Auckland's Alexander Ray has won stage three of the Tour of Southland from Riverton to Tuatapere. The H&Js Outdoor World-Avanti Plus rider won the sprint into New Zealand's sausage capital ahead of Subway Pro Cycling's Nick Lovegrove and Creation Signs-L&M Group rider Aaron Gate.
''I was backing myself for most of the stage. I knew that one we got away we would have a pretty good chance with Gatey and Scully - they ride the track and they are pretty fast. I went a bit early but I knew I had the legs, I was feeling pretty good.''
The 48km stage was set up for the sprinters today, but the tour lead will stay with Calder Stewart's Hayden Roulston. This afternoon's 100km stage takes the PowerNet-sponsored tour from Tuatapere to Te Anau before the much-anticipated 180km stage from Te Anau to the Crown Range, near Queenstown, tomorrow.