Jan 14th, 10. He didn't have a perfect end to his race on Sunday, but 18 year old Michael Vink is definitely on the road to victory. Ask anyone who watched him racing.

Vink looking happy to be back on his own bike up Dyers Pass Rd ©RoadCycling.co.nz

Vink's Raboplus National's weekend started out perfectly when the 18 year old broke the New Zealand U23 record, and held the NZ Elite record for half an hour, in the 40km time trial.  

He finished 40sec ahead of his U23 rivals and was faster than every Elite rider except for his Subway Avanti Pro Cycling teammate Gordon McCauley. He became the U23 New Zealand Time Trial Champion and it was his first ever 40km time trial.

After a rest day, Vink was ready to prove his form would also translate into the road race.  

The crowds up Dyers Pass Rd didn't take long to see that Vink's form was fantastic.  On the second lap up the hill Vink was alone off the front with just one other rider, Christchurch's Paul Odlin.

However, while Vink look relaxed, his Subway Avanti support team were anything but.  

Back at the start/finish point drama had unfolded 15 minutes before the gun when an issue with Vink's componentry meant his bike wasn't rideable.  Some quick thinking by the team got Vink to the start line, just in time, but on a borrowed Pinarello - the event's official bike sponsor. 

While Vink was working hard out the front, the team behind Subway Avanti were working even harder to get Vink's own bike back in action and ready for a swap over.

Not only did they need to find replacement componentry, they also had to find replacement pedals as Vink's own pedals had been swapped to the temporary bike.

On the fourth lap the swap happened.  

At 18 years of age, it's unlikely Vink has ever had to swap a bike in the middle of a race, but as seen in the video captured by Vink's girlfriend, Emma-Louise Ferguson, he and the crew looked like the most practised of pro-teams.

The bike change

Once Vink was back on his Avanti bike the Christchurch rider continued to dominate the front of the race.  He left Odlin behind and rode solo around the 15.6km course. When Odlin was caught by a chase group along Sutherlands Rd, Vink was four minutes ahead.

Subway Avanti's pro pit-stop ©RoadCycling.co.nz

By the time he was back in the race and with his support team for a water bottle change, his chasers had taken another minute off him and on the final lap his breakaway came to an end.

High praise for Vink

He didn't win the U23 title, that honour was earned by Bici Vida's Tom Findlay, but it was Vink everyone was talking about.

“It's impressive to be out there as long as he was. It takes some real guts and determination and substantial endurance. He has a big future,” Julian Dean said.

“Gutsy wee ride by Vink. He is a huge talent, it's great to see the young guys can knock it out there,” added Hayden Roulston.

Other cyclists, of the Sunday bunch variety, called Vink's ride inspirational.

Vink's Team Manager Greg Hume told RoadCycling.co.nz "I thought Michael's performance was outstanding considering the issue with his bicycle 15 minutes from the start." 

Hume explained the breakaway was a planned move by Subway Avanti designed to help their chances of defending the Elite Champion title.

"He was one of perhaps four riders from Subway Avanti assigned to go on early break duty to allow his remaining team-mates the luxury of following the pace behind. I was surprised that only Paul Odlin and Michael escaped the main field, and the amount of time Michael spent off the front," Hume said.

"Whilst we were able to get Michael's original bicycle up and running and effect a swap entering the fourth lap, it was disappointing he suffered a puncture in the closing stages that may have cost him the chance to crest the climb for the final time before the contenders made their final move. In any event, Michael can be well proud of what he achieved and the exposure he brought the team and its sponsors."

Vink is grateful for the perseverance of his team, telling RoadCycling.co.nz, "My Subway-Avanti team has been amazing, they really wanted me in the bike race and would have done anything to make it possible. I think that's the main reason why I made it to the start, the persistance of my team was incredible."

The support and media coverage Vink has received since the race has been phenomenal. Vink confirmed he can look back on the race and be pleased with his performance despite not having the victory.

"I think I might have got more exposure out of the race than the winners. I could be wrong but the amount of media interest in me from the race alone is huge," he said.

Getting the bell for the final lap - still out in front ©RoadCycling.co.nz

A great start to a big year

Vink's name is now well known among thousands of Christchurch fans, and soon to be thousands more after tonight's recap of the race on Sky Sport TV, but he is already known to the elite of the cycling world.  

This season he is heading off to a team in Belgium, along with Ruaraidh McLeod, another young kiwi rider with huge potential.

"Their training and race data was sent to Team Columbia, and the team were so impressed they are prepared to invest in the two riders over the next year or two, with the view that if the riders can make the required standard, as their potential shows, they would be interested in signing them in the future as professional riders," Vink's coach Terry Gyde told RoadCycling.co.nz when the deal was announced last month.

A deal was brokered by Gyde, with the help of Pro Tour Director Sportiffe, Allan Peiper of Team Columbia HTC - the team Greg Henderson has successfully ridden for over the past 3 years and who Hayden Roulston is now racing for - and Andrew McQuaid, who is a top manager of professional cyclists in Europe.

Vink isn't heading away quite yet.  He's racing in the Trust House Cycle Classic later this month where he'll face more climbs - the opening stage rides up the Rimutaka Hill!

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