Simpson wins Belgium kermesse bike race

Commonwealth Games-bound cyclist Myron Simpson scored his first victory in Belgium today.

The young Auckland rider took out the kermesse (criterium) in Schaffen near Dienst when he timed his sprint perfectly in the 17 lap, 136km event.

He was joined in a 20-strong break by Blenheim’s Cameron Karwowski, with the two kiwis biding their time as the break was driven by team riders.

The pair moved forward strongly in the final few laps with Simpson in behind the lead-out rider who made his move too early, giving the opportunity for the New Zealander to pounce to claim the victory.

Karwowski also powered out of the final bend to claim third place behind Russian Igor Prolov.

It is a prestigious kermesse with a strong list of former winners with Mark Cavendish claiming his first victory on Belgium soil at the same event four years ago.

The rest of the BikeNZ endurance track squad will compete in a longer kermesse on Monday.