At 35, when many professional athletes are considering retirement, New Zealand's Aaron Gate is just getting started on his biggest adventure yet. The history-making cyclist who captured four gold medals at the 2022 Commonwealth Games is now setting his sights on cycling's greatest stage: the Tour de France.

Gate's story is one of strategic ambition and graceful evolution. Four years ago in Birmingham, he became the first New Zealander to win four Commonwealth Games gold medals in a single competition—three on the track in team pursuit, individual pursuit, and points race, plus the road race. It was a feat that cemented his place in New Zealand sporting history.

Now, rather than defending those titles at the Glasgow Commonwealth Games this year, Gate is embarking on an exciting new chapter. After completing his first full season with World Tour team XDS Astana, he's impressed the Kazakhstan-registered outfit so much that they've rewarded him with a two-year contract extension. His sights are firmly set on competing in the Tour de France this July—an opportunity that has never been available to him before joining the World Tour level.

"It would have been nice to go back and do another Commonwealth Games, but you have to pick your battles sometimes," Gate shared with RNZ, demonstrating the thoughtful decision-making that has defined his career. "The team has been very supportive of me so far, so I'm going to give them my unwavering support for the season."

With his characteristic humor, Gate joked about his 2022 performance: "I guess in some ways it is good to quit while you're ahead." But there's nothing retiring about his current ambitions. Having competed at four Olympics on the track, Gate understands high-pressure environments, though he acknowledges the Tour de France presents unique challenges with 180 competitors in the bunch.

"It is one of the craziest experiences you can do as an athlete with all eyes on everything at all times," he said. "It's going to be very stressful and at times not enjoyable, but it's the achievement of doing the job well."

Gate's preparation is already underway, with competitions scheduled at the Tour Down Under and Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race this month—where he finished an impressive second in 2025—before heading to Europe in February for the northern season.

Why It Matters: Aaron Gate's journey reminds us that reinvention and new dreams have no age limit. His willingness to step away from certain glory to chase an unprecedented challenge demonstrates the growth mindset that defines true champions. For aspiring athletes everywhere, Gate proves that 35 isn't the end of a career—it can be the beginning of your greatest chapter yet. His support for the younger New Zealand track team also shows the generous spirit of a champion who lifts others while pursuing his own dreams.