Finn Fisher-Black has become New Zealands champion in the individual time trial. The 23-year-old completed the course, which was quite profiled, faster than anyone else and secured his first championship title in the elite category. Laurence Pithie was the second Red Bull - BORA - hansgrohe athlete to start over the 37.4 kilometres and finished fifth.
The course with almost 500 metres of elevation gain around Timaru on the east coast of New Zealand's southern island suited Fisher-Black's qualities. Three years ago, he competed in the national elite time trial for the first time and finished fifth. Now it worked out with the first championship jersey.
“It was a really hard time trial to pace with the four hard climbs in the course and the windy and rainy conditions, but we came up with a pacing plan that worked really well and I was able to dig deep all the way until the line. I got to the halfway point and still felt I could do another half an hour. I gave a nod to Shane. From there I knew I was on a good day”, Fisher-Black said. “This is my first national title in the elites, it’s a jersey that I’ve won in my junior and u23 years and one I’m always proud to wear so it’s really special to be able to bring this jersey to my new team and to give it a home in the WorldTour again.”
And there is another chance for Fisher-Black to win a jersey, as he will compete in the road race on saturday. "It's a super strong field this year – almost every New Zealand pro is racing so it will be a tough one.” By now he has already given Red Bull - BORA - hansgrohe its first national title of the season - and the first in the team's history in New Zealand.
Photo: Aiman Amerul / Cycling New Zealand