Commonwealth Games riders in action this weekend

Aug 20th, 10.

The pair are competing as part of their build up to October's Commonwealth Games where they will compete in the time trial and possibly in the road race. 

Aucklander McCauley has spent most of the past month in Australia competing in multi-day tours to hone his form, while Cambridge's Holt has remained in New Zealand for the season.

In this 104km race last year, McCauley dominated the field. He broke free in the early kilometres, built up a sizeable lead and stayed in front right until the finish line, despite a great chase attempt by Aaron Strong.

The field is packed with riders who do not want to let McCauley get away again this year. Organisers say Bici Vida, Black Peloton and Subway/Avanti all have several riders entered.  Wellington's Joe Cooper will lead the Subway Avanti charge, while Karl Murray captains the Black Peloton team.

Other likely contenders are Elliot Crowther, John Atkinson and Strong, who were only separated by a rim width at the end of last Saturday's 80 kms Bruce Kent Memorial Handicap race.

Sunday's Hudson Gavin & Martin Auckland 1000 race is the sixth of twelve rounds of the RaboDirect National Points series.

McCauley currently shares the lead in the series along with Subway Avanti's Matthew Gorter.  The first four top ranked women in the series, led by Cath Cheatley, are currently racing overseas.