KEY POINTS:
Counties-Manukau rider Gordon McCauley won a three-way sprint to win the first stage of the Tour de Vineyards cycling race around the Nelson region yesterday.
McCauley hit the front on the third lap of the opening stage around the Hope circuit.
He was joined by Clinton Avery and Heath Blackgrove in the breakaway before winning the sprint and stage in 1 hour 10 minutes and 34 seconds.
The tour continues today with a 90km stage from Richmond to St Arnaud.
