Avanti enters six riders for Benchmark race

Subway – Avanti enters six riders for Benchmark race
Media release 7 May 2010

The Subway – Avanti Pro Cycling Team has six riders entered in this Sunday’s third round of the Benchmark Homes Tour being held on the challenging 133 kilometre Hamner Springs to Kaikoura course.

“With three of our top riders, Michael Vink, James Williamson and Sam Horgan making the most of their overseas racing opportunities, we have a team of six left in the country and will carry on and support the domestic scene which is our priority to our sponsors,” team co-owner and Manager Greg Hume said.

“Jo Cooper has had a slow start to the year; however his recent form including his strong second placing at the Raboplus National Club Championships in the Hawkes Bay last weekend shows he is capable of winning.”

Cooper sits seventeenth in the individual points standings with Raboplus National Points Series co-leader, and team mate Mathew Gorter lying fifth and a third Subway – Avanti rider Eric Drower, seventh. The team lies in second place behind the Benchmark Homes Cycling Team.

The route features a series of short sharp climbs along the twisting narrow inland route finishing with a dramatic climb to the finish line at the Ocean Ridge Estate just south of Kaikoura.

Previous winners include Brian Fowler in 2006, Hayden Roulston in 2007 and Gordon McCauley won the last two races but after leaving the Subway – Avanti team to focus on a Commonwealth Games Time Trial bid, will not defend his title this year.

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