CYCLING

Oram secures top-six finish in under-23 time trial

By Sports Media NZ

UCI ROAD CYCLING WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS – NZ WRAP DAY 1

Young New Zealand professional James Oram has finished an outstanding sixth place in the under-23 time trial at the UCI Road Cycling World Championships in USA today.

The 22 year old from North Harbour was just 37 seconds from winner Mads Schmidt (GER) and only one second off fourth after an excellent performance over the 30km test in his final year in the category.
Oram, who rides for the Axeon Racing team in USA, started conservatively to be 17^th fastest through the 7km time check, pushing up to 10^th fastest at the midway split and finishing strongly for his sixth place.
However the Kiwi, a former time trial medallist as a junior and 10^th in the under-23 race last year, would have liked if the course in downtown Richmond in Virginia had been even tougher.

“It was quite technical with some paved sections and some sharp turns and we rode up the climb that we will face in the road race,” Oram said. “But I would have preferred another good climb to be honest to make it tougher.


James Oram in action during the time trial at Richmond, Virginia today. Photo © Graham Watson

“I gave it absolutely everything. I’ve only been able to focus on time trial preparations in the last week since the Tour of Alberta and I was pleased with my effort. There was nothing left in the tank.”
Oram said he was looking forward to the road race on Saturday (NZ time), joining up with fellow professionals Dion Smith and Hayden McCormick.

“Dion got to see some of the circuit in the team time trial and Hayden will arrive in today. We’ve ridden together since the under-17s and know eachother well.

“The road course has smaller laps and is quite tight and technical, which will suit the three of us and we will form a really good team.”

Earlier Blenheim teenager Georgia Cattrick finished 24^th in the junior women’s time trial over 15kms.
She was 27^th through the halfway check point from 37 starters and picked up the pace over the tougher second half of the circuit.

Tomorrow Palmerston North’s Robert Stannard has drawn sixth rider off and Auckland’s James Fouche mid-pack in the 57-strong field for the junior men’s time trial over 30kms.

Later five-time world championship medallist, Linda Villumsen is one of the last to ride in a 44-strong elite women’s field over the same course.

Results:
Under-23 Time Trial, 30km: Mads Schmidt (DEN) 37:10.96, 1; Maximilian Schachmann (GER) 37:23.16, 2; Lennard Kamna (GER) 37:31.98, 3. Also: James Oram (NZL) 37:48.44, 6.
Junior Women Time Trial, 15km:  Chloe Dygert (USA) 20:18.47, 1; Emma White (USA) 21:24.00, 2; Anna-Leeza Hull (AUS) 21:44.55, 3. Also: Georgia Cattrick (NZL) 22:45:87, 24.