Track riders earn Benchmark stage success

Archbold racing in Germany ©ROTH-FOTO

Oct 9th, 11. He is the World #1 ranked Omnium track rider, and after a season racing the roads of Europe Shane Archbold showed New Zealand his top form by taking a Benchmark win yesterday.

The 22 year old returned from his international road season with a pile of podium finishes, a stage win and a Sprint title.

Far from taking a break when he landed back in the country, he went straight into a five week training phase ahead of what he hopes will be the first of many Olympic track camps later this month.

In yesterday's race, the 5th Parry Field Lawyers Open, Round 3 of the Benchmark Homes Series in Cust, Archbold (Reiker Cycles) slipped away from the peloton in a break of 11 riders.

The break included NZ U23 Road Champion Michael Vink (Thule) and previous Benchmark Homes stage winners Sam Horgan and Thomas Hubbard (Subway).

The group battled cold, wet conditions in the Canterbury foothills to gain a lead margin of 5min. Knowing their lead was secure, attention turned to who would take stage victory.

In the last quarter of the race the tempo increased considerably and over the final sharp climb the group reduced to just seven contenders.

Archbold's lethal track sprint proved too much for his companions - he crossed the line first to take his fourth Benchmark Homes win.

Archbold in Omnium track mode ©Guy Swarbrick

"The course wasn't hard, but the conditions were tough," said Archbold. 

"It's great to take my fourth Benchmark Homes Tour win. Heading into the Omnium national champs its nice to know that my form is coming."

Dylan Kennett (Team Orbea), another top Omnium rider who won the bronze medal at the UCI Junior World Track Championships in August, placed 2nd.

Continuing the track theme, Lauren Ellis (Warmup-Pushbikes) was the winning woman.

Ellis is part of NZ's team pursuit squad and has also returned from a period of road racing overseas.

The People's Champion Gordon McCauley (Moa Hunters) narrowly claimed the masters win from Mark Spessott (Team Cycleworkz.)

Round 3 stage results ...

The final round of the 2011 Benchmark Homes Cycling Tour will be raced in Oxford on 19th November.