Wānaka teen cyclist takes top spot at national event

Jan 27, 2023

A Wānaka teen has this week ridden to victory at Cycling New Zealand's national criterium championships in Palmerston North.

Muireann Green finished first in the under-19 category of the event.

She narrowly held off Ruby Spring, of Auckland.

The race was dominated by members of the Black Magic team, which had four riders in addition to Miss Green in the top five spots.

There were 120 riders competing in six age groups in the event, which was staged on a unique course inside Palmerston North's university.

Next on the Mount Aspiring College pupil's race schedule is Tokoroa, where she'll battle for the under-19 individual time trial and the road race titles.

Her goal: a trifecta.

Main image (Craig Butland Photography): Wānaka student and Black Magic Women Cycling rider Muireann Green digs in during a section of uphill climb during a training camp based in Wānaka in 2022.