UCI Competition provides key litmus test for Kiwi riders

The Olympic qualifying event in Cambridge this week has provided an ideal litmus test for New Zealand cycling coaches as they plot their path to the 2016 Rio Olympics and beyond.
The world and Commonwealth champion sprinters led the way with some excellent results, while there was encouraging efforts from proven and promising endurance riders in the three-day event at the Avantidrome. It was the first event to offer qualifying points towards the Rio Olympics, attracting riders from Australia, USA, Malaysia, Ireland, Canada and the Czech Republic.
BikeNZ head track coach Dayle Cheatley said the timing of the UCI event this week has been ideal.
“Across the board it has been a good competition to have coming off the break to sort out where we need to go from here,” Cheatley said. “Overall given the heavy training block the team had and coming back after a three week break, the results have been encouraging and an excellent lead in to the Oceania Championships in three weeks.”
Cheatley gave a pass mark in general this week, buoyed also with the imminent return of a number of endurance riders after their road season.
“Across the board our sprinters were there or thereabouts and only just off their personal bests, with Eddie the exception today with his New Zealand record. Aaron Gate not far off his best in the pursuit which is the area he is working on at present. The women sprinters and endurance riders are showing improvement.”
Cheatley said that the Oceania Championships in Adelaide stands as a key test, with a full strength team of more than 30 riders expected to be selected. The event is a full world championship schedule but over four days, one less than the world championships.
Cheatley was also impressed with some younger riders including the junior world championship winners Regan Gough and Luke Mudgway and also the development of Auckland sprinter Zac Williams.
In early race action today, Southland sprinter Eddie Dawkins set the fans buzzing with a New Zealand record in sprint qualifying.
Australian Jacob Schmid, the fastest qualifier in the sprint on the opening day, made history as the first person to go under the 10 second barrier at the Avantidrome with his brilliant 9.974 effort. Dawkins, responding to the challenge, clocked 9.873s to set the fastest time in New Zealand by a New Zealander.
The only upset of the first round was when Williams beat off team sprint world champion Ethan Mitchell, but Williams showed that was no fluke when he repeated the dose to Dawkins to win the quarterfinal.
New Zealand star in the making, Regan Gough impressively won the men’s 40km points race. The 18 year old, who won two junior titles including points at the recent world championships, dominated, putting a lap on the field and going on to win with 46 points from Aaron Gate on 32.
Australian star Ashlee Ankudinoff continued on her winning way to claim the women’s 10km scratch race, rolling over fellow Aussie Rebecca Wiasak. In other racing, Australian Caitlin Ward was fastest qualifier in the women’s sprint in 11.368 ahead of New Zealand champion Stephanie McKenzie (11.498).
Image: Commonwealth Games representative Steph McKenzie in action during qualifying in the women’s sprint. Credit: Dianne Manson.