While Cooper’s win was ultimately achieved in relative comfort, Hawkes Bay rider Regan Gough had to recover from a late puncture to outsprint Auckland’s James Fouche on the line for the under-23 honours.
Cooper, who won the national road title in Christchurch two years ago, made his move on the final of eight ascents and, as the big names looked at each other, the Wellington rider laid his cards on the table with a brave move.
He had a 17sec advantage going into the final 9.5km flat lap and was surprisingly able to hold off the powerful chasers into the head wind over the first 5km and from there he was able to enjoy the run home to victory.
Cooper finished 14sec clear of defending champion Jas Christie. It was another impressive performance for the 26-year-old, who hopes the effort will help secure a spot in a professional team this year. Third place went to Dion Smith who, like Christie, is in search of a professional ride in 2017.
Otago’s Brad Evan also had a strong ride, claiming fourth place and finishing on the same time as Smith.
"Today was about keeping calm and waiting for the right move. I didn’t have any team-mates so I was forced to save energy and then unload at a certain point and hope that it stuck," Cooper said.
"I knew they [big names] were riding for a bunch kick and I can’t sprint my way out of a wet paper bag so I needed to be solo. I had to roll the dice. There’s no way I wanted to wait for the bunch kick and come 10th."
Olympian Rushlee Buchanan created history on Saturday when she became the first woman to win the national elite road championship four times.
Buchanan outkicked fellow Rio Olympic track rider Georgia Williams and triathlete-turned-cyclist Kate McIlroy in an exciting sprint finish along the Napier foreshore.
The United Healthcare rider successfully defended the title she won last year in Napier after wins in 2010 and 2014 to move one championship clear of three-time winners Cath Cheatley and Melissa Holt.
Local Hawkes Bay rider Amanda Jamieson managed to pip long-time leader Michaela Drummond to claim the first women’s under-23 road championship title.
Williams made the initial move off the front of the peloton on the first climb of Napier Hill, carrying Buchanan, Kate McIlroy and Kirstie James with her. They reduced the margin to under 2min on the first lap of the inner city circuit and made the catch on lap two.
The quartet of Buchanan, McIlroy, Williams and Drummond quickly pushed clear of the field as Page dropped back to the peloton 1min 20sec behind.
Drummond was dropped on the final climb of Napier Hill as the leading trio were locked together before a tactical battle on the final 9.5km flat loop to the Napier Port. Williams made the initial sprint but the experience of Buchanan proved decisive as she rode over the top to claim the win.
"I knew I wasn’t the best climber out there and had to save my energy when I could and dig very, very deep when Kate and Georgia were putting the hammer down," Buchanan said.
"I backed myself for the sprint finish. I knew I had the better jump and that played into my hands.
"It has not sunk in yet but to win the 2017 national championship is awesome. Number four is pretty amazing to put myself in the history books. For me I just want to represent the jersey well on the international stage and do New Zealand proud the whole year."
