Cycling: Ramblers rake in the titles at nationals

Hannah van Kampen

Hawke's Bay cyclist Hannah van Kampen was heaping kudos on her Ramblers clubmates after completing the province's third double at the national club championships yesterday.

"There were heaps of Ramblers girls and everything went to plan. Everyone did enough to put me in the right place ... we rode for each other," van Kampen said after winning the under-23 women's 105km road race in 3hrs01m54s at Puketapu.

Fraser Gough.

"I'm super stoked. It was an awesome race in perfect conditions ... there was a slight breeze and the sun was out."

On Thursday, van Kampen, 21, won her age group time trial title. She joined masters 3 rider Marg Porter and masters 7 competitor Carol Bone as the Ramblers riders to complete doubles.

Fellow Rambler Fraser Gough was the Bay's other gold medal winner yesterday. He won the under-23 men's 156km road race in 3hrs58m08s, 3m02s faster than second placegetter Ryan Christensen of Hamilton.

"I'm pretty happy as this is my first under-23 title at this level. I've won the under-19 title in the past and the under-23 title at elite level," Gough said.

Gough, who has been a competitive rider for nine years, remained calm under pressure.

"Yes, I definitely rode with my head. At this time of the year, I don't ride as much but I did enough to get there," Gough said when asked on his approach to the nationals.

His next event is the May 21-24 Tour of Toowoomba in Australia and two weeks after that he will do the Tour of Korea.

Ramblers were unable to retain the top club shield and finished six points behind winners Counties.

The best of the Ramblers in the elite women's field was Natalie Kerwin who was fifth, 2m12s behind the winner Sharlotte Lucas of the Papanui club.

Ben Earnshaw was the best Rambler in the elite men's field. He finished the 156km race in 11th place, 11m39s behind winner Michael Torckler of Stratford.