Gordon McCauley wins 9th national title

Jan 8th, 10. Gordon McCauley won a record breaking 3rd time trial title today, bringing his total New Zealand Champion titles to nine.  He set a new New Zealand time record as well.

McCauley on his way to the podium ©RoadCycling.co.nz

"On a flat course you have to prove you're the fastest, and I am. The awesomeness meter was reading pretty high today," a jubilant McCauley told RoadCycling.co.nz after today's race.

When McCauley crossed the line he knew he had the fastest time of the day, but with defending champion Jeremy Vennell still on the course he had to wait to see if he would win the title.

With the typical confidence McCauley exudes, he boldly went and sat at the judges tent to await what he considered the inevitable.

Vennell, who finished 55sec slower than McCauley for 2nd place, was impressed with McCauley's ride.

"Gordy did an amazing time, just over 50 mins, that is a very fast time trial that he has just done," he said.

Focus on the time trial

Although McCauley is the current National Road Champion, the chance for a second shot at a Commonwealth Games medal meant the Auckland based rider had been focusing on the time trial title this year.  

“I am pretty stoked with that. While I will be defending the road race title on Sunday, for me the Nationals was all about the time trial today,” said McCauley who has put his hand up for selection to ride the time trial at this year's Commonwealth Games.

“Time trialling is my strength and this flat course suited me. I have put my hand up for the Commonwealth Games with the course in New Delhi also flat.“

Subway-Avanti team manager Greg Hume congratulates McCauley ©RoadCycling.co.nz

To ensure he had the best chance of success today, McCauley and his Subway Avanti Pro Cycling teammates have been doing motor-pacing sessions on the time trial course.  

By today they knew every aspect of the course, how their performance was measuring up and the timings required for a fast race time. 

“I prepared really well. I’ve been training on the course and had a really good performance.  Leading into today the numbers were right, I felt good, and it just went together well," said McCauley.

The new champion shared his performance data with RoadCycling.co.nz showing his average heart rate was 175 bpm, power of 402 watts,  a maximum speed of 62km/hr and an impressive 48km/h average speed.

McCauley was pretty happy with the data but was confident that with more training he could improve on this time.

"I know that with more time on the time trial bike I can go faster," he said.

56 tooth chainring

McCauley's 56 tooth big chain ring ©RoadCycling.co.nz

In today's race McCauley rode his Avanti time trial bike and made the bold decision to use a 56 tooth large chain ring versus the normal 53 tooth version.

This gave him the ability to ride at high speed with a lower leg cadence (turns per minute).

"Every day I have been down here it's been windy, so I knew one way or another we were going to get a big tailwind, so I bolted the 56 tooth on," he explained.

While other riders were hitting speeds of 60 km/hr with cadence of over 110 rpm, McCauley was able to ride at the same speed with his cadence around 80 rpm, a level more suited to his powerful style of riding.

"I like to push a big gear. A big gear is good, I would have been in trouble at 110 rpm," he said.  "It's the first time I have ridden this size gear since the Commonwealth Games. It paid dividends in the end."

Defending the road race title

McCauley is the current New Zealand Road Race Champion, but after today's efforts he may not have much energy left to defend the title on Sunday.

"I remember the Commonwealth Games, where I also went that deep. Four days later and I still felt pretty average. But it's the NZ Champs and I am pretty motivated. If the opportunity presents itself I am going to take it," he said.

"For me it's just a case of follow the leaders and see what happens. Hopefully they are following me too, right across the line at the end!" he chuckled.

Subway Avanti already have two new champions, but they want more ©RoadCycling.co.nz

"There are two titles up for grabs, and without wanting to sound greedy, we want to retain both," he said.  "I believe any number of our riders can win."

"A lot of things will have to go our way to get one of our riders there first, but we are a team, and we are there to support each other. Hopefully we will get the result we want."

"The Elite title is the first objective, but at the same time, we don't want to take our eye off the U23 title. It would be a dream weekend if we could ride away with all four jerseys," he said.

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