Aaron Gate debuts in UCI WorldTour at Tour Down Under

Aaron Gate celebrates at the finish line after winning the Points Race at the UCI Cycling World Championships in Glasgow. Photo / Getty

New Zealand’s Sportsman of the Year, Aaron Gate, is set to cap off his illustrious cycling career with his first official start as a UCI WorldTour rider at the Tour Down Under in Adelaide.

The 34-year-old has joined the XDS Astana team, bringing with him an impressive track record.

He’s an Olympic medallist, two-time world champion, and three-time Commonwealth Games gold medallist on the track, with a 2022 Commonwealth Games gold on the road.

With 13 road victories, including GC titles at the Tour of Hainan and Tour of Hellas, Gate’s WorldTour debut marks a significant milestone in his 13-year professional career.

He said he was enjoying the prospect of chasing titles with the XDS Astana team.

“It’s nice to finally be in a top-tier team and one that’s pretty hungry to race and race well this year,” said Gate.

“It is still a little bit surreal for the young-me that was just starting cycling, which doesn’t feel like more than 15 years ago now.

“I still love doing it which is the main thing. It’s going to be an exciting year with new challenges. I’m definitely looking forward to that challenge of what is to come.”

On a special note, Gate will line-up in his New Zealand Champion’s jersey in Adelaide, which is the last international race before he heads to Timaru to defend his national title next month.

“It’s a nice feeling every time I pull on that national champion’s jersey which brings a bit of extra pride out. I have also had a spin on my new custom bike, so I am excited to get racing.”

Gate says he is excited and intrigued with the coming year on the WorldTour.

“It is probably a nice balance of both, because there are some new races that I’m super excited to do. There are some familiar races too that would be nice to go back to with a stronger team and a better set-up. Then I can put my best foot forward with some chances for myself and also support the world-class riders in our team.

“It’s going to be an exciting year with new challenges and one that I’m definitely looking forward to.”

While not getting ahead of himself with the Tour Down Under looming, Gate is under no illusions about the battle that awaits at the national championships.

“The field is even stronger this year with a couple of riders who were missing last year and several of the top guys having teammates that I’m going to be against.

“It’s also a bit of a different course too. It’s the same lap, but the finish line has been moved to the top of the climb which was 6km to go last year.

“It changes the dynamic of the race. It will be a case of arriving at the bottom of that last climb in best shape possible and then an all-out fight to the finish line.

“I’m still not ruling myself out, but it’s definitely an uphill battle, so to speak.”

The programme comprises the time trial for all grades on Thursday, February 6, followed by the road races for under-19 women, under-19 men and combined under-23 and elite women on Friday, February 7, leaving the under-23 and elite men’s road race on Saturday, February 8.