08/04/2011 - Hamish Presbury hopes to get his season off to a winning start by defending his title in the Great Southern cycle challenge on Saturday.
Presbury held off Logan Edgar in a sprint to the line for last year's title after a 150km one-day stage race around Southland, which he completed in slightly more than four hours. "It's definitely an endurance event, it's as long as the Southland championships," Presbury said.
As well as the individual event for BikeNZ-licensed riders, the Fonterra-sponsored race includes a four-person teams event, with each rider completing one of the four stages.
Racing starts from the ILT Velodrome from 8.30am, with the first riders expected at the Surrey Park finish line at 12.30pm. This year's race also features a 40km mini-event from Edendale to Invercargill.
Organised by the Invercargill South Rotary Club, funds from the race will go towards a programme to have every Southlander over 45 tested for heart problems.
- The Southland Times