January’s mixed-bag for Subway-Avanti Cycling Team
17 February 2010
The latter half of January produced a mixed-bag of results for the Subway – Avanti Pro Cycling Team, although it did achieve excellent mainstream media coverage. Having competed with its full ten-rider roster at the Elite National Road Championships where Gordon McCauley (Auckland) and Michael Vink (Christchurch) won their respective titles in the 40 kilometre time trial in record time, and James Williamson (Alexandra) won silver in the Under 23 road race, the team intended rounding out the month with further success.
The Subway – Avanti Pro Cycling Team made the podium with Gordon at the high-profile North Shore City Grand Prix held Friday evening, January 22nd. The 2009 winner Hayden Godfrey (Christchurch) was absent from the team’s five-rider line-up due to his inclusion in the BikeNZ team attending the Beijing-leg of the UCI Track World Cup where he twice medaled. Joining Gordon and Michael in Takapuna were Eric Drower (Cambridge), Mathew Gorter (Hamilton), and Nick Lovegrove (Auckland).
The team was supported by a number of the team sponsors’ representatives, particularly those from Sheppard Industries that enjoyed the hospitality of the Copper Room fronting the 1.3 kilometre circuit. Eric featured in the main breakaway of the multi-lap event raced over 40 minutes plus two laps. Once the break was caught Eric escaped solo to collect the lucrative crowd prime that was a collection of money from spectators.
Eric’s bid to stay clear to the race finish in front of the several thousand spectators came to an end two laps short as the field readied itself for a sprint finish en mass. Without a recognized sprinter amidst the team, Gordon placed himself well at the final turn to cross the line in 3rd place to secure an all important place on the podium. First place went to 2008 winner and track Olympian Peter Latham, whilst Matt backed up in fourth place.
Next up for the Subway – Avanti Pro Cycling Team was the UCI 2.2 Trust House Cycle Classic (January 27th – 31st) raced around the Wairarapa together with twenty other teams that included seven from Australia. Having last won the overall title in the 2006 five-day tour, expectations were high amongst the team to end the drought. Unfortunately the team came away with little in the way of results despite achieving some good television coverage on primetime television news for three consecutive nights.
The team had every reason to feel optimistic having assembled a competitive team of five containing Gordon, Eric, Michael, James, and Ryan Wills (Christchurch). Whilst James’ fifth place on the opening stage was the team’s best result, the team’s presence certainly had an influence on the outcome of the overall tour winner despite itself being unable to improve on Eric’s overall fourth place last year.
The day three 162 kilometre stage was an example of the influence of the Subway – Avanti Pro Cycling Team. Having made the 10-rider break that included three riders from Team Solway, Gordon punctured whilst the lead on the peloton was nearing three and a half minutes. The complicated wheel change from the following neutral service vehicle dashed Gordon’s hopes of rejoining the break. Had the Team Solway riders and co waited for Gordon to rejoin to continue his input, Gordon’s eventual return to the main field would not have led to the Subway – Avanti Pro Cycling Team contributing to the chase that brought back all but two seconds on the leaders and thereby denying a change in the overall lead.
As the selected team was competing in the Wairarapa, Matt, Nick, and Sam Horgan (Christchurch) lined up for Round One of the BikeNZ-promoted National Points Series. The 150 kilometre Yarrows Cycle Challenge held on January 30th was won by Matt, whilst Sam completed the podium with 3rd place, and Nick 7th. The result was a great start to the twelve-round competition that concludes in December where the rider that accumulates the most points by series-end will be crowned the competition winner.
Whilst each member of the Subway – Avanti Pro Cycling Team will be competing in various events in their respective provinces during February, the team next assembles in Hamilton on February 20th for Round Two (Rev 120) of the National Points Series where Gordon, Eric, James, and Sam will join Matt to defend his lead in the competition. And whilst this series is an important objective for the team, the South Island-based seven-round Benchmark Homes series will also be targeted.
Finally, Hayden is back on his bicycle following his collision with a turning vehicle whilst training. Having had surgery to a nasty forearm wound, Hayden missed the recent Elite Track National Championships but intends to be right for the UCI Track World Championships in late March.
February’s upcoming events
Feb 20th Rev 120 at Hamilton (Round Two – National Points Series)
Feb 27th Grape Ride at Blenheim (Round Three – National Points Series)
Feb 28th Tasman Classic at Nelson (Round One – Benchmark Homes Series)
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