Double defence for Kiwis at Tour de l'Abitibi

Jul 22nd. 11. After a time trial and a road race today, team Nouvelle Zealande again defended their 1st and 2nd placings at the Tour de l'Abitibi in Canada.

In this morning's Stage 3 12.4km time trial, 18 year old James Oram, in the tour leader's jersey, finished with the 4th fastest time. Dion Smith, also 18 and 2nd on GC, finished 7th.

In the 52.7km afternoon Stage 4 road race, raced at 46.8kph, the Kiwis finished safely in the mass field sprint to retain their overall positions. 

"The closer we got to the finish, guys were crashing on every corner," Smith told RoadCycling.co.nz. "James and I got caught behind one with about 1km to go. We managed to get back on but it was too late and it mucked up the sprint to the line."

Unfortunately it meant Smith was unable to earn more points in the Sprint Ace Classification he was leading, and he had to give up the jersey - for now at last.

"There are still three stages to go and I'm not giving up," he said.

After today's two stages Oram is still leading the tour and Smith is 2nd +19sec, just 1sec ahead of the 3rd placed rider.

The team are 2nd, within 4sec of of USA's lead, in the Nations Cup Classification they won last year. The tour continues over the next three days with two road races and a circuit race.

"We will do everything we can to make the Kiwis back home proud!" said Smith.