Tour of Sāmoa Boils in the Heat as Hughes and Gray Extend Their Leads in Asau

Cliff Hughes with Marlo Rodil in the background | ScottieT Photography

The 2025 Negative Split Carbon Tour of Sāmoa reached its midway point on Wednesday with Stage 5, a 31-kilometre individual time trial from Manase to the hills inland of Asau. Riders faced not only the clock but also searing conditions, with road temperatures climbing to 37 degrees Celsius — a brutal contrast for athletes who only weeks ago were training in New Zealand’s winter. By the end of the stage, Cliff Hughes had tightened his grip on the yellow jersey, while Lillian Gray continued her domination in pink.


The men’s race against the clock belonged to Hughes of Palmerston North, who set the day’s fastest time of 55 minutes and 34 seconds. His measured pacing and resilience in the heat saw him finish 51 seconds ahead of Mark Gray of Hamilton City Cycling Club, with Marlo Rodil of GMC Cycling third at one minute and 29 seconds back. It was a commanding performance that not only gave Hughes the stage win but also strengthened his hold on the General Classification. He now leads Rodil by four minutes, 11 seconds, with Gray in third at seven minutes, 38 seconds behind.


In the women’s time trial, defending champion Lillian Gray once again proved untouchable. Riding with her usual calm precision, she clocked one hour, 10 minutes and 46 seconds — more than five minutes faster than second-placed Vicky Cairns of NZ Cycling and nearly 11 minutes ahead of Pamela McCauley of GMC Cycling in third. Gray’s performance extended her General Classification advantage to a massive 48 minutes over McCauley, with Cairns a further six minutes back in third.


The extreme heat was the day’s defining factor. On the exposed coastal roads before the climb inland, the tarmac shimmered in the midday sun, and riders battled not just the gradients but the conditions. Many crossed the line exhausted, heads bowed, bodies dripping with sweat. For the overseas contingent, it was a stark reminder that Sāmoa’s roads can punish as much as they inspire.


Among the locals, Hastings Salanoa once again carried the red jersey with pride. He completed the time trial in one hour, three minutes and 35 seconds — a strong ride under the circumstances and one that ensured he continues as the leading Samoan rider on General Classification.


So at the close of Stage 5, the picture is clear: Hughes in yellow, Gray in pink, and Salanoa in red. But with two stages to come on Thursday, the Tour is far from over. Stage 6, a 54-kilometre battle from Asau to Taga, begins brutally with a steep climb and features undulating terrain that could open gaps among the leaders. Later that day, Stage 7 — a fast, flat 35-kilometre run into Salelologa — offers one final chance for sprinters and opportunists before the ceremonial rides bring the peloton back to Apia.


The heat of Asau may have tested every rider, but the decisive stages still lie ahead. For those chasing Hughes and Gray, Thursday is the last chance to change the story of this Tour.