News: Win for Node4’s Cronshaw in New Zealand

Node 4’s Matt Cronshaw ended his New Zealand training holiday on a high by winning the men’s road race at the Benchmark Homes Festival of Cycling in Waipara today.

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Cronshaw, who supported his Kiwi Node 4 team‐mate Michael Northey to his Tour of Southland and Lake Taupo Cycle Challenge wins over the last month was rewarded with the line honours after the pair dominated much of the race.

Cronshaw in winning form earlier this year in Yorkshire

New Zealand national champion Michael Vink (Scotty Browns ‐ Vision Systems) was outsprinted for the win, with Northey taking third after the trio were the the last remaining riders of the day’s break.

“It has been a great time in New Zealand. We’ve had a pretty good run with Mike winning Southland and Taupo last weekend. He definitely worked for me coming into the finish so I am really grateful for that,” said Cronshaw.
The pair knew their recent success would make them a target, and rode accordingly. “We thought a lot of people would be wanting to beat us today, after the results that we have had. Instead of letting people take it to us, we did our usual style of attacking by getting stuck in early.”

Cronshaw’s early attack in the first 10km of the 90km race was the defining move. He was joined by Northey, Sam Horgan (Subway), Daniel Barry, Hamish Schreurs and Darcy Ellerm‐Norton (Benchmark Homes), Vink, Grayson Napier and Geert‐Jan Jonkman. The rest of the field, which included New Zealand’s top professional and Olympic riders, did not see the leaders again as the breakaway established a three minute lead. It was Cronshaw, Northey and Vink, evidently the strongest riders, who controlled the proceedings in the lead group, gradually dropping their companions until the were the only remaining riders with 12km to go.

The pair tried unsuccessfully to drop Vink. “I sat behind Vink. We tried to get rid of him in the finish, but he is very strong, we didn’t quite manage.” Olympian Shane Archbold led the rest of the field home 40 seconds later.
It could be a Node‐4 repeat in the criterium tomorrow, with Cronshaw certain he has plenty left in the tank for tomorrow’s race.

“It is supposed to be quite a technical course, so that suits me quite well.” Cronshaw has been savouring the New Zealand weather and scenery before he heads home to England on Wednesday.

Further Information: www.festivalofcycling.co.nz

Elite Men (90km):
1. Matthew Cronshaw (Node 4) 2:02:06,
2. Michael Vink (Christchurch)
3. Mike Northey (Auckland) 2:02:06,
4. Shane Archbold (Timaru) 2:02:47,
5. Aaron Gate (Auckland) 2:02:48,

 

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