Lane kept his focus to achieve tour win

Cambridge High School student Josh Lane remains on a high following his victory at the Yunca U17 Junior Cycle Tour of Southland.

Having started his cycling career just three years ago, Lane, 16, is driven by a will to succeed as his recent result winning the Southland title shows he’s on the right track.

‘‘I went on this tour with my eyes firmly set on winning the yellow jersey and although it took me a couple of stages to achieve the goal, I hadn’t wavered.’’

He completed the 2.6km prologue, followed by the eight-lap Kermesse, both held on the Teretonga Motorsport Track, before going onto the 50km, stage 3 road race, finishing in joint 7th place overall.

He was still in contention with 11 seconds separating him from the leader.

A huge effort in the 51km stage 4 road race saw him take line honours and catapult him out nine seconds ahead of the rest of the field.

‘‘I noticed a lot of riders were starting to tire, but my legs were feeling good so I went for it,’’ said Lane.

Lane went into the 76km stage 6 confident he could retain his overall lead.

‘‘Wearing the yellow jersey was like having a cross on your back, I could feel the pressure from other riders as they mounted their attacks.

‘‘I was thankful to the bunch who were giving me the assistance I needed to put me on the line.’’

Weather conditions for the tour were windy and the crosswinds made it challenging for the riders.

Lane’s coach Blair Taylor said he was excited about Josh and was looking forward to seeing how far he can go in the sport.

‘‘Josh is one of the most talented road riders I have coached and think that he could be something very special in the future,’’ said Taylor.

‘‘His ability to climb sets him apart from his peers, holding his own against some of New Zea- land’s best elite cyclist at only 16 years old.’’

Cambridge rider Ally Wollaston, fresh from her success at the national schools cycling event in Manawatu, claimed the three jerseys in the under-17 girls ahead of Sami Donnelly.