Cycling: Jack Bauer backs Hamish Bond to become world-class cyclist

Hamish Bond. Photo / Photosport.nz

Leading New Zealand cyclist Jack Bauer believes rower-turned-rider Hamish Bond has the potential to be a world-class individual time trialist.

Bauer, who has ridden the Tour de France four times and has a Commonwealth Games silver medal, forfeited his national time trial title to Bond on Friday when he was unable to line up due to illness.

Even if he'd been fit, he had serious doubts about matching motors with the double Olympic champion rower.

"He put in a quick time on a really windy day," Bauer told Radio Sport, "and I don't know if I could have topped him."

Jack Bauer.

He said Bond's rapid transition from oars to pedals was "impressive but by no means a surprise".

"Rowers have huge cardiac and aerobic abilities and he's a world class athlete, which means he knows everything about preparing, peaking, and the mental game

"He's potentially one of the best we could have in the years to come in the time trial and I hope that's the case because there's not many of us Kiwis on the World Tour who focus on the time trial. I'd love to see Bondy keep doing what he's doing and stepping up his game and becoming one of the best in the world."

Bauer will contest today's road race in Napier over 171km but admits he is still recovering from a chest infection he picked up in Europe before Christmas.

"I don't feel great but I'm not medicated any more and at least I'm back in the land of the living. My form is definitely not 100 per cent but I'm here to animate the race and put on a bit of a show."

Bauer will be out to help Mitchelton-Scott team-mate Sam Bewley, who looks set for a battle with George Bennett, Tom Scully, Patrick Bevin, Alex Frame and defending champion Joe Cooper.