Cycling: Yates takes first Milford Mountain Classic

Jeremy Yates won the 'brutal' first Milford Mountain Race. Photo / File

Three days after placing second in the national road cycling championships, Jeremy Yates won the inaugural Milford Mountain Classic, a race he described as "brutal".

Yates, riding for Mico-Protrain, won the 120 kilometre Milford to Te Anau race yesterday in spectacular fashion, despite the wet conditions. He used the climb towards the Homer Tunnel to stage his attack before riding solo for almost 100km to the finish.

"I attacked the guys halfway up the climb, but I thought once through the tunnel I would just take it easy and wait for the guys," Yates said. "But then I sort of scooted myself down with a little tail wind and when I got to a straight section there was no one behind for miles, so I thought I'd stick my head down and see how long I could last."

Yates crossed the line nearly two minutes ahead of Shem Rodger, with Chris Macic third.