8 Dec 2008

Olympic Medallist Wins Cut throat Criterium

6:39 am on 8 December 2008

The Beijing Olympic cycling medallist Wesley Gough won overall honours at the New Zealand Criterium Championships in Christchurch.

Gough followed on from his win in the criterium in Taupo last week and held off his Beijing pursuit team-mate Marc Ryan in the final sprint.

He claims the under-23 national honours while Ryan takes the elite title and third placed Tim Scully is the under-19 champion.

Serena Sheridan won the women's championship from Australian Ruth Corsett and Saturday's road race winner Catherine Cheatley.

A record field of more than 50 riders took part in the men's race in central Christchurch. The field included the Olympic team pursuit medallists among an exceptionally strong field.

Emma Peterson won the women's under-19 championship while John Atkins won the under-17 men's honours.