Promising young rider Marshall Erwood managed to hold the U13 yellow jersey from
start to finish to be the best placed Southlander in the Cycling Southland-run three-
day cycle tour.
More than 105 riders from around the country took part in the six-stage 34 th Yunca
Junior Tour of Southland held over the weekend.
A mix of varying wind conditions and tired legs meant some riders were able to make
valuable time gains over the hilly Grove Bush-Springhills circuit on Sunday, with
another Southland-based rider, Mitchel Fitzsimons, overturning a seven-second
deficit to claim the overall U15 boys title.
Yunca tour director Danielle Ralph was delighted with the successful event, which is
seen as an important stepping stone for younger riders eyeing successful cycling
careers.
“The wind wasn’t too strong but the crosswinds really made it challenging for the
riders. Those who rode tactical races and planned their attacks did well. It would have
certainly been a good learning curve for the riders,” she said.
“For many it will be the longest – and the hardest – they’ve ridden over three days so
it will be great to see the new skills and tactics they’ve learnt be used in other races.”
Erwood finished sixth in his less-favoured Inner City Criterium, held on Sunday
morning, but did enough during the 14-kilometre afternoon stage to secure the win.
He also won the Sprint and King of the Mountain (KOM) jerseys.
Yunca-sponsored Northland invitee Tyla-Mia Foster finished third overall in the U13
division, in an impressive performance.
In the U15 girls’ division, Rhylee Akeroyd, who competed at the New Zealand
Schools National Road Championship the previous weekend, was unable to overturn
a two-minute deficit and finished fifth behind Katie Batt (Blenheim). She won the
Sprint jersey.
Fitzsimons was second in the final stage in the U15 boys’ division, but was able to
make up time and win by three seconds over Kaio Lart, and also claim the Sprint and
KOM jerseys.
Ally Woolaston claimed the three jerseys in the U17 girls’ division, ahead of Sami
Donnelly (Christchurch), with Southlander Emily Paterson holding on to fourth, 25
seconds off the lead.
Despite a spirited breakaway from Finn Fisher-Black (Nelson) and Laurence Pithie
(Christchurch), Cambridge rider Josh Lane was able to maintain his overall lead to
win the U17 boys’ title. Fisher-Black won the KOM jersey, while Pithie took home
the Sprint title.
Southland-based rider Sophie-Leigh Bloxham won the Sprint jersey in the U19
womens’ division, with Niamh Fisher-Black (Nelson) winning the overall title. Tayla
Lumsden was the best placed Southlander in fifth.
Despite winning the final stage in the U19 mens’ division, Southlander Corbin Strong
could only reduce the deficit by five seconds, not enough to beat Bailey O’Donnell
(Christchurch). Strong also won the Sprint jersey.
Attention now turns to the track with the SIT Velodrome hosting a junior track
carnival on Tuesday night, from 6.30pm, and the South Island Schools Track
Championships on Wednesday.
Final Results
U13
- Marshall Erwood, 1 hour, 46min 36sec, 1;
- Noah Hollamby (Timaru), 1 hour 47min
10sec, 2; - Tyla-Mia Foster (Kaitaia), 1 hour, 49min 16sec, 3;
U15 girls
- Katie Batt, 3 hours 50min 15sec, 1;
- Rosie O’Brien, 3 hours 50min 38sec, 2;
- Bee Townsend, 3 hours 52min 10sec, 3.
U15 boys
- Mitchel Fitzsimons, 3 hours 28min 35sec, 1;
- Kaio Lart, 3 hours 28min 38sec, 2;
- Luke Price, 3 hours 29min 22sec, 3.
U17 girls
- Ally Wollaston, 5 hours, 10min, 39sec, 1;
- Sami Donnelly, 5 hours, 10min, 46sec, 2;
- Hannah Bartram, 5 hours, 11min, 1sec, 3.
U17 boys
- Josh Lane, 5 hours 37min 54sec, 1;
- Finn Fisher-Black, 5 hours 38min 1sec, 2;
- Ari Scott, 5 hours 38min 7sec, 3.
U19 women
- Niamh Fisher-Black, 4 hours, 53min 26sec, 1;
- Connie O’Brien, 4 hours, 53min 35sec,
2; - Kate Smith, 4 hours, 53min 38sec, 3.
U19 men
- Bailey O’Donnell, 7 hours 14min 10sec, 1;
- Corbin Strong, 7 hours 14min 13sec, 2;
- Henry Levett, 7 hours 14min 18sec, 3.