People's Champion has an Olympic dream

McCauley at the 2010 Road World Championships ©RoadCycling.co.nz

Apr 1st, 11. Many time NZ Road Cycling Champion Gordon McCauley has set himself a new goal, he wants to represent New Zealand at the London Olympics - on the track.

Earlier this month McCauley announced he was taking a vet road licence, but he also said he would not be disappearing from the elite ranks.

Now it is clearer what he meant.

"I have been doing some testing by myself on the old track in West Auckland and have been knocking out some good times on my Trek Speed Concept," he told RoadCycling.co.nz.

"I reckon with a BT track bike I could be right in the mix."

Surprisingly, it is not the endurance track events the Auckland coach is working towards, it is the sprint events.

"I'm not super explosive off the line but once I get wound up I'm bloody rapid, I reckon that must come from my road endurance background."

This is not the first time the rider voted the 2010 People's Champion has turned his attention from road to track, back in 1992 he was the Otago Sprint Champion.

He feels the tactical side of things should come quite easily, and as sprinters do not generally hit their peak power until their mid 30s, the 39 year old is expecting to be much faster this time around.

The events McCauley is working towards are sprint, team sprint and perhaps the kilo.

"I know it's a tight timeline for London, but after seeing the times at the World's I can go close," he said.

Updated: 12pm April 1st - many thanks to Gordy for being a great sport and contributing to this April Fool's Day joke.  We hope it put a smile on your dial.