Hawkes Bay rider Jeremy Vennell has won the time trial at the national road cycling championships in Te Awamutu.
Vennell, who races for Team Bissell in Europe, edged out Atlanta Olympian Robin Reid by 22 seconds on the 40-kilometre race from Reid with his fellow Nelson clubmate Chris Nicholson, the former Olympic speed skater, third.
Cambridge rider Melissa Holt successfully defended her title in the 25-kilometre elite women's race.
Holt, who will defend her road race title on Saturday, won the time trial by nearly a minute from fellow Waikato rider Sonia Waddell, the former Olympic rower.
Southland's Dale Tye was third.
Taranaki's Michael Torckler took out the under-23 men's honours by just four seconds from Waikato's Ryan Wills.
The elite women's road race over 120 starts at 1pm tomorrow and the 180km men's race on Sunday from 10am.
