Bauer keen on Festival of Cycling criterium

Dec 1st, 09. Jack Bauer has been second two too many times since arriving back to the NZ season.  This weekend at the Armstrong Motor Group Festival of Cycling he's try to do one better.

Bauer in top form at the top of the Crown Range ©RoadCycling.co.nz

In his first year on the European road racing scene, Nelson based Jack Bauer captured plenty of wins in the tough Belgium racing circuit. 

Back in New Zealand he's continued his good form with second placings in the Club Nationals and the PowerNet Tour of Southland, but like any top rider he'd rather be first than second.

"Of course I'd like to reverse Southland's results, as in I'd like to win! I think we're all there to do that," Bauer told RoadCycling.co.nz this afternoon.

"As for Heath [Blackgrove who finished 1st in Southland], he is just another competitor to watch out for. But after his demonstration down South - I guess he is definitely a threat for the road race."

Bauer hasn't raced in this Festival before and he hasn't done much road racing around the streets of Christchurch either but as part of the Ultimo Team he says he will have some local knowedge to help him out.

"Anthony Chapman will ride and possibly Mark Langlands - I'm not 100% sure at the moment. However with the events as short as they are I see them as being tailored for individuals," he said commenting on the growing Team's based racing in NZ cycling.

"Subway is of course always a problem at any NZ event. With Bici Vida now on the cards hopefully they can go at each other's throats and other riders such as myself can sneak away! We'll see how that works out...."

Although he's keen on both Saturday's 80km Avanti Long Bays road race and Sunday's criterium, Bauer says it's the latter he is most looking forward to.

"I'm really looking forward to the criterium, I'm hoping it makes for some exciting and aggressive racing in such a small public environment," he said.

Bauer is coming into the Festival refreshed. Since the Southland tour early last month he has been enjoying time off the bike while hanging out at his parent's place in Golden Bay.

Other articles on the Armstrong Motor Group Festival of Cycling, Christchurch 5-6 December.

• Alex Ray out sprints world class field
• Aussie wins Festival of Cycling Criterium
• Favourites win Long Bays Classic
• Long Bays Classic Results
• Bici Vida ready for the Festival
• Festival fever for Subway Avanti's fastman
• Another team joins the revolution
• Rider list for Elite criterium
• Rider list for Elite Road Race
• Track stars sign for Festival of Cycling
• Team Carbon Zero gear up for debut
• Home advantage for Benchmark Homes Team
• Bauer keen on Festival of Cycling criterium
• Southland winner heads to Festival of Cycling