The New Zealand Black Spoke cycling team took a clean sweep at Cycling New Zealand's Elite Road National Championships in Tokoroa.
Black Spoke's James Oram wins stage one of the 2023 NZ Cycle Classic. Photo: Dave Lintott/Lintott Photography
James Oram won today's elite men's road race, edging out team-mate Ryan Christensen in the sprint finish in the 178km race, while Tom Sexton claimed third.
Their 21-year-old team-mate Logan Currie won the under-23 road title to go with the time trial victory on Friday.
Oram, one of the senior leaders in the burgeoning Black Spoke cycling team, won a world championship time trial medal over a decade ago.
The 29-year-old said the team was the key to the victory.
"Coming into the final sprint we couldn't have asked for a better scenario. Currie coming across in that last lap was super-human, and then take the under-23 as well.
"One-two-three across the line and the under-23 and elite jerseys for Bolton Equities - if you had said that at the start of the day we would have been laughing."
Oram said it was a dream come true.
"To wear the national champ's jersey for the rest of the year now is quite emotional - it is truly special. I am looking forward to getting to Europe and see what we can do with it."
On a day of mixed weather, a group broke away early, with Black Spoke well represented with Christensen, Sexton and an-ill James Fouche along with Reuben Thompson.
They pushed out to a lead of over four minutes on the main peloton although a splinter group, including Oram and Luke Mudgway, bridged up to join the front bunch.
The peloton, pushed along with a powerful display from 2021 champion George Bennett (UAE Team Emirates), closed to within 90 seconds before the front group turned up the wick to ensure they would decide the outcome of the race.
