George Bennett produced a dominant performance to become the first rider to win a National Championships for NSN Cycling Team as he soloed to win the New Zealand road race title in Rotoorangi on Saturday.
Bennett previously won the title five years ago, and he matched that impressive display again today, backed up by the help of teammates Corbin Strong, Dion Smith, and NSN Devo Team rider Kiaan Watts.
The 35-year-old went on the attack on lap four of the 20-lap, 188-kilometer race, and formed part of a seven-man lead group.
After Strong, Smith, and Watts had expertly controlled any potential counter-moves from an ever-shrinking peloton, Bennett went solo around 40 kilometers from the line and beat runner-up Josh Burnett by 41 seconds.
“It’s a really big honor to win and wear the jersey in Europe, and I’m just super excited to have the opportunity again,” said Bennett. “I’m really thankful to the other three boys we had here in the race – everyone wants to win the nationals, and they made big sacrifices so I could wear the jersey, so I’m really grateful for that.
“It was a pretty delicate race, and we had four guys in there, so there was pressure on us to get it right.
“I picked the right move early, and we were able to sort of play the numbers game. The other three boys were just awesome back in the peloton, covering everything, and it took a lot of pressure off me.
“I went early at the end because I was pretty worried about bringing people to the finish line, because it was a really flat course, and I didn’t really back myself in a sprint.
“Luckily, the whole day was just raced really hard, and the wheels sort of came off the group. I still had some legs and, yeah, I just got really fortunate with how the race unfolded.”
Head DS and Bennett’s fellow Kiwi Sam Bewley was on the ground in Rotoorangi to help manage the team to its third victory of the season so far.
Bewley said: “It was great to see George win today, he is extremely passionate about this sport, and especially about wearing the Silver Fern.
“George had a tough year last year, for multiple reasons, so for him to start 2026 with this win is very special, and a little emotional for us all.”
Photos: (C) Cycling New Zealand / Ethan Verner Photography