Gough features in OBCB Singapore Criterium

Westley Gough from New Zealand’s SUBWAY® Pro Cycling Team featured in OCBC Singapore Professional Criterium at the weekend, making the winning break and crossing the finish line just behind the winner, three-time Tour de France green jersey holder, Robbie McEwen.    

Competing against a strong international professional field of over 70 riders in humid, wet conditions, Gough was part of a six-man break that formed at the mid-point of the 37 lap event after a counter-attack from another New Zealander, Tom Scully (Chipotle - First Solar).

McEwen was the first to grab Scully's wheel with Boy van Poppel (UnitedHealthcare), Matthias Friedman (Champion System), Matt Cronshaw (Node4-Giordana) and Gough all joining the duo up the road.

“We raced aggressively but had to be careful not to push things too hard on the corners,” Gough said referring to the wet conditions, adding that positioning played a vital role.

Gough and SUBWAY® Pro Cycling team mate Pete Latham had both bought good form into the race after recent track training and racing for the New Zealand national team which featured a third in a World Cup event in London for Gough.

“It was my first hit out since the London World Cup and I was really happy with how I felt. The race fit in well with my preparation for the World Track Championships which I am building towards.”

McEwen, who is set to retire in May after a professional career that started in 1996, finished ahead of van Poppel, Friedman, Scully and then Gough, to ensure a win in every one of his 17 years as a professional.

The Australian sprint star gave credit to the other guys in the breakaway group, saying they worked well together to ensure they would stay away and have a chance to fight amongst themselves at the finish for the win and the US$12,500 first place cash prize.

McEwen said he was certain the break could stay away with rain and wet roads affecting the race. The break gained a maximum advantage of nearly a minute with Gough’s SUBWAY® Pro Cycling team mates Latham, Paul Odlin and Matt Gorter all tucked in comfortably in the main bunch, not contributing to the chasing efforts. 

Scully was the first to make his move in the home straight with van Poppel on his wheel. As Scully faded slightly, van Poppel accelerated before McEwen came around him to take the win with Gough holding off Cronshaw to claim fifth.

Gough thought it was no surprise pre race favourite McEwen won, saying the 39 year old Australian had “a lot of experience in his legs.”

SUBWAY® Pro Cycling now turns its attention to domestic races that include the Tour’s of Canterbury and Northland, the Grape Ride and the Rotoura Flyer as it builds towards its next international event, the Tour de Korea, in late April.