Duvnjak wins Tour de Femme

Perseverance and determination paid off for Aucklander Marina Duvnjak when she claimed the three-day, five-stage Nelson Tour de Femme cycle tour today.

Duvnjak led going into the final 80km stage after making her move in the 19km individual time trial yesterday.

She built on the 44-second buffer she established over Kate McIlroy yesterday, although the Wellingtonian recovered to finish second on general classification followed by Karen Fulton (Nelson).

Duvnjak's seven hours 05 minutes 53 seconds was 49 seconds ahead of McIlroy, with Fulton 1:36 down.

The sprint ace title was already decided going into stage five, with Emma Petersen (Te Awamutu) dominated in collecting 28 points. Sophie Williamson (Alexandra) was second with 13 while Tracy Best (Lower Hutt) took third on 10.

Queen of the Mountains for the third year running was Aucklander Emma Crum on 38 points, with Teresa Adam (Auckland) second (38) and McIlroy third on 18.

TOUR DE FEMME RESULTS

General classification: M Duvnjak (Auckland) 7hours 05 minutes 53 seconds 1, K McIlroy (Wellington) +49sec 2, K Fulton (Nelson) +1min 36sec 3, T Adam (Auckland) +1:44 4, E Crum (Auckland) +2:31 5.

Sprint Ace: E Petersen (Auckland) 28 points 1, S Williamson (Alexandra) 13 2, T Best (Lower Hutt) 10 3.

Queen of the Mountains: Crum 38 points 1, Adam 28 2, McIlroy 18 3.

Takaka Hill Biggest Improver: Samara Sheppard (Wellington).

First Team: TriNZ.

Herbert Franz Memorial Trophy (fastest under-23): Teresa Adam.

- NZPA