Cycling: Road race a chance to forget velodrome

Greg Henderson was not happy with his finish in the individual pursuit final. Picture / Mark Mitchell

Greg Henderson sees Sunday's 170km road cycling as the chance to shake off the memories of a track carnival from hell.

"I would love to get some payback after what happened at the velodrome," Henderson said after returning from a training ride yesterday.

"I was very disappointed. It is easier to talk about it now than it was at the time.

"I expected to be watched, but I did not expect to be marked out of it [the points race]." He also disappointed in the scratch race, in which he is a one-time world champion.

The six-strong New Zealand road team are now together following Glen Mitchell's arrival from the United States a couple of days ago.

In a late change, Hayden Roulston, who has been in hospital battling a viral infection, has been replaced by Logan Hutchings, who joins Henderson, Mitchell, Gordon McCauley, Peter Latham and Robin Reid in a formidable line-up.

Henderson is a genuine contender if the 15-lap race around the Royal Botanic Gardens circuit comes down to a sprint finish, but he said they could not count on that.

"We will sit down and discuss tactics," said Henderson.

"In a race like this, it is important to have a plan B." And, he added, plans C, D and E.

"If it comes down to a sprint finish, I'll be ready.

"But it is a very technical course with tricky changes of pace and direction.

"The hill is not huge but will be a test especially in the latter laps. It might not be so much the hill but what follows that could split the field up."

There will be plenty of talking over the walkie-talkies between the riders and team officials as the race, scheduled to be the last of the Games' events to finish, unfolds.

Henderson is confident the make-up of the New Zealand team will be good enough to cover all eventualities. He is particularly impressed with what he has seen since Mitchell's arrival.

"I think he will be fantastic," said Henderson.

"He is a crafty rider and very savvy in races like this. I know I would rather have him in our team than riding against us."

McCauley's bronze medal effort in Tuesday's 40km time trial also impressed Henderson.

"I wasn't surprised by that. The Aussies are class acts, but the bronze was always going to be up for grabs. Gordie nailed that and showed he has good form and will be one of the strongest on Sunday."

Mitchell and Reid will be the only New Zealanders in the field who have yet to see action here.

McCauley was joined in the 40km time trial by Latham and Hutchings in what was seen as a decent blowout before the road race finale.

With Sarah Ulmer still under an injury cloud, the six-strong team for the nine-lap, 100.17km women's road race has yet to be confirmed.

Melissa Holt is expected to back-up from her time trial ride and track riders Joanne Kiesanowski and Tammy Boyd could also be called on to join Toni Bradshaw and Susie Wood and, hopefully, Ulmer in what should be a strong team.

It will need to be, given the expected strength of the home nation.