SUBWAY® Pro Cycling's Odlin second in Southland Time Trial

SUBWAY® Pro Cycling’s Paul Odlin was second in this morning’s 13 kilometre individual time trial at the Powernet Tour of Southland with a time of 17 minutes and thirty five seconds.

Odlin, the current elite New Zealand time trial national champion, was beaten by nine seconds by Under 23 national time trial champion Michael Vink (Calder Stewart) with tour leader Carter Jones (Bissell Pro Cycling) coming third, four seconds behind Odlin.  Jones now has a 17 second general classification lead heading into this afternoon’s final 87 kilometre stage from Winton into Invercargill.

Odlin’s SUBWAY® Pro Cycling team mate Nick Lovegrove held the fastest time until it was beaten by Aaron Gate (Creation Signs - L&M Group Racing).

American rider Jones is poised to become only the third foreigner to win New Zealand's most prestigious stage race, after Australia's Mal Powell in 1964 and American John Lieswyn in 2002 and 2004.

While Jones has Kiwi riders Jeremy Vennell and Michael Torckler supporting him and a New Zealand Manager Glen Mitchell, there is a feeling in the peloton that the southern tour should be won by a New Zealander adding some spice to this afternoon’s stage.

Although disappointed not to win this morning’s stage Odlin said he was happy to have left nothing on the road, giving it his best effort. 

SUBWAY® Pro Cycling General Manager Hayden Godfrey said it was a shame not to get the stage win but he was pleased with the efforts of Odlin and Lovegrove who finished ninth, 36 seconds behind Vink.

“It was good to get on the podium,” he said. “Obviously we wanted the top spot but Paul prepared well and gave it his best effort and that’s all you can ask for.”

Godfrey said he is approaching the afternoon’s final stage with a range of emotions, being the last time the team will race in the Tour of Southland in SUBWAY® Pro Cycling colours.

TT results;
Michael VINK (U23) Calder Stewart 17:26 1; Paul ODLIN Subway Pro Cycling @ 00:09 2; Carter JONES Bissell Pro Cycling @ 00:13 3;  Hayden ROULSTON Calder Stewart @ 00:17 4; Michael NORTHEY Node 4 - Subaru @ 00:26 5;  Brodie TALBOT Southsure Insurance Team @ 00:27 6; Aaron GATE Creation Signs - L&M Group Racing @ 00:28 7;Brad EVANS (U23) Olphert Contracting - McKenzie Craik @ 00:31 8; Nick LOVEGROVE Subway Pro Cycling @ 00:36 9;  Gordon MCCAULEY Barry Stewart Builders - Gordon McCauley Coaching @ 00:36 10; others Ian SMALLMAN Subway Pro Cycling @ 01:31 33; Westley GOUGH Subway Pro Cycling @ 01:38 35; Simon BINNEY (U23) Subway Pro Cycling @ 02:53 72;