TRIPLE Olympic rowing champion Drew Ginn took out the men’s 40km trial on Friday at the Oceania championships in Southland, New Zealand, his first major success in the sport.

Fellow Australian Michael Matthew won the under-23 time trial and compatriot Alexis Rhodes took out the women’s event.

But from champion rower to cyclist, Ginn, from Victoria, clocked 51 minutes and 40 seconds after only three weeks’ specific training on a time trial bike.

A back injury prompted the 34-year-old Ginn to spend more time on a bike at the start of the year and he increased his training a couple of months ago.

His next major event will be the time trial at the Australian road championships in January.

Buninyong, near Ballarat will host the nationals.

“I’m pretty realistic – I have a good group of people around me who are helping,” Ginn told AAP from New Zealand.

“The next chance is the Aussie time trial in January and you get a really good chance to see how you compare to the better guys in Australia.

“From me, it’s the motivation of wanting to see how far we can take it.

“I’m open to any opportunity to perform … give me a chance and I will see how I go.”

Olympic cycling gold medallist Scott McGrory and fellow Victorian Institute of Sport coach Jonathon Hall have been key players in the rise of Ginn.

The former Oarsome Foursome rower has tried other sports before, finishing the Ironman Australia triathlon in 2005.

“It’s a positive start to it all and I didn’t come here with any expectations, apart from seeing how I could go,” Ginn said of his Oceania win.

“I walk away from the day with some really good things I’ve learned and to try in the future.

“It’s heading in the right direction, put it that way.”

Asked about his age, Ginn replied: “34 and getting younger by the day – I keep telling myself that, anyway.”