Australian professional Kane Richards (Couplands-Booths Logistics) fought Crowther on the dramatic 6km Remarkables access road climb to Bishops Point on the race’s Queen stage, his runner-up finish earning him the tour leader’s orange jersey.
These days based in Seattle, Crowther (Quality Foods Southland) has returned to Southland over the past couple of years for a race he rates highly.
"This is, in my opinion, the best amateur race in the world. Where else can you race at this level without being a professional?
"I’ve been preoccupied with family and some business stuff after the last few years, so to dust the wheels off and get in shape again has been fun," he said.
That fun included a brave breakaway with Richards, Kiaan Watts (PowerNet) and Southland’s Matt Zenovich (Share the Road-Macaulay Ford).
A highly-rated junior early in his cycling career, Crowther was excited not only to win a stage in his home event, but also advance the cause of his team and general classification rider Boris Clark.
"It’s pretty special. I watched this race a number of times when I was a kid and tried it a number of times when I was younger and went OK but never won a stage.
"I’ve been away from the bike for 10 years and to come back over the last couple of years and enjoy it, be part of the QFS team and actually come and win a stage is very special," he said.
"We are in a really good spot because Boris is right where he needs to be and we’re up there in the teams classification as well, so it’s good news."
Crowther, who is now tied at the top of the king of the mountain standings, said he had to take a tactical approach into the climb.
"I felt like if I could be conservative and patient I could perhaps get the best of him towards the end.
"He’s a really tough guy — I’ve watched him for a while competing overseas and to be in a break with him was really special."
Richards was pleased to find himself in a group willing to put down a challenge.
"It was a good combination. Kiaan was quite motivated, so was Elliot. It took a while to get Zeno going but once he saw we were going away he started ripping it as well.
"You sort of become a team in the breakaway and it worked," he said.
"I knew GC [general classification] was on the cards, so it just became a time trial for me.
"It’s definitely up there with the hardest climbs I’ve done in Europe. It’s definitely a highlight of the tour."
Today brings another hard climb for the peloton. The 154km stage starts in Invercargill and ends with the Bluff hilltop finish.
Richards is looking forward to the opportunity to defend an 18sec lead over Dan Gardner (PRV-Pista Corsa). Arthur Meyer (Oxford Edge) is third overall at 32sec.
"It’s quite an honour to wear the orange jersey. There’s not too many Aussies who have worn it, or won the tour, so to be in with a chance is pretty cool."
Southlander Nick Kergozou leads the sprint ace classification and Quality Foods Southland the team classification.
Day four
Leading results
Results of stage four, a 108km ride from Mossburn to the Remarkables, yesterday.—
Eliot Crowther (Quality Food Services Southland) 2hr 39min 12sec, 1; Kane Richards (Couplands-Booths Logistics) 19sec behind, 2; Dan Gardner (PRV-Pista Corsa) 25sec, 3; Arthur Meyer (Oxford Edge) 32sec, 4; Nate Pringle (BJ Carters) 38sec , 5.
General classification: Richards 10hr 54min 36sec, 1; Gardner 18sec, 2; Meyer 29sec, 3; Joseph Cooper (Central Benchmakers-Willbike) 33sec, 4; Boris Clark (Quality Food Services Southland) 43sec, 5.
