Kiwi cyclist George Bennett is on the cusp of winning his first ever professional race after claiming the leader's yellow jersey in stage six of the Tour of California.
Trailing Polish cyclist Rafal Majka by six seconds entering the second final stage, Bennett produced an outstanding time trial around Big Bear Lake to build a 35-second buffer by the end of the day.
The 27-year-old was as surprised as anyone about the result.
"Noone expected this less than I did, people mentioned that maybe I could do it - normally I really back myself but today I didn't," Bennett said after the race.
"After yesterday, I was so disappointed and then today, I just can't believe it."
Bennett came seventh in last year's Tour of California and also raced in the 2016 Tour de France.
While he's based in Spain, Bennett proved that you could take the boy out of New Zealand but couldn't take New Zealand out of the boy.
"When I crossed the line, all the cameras were coming and stuff and I thought [sic] maybe I did something good and nek minute I'm wearing the yellow jersey."
The final stage is a 125km climb through the Angeles National Forest finishing in Pasadena.
Newshub.