Cycling: High speeds at Viaduct

Women's race winner Gayle Brownlee at Auckland's Tank Farm circuit last night. Photo / Mead Norton

Bici Vida rider Patrick Bevan hit a top speed of 66kph as he sprinted for the line in last night's A Grade race in the second of the BioSport City Criterium Series at Auckland's Viaduct.

Bevan narrowly beat last week's winner Mike Northey (Orbea Bici Vida). Northey's younger brother James (Kiwi Velo) finished third.

The Elite Women's race was a small but select field of seven, ending up as a three-way tussle between Gayle Brownlee, Emma Crum and Kate Chilcott, all of whom will be in Wellington later this month for the NZ Community Trust Women's Tour.

The sprint for the line was declared too close to call, with first equal placings awarded to Brownlee and Chilcott and Crum coming in third.

A total of 125 riders raced across the four grades. Racing continues at Auckland's Viaduct Harbour next Thursday.

RESULTS - BioSport City Criterium Series, Race 2

A Grade
1. Patrick Bevan (Bici Vida)
2. Mike Northey (Bici Vida)
3. James Northey (Kiwi Velo)

B Grade
1. Jeremy Turner
2. Peter Knight
3. Ian Randall

Elite Women
1 = Gayle Brownlee and Kate Chilcott
3. Emma Crum

C Grade
1. Dan Pavis
2. Shaun Sexton
3. Deven Hiley (W)