Linda Villumsen finally grabbed her first major victory in NZ yesterday when she dominated the women's race at the elite national road championship in Christchurch.

Track convert Paddy Bevin is among the pre-race favourites to claim his first elite title at the national road cycling championships in Christchurch this weekend.

Para-cycling. Winning gold and setting a world record in the Women's B 3km pursuit at the 2014 UCI Para-cycling Track World Championships.

Sports fans know about the phenomenal exploits of Brendon McCullum, Lydia Ko and the All Blacks this year. Michael Burgess looks back at 10 other feel-good sports stories that captured the imagination in 2014.

Almost a year after being hit while riding her bike, Samantha Robertson has swapped cycling for sheep riding.

Mountainbikers like to know where every bump and groove is on their specially-designed courses.

If imitation is indeed the best form of flattery, then New Zealand elite sport is in a good space. New Zealand's high performance sporting systems are catching the eye, with delegations from across the globe visiting this country to watch.

"Devastated and angry." That's how Lance Tavinor felt when his older brother was diagnosed with end stage kidney failure this year.

James Fouche pulled off one of the school sporting feats of the year in September.

In an ordinary sporting year, Ethan Mitchell, Sam Webster and Eddie Dawkins would be worthy winners of the Halberg Supreme Award.

A couple of teenagers provided New Zealand with perhaps its indelible image of the 20th Commonwealth Games.

A trio of talented Takapuna teens will be among an expected 3000 cyclists making the most of a rare chance to pedal across Auckland Harbour Bridge tomorrow.

One podium finish but important points; that was New Zealand's lot at the opening track cycling World Cup event in Guadalajara, Mexico.

A new mountain bike park is in the pipeline at Woodhill Forest after iwi took over ownership, but cyclists also face an increase in fees.

A travel-mad Scot has picked New Zealand as the starting spot for his 18,000km cycle-for-charity tour.

Haul the bike out of the garage, clean it up, and prepare to tackle the Auckland Harbour Bridge, writes Sarah Ell.