Cycling: Gutsy Vesty rides through pain

WELLINGTON - Brendon Vesty of Hastings epitomised the guts and courage needed to be an international road cyclist on the third day of the Tour of Wellington yesterday.

Vesty crashed on the narrow stage over the Akatarawa hill to Waikanae in the morning, losing contact with the leading riders.

He was examined by a doctor, who said he had a compressed vertebra, and advised him to withdraw.

Vesty, still seeking to win his first international tour, soldiered on in the afternoon's return stage to Wellington, ignoring pain to be third to the Paekakariki hill summit behind Cantabrian Jason Poad and American David McCook.

He finished with tour leader Julian Dean, of Waihi, to remain second overall, 1m 23s behind, but confident of continuing tomorrow.

"It was pretty tough in the afternoon, the pain was there all the time," Vesty said.

"I'm feeling sore but I think it's more muscle damage. I'll have some physiotherapy, and X-rays. I feel in good form and I'm still keen to win the tour. We'll see how I go up Hawkins Hill on Saturday."

New Zealanders continued to fill the first 10 positions overall. The steady Warren Clarke remained third, 1m 43s adrift of Dean.

The 66km fifth stage to Waikanae was won by a former Auckland to Wellington tour victor Murray Spencer, of Auckland. United States-based Dutchman Pelle Kil was first on the 60km return stage to the city.

Early tour leader Lee Vertongen of Palmerston North withdrew after the stage to Waikanae with a suspected broken right index finger.

He suffered the injury and grazing to his left leg in a crash during Wednesday's criterium in Masterton. - NZPA

Pictured: Waikanae brothers Kerry (nun) and Murray (devil) Cooper encourage Tour of Wellington competitors on a corner of the Akatarawa stage known locally as the Devil's Elbow. HERALD PICTURE / MARK MITCHELL