CYCLING

Ashburton rider beats off challenge in Elite Road Race

By Sports Media NZ

Ashburton rider Jason Christie hopes his victory in Sunday’s Big Save Elite Road Cycling National Championships could lead to bigger and better things.

The twenty-five year old attacked on the penultimate climb of Bluff Hill, holding off the valiant chasers and more fancied riders to claim his first national road race honours.

Canterbury’s Hamish Schreurs, who rode in the lead pack for much of the day, finished third overall but retained his under-23 title in impressive fashion.

Christie was in the peloton as a break went early in the strong winds on the 80km country circuit near Taradale, but made his move when the riders returned to begin the inner city circuit that included the climb up Bluff Hill.

“I went with Jesse Sergent to chase the break on our first lap back in the town from there I was able to ride through the groups to the front,” Christie said.

“I felt strong up the hill on that second to last climb and was just able to ride away and from there I had to work hard to keep away.

“I said to a few friends that I was coming here to win but I didn’t really know how to on a new course.

“The win is pretty special. I used to dream of a World Tour career or a Pro Continental ride but each time I tried I seemed to get shut down. I hope it will help but I am not too fazed. I just want to race my bike.”

In fact Christie has been one of the most consistent riders in recent years since moving to the elite category. The former under 23 time trial winner was third last year and fourth in 2014, and in the top four in the time trial for the past three years.

He won Sunday’s 180km race in 4:35.03 to be 16 seconds clear of 22 year old Auckland professional Dion Smith (ONE Pro Cycling) followed by  Schreurs, the remarkable former Olympian Robin Reid, who turned 40 last month, and Smith’s teammate James Oram.


Jason Christie celebrates victory, and riders climb on the country loop during the Big Save Elite Road Cycling National Championships in Napier. Credit: Alphapix/John Cowpland


The break went early with a 12-strong group forming in front by 50kms as they battled fierce cross winds, with most of the World Tour riders nestled back in the peloton

Reid led the way on to the city circuit before being ultimately joined by a select group including World Tour rider George Bennett, who rides for the Lotto NL Jumbo Oram, Schreurs and Smith until Christie bridged up to them.

The powerful group behind that included the likes of Sergent and fellow World Tour stars Sam Bewley, Patrick Bevin and Greg Henderson, ran out of legs as they chased behind.

The lead group thinned with Bennett’s chances ended with a mechanical issue on the climb for the second to last time.

It was left to Christie to make his move and while Smith, Oram, Reid and Schreurs got within 10 seconds at one stage on the final lap, they ran out of fuel and real estate.

Smith said his teammates put the pressure on throughout the race although the result did not work out his way.

“Jason was very strong today. We thought we could bring him back and we nearly did but was just not close enough.”

The Auckland rider was rewarded with second place and later awarded the New Zealand elite male road rider of the year.

Reid, the anomaly in the top five among the other 20-somethings, was thrilled with his podium finish.

“I thought the best thing was to get into the break and then be able to ride at a pace that was within myself,” Reid said.

“I love riding my bike. It’s a buzz to come here and ride with these guys. The quality of the New Zealanders is really high and quite exciting to see these young guys perform like this.

“It was a great course with the heat and the conditions, and the city circuit was just an amazing atmosphere.”



Results, elite men, 180km: Jason Christie (Kenyan Riders Downunder, Mid-South Canterbury) 4:35:03, 1; Dion Smith (ONE Pro Cycling, Auckland) at 16 secs, 2; Robin Reid (Tasman) at 17s, 3; James Oram (ONE Pro Cycling, Auckland) at 21sm 4; Patrick Bevin (Cannondale Pro Cycling, Waikato BOP) at 2:18, 5.

Under 23: Hamish Schreurs (Canterbury) 4:35:20, 1; Hayden McCormick (ONE Pro Cycling, Waikato BOP) at 2:01. 2; Liam Aitcheson (Southland) at 12:19, 3.