Twitter
Facebook
RSS Feed
Google+
RECENT ARTICLES
A day in the peloton in Ireland for Kiwis May 22nd, 12. All the Kiwis finished in the peloton as the break got away on the ... read more |
Are you up for the Tour of Taranaki challenge? May 22nd, 12. The Queen's Birthday weekend Powerco Tour of Taranaki is a challenging tour, ... read more |
Sam Bewley is back in the pro-tour May 22nd, 12. Sam Bewley will line up to race as Orica GreenEdge's newest member tomorrow. ... read more |
Local lad wins Avanti Classic |
|
Patrick Bevin wins the sprint ahead of Jeremy Yates ©RoadCycling.co.nz
A twelve rider break created all the action today in the men's elite race but it was the 18 year old local boy who got all the cheers at the finish line.
After a great leadout by teammate Tom Findlay, Bevin beat off previous Avanti Classic winner Jeremy Yates in the sprint to finish with a time of 3:46:41. Subway Avanti's Eric Drower was third one second later.
"I got away on the airport hill but basically got dragged in with about 500m to go and then Tom jumped on the front and got some speed up and I took it on the line. We were easily the strongest team out there today," Bevin said.
Whilst in his first season racing as a senior, Bevin isn't new to senior success. Earlier this month he had two stage wins at the PowerNet Tour of Southland and came home with the green sprinter's jersey. Today's win was something special though.
"It's my home course. I'm over the moon to win a home race in front of this great home crowd," he said.
Earlier, 30km before the line, NZ Road Champion McCauley had a burst of energy to attack off the front up the Hatepe climb, but the Subway Avanti rider's break was short lived. He finished 6th, 10sec behind Bevin but 1st Over34 rider home.
"I'm a wee but tired. I'm the first old fart over the line for the third year in a row, so that's good," he said as he received his bouquet for fastest Over34 rider.
37 year old McCauley was quick to honour Bevin saying he expects the young rider will have a great professional career.
Carl Williams congratulates Patrick Bevin ©RoadCycling.co.nz
Bici Vida rider and Team Manager Carl Williams was thrilled with the success of his team. They won the Elite Street Race last night with Roman Van Uden and today the Avanti Classic.
"It was pretty special, it hasn't sunk in yet to be honest, expecially the double. I couldn't ask for anything better," he told RoadCycling.co.nz on the finish line of today's race.
Williams is dedicated to strengthening teams based cycling here in New Zealand, something he says we don't have enough of.
"We are keeping our philosophies the same, we felt such a good tight unit. It's clear everyone was racing for the team. It's nothing new, it's just putting it all into practise," he said of his team strategies.
Other articles on this great weekend of cycling
©RoadCycling.co.nz Ltd
Tweet Follow @roadcycling Support RoadCycling.co.nz Advertisers
|
Nov 28th, 09. Taupo's Patrick Bevin gave the crowd, and Bici Vida supporters, extra reason to cheer when he won the Avanti Classic 160km elite race today.