Christie king of the road

Commonwealth Games hopeful nails second national title with sizzling sprint

Jason Christie is a New Zealand national road champion for the second time. Christie edged a fantastic sprint finish in Napier, beating out Hayden McCormick for second, with Michael Torckler claiming third ahead of World Tour star George Bennett.

Christie has quickly become a premier force at the national championships, finishing in the top four the last five years, including second last year, and victory in 2016.

Also improving from second to first was James Fouche, who claimed the Under-23 title, and the New Zealand Cyclist Corps Memorial Trophy.

The national jersey has had a consistent home of late, with only three riders claiming the title in the past six years.

Hayden Roulston won in 2013 and 2014, Joseph Cooper claimed it in 2015 and 2017, and now Christie has added to his 2016 title.

Yesterday’s was possibly his toughest win yet, having to chase down a superb effort from Torckler, who tried to solo to victory with 30 kilometres to go.

He went over the final climb with a 22-second lead, but he was caught with 4km to go, after an exhausting chase by Bennett.

However, Bennett couldn't get away in the final kilometres, and Christie was always likely to win the sprint, starting early and boosting home to charge over the line with his arm raised in triumph.

It was sweet relief for the 27-yearold, who was battling several ailments heading into the race.

“I was sick — I was throwing up a week ago, I crashed on Friday [in the time trial where he finished third] — it's definitely been hard,” he said.

Christie never felt that the race was out of reach, and once he caught up to Torckler was confident of victory on the flat finish.

“I looked at those guys and I thought ‘George is a good climber', but against the group I didn't see him riding away from us. I also didn't think Torckler was going to stay away.”

Christie was pushed all the way by Bennett, who put in a stunning ride considering he had only got back on the bike two weeks ago after surgery

I've got no races, I've got no team . . . Jason Christie

to try to fix a side-stitch issue.

After not expecting to be competitive, Bennett was pleasantly surprised yet still disappointed to have come so close.

“At the start of the day I was happy if I just got around, and now having got close to winning it I'm gutted that I didn't.”

Bennett was attacking on the hills all throughout the 171km race, getting across to the lead group midway through, then attacking from the group to sit in solo second for a long period as he chased Torckler.

However, his attempts to displace McCormick and Christie came up short, and he was never going to be the fastest in the sprint.

“Pretty much worst-case scenario, arriving with anyone else — I just wasn't sharp enough mentally, I wasn't in that race rhythm.

“I thought I had them pinned on the hill but they fought their way back — I wasn't expecting Jase to hit out that early on the right of the roundabout . . .”

Despite not being able to wear the Kiwi jersey in the Giro d'Italia and Vuelta a Espana this year, it was still promising signs for Bennett's form, and his health, with the side-stitch issue not an issue during the race.

“I'm really hesitant to say I'm cured, but I thought it was coming on a little bit, I was a bit anxious for a while there, but it never really came on today — I'm pretty optimistic about it.”

With Christie's victory, the Kiwi national road jersey won't be seen on the World Tour this year, and it might