Cycling: Northey wins maiden national title

Mike Northey from Auckland. Photo / Warren Buckland

Mike Northey won his maiden national title in front of big crowds at the criterium national championships in Takapuna last night when he outsprinted junior world medallist James Oram, Alex Ray and Aaron Strong to take line honours.

The four riders were part of a breakaway in the race around the streets of Takapuna but the PureBlack Racing rider kicked away at the end of the race.

"I'm very happy, stoked," said Northey, who finished second in this event last year. "The plan was for myself or [teammate] Dan Barry to get into the move, stay on the fringes and go from there. It was a hard course and quite technical, it wears everyone down."

It was an aggressive race for the elite men, with many attacks happening early on. The telling break of Northey, Oram, Ray and Strong rode free in the last half of the 45-minute race and the foursome established a decisive 35-second lead.

It was a welcome result for Northey, who finished second in both the road race and criterium of the Armstrong Festival of Cycling last weekend.

"It was nice to see a win," he said. "It's the nationals so it's nice to get the win here."

It rounds off a strong year for PureBlack Racing, with teammate Tim Gudsell winning the title last year.

Philippa Sutton, 19, won her second national title for the year after a late solo attack in the women's event.

Sutton, who won the senior women's national road race title earlier in the year, made a brave solo attack with three laps to go and managed to hold out a tough chase by New Zealand track representatives Rushlee Buchanan and Kaytee Boyd.

Serena Sheridan and young rider Racquel Sheath made an early break, but the pace was too tough for Sheath. Sheridan was caught by Toni Strong and world duathlon champion Mel Burkebut they were unable to maintain their lead, which gave Sutton the opportunity to attack.

Chad Elliston (Auckland) and Robin Hacker-Cary (Hamilton) won the under-17 titles.