Canadian first

Cycling: It was a former Tour of Southland winner who planted the seed of thought in James Piccoli’s head. On Saturday Piccoli became the first Canadian to win New Zealand’s premier road cycling race – the SBS tour of Southland. He became just the fourth overseas rider to finish with the yellow jersey in the 61-year history of the race. It was only two weeks ago the 26-year-old agreed to take on the Tour of Southland under the advice of 2009 Tour of Southland winner Heath Blackgrove.