Cycling: McCormick best of Kiwis at World Champs

Hayden McCormick. Photo / Te Awamutu Courier

Te Awamutu teenager Hayden McCormick was the best of the New Zealand riders over a challenging time trial course at the UCI Road Cycling World Championships in the Netherlands today.

McCormick, a medallist in last month's junior track world championships in Invercargill, finished 23rd from 66 starters in the junior men's individual time trial.

McCormick, who will also ride the road race later in the week, found the 1200m climb on the 12 per cent gradient of the famed Cauberg Hill testing as he finished the 26.6km course in 36:45.52, just over a minute behind winner Oskar Svendsen from Norway.

Fellow Kiwi Nick Bain (Auckland) was 39th in 37:44.37.

North Harbour rider James Oram suffered a mechanical problem near the end of his ride that cost him some spots in the under-23 race. Last year's silver medallist in the junior division at the world championships had to settle for 37th place. Riding up the Cauberg Hill, his chain jammed. BikeNZ support staff had to initiate a quick change, with Oram completing the final 1.5km of the 36km test on his road bike.

The 19-year-old, the third youngest rider in the field, is based in the USA this year with the Bontrager Livestrong team.

Fellow Kiwi Jason Christie, based in Belgium this year with a professional team, was 45th in 48:45.78.

The elite action is under way tomorrow when Linda Villumsen competes in the elite women's individual pursuit.

The Orica-AIS professional is aiming for her fourth straight medal in this discipline after bronze medals in Mendrisio 2010 and Melbourne 2011 and a silver medal in Copenhagen last year.

The elite men's time trial is on Thursday, with London Olympic medallists Jesse Sergent and Sam Bewley riding for New Zealand.

Results: Under-23, 36km: Anton Vorobyev (RUS) 44:09.02, 1; Rohan Dennis (AUS) 44:53.41, 2; Damien Howson (AUS) 45.00.14, 3. Also New Zealanders: James Oram (North Harbour) 47:52.97, 37; Jason Christie (Ashburton) 48:45.75, 45.

Junior men, 26.6km: Oskar Svendsen (NOR) 35:34.75, 1; Matej Mohoric (SLO) 35:41.79, 2; Maximillian Schachmann (GER) 35:46.58, 3. Also New Zealanders: Hayden McCormick (Te Awamutu) 36:45.52, 23; Nick Bain (Auckland) 37:44.37, 39.