Ella Wyllie Makes History by Winning the New Zealand Elite Road Race Championship
Following her impressive victory, 21-year-old cyclist Ella Wyllie has emerged as the new women’s elite New Zealand Road Race Championship titleholder. Wyllie demonstrated her prowess by claiming the U23 Individual Time Trial earlier, indicating her strong form. Her victory in the championship race showcased her strategic patience and tactical prowess, as she launched an effective final lap maneuver, ultimately securing the win in a tight sprint to the finish line.
Ella Wyllie, expressing her joy and gratitude for the win, stated, “It was a race of attrition and I stayed patient and alert all day. We had five laps of a circuit and I tested my legs on the short climb a couple times. I held back until the last lap to fully unleash, to wear down the last of us coming into the final four kilometres. It came down to three of us in a sprint and I backed myself. I’m so stoked to pull it off! All thanks to learnings from a great Aussie summer of racing.”
As a new recruit, Wyllie’s triumphant start to the season bodes well for her future in the European peloton, where she will compete as a WorldTour professional. Her victory has brought the prestigious silver fern back to GreenEDGE Cycling, signifying a promising start to her professional career.
Wyllie’s success exemplifies her determination and skill, and she expressed her gratitude by acknowledging, “I’ll be very honored to wear the silver fern in the European peloton. Thanks to all who played a part in this result, it takes a village! And last but not least all of the event organizers and marshalls for putting on a great event here in New Zealand and keeping us safe on the road.”
2024 New Zealand Road Championships Results:
– Ella Wyllie (Liv AlUla Jayco) 3:28:28
– Kim Cadzow ST
– Samara Maxwell 0:01
