Yates faces strong challenges in annual Lake Taupo Challenge

New Zealand National Points Series leader Jeremy Yates will have to overcome a strong field if he is to continue his winning run in the fifth round at the Wattyl Lake Taupo Cycle Challenge on Saturday. Yates (Napier) is chasing his fourth straight win in the series after victories in the Taupo-Napier, Around Taranaki and K2 races. A win would add to an already successful season for him including a national club title and the King of the Mountains honours in the Tour of Southland.

Yates will need to be at his best to hold off a quality line-up in the 160km Avanti Classic Race chasing the winner's purse of NZL$5,000. The 100-strong field includes Beijing Olympic medallists Sam Bewley and Wes Gough, fellow squad member Peter Latham and World Omnium Champion Hayden Godfrey.