Mike Northey Wins Auckland Criterium Champs 2nd year in a row

New addition to the Land Rover-ORBEA squad, Mike Northey successfully defended his Auckland Criterium title from 2008 with a win for 2009

The men’s Championship was loaded with talent with the maximum field limit reached well within the week preceding the event. The pace off the line set the tone for the opening laps with the riders scorching into the turns making it near impossible to break clear.

It wasn't until after Mavic prime 3 that a group formed off the front with Stu Williams showing his intentions of taking a six rider group clear containing Northey, Aaron Strong and Karl Murray. With the break committed at staying clear of the pelotons clutches the heart rates were through the roof, in a matter of three laps the break was down to three well known names on the Auckland scene, Northey, Strong and Murray. These three rode like professionals sharing the efforts every lap and steadily building their lead, at three to go they were within closing distance on the peloton and only here did they pace ease as the tactics became a factor.

Mike outsrpinted everyone at the line for the win.