Cycling: Horgan surprises for Le Race win

Sam Horgan was the surprise winner of the Le Race cycling event today. Photo / Thinkstock

Sam Horgan was the surprise winner of the Le Race cycling event today after a late crash took the leader out of contention.

Oceania road race champion Paul Odlin looked to have the win secured in the 100km race from Christchurch to Akaroa until he crashed on the final corner.

Odlin had managed to secure himself a 20-second lead over the latter part of the Summit Road, but was caught by Horgan and Hamish Schreurs at the top of the descent.

Odlin's risky descending initially allowed him to regain his lead until the crash enabled Horgan to slip through and take the win.

"It's not how I like to win a race, but I guess that's what happens," said Horgan. "Odlin was motoring down the descent and would have been able to hold on for the win. I really feel for him because he was going awesome today. It was a bit unbelievable to see that he had crashed. It was terrible, terrible luck."

Odlin was uninjured and managed to get back on the bike to finish second, with Schreurs third.

"I was feeling great. With Odlin up the road, I got a bit of a free ride up the top with Tom Davison and Hamish Schreurs doing all of the work. On paper Le Race is probably a bit hilly for me, but I do pretty well here - maybe it's the home knowledge."

Subway Pro Cycling rode a strategic race with both Odlin and Dylan Kennett in lone breaks for much of the day, forcing Schreurs, Dan Barry and Tom Davison to drive the chase.

Reta Trotman successfully defended her 2011 women's title in spectacular fashion, setting a new course record of 2.56.04. Ideal conditions allowed Trotman to lower Jo Buick's existing record by 2 minutes 46 seconds.

"I was riding with guys all the way from the start. I couldn't see any girls behind me. I knew I would put the time in on the flat so I put head down going up the hills and hoped for the best that no one was going to come past me," said Trotman.

Results:

Men, 100km: Sam Horgan (Subway Pro Cycling), 2.40.55, 1; Paul Odlin (Subway Pro Cycling), 2.41, 2; Hamish Schreurs (Benchmark Homes), 2.41.01, 3.

Women, 100km: Reta Trotman, 2.56.04, 1; Haley Mercer, 2.59.48, 2; Sia Svendsen, 3.08, 3.