Cheatley and Roulston shine through

Jan 4th, 10. Two of New Zealand's top cyclists, Cath Cheatley and Hayden Roulston climbed to victory to win the titles in the Tour de Vineyards. One young kiwi learnt a lesson he won't forget.

Jason Christie wins the final stage ©David Letsche www.cyclingphotos.co.nz

In today's final stage Jason Christie (Carbon Zero) was the first across the line in the 11 lap 60km circuit.  

It's a great start to a big 2010 for Christie. After this tour, the Nationals and the track Nationals, he is heading over to the UK to begin a contract with Endura Racing Team.

Christie's win means all four stages of this tour were won by riders in the U23 classification, and all were teenagers; stages 1 and 2 to 18 year old Patrick Bevin, stage 3 to 19 year old George Bennett and stage 4 to 19 year old Christie.

However, it was the more experienced riders who took out the General Classification.

How the Tour was won - Hayden Roulston

Hayden Roulston rode from Ashburton to Nelson before the start of the Tour de Vineyards.    It is part of a training block which he hopes will get him in race shape for the Elite Nationals next weekend, then the Tour Down Under starting the following weekend.

"It is early in the season for me but having the Nationals in January does mean you have to put in the early training and effort to race that event well.  Riding in Nelson will be an important component for Nationals and the Tour Down Under," he said prior to the start of the tour.

In the opening stage of the Tour de Vineyards, Roulston rode a smart race bridging to a lead group of three riders.  In the final six man sprint he finished a close second. 

On stage 2 Roulston finished safely in the peloton bunch finish and retained his second place on the General Classification.

It was on stage 3's climb to the top of Takaka Hill when Roulston took over the lead.  He finished the 130km stage just 21sec behind the winner George Bennett, but more importantly, 1sec in front of him on the General Classification. 

If Bennett (Tasman Glass) had waited to celebrate his victory until after crossing the line rather than sitting up and putting his arms up in victory before the line, the results were likely to have been different.  But he didn't, and Roulston took the lead.

Today's bunch finish didn't change the final results meaning Hayden Roulston is the overall winner of the Tour de Vineyards, 1 sec ahead of Bennett. Bennett won the King of the Mountain and U23 classifications, and Bici Vida's Alex Ray won the Sprinter's Classification.

Roulston's manager John McKenzie told RoadCycling.co.nz Roulston was happy with the win and he feels the tour was great for his training.  He's now looking ahead to next weekend's Nationals.

Cath Cheatley climbed to victory

Cath Cheatley added to her string of successes this year with the overall Tour de Vineyards title.  Cheatley (Trek), who was 10th in the UCI World Road Championships back in October, won two stages, as did Karen Fulton (Fresh Choice).   

It was Cheatley's great climb up yesterday's Takaka Hill stage which blew the women's race apart. She finished the tour 5m04s ahead to win the overall title and Queen of the Mountain classification.  Fulton won the Sprinter's Classification.

Related articles

• Tour de Vineyards men's results
• Tour de Vineyards women's results
• Tour de Vineyards master's results