The Te Awamutu cyclist Rushlee Buchanan has won her first national road racing title.
The 21-year-old national criterion champion, who races in the United States, took charge of the 123km race in Christchurch at the halfway stage.
Former Dane, Linda Villumsen, who has switched her allegiance to New Zealand, finished 3min 6sec behind Buchanan.
Auckland's Kaytee Boyd was third.
The men's race over 186kms on the same course is on today.
