Rotorua's Sam Phipps has won his first cycling race in France. He is pictured racing in Rotorua last year. Photo / Ben Fraser
Rising Rotorua cyclist Sam Phipps has won his first race in France since joining the La Pomme Marseille Espoir team this year.
Phipps, 19, won the La Rhonde des Vignobles race earlier this month which featured a 4.5km time trial and 100km road race. He won the time trial by
12 seconds ahead of his nearest opponent then held on to the yellow jersey during the road race.
About 100 cyclists entered the race which will give Phipps plenty of confidence, as he looks to grow in experience and pick up more top results this year.
Phipps is on his first contract racing for an overseas cycling team.
The La Pomme Marseille Espoir team is a development team to the professional La Pomme Marseille team, based in Marseille.
