James Williamson from Subway-Avanti
(Photo: Enthuse; click to enlarge) |
James Williamson from the Subway - Avanti Pro Cycling team won the fourth round of the Benchmark Homes elite road racing series in Canterbury yesterday.
Racing in New Zealand for the first time since January, Williamson proved to be the strongest of a five man break that went early in the first five kilometres of the 140 kilometre race that included five sections of gravel, the reason the race is called the “Hell of the South.”
“The plan was for one of Subway Avanti boys to be in a key move, and once it was me by half way I knew I was feeling good so thought I had a chance to win’” Williamson said.
Approaching the first section of gravel at the 88 kilometre mark the five person break had a lead of almost five minutes over the peloton.
After a testing Tour de Qinghai Lake in China last month New Zealand’s only UCI registered cycling team had high expectations of performing well.
“I did struggle a bit in China but have recovered well. The team was very keen to get a result here so I’m really pleased to have got my first Benchmark win, not only for myself but for the team.”
Williamson made his winning move in the last section of gravel shaking off his last two break companions Anthony Chapman (Ultimo Jamis) and Mark Spessot (Cycle Surgery).
“I knew I had the legs today and once I got out on my own it was a matter of holding them off into the head wind in the last 10 kilometres – I am stoked with the win. I knew the boys would be covering any moves back in the bunch so it was a matter of holding on.”
Bici Vida's Paul Odlin showed great strength to ride off the front of the chasing main bunch which was three minutes back in the closing stages of the race, managing to catch Chapman and Spessot to finish second only five seconds behind Williamson.
The Subway-Avanti team also won the category one team’s award which moves them closer to the top of the points table.
The next race for the Subway-Avanti team is the next round of the Benchmark series is on 12th of September.
