Buchanan, Gaze claim titles

Hamilton cyclist Rushlee Buchanan added another title to her illustrious collection on Sunday with victory in the Criterium National Championships in Auckland.

Buchanan, who has won a record four national road titles added her fourth national criterium success in emphatic fashion.

The 29-year-old was thrilled with her efforts in her first race back following an arduous season with her professional team in the States, as she amps up for a return to the New Zealand Elite Track Team.

‘‘I was a bit nervous because it’s my first race back for the summer season and I knew all the track girls had good legs if it came down to a sprint,’’ she said.

‘‘It is a pretty short race so it came down to a sprint and I had to position myself right for the sprint.

‘‘Every national title means the same to me.

Buchanan nestled behind the group of defending champion Racquel Sheath, Bryony Botha and Michaela Drummond in the final lap and was able to drive out of the final turn to score the win from Sheath and Drummond.

Buchanan will return to the track programme in readiness for the upcoming Oceania Track Championships in Cambridge and then look to defend her national road honours in Napier in the New Year.

Meanwhile, two-time world under-23 mountain-bike champion Sam Gaze joined Buchanan on the top of the podium with a brilliant effort to win the elite men’s race.

The Cambridge rider, ill during the week, jumped across to the leading pair of Alexander Ray and James Fouche to beat them in the sprint home.

The men’s race was a brutal affair from the get-go when UK-based Taylor Gunman broke from the start.

He was joined by fellow road professionals Luke Mudgway, Fouche, Regan Gough and Gaze as they opened a 12-second lead, which held until the 30 minute mark of the 45 minute race.

Ray, who won the green sprinters’ jersey in the Tour of Southland, then sparked another attack, joined by Fouche and Gaze and the trio remained clear as the rest of the field struggled under the onslaught.

‘‘This was not something I thought I could achieve after what has been a long and fantastic mountain-bike season,’’ Gaze said.

‘‘I was not in the best of health this week but wanted to give it my best. This was a surprise but I felt strong and to win a national title on the road is a real honour.’’

Ray held on for second with Fouche third. Earlier Te Awamutu’s Maddi Douglas won the under-17 title while Auckland’s Nick Bowen won the under-17 boys honours.