28 Jan 2011

Australian wins second stage of Cycle Classic

6:42 am on 28 January 2011

The Australian rider Nathan Earl has won the second stage of the Trust House Cycle Classic.

The 125-kilometre stage east of Masterton finished on top of Admirals Hill where Nelson's George Bennett came in fourth to take the tour leader's yellow jersey from Pure Black racing's stage one winner James Williamson.

Bennett, who rides for Cardno, was second in the opening stage and has a 23-second lead over an Australian Patrick Lane.

Stage three is a hilly 164-kilometre back road ride from Masterton to Pahiatua and back.

The tour finishes in Wellington on Sunday.