Several New Zealand World Tour stars, medal-winning Para-cyclists and a host of talented kiwi riders will be chasing honours in the 2026 Elite Road National Championships in Cambridge this week.
The championships, supported by GJ Gardner Homes Waipa and hosted by Te Awamutu Cycling Club, begin on Thursday with time trials from Roto-o-Rangi School near Cambridge.
New Zealand’s Para-cycling Track World Championship medallists will be competing in the time trials, including track world champion Devon Briggs; track and road star Nicole Murray; Rotorua’s Siobhan Terry and Waikato’s Emma Foy, who made a remarkable return to the sport last year.
Ohio-based Paralympian Rory Mead, just pipped for a medal in both time trial and road race at last year’s UCI Para-cycling World Championships, has travelled back to New Zealand to compete amongst a 10-strong contingent.
Nelson’s Finn Fisher-Black, who rides for the Red Bull-Bora Hansgrohe team on the UCI World Tour, will defend his elite time trial title. The 24-year-old from Nelson will face challenges led by Paris Olympic track rider Tom Sexton, third in last year’s elite men’s time trial, and World Tour riders Reuben Thompson (Groupama FDJ), veteran George Bennett (NSN Cycling) and multi-talented Ben Oliver, who lines up in new UCI Pro team Modern Adventure.
There will also be interest in star triathlete Hayden Wilde, who is competing in both time trial and Sunday’s road race.
The time trial courses on Thursday 5 February will start and finish at Roto-o-Rangi School over distances from 18km to 44.2km.
Para-cycling trikes and hand cycles, Para cycling C1-C3 and Under-19 women compete over an 18.3km course. Para-cycling Tandem, C4-C5 women and C1-C5 men, under-19 men, under-23 and elite women will be timed over a 27.6km test. The under-23 and elite men take on a 44.2km course.
