Trek Factory Racing professional Anton Cooper claimed the men’s race to record his eighth straight elite men’s Oceania title while Samara Maxwell stamped her class on the elite women’s field in her first year at the top level.

Cooper, the world no 15 ranked rider, produced a dominant display, going to the front from the gun, to open a narrow lead by the end of the first lap. He extended on each of the seven laps, going on to win in 1hr 22mins 33secs, nearly three minutes ahead of Australian runner-up Sam Fox with Rotorua’s Caleb Bottcher third in his best international result.

"Eight on the bounce - I don't know if I ever expected to get to that point. I am starting to think about doing 10. It was an awesome day,” said Cooper.

"Racing here last year was a real challenge. I certainly wasn't on my best form after glandular fever and I felt quite lucky to win the race, but this year the form was good. I'm really happy with how I felt today and happy with how I was riding and look forward to the World Cups. The course was really good for me, with some steep punchy climbs and suits me pretty well."

Results, UCI Oceania Championships, Male, elite: Anton Cooper (NZL, Trek Factory) 1h22m33s, 1; Sam Fox (AUS) at 2m55s, 2; Caleb Bottcher (NZL) at 5m15s, 3.

Under-23: Ethan Rose (NZL, Trek Future) 1h11m49s, 1; Joel Dodds (AUS) at 1m49s, 2; Jack Ward (AUS) at 4:35.07, 32. Also NZers: Coen Nicol at 5:08, 4.

Junior (U19): Fletcher Adams (NZL) 1h04m15s, 1; Harry Dodds (AUS) at 45s, 2; Hunter Adams (NZL) at 1:02.28, 3. Also NZers: Nate Beard at 7:46,9; Lachlan McKnight at 15:17, 13.

Female, elite: Samara Maxwell (NZL, Decathlon Ford) 1:21.47, 1; Zoe Cuthbert (AUS) at 5:37, 2; Rebecca Henderson (AUS) at 6:39, 3.

Under-19: Millie Donald (NZL) 1:04.13, 1; Amelie Burrell (AUS) at 37s, 2; Caitlyn Brazier (AUS) at 50s, 3.

Caption: Anton Cooper in action at the recent New Zealand championships. (Credit: Blissfield Photography)

Details: www.cyclingnewzealand.nz