3:04 pm today

Cycling: Veteran Aaron Gate eyes first World Tour race at Tour Down Under

3:04 pm today
Aaron Gate celebrates winning gold as he crosses the finish line of the men's road race at the Commonwealth Games. 7 August, 2022.

Aaron Gate celebrates winning gold as he crosses the finish line of the men's road race. Photo: Getty Images

New Zealand cyclist Aaron Gate will tick another box in his storied career when he contests the UCI Tour Down Under as a top-tier professional in Adelaide.

The 34-year-old has joined XDS Astana team on the back of an outstanding season on the track and road.

Into his 13th successive year on professional road teams, Gate will make his WorldTour debut in Adelaide, with the first of six full stages to be contested on Tuesday.

"It's nice to finally be in a top-tier team and one that's pretty hungry to race and race well this year," Gate said.

"It is still a little bit surreal for the young me that was just starting cycling, which doesn't feel like more than 15 years ago now.

"I still love doing it, which is the main thing. It's going to be an exciting year with new challenges. I'm definitely looking forward to that challenge of what is to come."

On the track, Gate is an Olympic medallist, double world champion and triple Commonwealth Games gold medallist, and on the road he won the 2022 Commonwealth Games gold.

He has also scored 13 wins on the road, including GC titles in the Tour of Hainan last year and Tour of Hellas in 2022.

Gate is both excited with what the coming year will hold on the World Tour.

"It is probably a nice balance of both, because there are some new races that I'm super excited to do," he said.

"There are some familiar races too that would be nice to go back to with a stronger team and a better setup. Then I can put my best foot forward with some chances for myself and also support the world-class riders in our team."

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