COOPER MAKES IT THREE IN WINTON AT TOUR OF SOUTHLAND

7/11/15 - Brad Evans has increased his lead ahead of the final stage of the 2015 SBS Bank Tour of Southland.

Evans (PowerNet) produced a big ride in the 13km Niagara-sponsored individual time trial in Winton this morning to place fifth on the stage in 17min 14sec and extend his advantage over Australian Robbie Hucker (Barry Stewart Builders) from 14sec to 1min 11sec.

This afternoon’s 82km Ascot Park Hotel final stage takes the race from Winton to the finish in Invercargill’s Gala St, with Evans bidding to become just the third Dunedin-based rider to win the Tour of Southland.

Joe Cooper won his third Winton time trial, and his second stage in a row, with a 16min 12sec effort, heading off national time trial champion Michael Vink (Team Mike Greer Homes) at 16:37 and defending tour champion Mitchell Lovelock-Fay (Avanti Racing Team) at 16:57.

It was an impressive ride from Cooper who backed up after winning yesterday’s stage into Gore.

“I felt a bit tired in the morning after yesterday’s rampage. To tick this box and go for my third win around this time trial course, I’m pretty happy with that.”

Cooper was fortunate that he was finishing his lap just as the rain started to get heavier in Winton.

“I managed to finish relatively dry and in a time trial conditions can change from the first rider off to the last rider off. At the end of the day everyone has to ride the distance.”

Nick Bain (Team Skoda Racing) wasn’t quite so lucky, slipping on the final corner and having to run the final 200m along the main street of Winton when his chain got caught.

Bloodied and disappointed at the finish line, Bain also saw his lead in the Henderson Construction under 23 classification turn into a 32sec deficit behind Liam Aitcheson (Creation Signs-L&m Group Ricoh).

There’s another tight battle for the Harcourts sprint ace jersey with Joe Chapman (Creation Signs-L&M Group Ricoh) only eight points ahead of Fraser Gough (Avanti Team Racing).

A solid team performance in the time trial by Avanti has seen them take over the Wensley’s Cycles teams classification, while they have already banked the Jesco Hydraulics King of the Mountains classification thanks to Joe Cooper.

Brent Allnut (Placemakers) leads the Stonewood Homes silver jersey classification for riders over 40 by 18min 43sec.

This afternoon’s stage will finish in Gala St about 3.20pm.

ENDS

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