Gardner (17) finished with a mighty kick to win the under-19 men’s road race at the New Zealand age group championships in Hokitika at the weekend.
The versatile rider, who had previously won national under-17 time trial and criterium titles, faced a challenging field in an event stacked with talented riders with eyes on professional contracts with European teams.
Gardner, in his first year in the age group, had trained specifically for the earlier 25km time trial.
He appeared to have the gold medal in the bag in that race but was undone by a puncture and withdrew 4km from home.
Two days later, he broke away with two other riders on the first two laps of the 130km road race.
They were reeled in on lap three but Gardner again seized his opportunity towards the end of the fourth and final lap.
His kick was too strong and he flew across the line to claim the national champion’s jersey.
Other Otago riders showed class, grit and determination in their various age classes.
The 21-strong contingent amassed 12 medals to place fifth on the medal table.
Time trial medals came from Michael Knapp, Jan Brosnahan (both silver), Caroline Cook, Sam Medlicott and Jacob Grieve (bronze).
The road races proved a happy hunting ground.
In their respective age groups, Brosnahan sprinted for gold, Jen Hodgson moved into a breakaway for gold, Geoff Keogh and Andy Connelly claimed silver and Michaela Rogan was third.
Grieve, a bronze medallist in the time trial behind his identical twin, came into the road race finishing chute a fraction behind his brother to claim silver.
Grieve’s sons, Joshua and Daniel, also performed well in their first championship outing, no doubt gaining inspiration from Dad.
Keogh, a seasoned campaigner, has picked up gold in each age category over the years, and will attempt to continue this tradition next year.
