NZ Bike 83 50pg sample

ISSUE 83 MAY 2016

GIRO D'ITALIA

THE HISTORY

THE PIONEER A HUGE SUCCESS

ROTORUA BIKE FESTIVAL

SHINES BRIGHTLY

TRACK CYCLING FOCUS

PATRICK BEVIN MAKING HIS MOVE

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THE NEW SCULTURA TEAM 2016

THE NEW SCULTURA TEAM 2016 LESS WEIGHT. MORE PERFORMANCE.

The cat is out of the bag: raced already during the spring classics as a camouflaged prototype in the pros’ pelotons, at this year’s Giro we unveiled a brand new SCULTURA, which is simply nothing else than the best MERIDA road racing bike of all times! Weighing in at roughly 4.6 kilos, the globally strictly limited top model SCULTURA LTD enqueues among the world’s lightest production models. But its new trim isn’t the SCULTURA’s only superlative: with its considerably improved aerodynamics and also increased saddle comfort, the new working tool of TEAM LAMPRE-MERIDA shows an overall performance which surprises even our highly experienced pro riders. The future has just begun – the new SCULTURA 2016!

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IMAGE: Michael Steele/Getty Images

The peloton pass by the Dubai Crocodile Park during the Business Bay Stage Four of the Tour of Dubai on February 6, 2016 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

IMAGE: Fabio Piva/Red Bull Content Pool

Competitor performs during Red Bull Valparaiso Cerro Abajo in Valparaiso, Chile on February 21, 2016

CONTENTS NEWS

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IMAGE: ??????????????

UCI World Champs

NEWS

68

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IMAGE: mark bridgwater

Yeti Trans New Zealand

20 Issue #83, May 2016

Contents Introduction 13 Newsbytes

Features 16 Taiwan Show 20 History of Giro d’Italia IMAGE: From the Giro d'Italia historic archive

History of Giro d'Italia

Track 26 UCI World Track Championships 28 UCI Track Cycling World Cup 30 NZ Track Nationals

Road

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32 Profile: Patrick Bevin 36 Sweet Ride: Cannondale 38 NZ Cycle Classic 40 Huri Huri 42 UCI Chief Commissaire John McDonnell 46 Aussie Michael Matthews

IMAGE: Cannondale Pro Cycling

Patrick Bevin

Bike Bling 50 Cycling Must Haves

MTB 54 Alps to Ocean 58 The Pioneer 64 Rotorua Bike Festival 68 Yeti Trans New Zealand

Regulars

NZBIKEMAG.CO.NZ

72 Nutrition 74 Calendar of Events

64 IMAGE: alan ure

Rotorua Bike Festival

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EDITOR Matt Tuck

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As many of you already know, I am not the biggest fan of bunch riding. I have limited time to train and don’t want to waste any of it. I realise a bunch ride has its place and I do enjoy the company on a long endurance ride, especially with a well-behaved bunch of good guys and girls. But a bunch with appropriate etiquette it seems is increasingly difficult to find.

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Aaron Strong, Aaron S Lee, Andrew Dewhurst, Catherine Rossiter-Stead, Katie Farman, Graeme Simpson, Jason Menard, Sarah Rawley, Darryl Carey, Jesper Storgaard Jensen, Ian Hepenstall, James Jubb

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS I started thinking about what it was that I

marked as someone who hasn’t got a clue

disliked about bunch rides and came up

and others will give you a wide berth.

with some things that just grate me (and

Your cycling clothing should be tight fitting

some of my close cycling buddies). If you

not baggy (unless you’re on a MTB trail then

never want to get invited back, try some of

the opposite applies).

these on your next bunch ride.

Throw away your valve washer nut and

NEWS

cap and take off those ridiculous looking

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Look like one of us This one might sound a bit snobbish, but I’m just trying to be honest and if you’re committing one of these dress code sins then you might find yourself getting left off the invite text.

Don’t turn up with your dented (or worse cracked) helmet with the sun visor still on it and wear it half way back on your head or off to one side. The helmet should be in good nick, sit forward on your head, sit straight on your head and remove it in the café unless you have some motor skills issues with walking. Cycling caps under helmets are acceptable but not sweat bands or bandanas and sunglasses are to have the arms on the OUTSIDE of the helmet straps.

Never put mirrors on the side of your helmet.

That is an instant dismissal.

