The first two riders home in last month’s tour of Southland have against finished first and second at the Christchurch Festival of Cycling.
This time though, the order was reversed.
Blustery winds and a hilly course was always going to make life difficult for 1500 riders in the Long Bays Classic.
Throughout the 80km race around Banks Peninsula, the tall figure of Jack bauer was prominent.
The Belgian-based pro from Takaka has been a big mover this year, highlighted by his second in the tour of Southland. The rider he beat last month, Heath Blackgrove, was never far away. As the field weaved its way up the testing Gebbies Pass the pair, wearing numbers two and three, were neck and neck.
From there it was game over for the rest.
In the sprint to the finish Bauer managed to get past his Southland nemesis, to win the fifth edition of this annual race - joining the likes of Greg Henderson and Hayden Roulston.
"None of this was planned but it was a Southland thing, it was just down to Heath and myself," Bauer said.
"There's no real rivalry - we were the strongest, and if that's it then so be it," says Blackgrove.
Winning the women's race for the second year running was number 10, Beijing olympian Cath Cheatley.
Both winners get $1,000 for their efforts.
Tomorrow the festival continues with an inner city criterium.
3 News