Cycling: Ryan Wins Criterium Champs

A friendship with Hayden Roulston was one of the factors behind Marc Ryan winning the National Criterium Championship in Christchurch on Sunday.

The Timaru rider won the mens elite race ahead of Roulston by 1.2 seconds with Hayden Godfrey third.

Ryan and Roulston broke free from the pack halfway through the race before a frantic sprint finish.

Ryan says while other riders work in teams he and Roulston pair up to help each other if they can.

He describes his tactics as just clinging to the front during the first part of the race before breaking free and going flat out with Roulston.

Ryan will be back on the track tomorrow in preparation for the cycling World Cup in Moscow next week.

While it is the end of his season Ryan says he is well motivated for Russia, wanting to improve his time.

He is hoping for a top four finish and also wants to qualify for the world championships.

Ryan and the rest of the track cycling squad leave for Moscow on Friday.

Christchurch's Annalisa Farrell took out the women's elite race ahead of Denmark's Linda Villumsen and Katri Laike of Dunedin.

- NEWSTALK ZB