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.
![]() |
Cronshaw, who supported his Kiwi Node 4 teamâ€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 Ellermâ€Norton (Benchmark Homes), Vink, Grayson Napier and Geertâ€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 Nodeâ€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,
Other Results on VeloUK (including reports containing results)
- Features, Reports, Results
- TT Result: Southern Counties CU 10m TT
- TT Result: Gillingham & Dist Whs Hardriders
- TT Result: Southern Counties CU 25m TT
- Startlist: Azets Spring Classic
- SUNDAY: CiCLE Classic (Women/Junior Men)
- The Pedal Club: March Report
- Sportive raising money for charity: Dartmoor Classic
- TT Result: Maidenhead & District CC 15m TT
- TT Result: Manchester & District TTA Time Trial
- TT Result: Cardiff Ajax CC 10m TT
- TT Result: Yorkshire Cycling Federation 10m TT
- TT Result: Pendle Forest CC Hilly TT
- TT Result: Plomesgate CC 10m TT
- Crit Results: Exeter University Early Season Crits
- Crit Result: March Hare Classic
- Crit Result: Haus RT Darley Moor #3
- Crit Result: No Nonsense Circuit Races 1
- Crit Result: Spring MK Bowl Circuit Series
- RR Result: Halesowen Academy Road Race
- Track Result: First Division Manchester Track League
- Crit Result: LUCC Spring Crit Series 2
- Crit Result: Spokes RT Season Starter 2
- TT Result: Banbury Star CC Hardriders TT
- TT Result: Tavistock Whs Sporting TT
- TT Result: Maldon & District CC Hilly TT
- HC Result: Darlington CC Hill Climb
- TT Result: Barrow Central Wheelers 20.2m TT
- TT Result: GTR – Return To Life Two Up TT
- Crit Result: Brownlee Centre (Leeds)
- RR Result: The Peaks Two Day (Day 2)
- RR Result: The Peaks Two Day (Day 1)
- Classic News: 63rd Wally Gimber trophy
- Product News: Time Trial Tyre
- Crit Result: Westpoint Youth Stage Race
- Video Interviews 2023: Ollie Peckover
- British Road Championships at Redcar/Saltburn
- TT Result: Southern Counties CU 21m TT
- Track Result: First Division Manchester Track League
- Crit Result: Full Gas Spring Rumble Series #2
- TT Result: City RC Hull 2-Up TTT
Other News on VeloUK
- Startlist: Azets Spring Classic
- SUNDAY: CiCLE Classic (Women/Junior Men)
- The Pedal Club: March Report
- Sportive raising money for charity: Dartmoor Classic
- Classic News: 63rd Wally Gimber trophy
- Product News: Time Trial Tyre
- British Road Championships at Redcar/Saltburn
- STARTLIST: Junior Men/Women’s CiCLE Classic
- Entry List: The Peaks 2 Day (18/19 March)
- News: Conti’s Strongest GP 5000 Tyre
- Startlist: Harold H Nelson Memorial Day of Racing
- Team News: Halesowen A & CC Academy 2023
- News: Saint Piran Women to go UCI
- NEWS: 2023/24 Cyclocross National Trophy/Champs
- Startlists: Proper North Road Race Series (Capenwray)
- 61st Eddie Soens – Rider List
- World Masters Track Championships 2023
- News: Contiki support women’s cycling initiative
- EVENTS: Portsmouth’s Mountbatten Centre
- News: Ribble Launch Collective to Ride As One
- Startlist: 39th Jock Wadley Memorial RR
- News: 3 weeks to Women’s & Junior Men’s CiCLE Classics
- News: New Moda Bikes for Cycling Sheffield
- News: The Pedal Club Lunch (February)
- News: Alice Towers Debuts for Canyon/SRAM
- Startlist: VC St Raphael Classic TT
- News: Trinity Announces 2023 Team
- News: Cycling Brands LTD to Launch Crowdfunding Campaign
- Q&A with young organiser James Hawkins
- Q&A: Erin Murphy (Alba Dev Road Team)
- Team Feature: Hutchinson/Brother UK
- Events: Spring MK Bowl Circuit Series
- Events: RCR Fatcreations Road Race
- Team News: DAS Handsling Women’s UCI Team
- News: GB for European Track Championships
- Q&A: Sophie Lankford (Alba Team)
- News: Rayner Foundation’s Gateway Project
- News: Star Names Sign up for Saint Piran 05/03 Team
- News: 58th Perfs Pedal RR
- News: GB Team for CX Worlds