First-timer region’s best in Tour
Marshall Erwood loved his first time riding on the iconic Tour of Southland.
The 18-year-old is one of Southland’s most talented up-and-coming cyclists and showcased his potential in New Zealand’s top road cycling event.
Erwood was the first Southlander home overall out of 12 in the field to cap off a strong week of racing. “I wasn’t really expecting it and I wasn’t expecting to wear the pink [U23 jersey],” he said.
“I crossed the line into Lumsden in seventh and, while I was disappointed, I soon realised how good that was when I was called over and told I was wearing the pink jersey. There were some pretty big names standing there when I was getting my award and having them telling me I was doing well was pretty special.
“It was an excellent first tour. I had a great team with me and I had plenty of opportunities for myself and plenty of opportunities to help the team succeed.
Erwood, who was part of the Central Benchmakers-Willbike team that finished second overall, did admit the tour was quite overwhelming early on.
“At first it was; the street race and the first day was really, really nerve-racking as you are riding in a bunch of like 105 riders in a small tight bunch and there was little room going around the corners with little room for error.
“Along the main roads, sitting in a bunch was really good, really enjoyable. I got a lot of knowledge from a lot of people.”
It was the type of event that could have been daunting for Erwood, but once on his bike, he embraced the challenges across the seven days.
“I embraced it. On the Lumsden stage, I was in a couple of moves and found myself doing a lot of work and feeling good. The weather was great on the tour, not many bad days. The dynamic of racing is also so different. This stage was also hard but at the same time, I loved it.
“It’s the type of race where you don’t want to spend all your bullets on the first day, you need some for later in the race.”
Racing was very fast throughout due to the warm weather and Erwood said that added to the challenge.
“I was lucky to be in the breakaway into the Gore stage and the average speed was very, very high.”
Next year Erwood said he would love to see more punishing weather. “Hopefully next year the weather makes things more difficult, so I will get to experience what the real Tour of Southland is like.”
He said it was a cracking week overall and was already looking forward to the 2024 edition. “To get two stage wins for our team and finishing second overall was great. We were an underdog team with four under-23 riders and three new to the tour, so to be able to support our team and get second is pretty good.”
A month before the Tour of Southland, Erwood was a standout performer in the under-19 boys’ section of the Yunca Junior Tour of Southland.
Erwood won the king of the mountains and most combative rider awards.
Cycling Southland general manager Nicole Keast said she was incredibly proud to see Southland riders competing in the Tour of Southland. “Cycling Southland are incredibly proud of all Southland riders who have ridden this year’s SBS Tour of Southland. For over 65 years, Southland riders have shown themselves to be competitive in this gruelling event.”