Auckland’s James Oram, one of the senior leaders in the burgeoning Bolton Equities Black Spoke cycling team, had the rare chance to stand on top of the podium in today’s men’s road race at Cycling New Zealand’s Elite Road National Championships in Tokoroa.
The 29-year-old, who won a world championship time trial medal over a decade ago, edged out teammate Ryan Christensen in the sprint finish in the 178km race.
Their 21-year-old teammate Logan Currie powered up to the select four-strong lead group, and then edged WorldTour rider Reuben Thompson (Groupama FDJ) on the line to nab third outright, but win the under-23 road title to go with the time trial victory on Friday.
The elite race was a clean sweep for the Black Spoke team with Tom Sexton claiming third in the elite category.
“The team was the key to the victory today. The boys rode perfectly. We had a plan to have numbers in the moves. The boys were extremely strong,” said Oram.
“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.
“For me it is a dream come true. You dream about it every day. 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.”
Oram said much of the success needed to go to the Bolton Equities Black Spoke backers.
“Murray and Talei have backed this team from the get-go and have been providing opportunities for kiwi cyclists overseas since 2020. Now for the team to be Pro Continental not only shows their backing, but the strength and qualities of the riders we have. We will be a force to be reckoned with.”
On a day of mixed weather, the impending weather-bomb held off, with cool and damp conditions for the seven-lap loop around the Mossop Rd circuit providing a stern test for all.
A group broke away early, with Black Spoke well represented with Christensen, Sexton and an-ill James Fouche along with Thompson. They pushed out to a lead of over four minutes on the main peloton although a splinter group, including Oram and 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.
Results:
Elite Male, 178km: James Oram (Bolton Equities Black Spoke) 4:31.54, 1; Ryan Christensen (Bolton Equities Black Spoke) same time, 2; Tom Sexton (Bolton Equities Black Spoke) @53s, 3.
Under-23: Logan Currie (Bolton Equities Black Spoke) 4:32.16, 1; Reuben Thompson (Groupama FDJ) same time, 2; Oliver Grave (MitoQ – NZ Cycling Project) at 1s, 3.