Williams and Bennett back to defend national titles

Leading cyclists Georgia Williams and George Bennett have confirmed they’ll will defend their titles at the national road cycling champs in Camrbidge in February.

The pair will compete in both time trial and road race at the championships.

Williams, 28, will be looking at the championships as a springboard into the international season after dominating both the time trial and road race in Cambridge this year.

George Bennett and Georgia Williams celebrate their 2021 wins in Cambridge.


Photo: Cycling NZ

Williams, from Auckland, will be chasing her fourth time trial win in five years, which will bring her level with Melissa Holt as four-time winners, while she will look for her third road race victory to bring her equal with Holt and Cath Cheatley and one behind the recently retired Rushlee Buchanan for most wins.

Bennett will be heading into his 12th season on the WorldTour, moving to the high-profile UAE-Team Emirates after seven years with Team Jumbo-Visma.

The Nelson rider enjoyed a breakthrough victory in Cambridge this year and the noted climber will no doubt faces his chances of going back to back over the 144kms course which traverses Maungakawa climb four times.

-RNZ