Always wear matching top and bibshorts.

Only turn up in your team kit, National or World champ jersey if you have actually earned it. Turn up in a sleeveless jersey and it is an instant red-flag. You will be directed to the nearest Tri Squad. Tan lines are a badge of honour, be proud of them.

Do not wear bibshorts that have worn to the point of being revealing. No-one wants to see your rusty sheriffs badge. No undies under bibs either. You’ll instantly be ear-

reflectors that some wheels come with.

Avoid chain tattoos on your lower legs (grease marks). These instantly single you out as someone to avoid. You can’t even get on your bike without cocking it up, no-one will want to ride near you.

Save your carbon race wheels for race day. Training wheels only and the more spokes and heavier the better. The carbon wheels say “I’m not good enough to keep up without $3000 wheels”. If you’re that cashed up then spend it on a coach to get you fit enough to keep up on training wheels.

So we haven’t even gotten out of the carpark yet and you’re thinking, seriously, what gives? The purpose of all this is to fit in with your new gang. This is probably the number one thing to remember. Most of the time you are joining an already established group who have already figured out the do’s and don’ts. The best thing you can do to be accepted is to blend in and be a sponge, knowledge

about

how

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None of these serves any purpose.

absorbing

Darryl Carey, Alps 2 Ocean, Dave Lintott Photography, Michael Steel/Getty Images, Red Bull Media, Digby Shaw, Mark Bridgwater, Giro d'Italia's historic archives, Dianne Manson, Kim Daebone, Guy Swarbrick, Christian Pondella/ Red Bull Content Pool, Fabio Piva/Red Bull Content Pool

this

group operates. Some people are terrible

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COVER

Rider: Patrick Bevin Image: Cannondale Pro Cycling

at this and after a few strikes will not get invited back.

Get a feel for the tempo of a group There are many different types of bunch

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NEWS On more well-behaved endurance ride type bunches it is a good idea to sit back and observe how things work for your first few rides. Get a feel for the tempo that the group rides. Most well behaved bunches will ride steadily and predictably and have the odd occasion where the pace goes on in a safe manner at an appropriately safe part of the ride, eg: top of a long climb, down a technical descent and then will be followed by a re-grouping.

NZ Cycle Classic

rides. Some just won’t suit you. Too fast, too slow, too unruly, too

Don’t half wheel or surge. Again this goes with feeling the tempo.

big or too small. What is not acceptable if you are joining an already

If you’re on the front next to someone who is a regular group rider,

established bunch is to try and change their behaviour. If this group

the polite thing to do is to ride exactly beside them at their pace. The

wants to ride like maniacs and sprint for every crossing then you

only exception to this rule is if this person has committed some of

have two options: join them OR change group ride. Personally I avoid

the above sins. Then half wheel the crap out of them until they yield.

these type of rides but understand that some people love them. I’ve

The only time it is acceptable to turn your bike upside down is

voted with my wheels and avoided them rather than being that guy

midway through a crash. This is not the way to change a flat tyre.

who gets annoyed that the bunch isn’t doing what they want.

You’ll be berated or left behind or both.

On more well-behaved endurance ride type bunches it is a good

Do not just weasel your way into a group that you aren’t familiar

idea to sit back and observe how things work for your first few rides.

with mid-ride. I view this the same as if some random came and

Get a feel for the tempo that the group rides. Most well behaved

sat down at my table as I was having dinner with friends. You can

bunches will ride steadily and predictably and have the odd occasion

introduce yourself, say gidday, perhaps even ask if the group minds

where the pace goes on in a safe manner at an appropriately safe

you joining in…THEN sit down the back. NEVER merge mid-pack

part of the ride, eg: top of a long climb, down a technical descent

and ride there silently like you belong. You do not!

and then will be followed by a re-grouping. Don’t be that guy or girl

As I started on this article I thought of a few brief points but once I

that throws in the random attack up the middle when everyone else

started writing I realised there is far more to it. Some of my points are

is riding steadily in a two breast formation. Even worse, don’t then sit

a bit tongue in cheek but if you’re going to take one thing away from

up and get run over by the steadily moving group. If you really insist

this, it should be that if you want to be a part of an existing bunch

upon being first to the top of every little rise then do some bloody

ride then blend in, do as they do and learn from their experience.

work on the front of the group immediately afterwards too.

