Bauer on board for Commonwealth Games after all
Jack Bauer has back-pedalled on his forecasted unavailability to be named as the designated leader of New Zealand’s men’s road cycling team for the Commonwealth Games.
As expected, New Zealand will take a depleted road cycling squad to the Gold Coast, with World Tour riders George Bennett, Sam Bewley, Patrick Bevin and Tom Scully all unavailable for selection.
Bauer, a silver medallist in 2014, was also expected to be on the list of high-profile absentees, after ruling himself out of contention in December. ‘‘I would love to get the chance to get another [medal]. But as it stands, because of the timing next year it’s not going to happen,’’ he said.
However, Cycling New Zealand high performance director Martin Barras said he always held out hope that Bauer would be available for his third consecutive Commonwealth Games. After a short negotiation process his team, Michelton-Scott, agreed to release the 32-year-old.
He will instead miss the Amstel Gold Race, which is a one-day race in the Netherlands.
‘‘I have to say that is a turnaround that we are extremely pleased with,’’ said Barras, who was delighted to have a rider of Bauer’s experience in the squad.
‘‘When I was talking with a lot of these guys earlier in the piece, the story is always the same; that the Commonwealth Games are programmed right in the middle of the Classics, which are some of the most important races for the big pro teams and that makes it very difficult to release their riders.
‘‘But what was really interesting, he was very genuine in expressing how important it was for him to come and race for New Zealand. So to get his team, Michelton-Scott, to come to the party and make it possible is very rewarding.’’
To highlight Bauer’s importance, Barras said the World Tour veteran has already been confirmed as the designated leader of the New Zealand men’s team, which also includes a second World Tour rider in Alex Frame, as well as Pro Continental riders Shane Archbold and James Oram.
‘‘He’s front and centre of our selection,’’ he said. ‘‘It’s more than just the bike racer, it’s also about the character too and I can’t emphasise that enough.’’
Although just four riders have been named to contest the men’s road race, New Zealand is expected to have six on the start line, with Barras confirming former rower Hamish Bond (time trial) and Sam Gaze (mountainbiking) will back up once their events have finished.
The same goes for the women’s road race, where just three riders - Georgia Williams, Kate McIlroy and Sharlotte Lucas - were named initially. Barras said the intention is for Linda Villumsen (time trial), Bryony Botha (track) and Rushlee Buchanan (track) to also contest the women’s road race.
In total, New Zealand will have 33 riders across all cycling disciplines at the Commonwealth Games after earning six extra allocation spots.