SUBWAY® Pro Cycling's Latham wins Manawatu Cycle Classic

SUBWAY® Pro Cycling’s Pete Latham was happy about a late decision to enter the inaugural
Country Road Manawatu Cycle Classic on Saturday.

The Commonwealth Games bronze medallist and member of the Bike NZ National Track endurance team only made a late decision last week to race in the event, but won in three hours, 50 minutes and 15 seconds.

“I haven’t ridden 160 kilometres, let alone raced it, since the Tour of Wellington in January so was feeling it a bit on the hills but was happy to be in the hunt at the end and had confidence in my sprint.”

Latham said there was aggressive riding from the start as there were cash prizes up for grabs on the day’s first four hill climbs. Christchurch rider James Early from the Benchmark Homes team was dominant in the climbs and secured the King of the Mountain competition before falling off the pace in the closing stages.

Six riders contested the sprint finish with Andy Hagan, Eric Drower, David Rowlands and Gordon McCauley all recording the same time as Latham with Aaron Strong only one second back.

Three weeks ago Latham was a member of the New Zealand team at the Track World Championships in the Netherlands and says he is now looking forward to taking a break after quite an intensive campaign of racing.