Christchurch cyclist Brent Spencer won the 74km Gore to Invercargill Road Classic on Thursday night in sunny Southland weather.
The Pegasus Club B Grade cyclist won the handicap race in a field of 48 riders which started at the Gore Town and Country Club and finished on Racecourse Road in Invercargill.
He started New Zealand's longest running cycling race in the third last group and worked his way with the bunch towards the front of the field, before turning the final corner in second place.
"It was a really good bunch, and obviously in the wind it was easier for us, with no head wind for scratch to catch us heading into Invercargill," he said.
"People started attacking once we hit the highway."
"When we got to the roundabout it was a matter of making sure I was first or second around there."
He then used his sprint skills to power his way across the line first.
Southland's Avanti Isowhey rider Matt Zenovich used the event as a build up for his season when he claimed the fastest time trophy with a time of 1:32:50 after starting from scratch.
Kate Smith claimed the first woman trophy, while Hayden Strong was the fastest junior.
Cycling continues with the New Year Track Carnival on Friday and Saturday night and the Ascot Park Criterium on Sunday from 10:30am.
Full results to come - check out the footage here
Article and photo courtesy Stuff