KEY POINTS:
For want of a shot of sugar, New Zealand cyclist Greg Henderson dramatically lost the yellow leader's jersey in the Tour of Georgia today.
Henderson, riding for the High Road team, fell from first to 93rd in general classification at the end of today's 215km fifth stage from
Suwanee to Dahlonega. He is now over 14 minutes adrift of the lead.
This left Jeremy Vennell as the leading New Zealander in the race with the Hawke's Bay rider finishing 35th, promoting him up to 29th overall at 59sec from the lead.
Henderson, not known as a mountain climber, said he was feeling good, making it over the first climb with good legs and looking good to keep the yellow jersey.
But on the start of the second climb, the lights went out.
"I was feeling great and then all of a sudden, on the second climb, I don't know what happened... it was low sugars or something. Then once I got hold of the gels and Coke I was fine.
"It was amazing how quickly it turned from good to bad... I started asking teammates for sugar but it was too late by then."
Henderson, however hangs on to the sprinter's green jersey and said he was feeling confident for Sunday's circuit race, which is sure to end in a field sprint.
The stage was won by Australian Richard England in five hours, 15 minutes, 15 seconds, while countryman Trent Lowe moved into the overall lead after today's results.
Slipstream's Lowe, who began the stage in sixth position, trailing Henderson by 15 seconds, finished ninth in the stage.
"It's only a few seconds, but it's better to be a few seconds in the lead than trailing by a few seconds," Lowe said. "It's not like I'm looking forward to tomorrow with the ending climb. But I am looking forward to bicycle racing."
Henderson and several other riders struggled in the long stage, with the former race leader losing more than 15 minutes.
England, the 2006 Australian criterium champion, began the day in 34th position. But he moved into 19th position, trailing by 42 seconds.
The event continues on Saturday with the 142km sixth stage, which features a climbing finish to Brasstown Bald Mountain, the highest point in Georgia.
The race concludes on Sunday in Atlanta.
- NZPA/AP
