Smallman wins Nelson criterium

Ian Smallman from the SUBWAY® Pro Cycling team had an impressive win in the elite Nelson City Cathedral Criterium on Sunday.

Smallman ensured the pace was high throughout the event until he made his winning move with five minutes of racing left, riding off the front of the race to establish a lead he was able to hold until the finish, comfortably beating Kieran Hambrook who outsprinted Brad Tuhi for second.

“It was a great result,” Smallman said. “The high pace was good and when it came down towards the end I made my move, went hard, was able to get a good gap and hold it until the finish; it felt good.”

Smallman also won two of the four ‘prime’ sprints during the race.

The event was part of opening weekend of the Konica Minolta Festival of Cycling.