McCauley, Holt Stake Games Claims in RaboPlus National Cycling

Experienced Gordon McCauley and Melissa Holt staked their claims for inclusion in the Commonwealth Games when they upset more fancied rivals to win the time trial at the RaboPlus National Elite Road Cycling Championships in Christchurch today.

McCauley (Subway Avanti, Auckland) added a third men’s time trial title to his five national road race wins, while Holt (Cambridge) made it three national time trials titles in a row. Both believe that today’s wins, on a flat but windy course at Lincoln University.
McCauley qualified as the final rider, which he says gave him the edge, producing a superb 50m 10s for the 40km distance, the fastest time recorded for a national time trial championship. He finished nearly a minute clear of 2007 champion Jeremy Vennell (Hawkes Bay) with Olympic pursuit medallist Marc Ryan (Timaru) third.
“I am pretty stoked with that. While I am defending the road race title on Sunday, for me the nationals was all about the time trial today,” McCauley said.
“Time trialling is my strength and this flat course suited me. I have put my hand up for the Commonwealth Games with the course in New Delhi also flat. “
McCauley, who won a bronze medal in the discipline at the Melbourne Commonwealth Games, says he believes he is capable of a second medal.
“I prepared really well. I’ve been training on the course and had a really good performance.”
He is not confident of repeating his success in Sunday’s road championships.
“The course is much tougher and today was my focus. My aim on Sunday will be to ride for my Subway Avanti team-mates although if the opportunity presents itself, I’ll have a go.”
Holt, the former European-based professional, has been mixing cycling with triathlon in recent years, competing in the Ironman World Championships in Hawaii last year.
She was thoroughly impressive to record 35:51 over the 25km distance to finish 40 seconds clear of world individual pursuit champion Alison Shanks, with world tile trial bronze medallist, Linda Villumsen third.
Holt said that today’s win was her best.
“It was the best of the three wins because of the calibre of the riders that was here,” Holt said. “I’ve been riding well and it’s nice to know that if you do the hard work, they it pays off.”
The Athens Olympian is hopeful her performance will give her a real shot at selection for New Delhi.
“I really hope so. Today was not my best performance yet. I think there’s still more left in the tank.”
Holt said her involvement in Ironman racing has been a real benefit for her performance in time trials.
“After all that is what the Ironman is on the bike – it’s an individual time trial. The other thing is that the cross training with the swimming and running keeps me fresh and also gives me really good fitness.
“I will be racing in Ironman New Zealand again in March and I think if I can take my fitness levels from there and add the cycling intensity that it will be a great way to prepare for the Commonwealth Games if I am selected.”
She is not so confident she can make it a triple double in tomorrow’s road race after winning both title in 2008 and 2009.
The demands of the 1km climb up the Cashmere Hills on each of the eight laps of the 134km race will prove a real challenge.
“It’s going to be a real race of attrition. I will hang in there as long as possible and then we will see what the options are on that last lap.”
Earlier Christchurch teenager Michael Vink, riding for the Subway Avanti team, took out the Under-23 title with a brilliant performance, clocking 50.14 for the 40kms, the second fastest time overall for the day. He finished ahead of Beijing Olympians Wesley Gough and Jesse Sergent.
The women’s road race starts at noon tomorrow and finishes at Pioneer Stadium at approximately 3.30pm, while the 186km men’s road race starts at 10am on Sunday.
Results, RaboPlus National Road Cycling Championships, time trial:
Elite men, 40km: Gordon McCauley (Subway Avanti, Auckland) 50:10, 1; Jeremy Vennell (East Coast North Island) 51:05, 2; Marc Ryan (Mid-South Canterbury) 51.30, 3; Jason Allen (Tasman) 52.34, 4; Sam Horgan (Subway Avanti, Christchurch) 52.43, 5.
Under 23, 40km: Michael Vink (Subway Avanti, Christchurch) 50:14, 1; Wesley Gough (East Coast North Island) 50.55, 2; Jesse Sergent (West Coast North Island) 51.57, 3; Shem Rodger (Waikato Bay of Plenty) 53.03, 4; Roman Van Uden (Bica Vida, Auckland) 54. 11, 5.
Women, 25km: Melissa Holt (Waikato Bay of Plenty) 35.51, 1; Alison Shanks (Otago) 36.40, 2; Linda Villumsen (Auckland) 36.47, 3; Sonia Waddell (Waikato Bay of Plenty) 37.23, 4; Rushlee Buchanan (Waikato Bay of Plenty) 37.24, 5.