The 35-year-old attacked off the front of the small lead group near Cambridge with three of the 20 laps remaining.
The World Tour rider was never threatened from that point as he powered to an emotional victory, after a challenging 2025 season.
A tearful Bennett, whose mother died last year, was overwhelmed with the win, his second national title — his first was in Cambridge five years ago — and earning the first victory for his revamped NSN Cycling World Tour team.
Bennett joined a six-strong group that emerged at the front of field midway through the 188km race, but managed to stay out of trouble and out of the wind behind the commanding frame of defending under-23 champion James Gardner, of Dunedin.
The group, comprising Bennett, Tour of Southland
champion Josh Burnett, former track sprinter Jeremy Presbury, Matthew Wilson and experienced track and road international George Jackson, managed to hold the chasers and a lively peloton at bay.
While their lead began to get squeezed from some aggressive riding behind, Bennett attacked when fans were preparing for a final-lap showdown.
That was not to be, with Bennett staying in command over the three solo laps.
"I think I rode a really smart race," he said.
"I am really proud to win this and take the jersey back to wear on the World Tour. My big target is the Tour de France this year so to be able to wear the jersey in something like that would be special.
"It hasn’t sunk in yet. It’s awesome."
Burnett out-kicked Wilson, with Gardner deservedly finishing with the select group to retain his national under-23 honours.
It proved a battle of attrition, with 28 riders of the 71 starters not finishing.
Several riders, who double over to the track, will now regroup for this week’s Oceania track championships in Cambridge.
— Allied Media
