Tearful Archbold beats Bennett
The Flying Mullet was almost airborne as he overhauled fellow World Tour cyclist George Bennett, then was overcome with emotion after winning his first national road title in Cambridge yesterday.
Shane Archbold – also known as the Flying Mullet for his magnificent locks – broke down in tears during his post-race interview after beating Bennett who had broken away and ridden solo for roughly half the men’s 174km race.
Archbold, with assistance from third-placed Dylan Kennett, hauled in a lion-hearted Bennett inside the final 2km, then sprinted away in the final few hundred metres.
It marked a significant comeback for the Timaru rider who suffered a broken pelvis in a horror crash at the 2016 Tour de France and picked up a contract with powerhouse Deceuninck – Quick-Step last year.
‘‘The only thing I was thinking was ‘put me in the race, give me a bit of luck and anything is possible’. It hurts to ride down George [but] I played probably the best tactical race I’ve ever done,’’ Archbold said, his voice trailing off.
After composing himself, the tears flowed again for Archbold, when asked what the win meant.
‘‘I was just so happy for George riding out there and it hurt me to ride him down . . . but after the last three years I’ve had I really needed this.’’
It completed a torrid few days for noted climber Bennett, from Nelson, who also rode the time trial and was runner-up to Olympic rower Hamish Bond by 15 seconds.
‘‘In the end I wasn’t good enough. There was nothing I could do. They caught me with a couple of km to go and my glutes were giving out by then,’’ Bennett said. ‘‘I couldn’t sit down or do anything. Disappointed, but on the other hand Shane won, he’s a good friend of mine.’’
The 108km women’s race also produced a thrilling finish, with 19-year-old Niamh Fisher-Black sprinting to the line first after foiling a breakaway.
Kate McCarthy went solo and was in control before being hauled in by Fisher-Black and others near the finish.