Cycling: Gough and Waddell set standard

Wes Gough. Photo / APN

Conditions perfect for breaking records helped former Olympic rower Sonia Waddell and Commonwealth Games track medallist Wes Gough win their first national honours in the time trial at the road cycling championships in Christchurch.

Gough, a member of New Zealand's crack team pursuit combination, took advantage of favourable winds yesterday to scorch home in the 40km time trial at Lincoln near Christchurch in 48 minutes 50.48 seconds. This broke the record of 50m 10s set by Gordon McCauley on the same course last year.

Waddell improved on her fourth placing last year to dominate the women's contest over 25km in 34m 53.59s and add to the national club road title earlier in the year.

It also ensured the time trial title remained in Cambridge - Melissa Holt has won for the past three years but did not compete this year.

Ashburton's Jason Christie edged out defending champion Michael Vink (Christchurch) to win the under-23 title by just nine seconds.

Gough (Waipukurau) beat fellow pursuit teammate Jesse Sergent (Feilding) and Melbourne-based Greg Henderson by 28 seconds and 1m 07s respectively.

"It was a really quick time and some fast conditions today. I was actually quite surprised myself with the time when I crossed the line.

"It's great to win after coming second last year.

"I was one of the early riders and it was a bit of a waiting game until the others came through."

Gough said it was a pleasing start to the year for his Subway team.

"My first priority will still be the team pursuit on the track for the London Olympics. But I would like to continue with some good TT results during the year."

Waddell was fourth last year in the event won by her Cambridge friend Holt. She finished 20 seconds ahead of Waikato rider Jaime Nielsen and 33 seconds ahead of Commonwealth Games gold medallist Alison Shanks.

"I was really thrilled with that one today. I've been getting some seconds and thirds in recent times so it was great to crack the win, especially at this level," Waddell said.

"This is huge for me. This is the biggest event in New Zealand and a quality field. The BikeNZ system is in such good stead that it is producing some very good athletes so to be able to line up and go faster than them is a pretty cool achievement."

Waddell plans to compete in the road race before returning to the para-cycling programme on the tandem to the world track and road championships with blind cyclist Jane Parsons.

The women's road race will be run today over 123km of the demanding circuit in Cashmere Hills-Hoon Hay.

American national series champion Cath Cheatley is chasing her third title in a strong field including Jo Kiesanowski, national series champion Serena Sheridan, defending champion Rushlee Buchanan and fellow Commonwealth Games rider Kaytee Boyd.

The men's race is tomorrow.

- NZPA