The New Zealand national championships will take place on a hilly course this year which will favour riders such as Bennett and David, however they have little support, so a more likely result may come from stronger teams such as Becherovka with the dominant Bewley and OZ also have 3 riders, or maybe a breakaway can snatch the win? Let’s get to the racing.
The race begins and defending champion Frame begins the hostilities, Meenhorst and Gunman follow. Archbold quickly decides he wants to be part of this and gets away as well.
Karwowski also attacks to join the 4 at the front.
With 10km left the break has a 20 minute lead and will be contesting the win today.
And with 5km to go Gunman launches his move! Frame is the only one to follow as the others continue to work together.
Frame couldn’t hang onto Gunman’s attack and is caught. The rest of the break are chasing well although there is a 20 second gap with 3km to go.
As they near the final kilometre Karwowski goes right past Gunman! Meenhorst and Archbold are trying to hang on while Frame seems to have cracked.
500 metres left and Karwowski is easily the strongest and has a gap on Gunman, as the riders string out. As Meenhorst leads Archbold in a final attempt just behind.
And Karwowski takes the win as the new New Zealand national champion! Gunman and Meenhorst round out the podium with good efforts today.
Sergent is easily the best time trialist in the country and should be the favourite for the time trial today.
Gough is one of the first riders off and is a pretty good time trialist coming in 1h10’49 and setting the time to beat today.
Bewley is one of the first riders off today beginning his final race after a spectacular season. He still falls 1’16 short of his teammate’s time though.
Atkins is another Becherovka rider to set off early and finishes in 1h09’24 taking the lead now.
Bevin is fast today but comes in 1’19 behind Atkins whose ride is looking more impressive now.
Not even Archbold can top his time falling 23 seconds short. Just down to Sergent and Bauer now.
Sergent overtakes Bauer on the course in an impressive show of power goes on to finish in 1h07’26, making him the new time trial champion of New Zealand.
Given he was overtaken by Sergent, it was impossible for Bauer to win, although he still makes his way to a respectable 4th place 2’33 down.
