Tom Findlay NZ Under 23 Champion

Jan 10th, 10.

Tom Findlay climbing Dyers Pass Road ©RoadCycling.co.nz

"Today I felt like I was flying, I am stoked!" Bici Vida's Findlay said after his fantastic winning ride.

He rode home in the lead group with Jack Bauer, Julian Dean and Hayden Roulston in the final race of the Elite National Championships held in Christchurch.

While the other three were sprinting for the title of Elite Road Champion,  18 year old Findlay rolled over the line behind them with his hands in the air to take the title of New Zealand Under 23 National Champion.

Findlay rode a strong race following every move the big guns made.  When the select group caught Subway Avanti's 18 year old Michael Vink, who had been out in front solo for the vast majority of the race, the Palmerston North based rider knew the jersey was there to win.

While the attrition of the tough course took its toll on many in the field, the Palmerston North based rider finished in the leading quartet.

"We rode hard every climb and eventually the bunch just whittled down until there were only four of us," said Findlay who suffered cramps during the final stages of the race.

"We were coming into the last lap, and I was cramping badly along the flats. I was thinking it wasn't going to be my day. I thought I would try to push through it," Findlay told RoadCycling.co.nz.

Once through the start/finish line for the bell lap, Findlay's cramping was easing but it soon returned as they headed up the Dyers Pass Road climb one final time.

"They dropped me by 100m, but I managed to crawl my way back by half way up, by putting in a max effort, and got back on the descent," he said.

"Roly and Julz just wound it up on that last lap, and I hung on as best I could."

James Williamson, Tom Findlay, Matt Marshall ©RoadCycling.co.nz

The leading group of four were closely followed by Heath Blackgrove, James Williamson and Matt Marshall, the later two contenders for the U23 title.

"I was worried about the jersey, so I sat on the front for the last 5km, while the other guys [Dean and Roulston] played cat and mouse the whole time," said Findlay.

The effort paid off with Findlay completing the 12 lap course in a time of 4h48m45s to become the Under 23 National Champion.

Williamson and Marshall crossed the line 32 seconds back.

Findlay was lost for words to describe what this win means to him.

"It's still sinking in. I am over the moon. The best result.  This is the hardest course I have ridden, my legs have never been this sore," he said.

Findlay with Roman van Uden in support ©RoadCycling.co.nz

This event has been the focus for Findlay with a targeted training program designed to prepare him for the tough Canterbury course.

"It's all I have been doing. 20 x 1.5km climbs, repeat, repeat, repeat, just to get used to it," he said.

"Today I felt like I was flying, and I am stoked."

Findlay rides for the Bici Vida team who started with eight riders across the Elite and U23 classifications.

"The team was great. Bici Vida rode a very good race," Findlay said.

"The team held good position, always around to support me, and feed me with bottles."

Today's title is the second major Under 23 title Findlay has won this season.  He was the Under 23 Champion in the PowerNet Tour of Southland in November.

More articles about today's action...

• 2010 NZ Elite Champion - Jack Bauer
• Raboplus Elite National Championships results