NZ Cycle Classic Stage 2

A brave move by BikeNZ’s Olympic contender Aaron Gate ensured him a top-10 finish in the second stage of the NZ Cycle Classic in Palmerston North today [26 January].

The first 40 kms proved pivotal, with a breakaway group establishing a telling lead that may prove significant for overall general classification contenders.

An initial break gathered momentum with more riders joining until the 21-rider bunch was able to extend their lead to over three minutes over a fractured peloton in the 143km loop from Palmerston North.
Gate was among the last of the riders to bridge across to the leaders, taking Australian Peterson (RBS Morgans-ATS) with him.

“It was a last-minute go to get to the break for me and so that definitely took its toll early on and it was just about maintaining myself after that,” said Gate.

Gate is part of the BikeNZ endurance track squad who are using the UCI sanctioned road tour as part of their Olympic preparations.

The strong wind and rolling terrain saw the pair struggle in no man’s land for more than 10kms until they could make contact with the leaders.

“The wind definitely had a part to play in the results today. It wasn’t flat around the back of the course either. It was undulating and some of those hills definitely catch up with you after you have gone up and down them a few times.”

Eventual stage winner, Jay McCarthy (Jacyo-AIS) attacked the leaders with 40 kms remaining. Fellow Australian Darren Lapthorne (Drapac) went with him with the final 1 minute 15 second margin sufficient for Lapthorne to take over the leader’s yellow jersey from yesterday’s time trial winner Campbell Flakemore (Genesys Wealth Advisors).

A marshalling error meant that Gate was one of a handful of riders who took a wrong turn in the final kilometres of the race, ruling him out of the sprint for third place.

The race continues tomorrow with a 154 kilometre loop following today’s course in reverse.
The four-day tour around the Manawatu has attracted 21 teams from USA, Australia and New Zealand headed by US-based Team Type 1 Sanofi, a full UCI Continental team.

Results: Stage 2, 143km: Jay McCarthy (Jayco-AIS) 3.27.07, 1; Darren Lapthorne (Drapac Professional Cycling) ST, 2; Adam Phelan (Drapac Professional Cycling) 3.28.22, 3.