Manawatu's under-19 grade rider, Robert Stannard, won the open men's title by 100th of a second from Auckland masters grade rider Aaron Strong. Another Manawatu starter, Alex West, was one second behind Stannard in third place.
Stannard, regarded as one of the country's most promising riders, displayed the benefits of racing in the Nelson-based Tour De Vineyards which finished last weekend. His father, Steven, finished 25 seconds behind his son in 11th place. The best of the Hawke's Bay finishers was defending tour champion Josh Page, who was 13th equal, 28 seconds behind the younger Stannard.
Page, Keri-Anne's hubby, was happy with his effort.
"I'm not a short-distance rider so to not lose that much time is pretty good. I won the tour from 40 seconds behind going into the last day last year. Starting tomorrow in this position is going to be pretty good ... I would rather attack than be attacked by 50 other riders."
Multiple national champion Gordon McCauley had what top Bay coach Ivar Hopman described as a "comeback and a half after last year" when he finished 16th, 30 seconds behind the winner. Last year McCauley, 43, collected a couple of broken bones when he rode into a fence on the final day.
The four-stage Ramblers Cycling Club-hosted tour, which offers $10,000 in prize money to grades from open men and women to under-17 riders, continues today with The Bike HB stage 1 on the Crownthorpe Settlement circuit from Pukehamoamoa School. This stage includes an elite men's 99km three-lap race.
The Mudgeway Enterprises stage 2 will involve an 84km three lap race of the Ohiti circuit for elite men. Tomorrow's Ngatarawa stage 3 will end the tour. It includes a four-lap 104km race on the Apley Road circuit from Puketapu School for elite men.
