Kiwi cyclist Finn Fisher-Black has rounded out a breakthrough week in the UCI Giro di Sicilia in Italy by winning the best young rider jersey.
The 21-year-old from Nelson, who claimed his maiden professional victory on Wednesday when he won the first of four stages, defended the leader's jersey with the help of his UAE Team Emirates riders for two days.
Despite a valiant effort, he could only manage eighth in the brutal ascent and challenging descents on Mount Etna, with the climb of 17km at up to 14 percent gradient.
"Overall, it's been a great week," said Fisher-Black.
"Obviously it would have been nice to step on the final GC podium, but if you had told me I'd be coming away with a stage and a white jersey at the start of the week I'd have been thrilled.
Fisher-Black - younger brother of pro rider Niamh Fisher-Black - fought to keep the gap to the Kazakh in check but could not reduce the deficit, giving up a few seconds at the finish that left him just shy of the overall podium for the 216km final stage from Barcellona Pozzo di Gotto to Giarre.
Nevertheless, it was a milestone week for Fisher-Black, who is working his way back from a broken femur.
"It's a result that's given me a lot of confidence. The boys did a top job supporting me and we're really looking forward to the next goals ahead."
