Bruising finish line smash mars end of cycle race  Last updated
11:31 05/11/2012  Relevant offers  PureBlack Racing rider Shem
Rodger pipped last year's winner by one second to claim victory
in the Tour de Manawatu yesterday.  Rodger, from Karapiro, was
the first man home in the 116km event, finishing in 2hr 55min
24sec, winning a sprint finish with three other riders outside
Memorial Park.  Last year's winner, Craig Lawn from Wellington,
was second, one second behind Rodger and Palmerston North's
Steve Stannard was third, one second behind Lawn.  The 116km
ride went from the Square in Palmerston North, to Ashhurst, to
Beaconsfield Valley, to Halcombe, then back through Feilding to
Palmerston North.  Wanganui's Hayley Giddens made it back-to-
back wins as she won the female division in 3hr 7min 24sec,
cutting more than six minutes off her winning time last year.
Lucia Stewart from Palmerston North was second in 3hr 20min 5sec
and Levin's Emma Clarke was third, 31 seconds behind Stewart.
There was one big cras