Cootamundra teenager Jack Douglas produced the biggest performance of his short career to capture the second leg of the Tour de Riverina on Sunday.
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Douglas, 16, upstaged a host of more experienced riders to take out the Big O Dirnaseer Dash, the second leg of the Tour de Riverina, hosted by Cootamundra Cycling Club.
The new 40 kilometre course tested out riders and it was Douglas who finished strongest of the 58 competitors in the uphill sprint finish.
Wagga cycling legend Barry O'Hagan said the win completed an incredible rise from Douglas.
"Two years ago I was sending him off on a false limit, before I had even started the watch," O'Hagan said.
"There were six scratch markers left with him on Sunday, and a couple of others, and he outsprinted them all.
"It was great to see from a local kid, who has come a fair way in the last 18 months."
Fellow Cootamundra Cycling Club member Vanessa Bennett was the first female rider home and finished 10th overall. She gave a big sight out in front and was only caught in the final 300 metres.
Canberra rider Steve Blackburn, who finished third, backed up from winning a hill climb at the Bathurst carnival the day before.
The next stage of the Tour de Riverina will be held at Cobram on Sunday, April 7.
Tour de Riverina second leg
1 Jack Douglas (Cootamundra), 2 Will Silver (Tolland), 3 Steve Blackburn (Canberra), 4 Peter Johnson (Tolland), 5 Kyle Williams (Tolland), 6 Michael Taylor (Canberra), 7 Michael Payne (Canberra), 8 Jake Brooker (Tolland), 9 Dan Addison (Tolland), 10 Vanessa Bennett (Cootamundra), Fastest time: Will Silver 59:13, First woman: Vanessa Bennett.
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