Adam Hamlin and Wellington's Gary Humpherson after their race saw a new world record set in the 2000m individual pursuit for men's masters in Cambridge.
Adam Hamlin and Wellington's Gary Humpherson after their race saw a new world record set in the 2000m individual pursuit for men's masters in Cambridge.
One got talked into it during her spin exercise class while the other is a cycling mainstay who never needed a coach, but both Janice O'Brien and Adam Hamlin rode the guidance of Lyall Hastie to national masters medals last week.
Hastie has been coaching O'Brien and Hamlin for the2017 World Masters Games in April, and had the chance to test around four months of training at the Vantage Windows & Doors Age Group Track National Championships in Cambridge.
In Masters competition at nationals, due the fluctuating rider numbers and abilities from year to year, entrants must not only finish first but also achieve an acceptable time in order to get the gold medal.
"They're getting right up there, Masters 9 or 10 [level]," Hastie said.
Competing at the Avantidrome, O'Brien won the 500m time trial, setting a national record, while Hamlin got the silver medal, just missing gold by a small margin.
The following night was the 2000m individual pursuit, where O'Brien claimed another gold and national record.
Janice O'Brien got two medals in her division.
Hamlin, who at 79 was the oldest competitor at the event, was drawn against former champion Gary Humpherson from Wellington, and they pushed each other to the limit.
Hamlin took 20 seconds off his personal best and went under the national record, but Humpherson claimed the gold and a new world record for their age group.
Hastie was pleased with the results but said the World Masters, starting April 21, has always been their priority.
He met O'Brien through spin class and through conversations convinced her to give competitive masters a try.
Hamlin, a Whanganui cycling stalwart and father of current New Zealand assistant coach Jono, had always been self-trained, but has responded well to letting a coach guide his progress.
