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Interview: Gordon McCauley: Winner Of The Tour Of Tasmania
Q. Gordon, congratulations on your win in the Tour of Tasmania! You have been close in the other National Road Series races this season, how did it feel to get the win this time?
A. It's always good to win a race no matter what it is, however as far as kiwi's are concerned the Tour of Tassie is a biggy, I guess it says it all when my wife informed me that the win made mainstream media in NZ, that dosen’t happen very often.
Q. You broke the race open on Stage 6 in West Mooreville, was this a pre meditated attack based on the course or something that happened as the stage progressed?
A. It was something that just happened as the race progressed, the course profile said there were 2 climbs per lap...hahahaha the whole lap was up or down, originally I was just trying to take some time bonus seconds and move up into 3rd place but when the opportunity to attack came I took it.
Q. With such a big lead of 2.13, many people were declaring you the winner after six stages. Did you feel confident you would keep the jersey over the remaining four stages?
A. No, I'm not really a climber so the stage over Gunns Plains was always going to be the big test, I came through that ok and was pretty assured I'd win after that.
Q. You seem to be timing your form perfectly for World Championships and the Commonwealth Games, are you feeling confident ahead of these events?
A. To be honest at best I might get top 25 at worlds it’s just such a different level to the Games, at the games I'd dearly love another medal, however if I can go faster than I've ever gone over 40km (49min 50secs) then I can't ask for much more.
Q. Do elite cyclists ever get start struck as well? The media make a big deal of all the starts coming for Worlds, and you will be racing against the likes of Fabian Cancellara and Tony Martin a week after slugging it out in the snow in Tasmania.
A. Hahahah...they should be scared of me!
Q. There’s been a lot of bad press about the games in New Delhi, is it something you have thought about and have the cycling officials from New Zealand addressed it at all?
A. It's being addresses by the NZ Olympic association, I trust them 100% that they will make the right decision for us.
Q. Every news story you’re in starts with “at 38, the oldest rider in the race...”. Does it bother you that even though you’re so competitive in all the races you enter and have shown you have the talent to win, that people focus on your age rather than your 500+ career wins?
A.I take it as a compliment.
Q. Over the years you have had some great wins, including being a 5 time National Champion of New Zealand and winning a Commonwealth Games bronze medal. Is there one win or one moment which stands out above all the others?
A. My Games medal in Melbs was pretty special, also my 1st pro win in Europe (Wanzele pro Kermesse) whilst riding for RMD Flanders was pretty cool.
Q. Was the success you have had on the bike one of the factors in starting up your coaching business Gordon McCauley Coaching?
A. Yes, I also wanted to find a way to earn a full-time living yet train in daylight hours... that said I still mostly train at 5am with my clients.
Q. For people like me who are only any good when riding downhill with a tailwind, do you think you would be able to do anything to help us with things like the daily commute or weekend spin along the bike paths?
A. Yip..it's about training smarter, not always longer.. I'd incorporate different work outs into your commute until you got to the point you’re the fastest commuter racer around!
And finally...
Q. What is it that makes things like Perky Nana’s and Ripples Chips so addictive!!??
A. I don't really eat Perky Nana's.. but I am addicted to chicken chips....damn I wish I knew.
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