Cycling: Odlin secures Canterbury double

Paul Odlin. Photo / Bruce Wilson / Bike NZ

The Oceania elite men's cycling road race honours proved a winning double for Canterbury riders.

Christchurch rider Paul Odlin outlasted a classy field over a demanding course near Queenstown to claim the elite men's title over 153kms today.

His win follows the time trial victory by fellow Canterbury and Subway Pro Cycling teammate Sam Horgan earlier in the championship, where Odlin finished runner-up.

The 33-year-old made his move on the steep climb up Littles Rd on the last of six laps of a 25km circuit near Lake Hayes-Arrowtown, going clear along with Australian Nick Aitken. It proved the winning move as the pair pushed clear from a four-man break that had split the field.

Odlin had too much experience and held off the young Australian in the final sprint, with Aitken finishing second across the line to take out the under-23 title.

Odlin, who won the national time trial in January, said the victory was somewhat of a surprise.

"I don't consider myself a hill climber but I had good gearing which made a difference," Odlin said. "It is a race that I fought for the win. You can't get that level of satisfaction in a time trial which is what I am focussing on now. It was tactical and had so many variables. If they fall in your favour it is a bit more fun.

Odlin and Aitken had broken clear after two laps clear at the front with Australians Mark O'Brien and track rider Sean Finning.

Aitken took the honours from fellow Australian Michael Freiberg, the current world omnium champion, with talented South Canterbury rider Jason Christie third.

"I did not quite win the sprint for the overall honours but I won the under-23s so I have to be happy with that," Aitken said. "It opens up a spot for the worlds later in the year and now I just have to focus on getting some more runs on the board."

Earlier, Australian Bradley Linfield edged out Christchurch's Hamish Schreurs in a sprint finish to claim the under-19 title over 102kms of the same circuit.

Linfield said the Australians had come to Queenstown with a big group keen to secure the title and an additional spot for the world championships later in the year. The strong Australian contingent dominated the championships, winning 22 of the 30 medals.