Some determined riding by a breakaway bunch saw Max Anderson hold on to win Saturday's round of the Cycling Southland winter road series from Shirleen Rollo and Amy Marshall.
The trio came in two minutes ahead of the break bunch in a time of 1hr 31min at the end of a 52km handicap race on the Woodstock circuit near Invercargill.
Forty-six riders started the race, with 25 minutes separating the front of the race from the scratch bunch.
Most of the riders managed to avoid some late rain and were treated to light winds, although they were challenged by some mud on the roads at the back half of the circuit.
The scratch bunch broke up partway through the race, leaving Pieter Bulling to power ahead on his own.
Freshly home from the United States where he has been riding with the New Zealand development team, Bulling defied the jet lag to record the fastest time with a 1hr 14min effort.
Only last week Bulling was fourth in a prestigious twilight criterium in the United States.