Myles all smiles after big win
Queenstown-based Northern Irishman Myles Gibson was too strong for the 151-kilometre handicap Twizel to Timaru Cycling Classic field on Saturday.
On a day when both male and female race records were smashed, Gibson, starting with the third break bunch that dominated the top 10 placings, was too strong along the final 900-metre straight on Falvey Rd outside the Timaru International Raceway.
Gibson’s lead across the line was big enough for to allow himself a fist pump as he headed Hokitika’s Sharlotte Lucas and Christchurch’s Brent Spencer with Amy Hollamby the first Cycling South Canterbury rider home in fourth. The gap between first and 10th was 1.83 seconds.
‘‘I found myself stuck on the front coming into that final straight and thought f... it I’ll just go for it,’’ Gibson said.
Gibson, who has been in New Zealand for about four years, said Saturday’s win provided much better memories of his only other attempt at the classic a couple of years ago. ‘‘I cycled the last 50kms by myself that time... this is much better. I just love this area.’’
Lucas, 29, admitted she couldn’t hold Gibson’s wheel in the final sprint. She started in the same bunch as Gibson and her time of 3 hours 29 minutes 12 seconds obliterated the previous fastest women’s time of 3:37.38 set by Ashburton’s Lauren Ellis from 2013.
The men’s fastest time record also fell with Waimate’s Dylan Kennett, (now Te Awamutu Sports Cycling Club) erasing Reon Park’s 2013 record of 3:13.04 in finishing in 3:10.17.