Cycling: World challenge in Perth ideal domain

INTERNATIONAL DUTY: Ramblers cyclists Carol McCallum (left) and Marg Porter will represent New Zealand at the September world age-group champs in Perth. PHOTO/SUPPLIED

HAWKE'S BAY cyclist Carol McCallum is looking forward to the day when she retires.

"It will be in about 15 years, I'll have more time to train and will be able to bring my times down," the Hawke's Bay Hospital clinical nurse specialist remarked.

"Have a look at some of the times retired masters are recording down at the national club championships in Alexandra this week ... they're as good as some riders in their early 20s," McCallum said.

While the Hawke's Bay Ramblers Cycling Club member isn't wrong, she can still be proud of what she has achieved during her 12 years of competitive racing.

In September, McCallum will join workmate and fellow Rambler Marg Porter as New Zealand representatives at the world amateur age-group champs in Perth. McCallum will race in the 50-54 years 117km road race and Porter, 47, who has been racing for 21 years, will compete in the 45-49 years 19km time trial and 142km road race.

To qualify for Perth, the TR Acupuncture and Massage Therapy-sponsored pair travelled to Melbourne for qualifying races last September. McCallum was second in an 84-strong field in a 110km road race for her age group and Porter was sixth in a field of 67.

Following their success at last year's Taradale-hosted club nationals, Porter completed the master 3 time trial-road race double and McCallum finished third in her masters 4 road race, the pair received wild card entries to the world championship in Denmark but turned the trip down because of the short notice.

They also opted out of this week's club champs in Alexandra because they had already qualified for Perth.

"We decided to save our money," the Ivar Hopman-coached McCallum said.

Like her daughter, Kirsty McCallum, McCallum raced for the Ramblers team which won the six-round Dynamo North Island Teams Classic Series, which ended last month.

"I was in the team just to make up the numbers but it was pretty rewarding when I was able to keep up with riders much younger. It was a good form of training for Perth," McCallum said.

She crashed in the first round and missed the next two with a broken hand and a couple of broken ribs. McCallum was full of praise for the repair job former Junior White Sox softballer Tracy Rudzevecuis of TR Acupuncture and Massage Therapy did on her hand.

"I'll be aiming for a podium finish in Perth. I know a bit about the Kiwis and Aussies in my age group but I don't know who will be coming from the other side of the world and we all know how strong the Europeans can be when it comes to cycling," McCallum said.

Like Porter, McCallum can clock up 15 hours' training each week. This can include Pilates, yoga, gym work, Ramblers races and individual training programmes.

Duty nurse manager Porter will also be competing in her first world cycling championship. She hopes the Perth venue will prove to be lucky for her as it was there where she recorded a top-15 finish in the 30-35 age group at the 2000 world triathlon championship.

"I gave triathlon away the following year because cycling became such a big commitment," she said.

"I did some power testing with Carl Patton at EIT the other day and I'm pretty happy where I'm at five months out. I know I have to build my strength and power for the time trial, and also drop 5-8kg, but I've got time to do that.

"I would like to be a world champion in both of my events but I'm under no illusions ... I'm going to have to put a hell of a lot of hard work in. Winning those two titles at last year's nationals was hard enough ... Perth will be another two to three levels up."

When she competes in the Ramblers club championship time trial next weekend it will be her first time trial since last year's nationals.

"You can't underestimate the Ramblers ... trying to keep up with B and C grade men is the perfect training for us girls," Porter added.