral Hill, at the top of which will be the finishing line.
While New Zealand riders such as Michael Vink, Brad Evans and Jason Christie were -- and still are -- expected to play a very prominent part in this year's NZCC it was the international contingent who made the biggest impression on the opening stage raced over 122.1km from Masterton to Alfredton and return.
Taking the overall honours there was Great Britain's Christopher Lawless, a 20-year-old riding for the JLT Condor team. He came home in 2hr 54mins 5secs, just ahead of teammate Alex Frame and Jesse Kerrison third.
At one point a breakway group of four -- Ryan Christensen, Dylan Newberry, Mike Cuming and Sam Crome -- had a six minute lead over the peleton but they clawed that back and were just a minute down with 10km to go.
