Matt Zenovich's attacking instincts paid off after 150 kilometres when he took out the Great Southern Cycle Challenge on Saturday.
The Cycling Southland rider headed home triathlete Robert Huisman by 20 seconds in a time of 4hr 6min 20sec, with Brad Tuhi just over a minute back and Dillon Bennett in fourth place.
Zenovich was involved in multiple attacks throughout the day, which took in four stages around Southland. Despite a dire forecast, the race actually managed to stay dry for most of the day, avoiding the worst of the showers through Winton, Mataura and Edendale before returning to Invercargill.
There was a battle of the sprinting physiotherapists when one of the biggest bunches of the day arrived at the finish line in Invercargill. Sequoia Cooper, 11th overall, won the sprint and the women's title in a time of 4hr 31min 23sec ahead of a bunch which included fellow physios Neil Familton and Gabby Vermunt, along with Aimee Burns, Andy McIntyre and team rider Georgia Timpany. Familton took out the over-45 title.
The event raised funds for a Southland pilot programme run by the Heart Foundation.
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Photo and story courtesy of The Southland Times