Cycling

Andrew Maffey won the 68km Chris Tudor Memorial race on Saturday in a time of 2hr 4min 55sec.

Otago's Greg Henderson took out a "slow motion sprint" in winning a dramatic first stage of the Paris-Nice cycle race today (NZT).

Otago could not match the pace set by the host province but still managed to collect plenty of silverware at the national age group championships in Invercargill last week.

Otago riders have been performing with distinction at the national age group track championships in Invercargill this week.

New Zealand cyclists Hayden Roulston and Greg Henderson face a test of their early season form when they line up for the Paris to Nice stage race, first of the major races on the new season.

The New Zealand cycling community is organising a Trademe auction to raise funds for communities affected by last weekend's devastating earthquake in Chile.

Shane Melrose unleashed his finishing power to win the 18km Berwick circuit race on Saturday.

New Zealand cyclist Hayden Roulston confirmed his good early season form by finishing fourth in a Belgium road race run in atrocious conditions.

The air of predictably hovering over the Tour of New Zealand women's cycling race was disrupted by a quartet of determined riders today who notched career firsts today.

American rider Shelley Evans drew first blood at the Tour of New Zealand women's cycling race, outsprinting a bunch finish featuring the top contenders to win today's opening stage.