Northey keeps yellow, Bevin wins stage 3

It was another sprint finish and another stage win for Bissell Pro
Cycling’s Patrick Bevin after Stage Three of the PowerNet Tour of Southland today, but
Node 4-Subaru’s Mike Northey will keep the yellow jersey as they embark on the next stage
to Te Anau this afternoon.

 

Bevin, who won Monday’s Stage One in a sprint finish into Lumsden, said today’s 48km
route from Riverton to Tuatapere was the hardest of the PowerNet Tour so far. A break of 18
riders got away from the peleton after Colac Bay and battled gusty cross winds almost the
entire stage.

Four-time Tour winner Hayden Roulston (Calder Stewart), Heath Blackgrove
(PowerNet),Tour leader Northey, Bissell Pro Cycling’s Carter Jones and U23 rider Taylor
Gunman (Pure Black Racing) were all amongst the top 25 riders that crossed the line
together, ahead of the peleton, in Tuatapere and Bevin says the competition within the group
signalled some serious racing ahead.

“Hayden Roulston was definitely throwing it across the most and the Node 4 guys were up
there all day,” he said.

“This afternoon is looking like it will be a good one and it seems like the Tour is well and truly
underway.”

Clinton Avery (Ascot Park Hotel-Kia Motors-NZ Bike Magazine) was second across the line
and Alex Ray (Stewart Imrie Financial Services) was third. Northey was fifth across and
will maintain his eight second lead going into this afternoon’s Stage Four which runs from
Tuatapere to Te Anau.