Nate takes road skills to Asia

ANOTHER of Bendigo’s gun cyclists, Nate Hadden will be showcasing his road skills across Asia for the next month.

The 19-year-old is a key cog in St George’s Continental team which will contest the Tour de Taiwan on March 16 to 20.

It’s then on to seven-day Tour of Thailand and then Tour of Hainan in China.

Hadden raced in last year’s Tour of Poyang Lake in China.

A big run of road classics across ’24 included races in Greece, Italy, Netherlands, Portugal, and Slovakia.

“Every race was a great experience,” Hadden said.

St George’s road focus is predominantly on Asia.

Hadden began this year by racing at Cycling Australia’s road nationals in Perth where he was sixth in the under-23 road race and seventh in the time trial.

Another highlight was South Australia’s Kick It Festival which was the first leg of the newly-formed ProVelo series.

Hadden was fifth in the 3km time trial on the iconic Willunga Hill.

Although a lot of his time is spent on the road, Hadden marked a return to track cycling at the Tom Flood Sports Centre last Thursday night.

Racing off scratch he charged to an impressive victory in the Frank McCaig Memorial Wheelrace (1600m).

“It was one of the best track races I have put together,” Hadden said of the classic which honours a cycling star of the early 60s and 70s.

Although his racing career was cut short at the age of 28, Frank McCaig was an integral cog in the Bendigo International Madison and for the Bendigo and District Cycling Club.

“To win the Frank McCaig Memorial was a huge honour,” said Hadden.

“The race means so much to the McCaig family and many people at the club.”

Hadden’s top-end speed on the bell lap of the wheelrace was incredible.

“There’s been plenty of efforts on the road to build up strength to go at a high pace for all the race and have more in the sprint.”

When not on the bike, Hadden is in his first year of Exercise and Sport Science at Notre Dame University.