In his 15th year as a professional, 35-year-old George Bennett (NSN Cycling) claimed a second career victory in the New Zealand national road race championships on Saturday, soloing to victory to cap off his season start in style.
Bennett, who also won this title in 2021, was part of a small group that emerged in the middle of the 188km race, set on 20 laps near Cambridge, and then attacked on his own to go solo for the final three laps and take the win.
“This win means a lot. I have had a really rough 18 months so this means the world. To finally win a race again – with my friends, my family, my teammates and Bewls [NSN sports director Sam Bewley] all here,” he said.
“I am really proud to win this and take the jersey back to wear on the WorldTour. My big target is the Tour de France this year so to be able to wear the jersey in something like that would be special. It hasn’t sunk in yet. It’s awesome.”
“Most of the time that move doesn’t work but at least next time it doesn’t work out, I can remember this one.”
Though a WorldTour rider won the race, the top 10 was dominated by domestic and Continental riders, with Lotto Intermarché’s Reuben Thompson the only other WorldTour rider who made it into the top 10. Gravel rider Cameron Jones finished 9th.
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