Zookeepers help Blackgrove

Strong Zookeepers team helps guide American-based pro Heath Blackgrove to his first Tour of Southland title

8 November 2009
A strong Zookeepers team has helped guide Heath Blackgrove to his first Tour of Southland cycling title.

The American-based professional has won New Zealand's premier cycling stage race, finishing more than a minute clear of surprise package Jack Bauer.

Zookeepers rider Sam Bewley says their five-strong team was formed to lead Blackgrove to the overall win.

Bewley says rower Hamish Bond turned out to be the workhorse of the team, which also featured Bewley's fellow Beijing bronze medallist Westley Gough and Olympian Glen Chadwick.

Sam Bewley will now turn his attentions to the Oceania track cycling championships in Invercargill, starting Wednesday.

Bewley says he would like a rest after completing his fifth Tour of Southland, but he is not going to get it.

He says he has three days to recover before the Oceania champs, followed by the Melbourne World Cup event later in the month.

Sam Bewley will then join up with Lance Armstrong's Radio Shack team for a training camp in December.

© 2009 NZCity, NewsTalkZB