"But I was able to captialise on a small fumble by Sam (Gaze) and stretched out a good advantage and pinned the ears back to the finish."
The result was a reversal of last year's race where Gaze triumphed in a sprint finish over Cooper. Local rider, Dirk Peters rounded out the podium, finishing a further 2 minutes behind Gaze.
Meanwhile, 27 year-old Kate Fluker from Queenstown, who has only ridden for four years, put in a dominant ride to retain her elite women's crown. When her main rival, London Olympian Karen Hanlen had a fall on the first lap, Fluker was able to build a big lead.
"It's awesome. I was trying to really focus on international races this year but when you come to a race like this, you always do want to win, so I'm stoked," said Fluker.
Earlier in the day outstanding young prospect, Eden Cruise from Porirua, dominated the U17 men's race. He led by a minute after the first lap of four and continued to extend his advantage to eventually win by over three and a half minutes.
Results:
Men:
Elite & Under-23: Anton Cooper (North Canterbury) 1:30:40, 1;Sam Gaze (Cambridge) 1:31:50, 2; Dirk Peters (Rotorua) 1:33:51 3; Ben Oliver (Christchurch) 1:35:32, 4; Jack Compton (Wellington) 1:35:49, 5.
Under-19: Harrison Mudgway (Tauranga) 1:25:10, 1; Nathan Johnston (Rotorua) 1:25:11, 2; Daniel Johnston (Rotorua) 1:25:32, 3; Harry Phipps (Rotorua) 1:27:35, 4; Lewis Ryan (Rotorua) 1:27:37, 5.
Under-17: Eden Cruise (Porirua) 1:04:32, 1; Jack Wilson (Tauranga) 1:08:05, 2; Taylor Johnston (Rotorua) 1:08:16, 3; Cameron Jones (Upper Moutere) 1:09:27, 4; Brayden Holland (Invercargill) 1:12:49, 5.
Under-15: Connor Johnston (Rotorua) 56:23, 1; Julius Staufenberg (Wanaka) 56:28, 2; Samuel Lord (Papamoa) 58:03, 3; Adam Francis (Palmerston North) 58:25, 4; Max Taylor (Palmerston North) 1:01:35, 5.
Masters 1: Steve Bale (Wellington) 1:10:40, 1; Gavin McCarthy (Upper Hutt) 1:11:41, 2; Bevan Spratt (Tauranga) 1:33:23, 3.
Masters 2: Garth Weinberg (Rotorua) 1:08:57, 1; Hamish Lane (Mt Maunganui) 1:12:33, 2; Sarnim Dean (Blenheim) 1:12:37, 3; Darrin Hall (Taupo) 1:19:26, 4; Barry Wilson (Palmerston North) 1:20:45, 5.
Masters 3: Shane Kaio (Mt Maunganui) 1:15:44, 1; Paul McDowell (Rotorua) 1:18:33, 2; Ray Hope (Dunedin) 1:18:57, 3; Anthony Bradshaw (Wellington) 1:19:52, 4.
Female:
Elite & Under-23: Kate Fluker (Queenstown) 1:30:59, 1; Karen Hanlen (Whakatane) 1:34:08, 2; Amber Johnston (Rotorua) 1:37:14, 3; Fiona Macdermid (Palmerston North) 1:38:32, 4; Mary Gray (Dunedin) 1:40:14, 5.
Under-19: Jemma Manchester (Auckland) 1:23:55, 1; Shannon Hope (Dunedin) 1:26:09, 2; Kayla Russell (Auckland) 1:30:33, 3.
Under-17: Jessica Manchester (Auckland) 58:04, 1: Phoebe Young (Wanaka) 1:01:46, 2: Kaylee Mudgway (Tauranga) 1:08:25, 3.
Under-15: Georgia Skelton (Auckland) 48:10, 1; Poppy Buissink (Auckland) 49:43, 2; Paige Weir (Auckland) 53:17, 3.
Senior Women: Harriet Miller (Rotorua) 1:07:58, 1.
Masters 1: Philippa Rostan (Australia) 1:14:06, 1.
Masters 2: Merrin Brewster (Dunedin) 1:29:46, 1.
Masters 3: Sarah Beadel (Rotorua) 1:12:23, 1.