27 Jan 2011

Pure Black first and third in opening stage

6:18 am on 27 January 2011

Pure Black's James Williamson has won a hot and hilly first stage of the Wellington Cycle Classic from Upper Hutt to Masterton.

Williamson crossed just ahead of Cardno's George Bennett , finishing the 121 kilometre stage in 2 hours 57 minutes 34 seconds.

Another Pure Black rider, Tim Gudsell, was third, the riders having to contend with 31 degree temperatures over the Rimutakas and the hills on the back road from Martinborough to Masterton.

The race remains in the Wairarapa region on Thursday and Friday before returning to Upper Hutt for eight laps of the Wallaceville-Mangaroa circuit before it finishes with the traditional Wellington Circuit in Lambton Quay on Sunday.