The Auckland rider Mike Northey has come from behind to win cycling's Tour of Southland - but he was pushed all the way by the veteran Hayden Roulston of Ashburton.
Northey trailed Carter Jones by 17 seconds heading into the final stage to Invercargill, after the American extended his lead in the morning's individual time trial in Winton.
But in the wettest, windiest conditions of the week, Northey and his team latched onto a break from Roulston and eventual under-23 winner Michael Vink.
The four-time champion Roulston claimed the stage and ended up pushing Northey all the way, eating into his lead and finishing a minute and 20 seconds behind him overall.
Sam Witmitz won the sprint jersey and Joe Chapman the king of the mountains jersey.
