Cycling: US rider scoops title with help from locals

American rider John Lieswyn was keen to thank his New Zealand team-mates after becoming only the second overseas cyclist to win the Tour of Southland.

Lieswyn, riding for Winton's Middle Pub team who included eight-time winner Brian Fowler, finished second in the final stage from Winton to Invercargill.

But he had done enough to hold on to the yellow jersey ahead of Rotorua's Scott Guyton and under-23 champion Heath Blackgrove, from Waimate.

After a win in Thursday's stage-six time trial between Balfour and Riversdale, Lieswyn and his team-mates rode clinically to hold the yellow jersey for the final four stages of the six-day tour.

Lieswyn broke a rib while mountain-biking three weeks ago, but said he got stronger as the Tour progressed.

"I was really surprised with my time trial victory. The yellow jersey adds some strength - I was motivated with only four stages to go after that."

Australian Mal Powell's 1964 victory was the only previous time the Tour had been won by an foreign rider.

The race this year attracted a record field of 85, including 18 overseas riders.

"I think it's a testament to the increase in the stature of the race, there are more internationals riding it and I feel like it was kind of a joint Kiwi-American win," Lieswyn said.

Guyton won Saturday's final stage into Invercargill.

Australian Tom Leaper took the king of the mountains jersey and was second to Christchurch's Hayden Godfrey in the sprints.

The Zookeepers Cafe team of Hastings, brothers Matthew and Jeremy Yates, Dunedin's Gordon McCauley, Karl Murray, of Auckland, and Blackgrove were the Tour's leading team.

- NZPA