Kieran Turner comments on U23 World Champs road race

Sep 27th, 09. BikeNZ CEO Kieran Turner talks to RoadCycling.co.nz about New Zealand's results in last night's UCI World Championship U23 road race.

In last night's U23 road race kiwi Alex Meenhorst finished 37th after staying with the front bunch for most of the race, the other two kiwis pulled out before the peloton crossed the finish line for the final time. At the time of our first report, we had yet to hear from the New Zealand camp in Switzerland. 

As the New Zealand camp awoke to prepare for today's Elite men's road race, Turner dropped RoadCycling.co.nz a quick note about yesterday's action.

Kieran Turner's comments

Alex had a great race. The pace was on up the climbs every lap and they are both solid 10% climbs. The first three laps were pretty fast and then it eased off for a few laps before going back on.

200 starters and each lap riders were being shelled. Alex was in the lead group of about 40 on the second to last lap when it all split up and he got gapped but rode well to finish 37th.

This would be one of the hardest courses used in the last 10 years and considering he was on his own for much of the race, it was a fantastic effort.

Good rides also from Sam and Clinton to support Alex early on, but it was always going to be a tough course for the bigger guys.


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