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Otago cyclist James Gardner has pocketed another national title.
Gardner won the elite men’s race at the national criterium in Palmerston North on Monday.
The race was well controlled by his MitoQ-NZ Cycling Project team, the only UCI-sanctioned New Zealand professional squad this year.
Defending champion Luke Mudgway, Ryan Christensen and Commonwealth Games mountainbike silver medallist Ben Oliver pushed to hold off the MitoQ brigade throughout the 50min plus three laps race.
While the gap stretched to over 30sec at one stage, the chasers closed in on the final two laps. with Christensen pushing hard after a puncture.
However, the MitoQ riders timed things perfectly as Gardner pushed to the front ahead of team-mate James Wilson and Christensen in the dash for the podium.
It was a strong performance from Gardner, still just 18, who won a stage of the Tour of Southland recently and last year represented New Zealand on the track at the junior world championships.
"I am bloody stoked. That was awesome," Gardner said.
"The team put it on the whole day. We stuck to the plan. It is the best thing ever.
"We had a lot of boys from MitoQ-NZ Cycling Project racing with the NZ Cycle Classic last week and then Josh Burnett winning the Gravel & Tar yesterday as well. It has been an awesome week for us lads.
"The team were on all day. James Wilson and I were in the right place at the right time and did the right things. I am rapt to go one-two, especially after James put in such a massive effort for us.
"The national criterium jersey racing in the United States this year with the team will be awesome. We will wear that proud when the team races in the States."
Experienced campaigner Michaela Drummond claimed the women’s honours.
It was a special hometown moment for Drummond, the international road professional and double track world championship medallist, who used her track speed and nous to sprint clear of Rylee McMullen and veteran Sharlotte Lucas.
"It was a big goal of mine to take the national jersey to Europe,’’ Drummond said.
‘‘I am just so stoked. It’s special because when you are racing overseas, they are aware that you are a national champion. It is going to be so cool.’’
The women raced 45 minutes plus three laps of the 1.9km circuit at Massey University.
Oamaru rider Reef Roberts was second in the under-19 race.