Cyclocross: Hardly time to catch a breath

Hawke's Bay cyclocross riders Gary Hall (left) and Dan Warren will tackle two events in Beijing next week. Photo / Duncan Brown

The extra quantities of timber Hawke's Bay cyclocross rider Dan Warren has been told to carry when on the job as a builder haven't gone unnoticed.

"I appreciate it because it's all part of the plan to be as fit as possible for the Beijing trip.

"Top Hawke's Bay multisporter Luke Osborne is my boss and he's also given me plenty of tips on my running during our smoko breaks," Warren explained.

Warren, the 2011 national cyclocross champion, and fellow Hawke's Bay rider Gary Hall, the 2012 national champion, will be the sole New Zealand representatives in two internationally ranked events in Beijing next week, the first on Tuesday, the second the following Saturday.

They leave on Saturday for the invitation-only events which will involve 70 men and 30 women.

For Warren, 36, it will be his second taste of competing in Beijing and a trip he is lucky to make.

"Two minutes into the first race in our Hawke's Bay series back in June I hit the deck and collected a back injury when we were racing on the BMX track at Havelock North. I was only able to resume training again at the end of July and I was back to square one," he recalled.

Both riders are aiming to finish among the top 30 to be among the prizemoney.

Hall, 40, who is slightly fitter than Warren, wants a top 20 finish in his first event outside of the country.

Cyclocross is a combination of cycling and running with a strong emphasis on skilful cycling.

Both events in Beijing will be timed one-hour races using 3km laps.

"The courses will be flat and fast and we're expecting hot and humid conditions. I know from last time it's tough on the lungs because it feels like you are breathing in ash because of the pollution.

"But because the trip is paid for and the organisers put you up in five-star accommodation, you don't turn it down," Warren said.

An AsureQuality Limited meat inspector, Hall said if the pair do well in Beijing, it will encourage them to tackle more international events in the future.

He was full of praise for the Ramblers Cycling Club and Hawke's Bay Mountainbike Club for assisting with their preparation.

"We both compete in A grade at the Ramblers and, if you're competitive there, you will be competitive anywhere in the country.

"The mountainbike club has provided the necessary variety and short, sharp training rides have been the key in recent weeks ... we've been doing one or two-hour sessions four times each week since we got the invite three months ago," Hall explained.

This is the fourth year China has staged the events, which are ranked just below the top-tier World Cup events.

Both the men's and women's fields will include professional riders from around the world, all chasing valuable world ranking points.

"New Zealand has yet to stage an event with world ranking points up for grabs. These Chinese events all began when a father-and-son combo from China went to Belgium and saw what could be done," Warren said.

"In Belgium, cyclocross is like what rugby is in New Zealand and I wouldn't be surprised if Belgium riders dominate next week."

Both of next week's events will be televised live on Chinese sport channels.

While in China the pair will coach Chinese youngsters in the sport.

"Hopefully they understand us ... we'll be working hard on our Chinese lingo on the flight over," Hall said.

Warren and Hall are no strangers to coaching and do plenty at the Hawke's Bay club which is user-pays.

"Riders don't have to pay subs. They just pay for each event they turn up to during our series.

"Sometimes we can have up to 80 junior riders ... it's definitely a growing sport and trips like this will only help with the progress," Hall added.