Ryan was first across the line to claim the tour leader jersey with team mate and defending champion Hayden Roulston tucked safely behind his wheel.

ColourPlus' winning time of 10min 10sec for the 8.42km stage was 12sec ahead of Gordon McCauley's Subway-Avanti team (10:22).

Jeremy Vennell's Bissell Pro Cycling team was third in 10:25.

Floyd Landis did not lose too much time on the leaders with his Cyclingnzshop.com-Bio Sport team finishing in 10:55.

Stage two of the Tour of Southland, the annual week-long cycle event supported by Powernet, leaves the Feldwick Gates at Queens Park at 1pm bound for Bluff Hill.

Blustery conditions are expected, with a chance of more of the light rain which fell during the morning stage.

Results:

1 ColourPlus 10:10; 2 Subway-Avanti 10:22; 3 Bissell Pro Cycling 10:25; 4 Zookeepers-Cycle Surgery 10:27; 5 Kia Motors 10:44.