KEY POINTS:
New Zealand track cyclist Hayden Roulston has retained his lead after the second stage of the four-day Tour des Deux-Sevres in France.
Roulston, riding with his Olympics-bound track teammates, finished ninth with the help of Marc Ryan this morning (NZtime).
The Ashburton rider, who won yesterday's opening stage, now has a 32 second lead on general classification with two road stages and an individual time trial to follow.
Ryan, from Timaru, was the only New Zealander among 16 riders who broke away early in the stage.
But the peloton, including Roulston and fellow Kiwis Westley Gough, Sam Bewley and Chris Macic, managed to stabilise the gap.
The margin was reduced to 30 seconds on the lead bunch which had been whittled back to five riders, including Ryan, coming into the five-lap finishing circuit.
Ryan continued to hold up the leaders and when they were nearly caught, he threw in an attack to win the stage but could not hold on for the win.
However his efforts allowed Roulston to finish safely in the main bunch and retain his lead.
The tour finishes on Tuesday (NZ time).
- NZPA
