CYCLING

Northey, Buchanan prevail in Skoda Criterium Championships

By Cycling New Zealand

Favourites Rushlee Buchanan and hometown rider Mike Northey claimed the honours in the Skoda Criterium National Championships around the streets of downtown Takapuna on Friday night.

Northey sprinted off the front of a breakaway group of four riders and held on to win the men’s title, his third victory in five years at the event, after finishing runner-up last year.

Northey, who rides for the Madison Genesis continental team in UK, made a break from the first lap of the 40 minute race and was in a group of eight riders who went clear mid-race. With six laps to go the leaders were whittled down to four – 44-year-old Aaron Strong, Northey, young professional Dion Smith and world team pursuit champion Regan Gough.


Men’s winner Mike Northern and women’s champion Rushlee Buchanan in action at the Skoda Criterium National Championships in Takapuna. Credit: Scottie T Photography.

While it looked to be going down to a final sprint, Northey used his cornering skills to perfection at the bottom of the course, pushed clear and held on to win with Gough out-sprinting Smith for second.

“It means a lot to win this. Crits are a big part of our racing in UK and get a lot of television exposure so it will be great to be able to wear the national jersey over there next year,” Northey said.

“It’s great to be able to race here at home in front of friends and family and even better to win. I am rapt.”

Buchanan showed all her experience and class to defend her elite women’s title.

The Cycling New Zealand high performance track rider jumped off the front of the peloton mid-race to catch breakaway leader Hannah Gumbley. She was joined by national under-19 road race champion Mikayla Harvey (Wanaka) and the pair pushed out to a 16 second advantage.

They maintained the buffer as Buchanan was too strong leading from the front to hold off an impressive effort from Harvey in the final sprint. Hamilton’s Madison Farrant claimed the bunch sprint for third.


Rushlee Buchanan for the win. Credit: Scottie T Photography.


“It’s always fantastic to win races and this is really enjoyable. It’s so different and a lot of fun,” Buchanan said.

“We worked well together in the break. I will be riding for United Healthcare again in the US so it’s great for our team to be able to sear the New Zealand jersey in crits there, they have been so supportive.”
Buchanan will now turn her attentions back to the track as she prepares for the upcoming Track World Cup in Cambridge next month.

Earlier talented Ally Wollaston from Baradene College out-sprinted the field to win the under-17 girls from Levin’s Sophie-Leigh Bloxham, while the under-17 boys title went to classy young Taupo rider Kiaan Watts, who timed his sprint best to edge out Jarred Treymane from Cambridge.

Results:
Under-17 Girls: Ally Wollaston (Counties Manukau) 17:04, 1; Sophie-Leigh Bloxham (Levin) 17:05, 2; Renee Young (Auckland) st, 3.
Under-17 Boys: Kiaan Watts (Taupo) 18:10, 1; Jarred Treymane (Cambridge) 18:11, 2; Burnie McGrath (Te Awamutu) st, 3.
Elite women: Rushlee Buchanan (Te Awamutu), 35:09, 1; Mikayla Harvey (Wanaka) st, 2; Madison Farant (Hamilton) 35:20, 3.
Elite men: Mike Northey (Auckland) 40:12, 1; Regan Gough (Waipukurau) 40:17, 2; Dion Smith (Auckland) st, 3.

Fulll results: www.criteriumnationals.co.nz/news/