Cycling: Wrong turn in Bluff costs riders dearly

Confusion and controversy marked the opening day of the Tour of Southland cycling race yesterday, when the chasing pack took a shortcut through Bluff.

The tour's second stage result, from Invercargill to Bluff, looked set in stone as the leading group of Robin Reid and Hayden Roulston, of So Fresh Milk, and Winton's Middle Pub's Brian Fowler, held a lead of more than 30s heading into Bluff.

However, the chasing pack took a wrong turn after going around the waterfront and attacked Bluff Hill ahead of the trio.

Tour manager Bruce Ross said the group had taken a shortcut down an unmarshalled street after following a tour official's vehicle which was trying to get ahead of the race. Roulston was awarded the stage from Fowler, with Reid finishing third.

Roulston, 19, of Ashburton, said he was initially shocked to see the chasing pack heading into the foothills ahead of him.

"I couldn't believe it, I was looking around asking the marshalls what had happened.

"I was disappointed with those riders, but these things happen."

Racing teams will have the opportunity to appeal the decision before the race begins today.

After the hill climb, Roulston wrested the yellow jersey from Glen Mitchell, who dropped 27s behind. Reid was third, 29s behind Roulston, with world junior champion Jeremy Yates, at 52s back, and Fowler, at 59s, rounding out the top five.

- NZPA