McCauley wins Tasmania Tour in Commonwealth Games shakedown

Auckland cyclist Gordon McCauley had the ideal shakedown for next month’s Commonwealth Games when he won the Tour of Tasmania yesterday.

McCauley, 38, showed that age was no barrier when he took out the six-day tour, finishing nearly two minutes ahead of fellow kiwi George Bennett.

The Aucklander proved the strongest, especially in the first four days of the tour when riders had to cope with brutal conditions including rain, hail, snow and strong winds with more than 30 riders withdrawing.

McCauley took no risks in the final criterium stage yesterday in Westbury, finishing safely in the peloton to secure the overall honours.

Another New Zealander Alexander Ray (Auckland) took out the sprint championship as well as the most aggressive rider award.

McCauley will now turn his attentions to next week’s world championships in Geelong near Melbourne and then head to Delhi where he hopes to at least repeat his efforts of four years ago when he won a bronze medal in the time trial when the games were staged in Melbourne.

“I wouldn’t be going to India if I didn’t think I could win,” he said.

“Realistically, though, I’d be pleased to finish in the top 25 at the worlds. It’s a different standard.”