Cycling: Keith breaks national record

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.

The star of the team was rising rider Alysha Keith, who added another four medals to her bulging collection.

Keith, a new member of the Academy Otago programme, broke the national record in the qualifying ride of the under-17 2000m individual pursuit and went on to win gold in the final.

She also won the 5km scratch final, and was second in the time trial and third in the points race.

Brad Evans displayed some stunning form in winning gold in the under-19 3000m individual pursuit, silver in the points race and silver in the 1000m time trial final.

Evans was also part of the team that claimed gold in both the 4000m pursuit final and the sprint final.

Charlotte Kelly had a golden night in the third day of her schedule in an exciting race when she won gold in the kierin final.

Kelly also paired up with Amy Ferguson (Mid-South Canterbury) to claim silver in the under-19 sprint final.

Otago's other under-19 rider, Patrick Jones, was a member of the team that won silver in the 4000m composite pursuit.

Otago also had success in masters events held at the same time.

Geoff Keogh won gold in the points race, silver in the scratch race and silver in the 4000m team pursuit with Stu Thomas, Justin Stott and Chris Henderson.

Henderson claimed another medal in the M1 scratch final.

Glenda Bruce won an individual pursuit bronze, while Chris Ross won silver (4000m individual pursuit) and bronze (time trial) medals.

Otago finished fourth in the overall standings.

Host province Southland was first, finishing ahead of second-placed Auckland by 50 points.

Lars Boom, of the Netherlands, won the Paris-Nice prologue yesterday ahead of German rider Jens Voigt and Levi Leipheimer, of the United States, AP reported.

Two-time Tour de France winner Alberto Contador finished fourth in the 8km time-trial featuring a third-category climb.

Greg Henderson was the first New Zealander home.

Riding for Team Sky, he finished in 28th place in 11min 25sec, 28sec down on Boom.

Hayden Roulston, riding for Team HTC Columbia, was 43rd, 33sec down on the winner.