Noted climber and time triallist, Kim Cadzow would love nothing more than taking the national champion’s jersey back to the UCI World Tour.
The reigning elite time trial champion believes the move to make the notable climb to finish the road race will still not tilt things in favour of the pure climbers for the upcoming Cycling New Zealand National Elite Road Championships in Timaru on 6-8 February.
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Cadzow, who competed at the Paris Olympic Games, is excited to be returning to Timaru and believes the race will be one of the most competitive for many years.
Cadzow will be joined by fellow EF Education-Oaty teammate, Henrietta Christie, along with 2023 under-23 road and time trial national champion, Ally Wollaston (FDJ-Suez); last year’s road and time trial under-23 national champion, Ella Wyllie, riding for Liv AlUla Jayco; and another Paris Olympian in Niamh Fisher-Black, impressive so far for new team Lidl-Trek.
Add in some emerging talent, the UCI esport World Champion, Kate McCarthy and former world under-23 MTB world champion, Sammie Maxwell, it is shaping as a terrific array of talent.
While the significant climb on the lap course will present a challenge, Cadzow believes it is not in favour of the pure climber.
“It’s a climb suited more to the punchier climber, even a sprinter. It is a two and a half minute effort. It means for us pure climbers, we will do our best to make the race as hard as possible and see what damage we can do,” said Cadzow.
“Taking the jersey back to Europe would be amazing. Having Henrietta with me, will add some pressure on us. We would love to take the title back to EF and create and awesome Rafa jersey with it. We will be gunning for it.”
Last year’s race was challenging with wet weather for road race day, ironically something that would bring a smile to Cadzow who is working hard to handle hot humid conditions.
“The team have done testing and once it goes over 30C deg, I struggle with nose-bleeds.
“I did a lot of heat training to prepare for this. After a ride I would come indoors on the trainer, put a couple of rain vests on and a paint-suit, and ride at a certain power for an hour.”
A high grade thermometer ensured an accurate measure of her core temperatures, as she pushed up to 38-39C deg but not over.
“The team are looking towards the future big women’s tours and see if my body can adapt.
“Things are trending in the right direction. I did not even last a day in the Giro last year but in Adelaide I coped much better and could perform as the team wants me to.”
Cadzow has grown up in the cool, clear climes of Wanaka.
“There is nothing I like more than a cold, rainy race. If I was not a climber, I would love to be a Classics racer with rain, grit and mud. It is a real kiwi thing I reckon.”
While that will be something organisers and most of the field are unlikely to favour, Cadzow is hoping for the worst to achieve the best.
The championships are arguably the strongest in memory with five of the six New Zealand women on the UCI World Tour and joined by all 10 kiwi men in WorldTour or UCI Pro competition.
The programme comprises the Time Trial for all grades on Thursday 6 February, followed by the road races for Under-19 Women, Under-19 Men and combined Under-23 and Elite Women on Friday 7 February, leaving the Under-23 and Elite Men’s road race on Saturday 8 February.