Hamish Bond of New Zealand competes during the Cycling Time Trial on day six of the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games. Photo/ Getty
Hamish Bond of New Zealand competes during the Cycling Time Trial on day six of the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games. Photo/ Getty
Hamish Bond remains one of the miracles of this New Zealand sporting generation.
The champion-rower-turned-elite-cyclist took bronze in the Commonwealth Games time trial on the Gold Coast after completing the 38.1km course in 48m 45.45s.
Bond sat atop a lifesaver chair 'throne' under a shade sail on the Currumbin beachfront for 70 minutes, after taking the early lead.
Australian Cam Meyer eventually took the win from the second bracket of riders, no doubt inspired by the "Aussie, Aussie, Aussie" spray-painted in canary yellow on the climb.
Englishman Harry Tanfield was 30.26s back in second, with a further 2.15s to Bond.
Fellow Kiwi James Oram was fifth, 55.27s adrift of his teammate.
Bond said it was his best ride in competition.
"I'm pleased with how I executed, there's not much more I could've done. My pacing was really good throughout the race. There were no flat patches when I was struggling.
"I held it back nicely at the beginning, because I've been guilty of tapering for events and going out too hard thinking it's easy. Then it comes back to pay in the second half.
"I intentionally dialed back in the first half of the race and kept my heart rate under control on those climbs."
Bond was in pole position after the first wave of riders. Photo / Greg Bowker
Bond is familiar with the terrain, having done his course reconnaissance 30-40 times.
The 32-year-old started out with stealth as he built his cadence. He looked like a svelte locomotive carrying the goods down the main trunk line.
Bond was 9.32s down on third-placed Brit Charlie Tanfield after 10.8km.
Whispering pedals swished through the Gold Coast countryside and, by the 17.4km checkpoint, he had established a 15.03s lead.
There was one awkward moment.
"On the way out I caught up to one of the African riders and the [support] car didn't get out of the way.
"That was a bit annoying. I had to get back into a rhythm, but I understand the Australian [Callum Scotson] had a puncture.
"I'll take a wee bit on the brakes behind a car, rather than a puncture."
Bond attacked the incline along the Currumbin Creek Rd with a perfect mix of grace and grunt as a fan taunted him with an Australian boxing kangaroo flag.
The result was Bond flying down the other side and through to a 50.2s lead over Australia Callum Scotson who recovered from an early puncture with a swift change.
He flew along the waterfront, presumably without too many tortuous sideways glances at the pristine waves rolling in.
The temperature sat in the high 20s as the midday sun took hold.
Bond knew Meyer was the man to watch.
"He's ridden pro at the highest level, with gold medals aplenty. But I'm really pleased with how my bike performed. It was a good package today."
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