Shelley Evans, riding for the United States national team, won the opening stage of the Tour of New Zealand. She was fastest of a group of 24 riders at the end of 99.6km between Martinborough and Masterson. Australian champion Ruth Corset (Nashua) was second and South African Cherise Taylor (Nashua) was third.

“The New Zealand team were doing an awesome lead out for Jo Kiesanowski and I just profited from that,” Evans said to roadcycling.co.nz. “I’m happy to walk away with the win.”

The 24-rider breakaway included the entire six-woman New Zealand national team, including former Dane Linda Villumsen of HTC-Columbia. The whole team was working to lead out sprinter Joanne Kiesanowski, but Evans (formerly Shelley Olds) used her track experience to latch on to the black and white train and come around to take the victory.

Also present in the front group were 2008 World time trial champion Amber Neben and Janel Holcomb, both riding for the US national team. The peloton was led home 1’40” later by Rochelle Gilmore (Lotto Ladies).

A 10 second bonus on the line gives Evans the race lead, which the US team will now try to defend to the end of the race on Sunday. “That was the plan,” said Evans. “Now we defend the yellow jersey.”

Corset took the mountains jersey, Taylor took the under-23 jersey and AIS Australia Women’s Cycling’s Kirsty Broun took the sprints jersey.

Tomorrow’s stage travels 114km between today’s finish in Masterson to Palmerston North.

Result Stage 1
1. Shelley Evans (USA) USA National Team
2. Ruth Corset (Aus) Nashua Ladies Pro Cycling Team
3. Cherise Taylor (SA) Nashua Ladies Pro Cycling Team
4. Joanne Kiesanowski (NZl) NZCT New Zealand National Team
5. Amanda (Aus) AIS Australia Women’s Cycling
6. Karen Fulton (NZl) Litespeed Team
7. Tiffany Cromwell (Aus) AIS Australia Women’s Cycling
8. Liu Xin (Chn) Giant Pro Cycling Team – China
9. Sara Mustonen (Swe) Hitec Products UCK
10. Rie Katayama (Jap) Japan National Team

Standings after stage 1
1. Shelley Evans (USA) USA National Team
2. Ruth Corset (Aus) Nashua Ladies Pro Cycling Team @ 4s
3. Cherise Taylor (SA) Nashua Ladies Pro Cycling Team @ 6s