Italy-based cycling professional Georgia Williams finally cracked a national title this morning by winning the women's elite national time trial championship in Napier.
The Mitchelton-Scott rider powered through blustery, testing conditions on the 20km course, beating Rushlee Buchanan into second place. Bronwyn Macgregor came third.
Williams, who was second inboth the time trial and road race championships last year, had been looking to go one better in both disciplines, giving her the privilege of wearing the New Zealand national champion jersey in international races.
"I've got a few tours lined up this year, so I'll be able to wear it (the national time trial champion jersey) in time trials and prologues," she said immediately after her win was confirmed.
Her first reaction, though was to say, "I'm so happy, I'm lost for words".
Williams said she had little idea of her relative position to the other riders on the course, but went as hard as possible: "I wasn't going to risk anything."
With no time to celebrate, Williams will be back in action tomorrow for the 114km women's road race where she has some unfinished business to try and turn her previous silver medals into gold.
"I'm really happy to win the time trial jersey today but I still really want to win the road jersey tomorrow."
"It takes a little bit of the pressure and stress off having won the event today because now I have a title to my name, but I'm definitely motivated to go after the other one now."
