World Tour professional Ally Wollaston continued her red-hot start to the international road cycling season claiming her first New Zealand elite women’s road race title near Cambridge today.
Wollaston (FDJ United-Suez), who has won the under-23 national road race title on two occasions, managed to out-kick her fellow rivals, including several UCI World Tour riders, to snatch the elite victory at the championships supported by GJ Gardner Homes Waipa.
A select group of seven riders, comprising all the kiwi current or former World Tour riders, pushed clear early in the 130km race over 13 laps.
Yesterday’s time trial champion Ella Wyllie (LIV AlUla Jayco), Mikayla Harvey (SD Worx Protime) and Henrietta Christie (EF Education Oatly) forced the pace in an attempt to blunt Wollaston’s sprint powers while former World Tour rider Sharlotte Lucas showed her strength late in the race.
But Wollaston, who was prominent early in the race, hung on to the bunch and made her move on the final climb, sprinting her way to the title to chalk up her fourth win in the last four weeks to start the season.
“Taking the jersey back with me to Europe was a really big goal for me,” said an emotional Wollaston after her win.
“It was a tight-knit group and no-one was skipping turns. Kudos to the girls who all threw the kitchen sink at it today and I was blown away that I was there for the final two laps.
“I love this loop. It feels like my backyard and I have trained here so much in my career. It was such a great environment out racing today.”
Harvey, who had been strong all race, finished three seconds back in runner-up ahead of UCI World Esport Champion, Kate McCarthy, who held off Christie and Wyllie for the final spot on the podium.
The Meridian Bikebug team enjoyed more success with Auckland team rider Ava Maddison claiming the under-23 honours in an impressive ride, to edge out Canterbury-based teammate Kirsty Watts in the sprint finish in the race run in conjunction with the elites.
The pair enjoyed an outstanding championship with Watts winning the time trial yesterday with Maddison third.
Earlier Southland’s Benson Boys continued his successful cycling summer taking out the under-19 title in a sprint finish over the Pista Corsa team pairing of Andre Free and Cole Feringa.
Taupo’s Alex Milne held off Black Magic teammate Neve McKenzie (Marlborough) to win the women’s under-19 road title with Mia Collins from Counties Manukau third.
The road championships conclude tomorrow morning with the elite and under-23 men over 20 laps of the same 9.6km course near Cambridge.
Road Race Results:
Elite: Ally Wollaston (FDJ United-Suez) 3:16.59, 1; Mikayla Harvey (SD Worx Protime) at 3 seconds, 2; Kate McCarthy (Hamilton City Cycling) same time 3.
Under 23: Ava Maddison (Meridian Bikebug, Auckland) 3:25:22, 1; Kirsty Watts (Meridian Bikebug, Canterbury) at 2s, 2; Maria Laurie (Canterbury Track) at 4s, 3.
Under 19 Male: Benson Boys (Whoosh NZ Cycling Project) 2:43.53,1; Andre Free (Pista Corsa Dev) at 1s, 2; Cole Feringa (Pista Corsa) same time 3.
Under-19 Female: Alex Milne (Black Magic Tinelli, Taupo) 2:08.28, 1; Neve McKenzie(Black Magic Tinelli, Marlborough) at 3 sec, 2; Mia Collins (Counties Manukau) at 4s, 3.
