Jason Christie (centre) on his way to victory. Photo/Duncan Brown
Tasman rider Jason Christie upset more fancied rivals to claim his second BDO New Zealand Road Cycling Championship in Napier today.
The 27-year-old bided his time as a chasing group of three ran down solo leader Michael Torckler late on the final lap, and out-sprint his rivals for victory.
Christie, who won the first elite national title in Napier two years ago, was surprised to win after recent illness and a crash on the way to the bronze medal in the time trial, but was stoked with his victory.
"It's amazing really. I did not think I would have a chance today. But I rode smart and put myself in a position to win," said Christie.
"I think it was probably the best field ever for these championships and so to win it is pretty special.
"I was quite sore after that fall in the time trial and never felt that great early on but just rode smart which was the key today."
He edged out Waikato professional Hayden McCormick, Torckler and World Tour rider George Bennett in the four-way sprint.
Torckler, the former professional now based in Cambridge, jumped off the front of the lead group two laps from home, opening up a 30 second advantage on Bennett who was caught by McCormack and Christie with a lap remaining.
However Torckler faded on the final climb of Napier Hill as Bennett led the charge, in search of his first New Zealand title. Christie and McCormick had the superior sprint with the Tasman rider winning the sprint finish.
Bennett, who rides for the Lotto NL Jumbo World Tour team, had come into the race hoping that recent surgery to cure long-term side stich issues would prove a success.
"I changed my mind as the race went on and I felt quite good. I thought I had a chance," Bennett said. "I thought Michael (Torckler) had gone too hard up the climb and thought I had a chance. But it was not to be as the young boys had the legs.
"However I had no issues with stitch at all and it is so early in the season for me. There's a lot to be satisfied with from today."
Bennett had the honour of being named the Cycling New Zealand Rider of the Year as further compensation.
Auckland's James Fouche, voted the best young emerging rider of 2017, claimed the under-23 honours when he outsprinted Ryan Christensen (Waikato BOP) in the sprint finish.
The pair had ridden in the peloton of the combined elite and under-23 race, with Fouche edging out Christensen who lost his chance when he pulled his foot out of his pedal just before the line.
Fouche had the honour of becoming the first recipient of the New Zealand Cyclist Corps Memorial Trophy.
The Trophy honours the Corps that fought in the Great War with their major battle at the Kemmelberg in Belgium, now a famous cobbled climb in cycling. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the local town and the cycling race organiser in the area combined to produce the trophy made from a cobblestone from the Kemmelberg and wood from the trenches.
"It was a tough race for sure but I am so pleased to win. It is a real honour to win this trophy and I look forward to riding in a New Zealand team in that race in Belgium in March during the commemoration," said Fouche, who will ride professionally for Team Wiggins in Europe, the team established by Sir Bradley Wiggins.
Results, 171kms, elite men: Jason Christie (Tasman) 4:13.51, 1; Hayden McCormick (One Pro Cycling, Waikato) at 1 sec, 2; Michael Torckler (West Coast North Island) same time, 3; George Bennett (Lotto NL Jumbo, Tasman) same time, 4; James Oram (One Pro Cycling, Auckland) at 30s, 5.
Under-23 men: James Fouche (Auckland) 4:15.32, 1; Ryan Christensen (Waikato BOP) at 1 sec, 2; Sam Dobbs (Waikato BOP) at 2:33, 3; Alex West (Skoda Racing, Manawatu) at 4:01, 4; Nicholas Reddish (Waikato BOP) at 4:09, 5.