Helena Rikiti celebrates her win in the Gore to Waikiwi cycle race on Saturday.

Helena Rikiti​ continued her buildup to the Oceania Track Cycling Championships in Adelaide when winning the Gore to Waikiwi race on Saturday.

The Southland Girls' High School student was one of 38 starters in the 78-kilometre handicap race, which has been held annually for more than 50 years.

"I felt good the whole ride ... I was hoping for a good result," Helena, 17, said.

She will be joined in the New Zealand under-19 team heading to Adelaide in October by fellow Southlanders Emily Paterson, who finished second on Saturday, Tayla Green and Conor Shearing.

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In her fourth year as a competitive cyclist, Helena became interested in the sport during her time riding in triathlons. She prefers road racing.

Cycling Southland's operations-events manager Bruce Ross said the Gore to Waikiwi race was eagerly contested, with the first two home - Helena and Emily - being rising stars in the junior ranks.

"They both go well on track and road," Bruce said.

John Hawkins/Stuff Helena Rikiti leads the field home in the Gore to Waikiwi cycle race on Saturday.

Matt Zenovich, who began off scratch (28 minutes after the first group of riders started), clocked the fastest time of 1min 53min 21sec on Saturday.

The Invercargill rider will be busy in the next 10 weeks as he leaves on Monday for events in Asia followed by the Tour of Southland.

Among early entries for the tour are German, Dutch and African teams who are competing for the first time. Two Australian teams are also entered for the famous race on October 28 to November 3.

Meanwhile, the main award winners at the Cycling Southland prize giving on Friday night were: Elite Rider of the Year - Natasha Hansen (track), Tom Scully (road); Senior Rider of the Year - Erin Criglington (track), Matt Zenovich (road); Junior Rider of the Year - Corbin Strong; Under-17 Rider of the Year - Mitchel Fitzsimons; Under-15 Rider of the Year - Ronan Shearing; Under-13 Rider of the Year - Magnus Jamieson; Best Performance Award - Eddie Dawkins (three medals at Commonwealth Games).