Despite making his first visit to the state, the nine-time New Zealand champion made full use of having three Tasmanian riders and a mechanic on his Rabble Continental team to help make himself at home.

The 26-year-old and his teammate Oliver Martin, of Launceston, formed half the final group of four at the business end of the 71.5-kilometre stage from Longford up Poatina Hill.

And Vink took full advantage by kicking with 100m to go, leaving second-placed Dylan Sunderland with the consolation prize of taking over tour leadership. 

Fresh off a victory at his home-country Tour of Southland, Vink, of Christchurch, admitted Tasmania had a familiar feel.

“Nearly half our team is Tasmanian so I just sit behind them,” he said, referring to Martin, Tom Robinson and Jonathan Butler.

“It’s similar terrain and climate to what I’m used to which helps me. It’s nice and green and a little bit cold as well and I quite like that. It’s my first time in Tassie and I’m enjoying it.”

After spending the majority of the stage meandering around Bracknell and Blackwood Creek nervously glancing up at the cloud-cloaked finish, the field of 79 only really began to splinter on the category 1 climb of 15 horizontal kilometres and one vertical.

A group of nine, including tour and National Road Series leader Raph Freienstein (Inform Make) and last year’s Poatina stage winner Alexander Evans (Mobius) was eventually whittled down.

Of the final four, Martin was able to help Vink to victory while Sunderland  (Bennelong Swisswellness) claimed the yellow jersey and Cam Roberts (GPM-Stulz) was adjudged most aggressive rider.

“That was pretty good,” Vink added. “I didn’t really know what to expect. I was really lucky to have Oli there and we did a good job together.”

For Martin, the result was compensation for his crash on the final corner of Sunday’s Launceston Classic when sitting in third wheel on the peanut roundabout.

“I was more frustrated than anything about that so it’s nice to get a good result and get across the line than end up on the ground,” said the 23-year-old.

“I’ve been training up here a bit so I know this really well and that was a good day.

“I’ve had a really good year, probably my best on a bike, and it’s good to finish on a high.”

A day after winning the stage up to Grindelwald, Sunderland was delighted to add a second place on a stage where he has previously finished third.

“I’m feeling pretty good,” said the 22-year-old after hearing he had a five-second general classification lead over Vink.

“I knew Michael Vink was a good finisher but I could not quite bust him and in the sprint he got the better of me.

“Hopefully we can try and defend the jersey tomorrow and take it into the final crit where we’ll give it everything.”

Friday also witnessed the beginning of the maiden women’s Tour of Tasmania with a field of 33 also tackling the delights of a wet and windy climb up Poatina.

One of the seven teams is the Tasmanian Institute of Sport-supported St Luke’s Health, featuring Lauren Perry, of Launceston, Catelyn Turner, of Exeter, Hobart’s Nicole Frain and Victorian Ruby Gannon.

“I think it’s awesome to have the girls’ tour,” Perry said.

“I’ve watched this most years and always wished we could join in so it’s a great opportunity.

“We would like to go for either the tour or stage win which we are definitely capable of.”

Despite failing to finish the stage, the former junior world champion is preparing for the track season, beginning with omnium and madison nationals in December in Melbourne followed by the Tasmanian Christmas Carnivals and then national championships in Brisbane in April.