Marlborough Express - Weekend Express
Andrew climbs his way to the top
Cycling suits Blenheim teenager Andrew Bidwell.
The 16-year-old has only been riding competitively for two years, but is already aiming for a podium finish in the U19 category at the upcoming Age Group Road National Championships.
He is hoping to improve significantly on his 8th place finish at the event last year and has been putting in 300 to 400 kilometres - the equivalent of 10 to 12 hours - of training a week.
And based on his recent results he is in good shape to achieve his goal.
Andrew is the reigning U19 Tasman Centre champion and earlier this month he won the B grade of the 2017 Vital Signs Tour de Lakes in Otago. He also dominated the race’s king of the mountains competition, which he won comfortably.
Climbing suits the tall Marlborough Boys’ College student, he says. ‘‘I enjoy the climbing most - getting to the top and the feeling of satisfaction you get.’’
The four-day, six-stage race attracted some of the country’s top young cyclists.
‘‘It was a great race. It did get pretty intense sometimes. There were no teams but the Southland guys grouped together and one guy said to me he was going to make the race hell for me.
‘‘I just sort of laughed it off because he was just working himself up.’’
Andrew let his legs do the talking and took the win by five minutes, which included an impressive win up the tough, 8km Coronet Peak climb on the final day.
The Age Group Road National Championships will be held in Hamilton on May 5 and 6, on a course which will present more of a undulating profile rather than big climbs.
‘‘There is still 1000 metres of climbing, but it is pretty rolling with a flat finish.
‘‘My plan will be to get into a breakaway because I’m not really a sprinter.’’
Andrew gave up football for cycling, first taking to mountainbiking as a hobby before a school friend suggested he give track cycling a try.
‘‘I like cycling because you don’t have to rely on anyone else - what you put in is what you get
‘‘What you put in is what you get out.’’
out.’’ While he enjoys track cycling it is road racing where Andrew feels he has found his niche.
He still enjoys mountainbiking but doesn’t get to compete enough, particularly against riders his age, he says.
‘‘Road riding is definitely my main focus.’’