Rush poised to regain lead in Dunedin round

Tim Rush.
Tim Rush.
North Otago rider Tim Rush is poised to claim back the lead in the fourth round of the Calder Stewart cycling series.

The series, which has been running for more than 10 years, will visit Dunedin for the first time tomorrow.

Rush, who rides for the Mike Greer Homes team, is only one point behind Christchurch-based rider Tom Hubbard, but Hubbard will be missing from the start line as he will be racing in China.

Third-round winner, Alex Frame, will also be racing in China.Rush has been in dominant form, winning the senior club nationals road title in Alexandra in May.

He has had a second, third and fourth placing but is yet to win a race in the series.

However, the Dunedin course looks likely to suit him.

Most of the elite men’s 135km race is on the flat, out on the Taieri plain, but it finishes with a 14km slog up to Lee Stream.

"It’s the first time there has been a round in Dunedin and they have given us a hell of a course," Rush said.

"Going around that circuit will be tough if the wind gets up like it can in Dunedin and then the climb up to Lee Stream will sort out who has any legs left."

Round two winner Ben Robertson is another rider expected to feature, while Otago riders Anthony Chapman, Kees Duyvesteyn and former elite national champion James Williamson will threaten as well.

Dave Rowlands will be a marked man in the 109km masters race.

The Wellington rider has an unbeaten record in the masters series, finishing first overall in all three rounds this year and winning both his starts in last year’s series.

Defending women’s champion Sharlotte Lucas will be hoping to get her first win of the series.

She has been battling illness and will have some strong competition from Jeannie Blackmore and former elite triathlete Kate McIlroy, who has turned her attention to road racing.

McIlroy has registered some good results, including winning the final stage at Sam Miranda Tour of the King Valley in late August, in Australia. 

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