KEY POINTS:
Trek Zookeepers began as they left off last year by taking the leader's yellow jersey in the opening stage of the Wellington Classic cycling race yesterday.
On a stage when a number of leading contenders kept their powder dry, the "energiser man" of New Zealand cycling, Gordon McCauley, showed there are still springs in his 36-year-old legs by winning the opening criterium, lasting just over an hour, in Lower Hutt.
The Zookeepers are defending the teams title and lead rider Hayden Roulston is seeking to win the race for a third straight time this year.
McCauley was part of a four-man breakaway and cannily sat on the back of a train containing Justin Kerr and Australians David Pell, a potential race winner, and Travis Meyer for about 45 minutes.
On the last lap, he pulled the stops out to just edge AIS under-23 rider Meyer, and Pell from the Savings and Loans team.
Hamilton's Kerr, second to McCauley in the national criterium championship last month, settled for fourth.
McCauley said Meyer and Pell deserved to win.
The tour moves to the Wairarapa for stage two today which offers a 133.5km stage from Featherston to Masterton after which a clearer picture of the leading contenders might emerge.
- NZPA
