Well done Jack!! We are all very very proud of you
Yet another success in the home education circles! — Raewyn Shand

King for three seconds

MARK GEENTY IN LONDON

LAWRENCE SMITH/Fairfax NZ

NOBLE: New Zealand time trial cyclist Jack Bauer briefly takes the third-place throne at Hampton Court Palace, just outside London, after the men’s time trial at the Olympic Games.

Golden Bay’s Jack Bauer spent “all of three seconds” on a royal throne at Hampton Court Palace, a final, surreal experience of a satisfying Olympic debut.

The Nelson cyclist finished 19th in the men’s time trial amid chaotic scenes as Britain’s Bradley Wiggins delivered the gold medal his nation demanded.

Bauer was the 12th of 37 competitors to take off on the 44km ride, and his time of 54min 54.16sec had him momentarily in the top-three. Fittingly in the regal surroundings, the top-three sat on thrones in front of King Henry XIII’s former residence until incoming riders bettered their time as they arrived at 90sec intervals.

The 27-year-old from Takaka was soon moved on, but could hold his head high after he finished 10th in Saturday’s brutal road race when he was primarily Greg Henderson’s designated backup.

“I hope I did New Zealand proud. I gave it my all. I thoroughly enjoyed it. It’s been the biggest honour I’ve ever had to be selected for my country and bear the weight of cycling’s expectations back home. I’m really proud to be here and be flying the flag.”

Bauer had plenty of Kiwi support and got a rousing ovation as he pedalled back through the palace gates. Among them were his parents, Hans and Caroline, who had missed his road race as they were at his cousin’s wedding in Germany.

“A clash of priorities there,” he said with a laugh.

Expectations were not huge of Bauer today and he almost did not make it after misjudging a sweeping turn around the 15km mark.

“There was a big right hand corner and I had my head down and came in at 55kmh, I thought it was a roundabout that I was going straight through. I don’t know how I kept the bike upright but I did. I lost all my speed. It takes a big effort to get back up to pace and I panicked a bit and I guess things fell apart from there.”

Bauer now returns to his Spanish base to continue racing for his Garmin Barracuda team. His contract ends this year but he hinted he would sign with another team, although he could not reveal details.

He would love to be considered for the next Olympics in Rio de Janeiro in four years’ time.

“It’s something different wearing your country’s colours. It’s something I’ve always wanted to do since I was a young kid. And Olympics level is the pinnacle.

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Needing help for your home schooling journey:

https://hef.org.nz/2011/needing-help-for-your-home-schooling-journey-2/

And

Here are a couple of links to get you started home schooling:

https://hef.org.nz/getting-started-2/

and

https://hef.org.nz/exemptions/

This link is motivational:
https://hef.org.nz/2012/home-schooling-what-is-it-all-about/