CLOSE CALL: Canterbury's Jeannie Blakemore takes evasive action as a poodle runs across the path of the elite women's race at the national cycling championships in Christchurch.

A poodle narrowly avoided causing a peloton pile-up during the 2015 national road race championships in Christchurch.

Several competitors in the elite women's road race on Saturday, including Canterbury rider Jeannie Blakemore took evasive action, swerving to avoid the spectator's dog as they headed up Dyers Pass Rd, Press photographer Iain McGregor said. "It was definitely a near miss," he said.

The poodle's owner joined thousands of spectators to cheer entrants in the city's Port Hills.

Joe Cooper, 29, won yesterday's men's race. His team-mates, Tom Davison and Jason Christie, finished second and third.

Christchurch rider Hamish Schreurs won the under-23 race.

Commonwealth gold medallist Linda Villumsen took a decisive victory in the women's road race. Christchurch's Sharlotte Lucas claimed silver.

There was criticism of the small women's field with only seven of the 16 starters completing Saturday's race. Kiwi track star, and 2015 time trial champion, Jaime Nielsen withdrew halfway through the race, citing heat stroke.

The race has been held on a Cashmere hills circuit since 2010, with thousands of spectators lining the route. It will be held in Napier for the next three years.