When riding in a steadily moving bunch, hold no more than two

I look forward to seeing you all behaving excellently in your bunches out on the roads in the near future.

abreast and allow appropriate gaps between the rider in front (maximum 15cm) and the rider next to you (maximum 30cm). Keep those distances as constant as your skill level allows.

Don’t run red lights or lead the group up beside cars waiting at NEWS

lights like a swarm of bees. Worse still, then don’t all fan out across

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in front of the first car waiting at the red. We are hated enough by motorists as it is.

Aaron Strong (aka supercoach)

Steel Springs Performance coaching www.steelsprings.co.nz

NEWSBYTES Ceres Organics New Protein Powder full of organic plant-fuelled goodness with no nasty fillers.

Protein shakes just moved up a notch with the introduction of Plant Strong protein powder by New Zealand organics company Ceres Organics. Vegan, dairy-free, and wheat-free, Ceres Organics new protein powder is made from organically grown raw sprouted brown rice.

The powder is made through a unique chemical-free sprouting process that extracts the naturally occurring plant protein. The result is a smooth powder with 80% bioavailable plant-based protein, containing all the essential amino acids that the body can’t produce on its own. The powder effectively contributes to the growth and maintenance of muscle mass and comes in two great flavours - Creamy Vanilla and Smooth Chocolate.

Managing Director of Ceres Organics Noel Josephson says that while protein is a vital part of a balanced diet, many protein powders on the market contain fillers, including artificial sweeteners, soy and whey, which are increasingly being excluded in the diet for health reasons.

“Our Plant Strong protein powder allows a person to get all the great benefits of extra protein, without any added sugar, preservatives or chemicals that are often bundled into powdered protein supplements. The added benefit is that Plant Strong is sprouted, which is beneficial for gut health and dramatically increases how easily nutrients are able to be absorbed by the body,” he said.

Ceres Organics is an Auckland-based company that provides the most comprehensive, innovative range of organic food products in Australasia including beans and pulses, ancient grains and flours, nut butters, breakfast foods, healthy snacks, quick meals, super foods and fresh produce.

Originally started as an organic vege co-op working out of a garage, Ceres now employs 150 people and leads the organics market in New Zealand with distribution across major supermarkets, health food and organics stores. The company also has a growing presence in Australia and partnerships in South America and Thailand.

Ceres Organics plant strong sprouted rice protein powder is: - Raw - Vegan - Sprouted - Organic - Dairy Free - Wheat Free

Lifestream Sprouted Superfoods WIN! Lifestream is giving NZ Bike readers a chance to win one of four Certified Organic SPROUTED SUPERFOODS A highly nutrient dense, plant-based, absorbable wholefood supplement, formulated to support a healthy heart, digestion, glucose metabolism and free radical scavenging (anti-ageing).

It’s a perfect superfood for fostering energy to get you through your next training session or triathlon. It is a concentrated blend of amaranth, quinoa, millet, buckwheat, garbanzo beans, lentils, adzuki beans, flax, sunflower, pumpkin, chia and sesame seeds. One hundred percent plant-sourced protein, SPROUTED SUPERFOODS is ideal for those who want to add more greens to their diet, those who need extra fibre for bowel health and those who want to eat sprouts, without the work involved of regularly sprouting.

What are Sprouts?

• They are a living food. Antioxidants, enzymes and minerals such as iron, manganese, magnesium and zinc super-charge the developing plant, enabling it to thrive above the soil. Its this energy that makes sprouts such a nutritious, high energy food.

• Sprouts have a higher nutritional profile than any other food.

A sprouted seed, bean or nut has many times the nutritional value than non-sprouted. Adding sprouts to a salad will give added protein, Vitamin C and B vitamins than simply lettuce.

By weight, sprouts are one of nature’s richest sources of beneficial plant nutrients.

• Sprouts are high in anti-oxidants. Anti-oxidants may protect against DNA damage and may slow down the ageing process.

Lifestream SPROUTED SUPERFOODS is available at health food stores and pharmacies nationwide. 100g $49.90 RRP; 200g $89.90 RRP. Find out more at www.lifestream.co.nz Enter online at www.endurancesport.co.nz

NZBIKEMAG.CO.NZ

Ceres Organics plant strong protein powder is available from selected pharmacies, health food stores and from Ceres Organics online supermarket: https://shop.ceres. co.nz/. For more information go to www.ceres.co.nz

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NEWS

NEWSBYTES TomTom Bandit Action Camera

Weet-Bix

The action camera reinvented by TomTom. The TomTom Bandit Action Camera is the first ever 4K Ultra HD camera with built-in media server and action sensors, letting you edit and share your action instantly to with the Bandit App (iOS and Android).

