Two-time Olympic rowing champion Hamish Bond has smoked the field to reclaim the men's time-trial crown at the NZ road cycling championships in Cambridge.
Bond's Olympic rowing aspirations are currently in limbo, after his eight failed to qualify for Tokyo last year, leaving him without an obvious boat, after he was selected in the wider 'sweep' squad.
The 34-year-old was a late starter for Friday's time trial, but blitzed the field by 15 seconds, topping New Zealand representative and Grand Tour contender George Bennett.
Rowing New Zealand granted Bond leave to compete at the nationals, opening the door for the Commonwealth Games bronze medallist to stake an Olympic claim on the bike.
Bond previously won the national title in 2018, but switched back to the water, after setting an NZ record for 4000m individual pursuit and missing selection for the world track championships.
The men's eight still have a chance to book their spot at Tokyo in a 'last chance' regatta in Switzerland in May.
