cycling: Australia & New Zealand: These are the new champions

Cycling: The clocks tick differently in Australia and New Zealand. While in Europe the new champions are not crowned until June, the champions here receive their jerseys in January. Just in time for the Tour Down Under, they can already present their new vests. We've got all the winners for you - and there's even a former rower hiding underneath. In addition, there were four hat-tricks in Australia.

Australian Dennis like from another world

In Australia, the number 3 was to play an important role in the 2018 National Championships. Two pros managed a hat trick in the time trial. Rohan Dennis (BMC) once again didn't give his opponents a chance. He won by over a minute ahead of Luke Durbridge (Mitchelton-Scott) and Richie Porte (BMC).

Rohan Dennis: "I'm pretty happy. It was a very different race than last year in terms of preparation. Having been in Europe for much longer, my biggest concern was the heat and how I would cope. I'm glad that I did well and brought the win home."

Rohan Dennis smashes Australian Time Trial Championships https://t.co/WViLWQQLYZ pic.twitter.com/5fXdJdRzDP

— Bike World News (@bikeworldnews) 6 January 2018

Gigante gigantic & a native of Munich wins in Australia

There was also a hat trick for the women. Born in Munich Katrin Garfoot passed no fewer than five riders who had started ahead of her and won by a margin of 2:29 over Lucy Kennedy (Mitchelton-Scott). A gigantic achievement also succeeded Sarah Giant - what else? She also won the junior women's time trial and road race by criterium. The next Australian top athlete seems to be coming our way. Rebecca Wiasak Surprisingly triumphed in the criterium among the women in the elite class. A bitter bankruptcy for the Australian team Mitchelton-Scott. Things went better in the final road race, where Alexandra Manley (Mitchelton-Scott) secured the jersey.

Congratulations to @alexedmo 🏆🙌 #roadnats pic.twitter.com/7lDJeJIO9A

— Cycling Australia (@CyclingAus) 7 January 2018

In the future, Edmondson will take the championship jersey for a walk

Caleb ewan (Mitchelton-Scott) also had reason to celebrate. The sprinter won the criterium for the third year in a row on Wednesday. Things didn't go so well for him in the road race on the night from Saturday to Sunday in our time. Crowds of fans lined the roadside at Mount Buninyong. The BMC controlled race was decided in a thrilling escape. After a breakaway group could Alexander Edmondson (Mitchelton-Scott) and Chris Harper (Bennelong SwissWellness Cycling Team p/b Cervelo) solve. After that, the gap got smaller and smaller. Finally, the 24-year-old Edmondson saved his lead by a few meters in front of the chasing pack to the finish. Jay McCarthy (Bora-hansgrohe) sprinted past his escape companion in second place.

A rower becomes New Zealand time trial champion in cycling

New Zealand is certainly not considered a cycling nation. Still, we do find a few pros from the South Pacific island nation on the WorldTour. Among others, George Bennett (LottoNL-Jumbo), Patrick Bevin (BMC) and Jack Bauer (Mitchelton-Scott) hail from this country. However, all three went away empty-handed at the 2018 New Zealand Championships. Bauer was absent due to illness. He was the time trial title of Hamish Bond cheated. The 31-year-old is well known in the sports world, having been world champion eight times and Olympic champion twice – albeit in rowing. Now he has literally switched gears and didn't give the competition a chance on the road either. Second-placed Michael Vink (Brisbane Continental) was just under a minute and a half slower.

#RoadNats 🇳🇿 / 🇳🇿 Hamish Bond, troisième l'an passé, a décorché le titre de champion de Nouvelle-Zélande du chrono.

🥇 🇳🇿 Hamish Bond (-) in 50'50"
🥈 🇳🇿 Michael Vink (BCC) à 1'29"
🥉 🇳🇿 Jason Christie (-) à 1'38" pic.twitter.com/hDPgU8AcBy

— Chronique du Vélo (@ChroniqueDuVelo) 5 January 2018

New Zealand's pros & the U23s in one race

The road races in New Zealand are held simultaneously by the elite class and the U23 in one competition. Georgia Williams (Mitchelton-Scott) was – as in the time trial – ahead of the women. As the third-placed and thus best lady of the U23 came Grace Anderson (Team Illuminate) to the finish. For men, 2018 Jason Christie slip on the jersey. It is questionable whether he will ever be able to present it in front of running TV cameras. The 27-year-old currently has no professional team. He left Hayden McCormick (One Pro Cycling) and Michael Torckler behind. James Fouche secured the title in the U23.