Lyttle a strong contender

Ace Masterton road cyclist Scott Lyttle should be a strong contender for fastest time honours in an 80km handicap event to be held in the Wairarapa on Saturday.
Lyttle, who will shortly be leaving for Australia to join up with the Panasonic-sponsored team which will contest the Tour of Taiwan in March, is likely to the back marker in the race which will be hosted by the Masterton Cycling Club as part of the Wellington centre's inter-club series.
MCC spokesman Matt Harvey believes Lyttle could also be first across the finish line despite giving away good starts to some proven performers in a field expected to number about 80 riders.
"He (Lyttle) will have the job in front of him but he's quick enough and strong enough to be right there at the business end," Harvey said.
"He'll give it a decent crack, no doubt about that."
Lyttle is not, however, the only Wairarapa rider expected to make a big impression.
Ben Knight is a regular winner in the 35-40yrs age group and nothing should change in that regard while Dominic Green will take confidence from an impressive showing in the recent two-day Tour of Hawke's Bay.
James Benton, Pete James, Andrew Linton, Phil Sutherland and Bill van Woerkom are other locals who should figure prominently in the major placings.
Saturday's event will get under way at 10am and will see the field pass through parts of Masterton, Alfredton and Mauriceville before finishing at Rangitimau.