Sergent gets the best result for career

Jesse Sergent's 4000m individual pursuit World Cup win has shown professional cycling teams that they can't ignore him, says coach Mike McRedmond.

Speaking after Sergent's success on Thursday, McRedmond said it was a fantastic ride to market himself to road teams.

"Number one – it's a great way to finish the year.

"There's no doubt about that," Manawatu's coach of the year said. "It reinforces his status as New Zealand's No1 individual pursuiter.

"Long term, there are scouts around who are looking for young guys to go into professional teams.

"He has to be a contender for a good professional contract at the end of next year."

Sergent has one more year as an under-23 rider before he will look to pick up a full-time professional deal.

He was given the opportunity to ride the individual pursuit after Hayden Roulston stepped down citing heavy road racing commitments. Sergent beat Australian Rohan Dennis, winning in a time of 4:23.192 on a dead track at the Hisense Arena in Melbourne on Thursday night.

Considering the track was dead, gear selection was pivotal and Sergent got it spot on with a higher gear.

McRedmond said Sergent had grabbed the individual pursuit spot and performed admirably.

"Jesse has certainly picked up that mantle and done a great job with it."

Sergent's win has guaranteed him an individual pursuit berth at the World Championships in Copenhagen next year.

But don't put the house on him winning gold there just yet.

There's a talented pool of young riders who can all go close to the 4:20 barrier on their day.

Australian Jack Bobridge, American Taylor Phinney and Britons Ed Clancy and Stephen Burke will all be nipping at Sergent's heels at the World Championships.

Following the world championships Sergent will cast an eye to the Commonwealth Games in New Delhi in October next year.

At only 21 Sergent has made great strides this year and appears well on his way to carving out his own niche in New Zealand's cycling history.

McRedmond said it was a matter of steady improvement for his top student.

"This year has really been a development year for Jesse and I say development in terms of getting a good solid road base into him.

"It's just a case of making sure we continue to develop each year."

McRedmond was not in Melbourne to celebrate his young charge's success but said to never underestimate the power of text messages, Skype chat, telephone and emails.

- © Fairfax NZ News