Cycling: Ryan ready to ride final stage

Karl Murray edged ahead of Ryan Wills to finish first. Photo / Stephen Parker

Whakatane's Ryan Wills goes into the final stage of the inaugural Tour of Bay of Plenty in the yellow jersey and it's a position he's confident of keeping. But while he is favourite to win the overall tour, it was his coach who took line honours yesterday in the stage three Bike the Lake 80km race.

Karl Murray said his main intention was to protect his 26-year-old rider from the rest of the field and give him a greater berth ahead of today's final stage in the Waikite Valley.

The pair crossed the line close together with youngster Joel Yates taking the final podium spot.

"We were working together the whole way around," Murray said of his race with Wills. "I knew he would win Saturday's time trial and take the yellow jersey and for this we had a plan to try to get away again."

He said they broke away from the chase pack on the hills at the back of the lake in the second lap.

"Coming into the finish it was a bit undecided who would win between me and Ryan but I went through the corner first and it's hard to pass there. I'm here to help him win the tour so it's only fair I win a stage."

Wills, who has signed a new pro contract for the 2015 European season, said he was confident he would hold his lead today, especially as he views hills as a strength and the Waikite Valley is renowned for them.

"I've been waiting 10 years for a tour in this region," he said.

"It's a strong centre for cycling. I know the roads like nothing else. For me it's not a big race but I enjoy coming back and doing local stuff."

Wills will take part in the Tour of Southland with the PowerNet team. The classic starts next week.

Holder of the women's yellow jersey going into today's final stage is Emmelie Ivarsson with Rotorua's Sarah Pitcher-Campbell just under a minute back.

Results
Stage 1: Men: Karl Murray 1:50:11 1, Ryan Wills 1:50:12 2, Joel Yates 1:53:17 3. Women: Emmelie Ivarsson 2:03:38 1, Sarah Pitcher-Campbell 2:04:16 2, Mirjam Van Den Boom 2:05:30 3.

Stage 2: Men: Ryan Wills 14:19 1, Joel Yates 14:22 2, Karl Murray 14:47, 3; Women: Maddie Park 17:22 1; Emmelie Ivarsson 17:27 2, Sam Bradley 17:37 3.

Stage 3: Men: Karl Murray 2:02:14 1, Ryan Wills 2:02:15 2, Joel Yates 2:02:15 3. Women: Maddie Park 2:14:15 1, Emmelie Ivarsson 2:14:16 2, Sarah Pitcher-Campbell 2:14:19 3.

General classification after three stages: Men: Ryan Wills 4:06:46 1, Karl Murray 4:07:12 2, Joel Yates 4:09:54 3; Women: Emmelie Ivarrson 4:35:21 1, Sarah Pitcher Campbell 4:36:15 2, Mirjam van den Boom 4:44:12 3.