CYCLING

Subway – Avanti's Williamson clings to lead in Australian tour

Subway – Avanti's James Williamson is clinging to a slender lead at the Tour of the Murray River in Australia today after surviving intense pressure in a fiercely-contested criterium on stage five of the event. — www.subwaycycling.co.nz

Subway – Avanti’s James Williamson is clinging to a slender lead at the Tour of the Murray River in Australia today after surviving intense pressure in a fiercely-contested criterium on stage five of the event.

The Subway-Avanti team gave Williamson permission to ride for the Hyster-Total Rush team in the tour, and he has worked hard to defend the lead he secured after an impressive solo victory on the tours opening stage.

Williamson held a 15 second lead heading into this today’s 39 kilometre criterium where he finished 15th behind Australian Scott Law (Virgin Blue RBS Morgans), who won the stage from another New Zealander Rico Rogers (Swan Hill Rural City Council) and Victorian Nicholas Walker (Jayco/VIS).

“I am just really stoked to be still in front because it was a really hard day,” Williamson said. “The opposition threw everything at us but we held on and it’s great to still be leading the tour.”

Williamson said each stage was tough as there are many intermediate sprints and hill climbs meaning there is little time to relax.

“You fight on every stage. I don’t think they’ll be letting me break away again like I did on Monday.”

Williamson is also leading the Fonterra Under 23 category. The tour has six stages to go and finishes on Friday.

Ends


Notes
• The Subway – Avanti Pro Cycling Team is New Zealand’s only UCI Continental team receiving UCI status in early 2009.

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For more information please contact:

Hayden Godfrey
021 464482
www.subwaycycling.co.nz

John McKenzie
enthuse ltd
021 384 730
03 384 7338
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