Team News: Win for Matt Gibson in New Zealand

JLT Condor’s Matt Gibson took victory overnight at the New Zealand Cycle Classic – first UCI win for a British rider in 2018

Team News: Win for Matt Gibson in New Zealand

JLT Condor’s Matt Gibson took victory overnight at the New Zealand Cycle Classic – first UCI win for a British rider in 2018

Photos: JLT Condor/David Lintott

The young rider from Cheshire out-sprinted Australian Cycling Academy rider, Tobias Orchard, on stage three of the race, which is part of the UCI Oceania Tour.
It was a close call for Gibson, who had to wait for the judges to review the photo finish imagery before he could officially celebrate as the winner of the stage. The victory gives Gibson the crown of being the first British rider to claim a UCI win in 2018.

Speaking after the 126km stage in South Wairarapa, Gibson explained that it was teamwork that helped him take the win. “I tried to keep relaxed into the final 10km of the race. The boys in the team did a great job getting me to the front and keeping me in a good spot to sprint in the last few hundred metres and take the win – I was pretty happy with that.”

Other stage placings: Steve Lampier 12th, Tom Stewart 42nd, Ian Bibby 65th, Emund Bradbury 76th, 91st Taylor Gunman,

Tomorrow the race terrain becomes a hilly affair ending with a summit finish on Admiral Hill, and Team Manager, John Herety, expects the overall leaders jersey to change hands. “It is predicted to be hot tomorrow and there are five small climbs before the 9km stretch to the top of Admiral Hill. It will split apart. We’ve got plenty of depth in the team here with Edmund Bradbury and Ian Bibby both able to climb well.”

Stage Four – Masterton to Admiral Hill, 150km
Start 10.00 (NZDT), 20th January / 21.00 (GMT) 19th January
Predicted finish 14.15 (NZDT) / 01.00 (GMT) 20th January