Olympians Show Form to Win Time Trials in RaboPlus National Club Cycling
Former Olympians in rowing and ice skating proved best in the time trials on the opening day of the RaboPlus New Zealand Club Nationals in Hawke's Bay today.
The elite women’s title was won by two-time Olympic rower Sonia Waddell, riding for the Te Awamutu club, while former summer and winter Olympian Chris Nicholson took out the men’s honours.
The Cambridge athlete powered home in idyllic conditions to win the elite women’s honours in 35:27, to be more than a minute clear of second placed Sarah Morrison (Morrinsville) with last year’s winner Karen Fulton (Tasman) third.
“It’s quite exciting. It’s my first club nationals and it’s a thrill to get a title,” Waddell said.
“Of course our best time triallist in Meshy Holt is not here but I will take it. At least the title goes to Cambridge and she is my training partner.”
Waddell said the mostly flat course suited her powerful style.
“There was a strong tail wind on the way out and I was careful not to too get excited and control my pace. I felt really good at the turn and I was able to power it home.”
Nicholson (Tasman) had a battle with New Zealand time trial champion Gordon McCauley, in a repeat of his last victory back in 1997 when he also beat off the challenge from one of the country’s most celebrated riders.
He edged out McCauley by only eight seconds, winning in 53:14.
It was the 43-year-old’s third national club time trial title which he first won in 1991, when he first moved to cycling after a stellar career in ice skating. Nicholson was a double Olympian representing the country at both the winter and summer Olympics in 1992 and 1994. He was in the team time trial in cycling.
“I’ve always remained involved in cycling ever since and have had my share of success in time trialling especially,” Nicholson said. “Now my son is competing which keeps me out on my bike.
“I’ve had some good battles with Gordy over the years which is been fun. We joked that I am Masters 2 class and Gordy is Masters 1 and we were first and second in the elite division.
I joked that I still wished him well for his Commonwealth Games bid for this year.”
Rotorua’s Ryan Wills won the under-23 title from North Harbour’s Taylor Gunman.
The road races run through to Sunday.
Results:
Senior men, 40km: Chris Nicholson (Tasman Wheelers) 51.27, 1; Gordon McCauley (Counties Manukau) 51.35, 2; David Ayre (Tasman Wheelers) 53.00, 3.
Under-23: Ryan Wills (Rotorua) 53.14, 1; Taylor Gunman (North Harbour) 53.59, 2; Sean Joyce (Forestland Wheelers) 54.16, 3.
Senior women, 25km: Sonia Waddell (Te Awamutu Sports) 35.27, 1; Sarah Morrison (Morrinsville Wheelers) 36.49, 2; Karen Fulton (Tasman Wheelers) 37.06, 3.