Rain dampens hopes for New Zealand cyclists

The New Zealand cycling team were on the wrong side of the weather in the team time trial on the second stage of the Thuringen Rundfahrt Under-23 cycle tour in Germany today.

The team finished ninth fastest in 27:04 for the 22km stage to Streufdorf to be 57 seconds behind the flying Australian combination. The Netherlands were second ahead of Germany.

The New Zealand combination had high hopes of a podium performance in today’s time trial but a short heavy burst of rain dampened their chances. They were the second team off, reaching the 9km point when a sudden rain squall hit.

“The heavens opened and saturated the roads immediately. It was quite a technical course and the boys were forced to ride to the conditions,” said BikeNZ coach Stuart Macdonald. “We were down to walking pace around some bends.”

The rain cleared quickly and resultant hot temperatures led to dry conditions for the back markers, including scratch markers Australia.

“It was unreal. As soon as the rain stopped there was very hot conditions and the roads dried. That gave the teams off later the opportunity of a faster dry line through the bends.”

New Zealand was only seven seconds down on Australia’s time at the midway point, after the kiwis had already ridden 2kms of the wet conditions, but dropped a further 50 seconds on the second half.

“We had a solid ride, technically. The boys were really pushing hard on our Treks but it was a case of what could have been. It’s not great when the weather decides the outcome of a time trial.”

First stage winner Jay McCarthy retains the tour’s yellow jersey ahead of Australian teammate Patrick Lane with Jason Christie still the best of the kiwis at 1:56 down on the leader.

Tomorrow’s third stage is 144kms with two category three climbs, with the opportunity to leverage sprinter Shane Archbold into contention for the stage.

Results, stage two, 22km team time trial: Australia 26:10, 1; Rabobank Netherlands 26:19, 2; Team Brandenberg 26:30, 3; Thuringer Energie 26:31, 4; Germany 26.42, 5; Great Britain 26:46, 6; France 26:47, 7; CDT Netherlands 27:04, 8; New Zealand 27:07, 9.

Overall classification: Jay McCarthy (AUS) 4:37:56, 1; Patrick Lane (AUS) at 7 sec, 2; Jetse Bol (NED) at 9 sec, 3. Also NZers: Jason Christie at 1:56, 45; Aaron Gate at 8:03, 85, Tom Scully at 8:07, 86; Myron Simpson at 9:41, 104; Cameron Karwowski at 9:43, 105; Shane Archbold at 10.12, 108.