Southland cyclist Cameron Karwowski finished in the peloton to retain his challenge on the under-23 honours midway through the An Post Ras Tour of Ireland today.

Karwowski finished with the bunch in 17th place, nine seconds down on the winner in the challenging 135km fourth stage to Bundoran on the north-west coast of Ireland.

He leads the BikeNZ-Pure Black Racing national under-23 team although today’s expected benign stage proved anything but as the attacks were plenty from the gun, as Piet Bulling, Scott Creighton and Taylor Gunman covered the potential breaks.

Karwowski pushed hard for the break with 15kms remaining along with the yellow jersey of Pirmin Lang (SUI) and two other general classification contenders, as they chased down the solo break away in the New Zealander’s push for the lead in the under-23 honours.

The teams of the key challengers not in that break ramped up the chase with sufficient fury to split open the peloton, and they eventually reeled in the kiwi’s brave move. He tried again with 5km remaining but after expending all reserves had to be content to finish in the peloton.

Denmark’s Mark Pedersen took out the sprint from opening stage winner Marcin Bialoblocki although there is no change in the general classification with Lang leading but on the same time to British riders James Moss and Richard Handley and just six seconds separating the leading five riders.

Karwowski is in third place in the under-23 battle and 14th overall, 28 seconds from the yellow jersey with the remaining BikeNZ-PBR trio showing good strength to finish in the peloton and jump up the placings on general classification.

Meanwhile Auckland’s Dion Smith, injured in a crash on yesterday’s tough stage, has successfully undergone an operation after breaking his wrist and radius.

Tomorrow’s fifth stage is a 149kms to the far north town of Buncrana on the Inishowen peninsula with five climbs including a category one test 13kms from the finish.

Results, stage 4, 135km Westport to Burdoran: Mark Pedersen (DEN, Blue Water Racing) 2:55.36, 1; Marcin Bialoblocki (POL, Britain Giordana) same time, 2; Remi Sarreboubee (FRA, Aix en provence) at 2 sec, 3. Also New Zealanders: Cameron Karwowski at 9sec, 17; Piet Bulling at 15s, 17; Taylor Gunman same time, 33; Scott Creighton at 1:58, 73.

General classification after 4 stages: Pirmin Lang (SUI, Jakaroo) 12:47.45, 1; Richard Handley (GBR, Rapha Condor) st, 2; James Moss (GBR, Britain Giordana) same time, 3;  Also: Karwowski at 28s, 14, Creighton at 2:24, 41; Bulling at 3:51, 52; Gunman st, 54.

Under-23 overall:  Handley 12:47.45, 1; M Pedersen (BWC) at 19sec, 2 Karwowski at 28s, 3.

MULTISPORT
Multisport festival attracting athletes of all descriptions
Inspirational comebacks, elite stars, national champions, first-timers and fun-chasing families  - this year's Thermatech 3D Rotorua Multisport Festival has got it all.

Thursday, 23 May 2013

RUNNING
2013 Nauti Travel Huntly Half Marathon
The 2013 Nauti Travel Huntly Half Marathon is once again taking place this Sunday for the 33rd time in what has become a race rich in history and 2013 provides much the same.

Thursday, 23 May 2013

RUNNING
Christchurch Airport Marathon - Return of the Champions
A healthy handful of past winners will go head to head at next week’s Christchurch Airport Marathon event.

Thursday, 23 May 2013

RUNNING
20th birthday celebrations set for iconic Taupo event
On Sunday 4th August a special birthday party will be taking to the streets of Taupo and everyone is invited!  The annual Mizuno Taupo Half Marathon will be celebrating its 20th birthday.

Wednesday, 22 May 2013

MOUNTAIN BIKING
Young North Canterbury rider top 10 in Mountain Bike World Cup
Young North Canterbury mountain biker Ben Oliver had an impressive start to his international career with a top-10 finish in the opening round of the UCI World Cup.

Tuesday, 21 May 2013

CYCLING
Archbold scores first win for new pro team
BikeNZ Olympian Shane Archbold has taken no time to strike for his new professional team with victory in stage two of the An Post Ras Tour of Ireland today.

Tuesday, 21 May 2013

TRIATHLON
Bozzone bounces back with race record win in Florida
The 2008 IRONMAN 70.3 World Champion Terenzo Bozzone has put his injury problems behind him with a comeback win in Florida today.

Monday, 20 May 2013

BMX
Walker excited as tickets go on sale for UCI BMX World Championships in Auckland
Fans will get their first chance to see the best BMX riders on the planet when Auckland hosts the 2013 UCI BMX World Championships on 24-28 July.

Monday, 20 May 2013

RUNNING
Camille Buscomb on track to qualify for 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.
From Hamilton, Camille Buscomb is New Zealand’s leading female middle-distance athlete.

Monday, 13 May 2013

MOUNTAIN BIKING
Brook MacDonald 2013 The Search for Scree
New Zealand Downhill Mountain Bike Champion Brook MacDonald searches for some new and challenging scree.

Monday, 13 May 2013

TRIATHLON
Sisson looking for swim solutions to back his blistering run speed
Ryan Sissons knows what he is capable of and his 10km run split at the ITU World Triathlon Series race in Yokohama yesterday again hinted at it, but the 24 year old Aucklander is again cooling his heels after a less than satisfactory swim.

Monday, 13 May 2013

TRIATHLON
McIlroy holds on for top ten on a 'flat day' in Yokohama
Kate McIlroy made the most of a bad day at the office when finishing 9th at the latest round of the ITU World Triathlon Series in Yokohama today, a result that leaves the Wellington athlete 7th in the overall series standings after three races.

Sunday, 12 May 2013

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