Cycling: Winds of controversy hit Tour of Southland

Tour of Southland director Bruce Ross feared for his race's reputation after a standoff between a group of high profile cyclists and officials turned the event into a farce yesterday.

Ross met naming rights sponsor PowerNet immediately after the eighth stage from Winton to Te Anau, which was reduced by more than 20km from the scheduled 163.8km because of dangerously strong winds.

Ross put a brave face on a situation which could have repercussions throughout New Zealand cycling.

"I've had a meeting with PowerNet and they are understanding of my situation and realise there's nothing more we could do," Ross said.

"They are disappointed, too, obviously, but I don't think it will threaten (our reputation). The situation has been initiated by several of the senior riders and that's the way it goes."

Perhaps the most controversial incident in the race's 49-year history occurred after the decision was made to halt the stage at the top of Blackmount Hill for safety reasons.

A combination of patchy tarmac and a gusting wind made the descent too dangerous for the riders.

The decision was made to restart the race 24km before the stage finish in Te Anau, with leaders Gordon McCauley and Jaaron Poad, of Trek Zookeepers, and Anthony Chapman, of Creation Signs, retaining their lead of three minutes 42 seconds.

Several teams, including The Southland Times, Calder Stewart and Subway, revolted at the move, at first threatening to pull out of the tour and later deciding to bunch ride slowly into Te Anau as a protest.

Calder Stewart manager and sponsor Brendon Monaghan said the incident had been unfortunate.

"These guys are pros, they saw a gap they could have easily closed down over 50km and they weren't allowed to do it.

"We were never going to win this stage, no matter how hard we tried -- not after the restart."

A meeting between tour management and team managers was held tonight and Ross hopes the situation will return to normal tomorrow for the final two stages -- despite McCauley now almost assured of victory with a 17min lead over former tour leader Jeremy Vennell, of Calder Stewart.

"It shouldn't be repeated. Some of the riders have apologised already and the feeling in the convoy is that a decision had to be made. Unfortunately they were being told what to do by some of the senior riders," Ross said.

- NZPA