Nick Lovegrove
(Photo: Enthuse; click to enlarge) |
Nick Lovegrove from the Subway - Avanti Pro Cycling team leads the Air France Tour of New Caledonia after two days of racing.
Lovegrove has taken the general classification lead off his Subway – Avanti team mate, and defending tour champion, Joe Cooper who won the opening prologue in impressive style.
Lovegrove was second in the prologue with another New Zealander, Anthony Chapman third.
The 98 kilometre opening stage was marked by crash causing involving New Zealander Glen Chadwick, Joshua Hisdlop, and local Caledonians Michel Villaz, Mike Stephen and Fred Jeulin Lebielle.
Lovegrove was in a bunch that managed escape the peloton after the crash and was fourth across the line one second behind stage winner Erwan Corbel to take the overall race lead.
Cooper finished safely in the chasing main bunch five minutes behind and now lies 13th overall four minutes and 13 seconds behind teammate Lovegrove.
Today’s stage is 112 kilometres from Bourail to Ponérihouen. The tour finishes on Saturday 26 September.
