Jack Bauer of Garmin Sharp prepares in Christchurch to inaugurate the 2014 season exceptionally early, while he hopes to take home his second New Zealand national title in road race. The 2010 road race Champion will face a strong competition in the 50-riders peloton consisting of other World Tour cyclists and track specialists.

The 28-year old Bauer, so far having a maiden professional win claimed at the 3rd stage of Tour of Utah in 2011 in his palmares, admits it is highly exhausting to kick off the season early in January and compete regularly until late October without having properly long breaks to recover. Thus, Garmin Sharp rider enjoyed a short resting period and confesses, he is not yet advanced in his preparations to compete successfully in the National Championship road race.

"I started racing in January and did not finish until late October so it's a huge year," Bauer said cyclingnews.com

"I'd like to have a longer break but we have to be ready and in-form to race in the Tour Down Under the week after nationals. From there, it’s the (Jayco Herald) Sun Tour in Australia and on it goes into the Classics back in Europe."

Still, Bauer is keen to put in a good showing. Bauer triumphed in the year the course was moved to Christchurch and has made the city his training base as he prepares for the 2014 season.

"It's crept up on me a little but I have four weeks until the race so I expect to be in reasonable fitness. I don't like to ride in any race unless I am in shape," Bauer said.

The 28-old New Zealander will face a strong competition of World Tour riders, in the likes of three times National Champion Hayden Roulston of Trek Factory Racing backed by his exceptionally talented team mate Jesse Sergent and new Cannondale signing George Bennett. Roulston seems to be very eager of defending his title, what would become a perfect way to celebrate his 33rd birthday and enable him to  join Nick Carter and Jack Swart on four wins behind only Gordon McCauley who has five victories.

Bauer admits that being supported by team mates, what would occur in Roulston’s case, should be an important factor while he will be forced to count on his own forces as an only Garmin Sharp rider in the peloton.

"That was the case for the RadioShack trio last time. I've heard a couple of the trade teams have some team plans, so we will have to see how that pans out."

The 50-strong peloton will include 2012 champion James Williamson, two-time Under-23 winner Michael Vink, national criterium champion Michael Northey and London Olympic track riders Shane Archbold, Westley Gough and Marc Ryan.

The time trials for all divisions is on Friday 10 January in Lincoln, the women's road race is on Saturday and men’s 184km race is held on Sunday.