GISBORNE rider Callum Gordon leads the King of the Mountain points standings after a dramatic first stage of the New Zealand Cycle Classic yesterday.
Gordon, riding for Team Skoda, finished the 121-kilometre stage from Masterton to Castlepoint 47 seconds behind winner Tim Roe, a member of the IsoWhey Sports SwissWellness Australia team.
The 22-year-old Gordon was part of a four- then six-man breakaway but could not stay away from the bunch.
Riders were tested by torrential rain and high winds.
Roe completed the distance in two hours 57 minutes 21 seconds, five seconds ahead of the field.
