Australian Jay McCarthy timed his attack to perfection to take the second stage of the New Zealand Cycle Classic in Palmerston North.

A breakaway in the opening 40km gathered momentum until a 21-strong bunch was able to extend their lead to more than three minutes over a fractured peloton in the 143km loop from Palmerston North on Thursday.

A strong wind and the rolling terrain meant there was little chance of the gap being bridged, although BikeNZ Olympic contender Aaron Gate and Australian Cameron Peterson (RBS Morgans-ATS) worked hard and made contact, but had little left at the end to mount a significant challenge.

McCarthy (Jayco-AIS) attacked the leaders with 40km remaining, dragging fellow Australian Darren Lapthorne (Drapac) with him.

McCarthy won the sprint to the line, clocking a time of three hours, 27 minutes and seven seconds, with Lapthorne credited with the same time. Lapthorne’s team-mate Adam Phelan took third in 3:28.22.

The winning 1:15 margin was enough for Lapthorne to take over the leader’s yellow jersey from Wednesday’s 7.1km time trial winner Campbell Flakemore (Genesys Wealth Advisors).

A marshalling error meant a handful of riders who took a wrong turn in the final kilometres of the race were unable to contest the sprint for third place.

The race continues on Friday with a 154km loop following Thursday’s course in reverse.