Cycling: Walker impresses with tour victory

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Wanganui teenager Michaela Walker had her first significant win when she took the Open Women's section of the Powerco Cycle Tour of Taranaki last weekend.

The 17-year-old Girls' College student started competitive riding 18 months ago under coach Lyall Hastie, who believes she has the ability to follow in the footsteps of professional Hayley Giddens.

The three-day tour starts in Kaponga and travels 42.5km along Eltham, Patiki, Skeet and Manaia Rds, finishing Day 1 with another 10km dash.

Day 2 departs from Stratford and heads out on two stages - 72km and 48km - along East, Mohakua, Makuri, Douglas, East and Wawiri Rds.

The final day on Monday saw racing around the Inglewood area for 28km laps.

Walker raced with the women in the same race as the D Grade men.

"Although the first two days of racing were close, Michaela dominated overall, winning four of five stages," said Hastie.

"Even more impressive was that she finished fifth overall in the combined male-female field.

Walker had a four-second lead over the rest of the women going into the final stage, but dominated the hill climb to reach the line eight minutes ahead.

She and Hastie had spent six weeks training and racing in Taranaki to prepare for the course.

Next on the agenda is the upcoming Manawatu Secondary School Championships, followed by the North Island championships in Cambridge and the nationals in Feilding.