McCarthy clinches Classic win

Queensland's Jay McCarthy (Team Jayco AIS) has taken out the New Zealand Cycle Classic in Manawatu ahead of compatriot Darren Lapthorne (Drapac) after finishing fourth in the final 112km stage in and around Palmerston North.

New Zealand's Aaron Gate won the stage but McCarthy, 19, who went into the last day with just a three second buffer over Lapthorne,  retained the yellow jersey extending his lead to nine seconds.

"The team did everything for me," McCarthy said. "It was a hard day today. Big ups to the New Zealand national team for making it a hard race."

Team Jayco AIS also took out the teams classification finishing two minutes and ten seconds ahead of Team Type 1.

Two of McCarthy's team mates also finished in the top ten overall with Nick Aitken seventh at 1min37sec and Calvin Watson tenth at 1min47sec.

Photo credit: www.adrianrumney.com