Veteran Nelson professional George Bennett produced an ambitious and stunning solo effort to claim the New Zealand Elite Road Cycling Championship, supported by GJ Gardner Homes Waipa, near Cambridge today.
The 35-year-old attacked off the front of the small lead group 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 was overwhelmed with the win, his second national title after claiming the win 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.
The group, comprising Bennett, Josh Burnett (Burgos Burpellet BH UCI pro), Southland former track sprinter Jeremy Presbury, Auckland’s Matthew Wilson (Advanced Personnel Cycling UCI pro), and experienced track and road international George Jackson, (riding for kiwi Whoosh – NZ Cycling Project) 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 manging to remain in command over the three solo laps.
“I think I rode a really smart race. I picked the initial move and we rode well. It was a strong group with some really under-rated guys. We just stayed really smart,” said Bennett.
“I got the call from Bewls (Director Sportif Sam Bewley) to open up the race early and went with 30kms to go. It is always a race within a race when you go early like that and I just had really good legs.
“Most of the time that move doesn’t work but at least next time it doesn’t work out, I can remember this one.
“This win means a lot. I have had a really rough 18 months so this means the world. To finally win a race again – with my friends, my family, my teammates and Bewls all here.
“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 outkicked Matthew 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 at the Grassroots Trust Velodrome.
Results:
Elite men, 188kms: George Bennett (NSN Cycling, Nelson) 4:09.45, 1; Josh Burnett (Burgos Burpellet BH, Invercargill) at 41s, 2; Matthew Wilson (Advanced Personnel Cycling, Auckland) at 45s, 3.
Under-23: 188kms: James Gardner (Whoosh-NZ Cycling Project, Dunedin) 4:10.43, 1; Josh Heissenbuttel (Counties Manukau) at 3:27, 2; Lewis Bower (Groupama FDJ, Auckland) at 3:40, 3.
