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New Zealand road champion celebrates by flipping the bird

Jason Christie won his second career title but his celebration was unsavoury

Jason Christie
January 9, 2018
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Jason Christie outsprinted his rivals by a convincing margin to win the New Zealand national road race championship title on Sunday in Napier on the northern island of the country. The race was hard fought with three riders, including Christie, requiring to bridge to a lone leader in the final 30 km.

While Christie appeared ecstatic to win his second career title, the celebration turned unsavoury towards its end. Upon crossing the line to take his second career national title, Christie first fist pumps multiple times before posting up. He then looks back and then raises both his middle fingers pointed behind him.

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The race unfolded over 171 km in Napier in North New Zealand. A strong field lined-up but in the final it was a group of four that would contest the win. Christie would take the win in the sprint, Hayden McCormick of One Pro Cycling finished second, Michael Torckler who crossed the line third after a solo effort in the final 30 km and George Bennett of LottoNL-Jumbo who is no sprinter and finished fourth.

Last year, second place rider McCormick gave the finger to the rider who beat him at an early season crit and had to apologize for his actions. It doesn’t appear Christie will face any disciplinary action and he hasn’t yet apologized.

Christie took the win after finishing second in the time trial a few days earlier. His first road title came in 2016. His prep heading into the road race didn’t give him confidence.

“I crashed pretty heavy on Friday, and it hasn’t been so pleasant the last couple of days,” Christie said following the race.

“I also had the vomiting bug a week ago which also knocked me around a bit as well. It’s amazing really. I did not think I would have a chance today. But I rode smart and put myself in a position to win,” Christie said.

“I think it was probably the best field ever for these championships and so to win it is pretty special,” he said. In 2017, Christie rode for Team Sapura Cycling but currently does not have a confirmed team for 2018.