New Zealand under-19 cyclist Hunter Gough, of Invercargill, won the 120km Milford Mountain Classic on Sunday in a sprint finish against Central Otago’s James Williamson.

Gough’s time was 3hrs 26mins 21secs, with Williamson two seconds down. Queenstown’s Myles Gibson finished seven seconds behind Gough in third place.

Gough, 18, has been on the comeback trail after breaking both arms in a fall during his first Tour of Southland last November.

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Williamson is a former New Zealand road champion and continues to race at elite level on the road and mountain bike, as well as running a coaching business.

The 100km Homer Hundred (starting at the Homer Tunnel) was won by Mike White in 2hrs 44mins 55secs. Rainer Pye and Trevor McRae were second and third, respectively.

The 80km Eglinton Challenge was won by Grant Tremain in 1hr 52mins 36secs. Oliver Mann and Ron Weeks were second and third.

Refuelling on the road. Action from the Milford Mountain Classic. Photo: Douglas Thorne Photography

Te Anau Events spokeswoman Shevaun Taberner said the weather for the Milford Mountain Classic event was fantastic and everything went very well during the race from Milford Sound to Te Anau.

The event attracted 145 entries, with 89 cyclists in the Milford Mountain Classic, 38 in the Homer Hundred and 15 in the Eglinton Challenge. Three competed on e-bikes and another three did not start.

The Milford Mountain Classic has been held five times since it was founded in 2012. 

Full results HERE.