Australian cyclist Ben O'Connor has pipped countryman Mark O'Brien to win the five-day New Zealand Cycle Classic in the Wairarapa.
The 20-year-old went into the final day with a 31-second lead after winning Saturday's 152km fourth stage, and maintained that margin in Sunday's 122km undulating final stage to take the overall win.
Second place went to Avanti teammate O'Brien. Englishman Stephen Williams, racing for JLT Condor, was third.
The stage win went to another Australian, Mike Cuming (State of Matter/MAAP), who came off the front of a breakaway group with 10km to go.
Cuming battled to the line for a 2hr 51min 04sec win, seven seconds ahead of New Zealand road cycling champion Jason Christie, who was racing for Kenyan Riders Downunder Australia.
O'Connor and O'Brien crossed two seconds further back in a 17-strong group to seal a satisfying one-two for their Avanti team.
"It's unbelievable. I am super relieved to get through today and the Avanti one-two. We couldn't have done any better," O'Connor said.
He expecting a tough day, and got it.
"There was a little bit of crosswind today and short, punchy climbs out there, and it left us isolated.
"You're kind of hoping for an easy day where it's all nice and controlled and have a team bunch sprint, but that didn't happen at all today."
