Cycling: Bauer clinches NZ title

Wellington rider Jack Bauer snatched a thrilling victory from two major stars of New Zealand cycling in a sprint finish to the national road race in Christchurch yesterday.

The 24-year-old clinched his first national road title ahead of pre-race favourites Hayden Roulston, of Ashburton, and five-time Tour de France competitor Julian Dean, of Rotorua.

All three riders finished on the same time of four hours 48 minutes 42 seconds after a spectacular finish to a gruelling event that saw competitors face 13 laps and 186km over the same course used for the 1974 Commonwealth Games.

Alongside the sprint finish, the other major highlight was the performance of 18-year-old Christchurch rider Michael Vink, who made a break on just the second lap and remained clear until the final lap.

A group that included Roulston and Dean, who were on each other's wheels for much of the second half of the race, finally reined in the teenager, who finished ninth overall across the line and fourth in the under-23 battle.

Bauer, the Tour of Southland runner-up and an eight-time winner in Belgium last year, said the title and the chance to take the coveted black jersey to his new Endura Pro Continental team in Britain was "a dream come true".

"I didn't really think I had the legs to last out there today but I managed to go with Roulston and Dean when they attacked on the hill and when we got down to a bunch of four on the last leg I hung in. It was a quality field, so I'm stoked."

Roulston, who turned 29 yesterday, said he was disappointed to miss the title.

"I rode a pretty good race but you are limited in what you can do on your own," he said.

Dean, a strong sprinter, said he suffered cramp on the push to the line.

"I wasn't really confident about my race condition because I've just had a month off. But I got cramp in that final 150m - otherwise I believe I could have got up to win."

Mild and calm conditions were perfect in comparison to the strong winds that tested the women's field on Saturday.

However, the steep climb up Dyers Pass Rd in Cashmere soon saw the 85-strong field separated.

In the second lap under-23 time-trial winner Vink made the first significant breakaway along with fellow Christchurch rider Paul Odlin.

Despite having to change bikes and have a puncture mended, Vink was the sole leader by the halfway stage and extended his lead to about 4min before Roulston turned up the pressure on the hill in the ninth lap. Bauer and Dean were among those who followed the double Olympic medallist.

Vink said he planned to make an early break so he could help his strong Subway Avanti team as much as possible.

"I'm really pleased. I thought I ran a good race and to do well here is the ultimate because it's the toughest race in New Zealand. Hopefully, I've put my hand up for Commonwealth Games and world champs selection later in the year."

Roulston, Dean and five-time winner Gordon McCauley were among those who hailed Vink as a major new talent.

"He showed guts, determination and substantial endurance," Dean said.

National time trial champion and defending champion McCauley withdrew after nine laps, saying he "didn't have the legs today".

Tom Findlay, of the Bici Vida team, won the under-23 title, finishing just 3s behind the top three elite riders.

- NZPA