Bike Wise International Junior Tour - NE

Wanganui, New Zealand, September 26-28, 2003

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Stage 2b - September 28: Wanganui - Maxwell Deviation - Wanganui, 60 km

Crossling wins Junior Tour

By Alan Messenger

Eighteen year-old Masterton cyclist Edwin Crossling came into the Bikewise New Zealand International Junior tour, his first major event, hoping for a top 10 placing and maybe even the King of the Mountains Jersey, but he went home today with the overall winner’s cheque.

Today at Wanganui, Crossling started the final 60 kilometre stage in second place, three seconds behind the tour Leader Mathew Haydock (Auckland), but this afternoon’s stage dramatically changed the overall classification. After 23 kilometres, a seven-man break included the two leaders, but four kilometres later, Haydock was in trouble when his rear derailleur broke. Even though his friend Josh England gave him his bike, Haydock faced a 1 minute 30 secs deficit, a gap he was unable to claw back.

The leading group of five held their advantage even when early race leader Luke McCarthy dropped off. Further drama unfolded when Australian Mitchell Docker applied pressure seven kilometres from the finish and rode away with William Thompson (Auckland). Their lead went out to 25 seconds, but a gritty chase by Crossling saw him join the pair. "I was suffering bad cramps on the final hill; I was hurting like I didn’t know I could hurt, but I wanted to win," said Crossling afterwards.

Docker crossed the line for his second stage win , finishing ahead of Thompson, but with Crossling in third place, the tour win was assured. World junior triathlon champion Terenzo Bozzone rode his best stage of the tour to finish fifth.

Results

Final general classification
 
1 Edwin Grossling (Masterton)
2 Mitchell Docker (Australia)
3 Matthew Haydock (Auckland)

Coming!