Cycling: Big winds stir up tour controversy

Controversy and the wind marred the penultimate day of cycling's Tour of Southland for the majority of the teams yesterday, with the top three placings changing dramatically.

But, for Trek-Zookeepers and Gordon McCauley in particular, it was a profitable stage, with McCauley taking the yellow jersey and an unassailable lead. His team also leads the team standings and fellow rider Jaaron Poad is second after the stage from Winton to Te Anau, which was meant to have been 163.6km but ended up more than 20km shorter after wind and the race committee intervened.

McCauley, Poad and Anthony Chapman (Creation Signs) broke away from the peloton and had a lead of 3m 42s when the race was stopped at the top of the Blackmount Hill, 49km from the finish, because the wind was so strong the race committee decided it was too dangerous to continue.

The race was restarted 24km from the finish and the three leaders were given the same time difference on the start. The main group of riders was not happy at this and instead of chasing, rode at a leisurely 25km/h as a bunch, giving McCauley the yellow jersey and most likely the tour.

- NZPA