Cycling: Yates home on the range

INVERCARGILL - The Tour of Southland's yellow jersey changed hands for the fourth time in three days yesterday, showing that the race is far from over at the halfway stage.

American Chris Horner will wear the jersey in today's time trial from Balfour to Riversdale, but he holds just a 3s lead over Scott Guyton.

Hastings youngster Jeremy Yates produced a magical performance to win yesterday's 137km stage from Lumsden to the Crown Range lookout.

When he dismounted at the top he had a 32s margin over current King of the Mountain leader Tom Leaper and with South African Ryan Cox third.

The turbo-charged climb by Yates topped an exciting stage which saw veteran Brian Fowler at one point become the leader on the road in his last tour ride.

Yates had to make a solo dash as a leading group of riders climbed the Jollies Pass, but from there he was part of every attack.

With Cox and Leaper, Yates charged through Arrowtown, but they were caught by Fowler, Ryan Cull and Anthony Chapman.

However, as the leading six began the Crown Range climb, Yates jumped clear.

Today the riders face the 15km Northern Southland time trial, before an afternoon stage of 105km from Gore to Invercargill.

- NZPA