With an integrated USB port for charging and file transfer, and over hours hours non-stop filming we give you the freedom to move. Built-in action sensors including G-force, speed, rotation, acceleration and altitude allows you to automatically identify key highlights and shows these stats in your final video. Waterproof to a depth of 40m with its dive lens on means no bulky dive cases, and that the Bandit looks and works the same inside and outside of the water. It was never been easier to capture all your adventures. Visit www.tomtom.com/actioncamera for more information.

Celebrity Chef Michael Van de Elzen’s tips for a Healthy Breakfast.

Wanting to stay in shape for the big day but tired of the same boring breakfast ideas? Weet-Bix has come to the rescue with a host of Better Brekkie recipes created by celebrity chef Michael Van de Elzen.

From a breakfast trifle and a wake-up shake, to Weet-Bix bircher muesli, porridge and pancakes, through his Better Brekkie recipes Michael has brought a chef’s flair to the first meal of the day. But his recipes are still quick, simple and family friendly.

Michael says Weet-Bix makes a great, nutritious base and from there it’s so easy to build in the flavour.

For more Better Brekkie recipes see www.weetbix.co.nz/thebetter-brekkie-programme/

We have one to giveaway.

Enter online at www.endurancesport.co.nz

We have eight Weet-Bix packs to giveaway. Enter online at www.endurancesport.co.nz

Red Seal Protein Powder New Fit Protein Powder.

Whether you’re hitting the gym five days a week, or just want an occasional boost, Red Seal’s new Fit Protein Powders iwll do the trick.

Available in natural vanilla and chocolate, Red Seal’s Fit Protein powder contains 60% protein and carries a five-star health rating. This delicious, easy to drink shake is low fat, low sugar, naturally flavoured and sweetened, and is a highly bioavailable protein option for those on the go.

NEWS

NZBike has one pack to giveaway including two flavours and a shaker, valued at $75.00. Enter online at www. endurancesport.co.nz.

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IT’S ALL ABOUT

SPEED. Even NZ’s fastest woman still wants to go faster.

Introducing our new Aero tri top. Developed with Britta Martin for the Ironman World Championships at Kona.

Available now for everyone as a custom item. tineli.co.nz/aerotri

FEATURE

TAIWAN SHOW

Taiwan Global Media Factory Tour 2015 Text and photos: Darryl Carey

FEATURE

Bike use has become increasing popular worldwide.

Global bike production statistics report a 10 times exponential growth over the past 50 years compared to five time increase in car production.

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The Ministry of Transport Household Travel Survey 2013 reports that almost 20% of New Zealand ride bikes. Overall 28 million hours are spent cycling each year, covering a total of 338 million km - about the distance to the sun and back.

Cycling provides both transport and leisure benefits. Direct benefits include improved physical and mental health with reduced health costs, pollution and traffic congestion. Local and national transport authorities are increasingly prioritising cycling because it is pivotal to reducing carbon emissions and ensuring sustainable transport for a vibrant, healthy community.

ACC figures suggest cycling is far safer with lower number of injuries, when compared to rugby, cricket, basketball, soccer, netball and tennis.

Darryl Carey was invited to this exclusive Global Media Bike Factory Tour in Taichung, Taipei in October 2015.

For bike enthusiasts like Darryl, attending this tour was amazing with five full days of new, yet to be released bike models and componentry.

Taipei was already one of the most affordable and convenient cities in the world to travel around thanks to the Taipei Metro (MRT), an extensive bus network, as well as cheap taxi fares. But now there is another reason to love traveling in Taipei, and that is the YouBike community bicycle sharing program. The Taipei City government teamed up with Taiwan’s world renowned bicycle manufacturer Giant in 2009 and established the country’s first bicycle sharing program with 11 stations in the downtown district. The program has undergone rapid expansion since its incarnation, and as of last week, there were over 103 stations throughout Taipei, with plans to establish 162 stations by the end of the 2013. With the initial 30 minutes of use free of charge, and only NT$10 for every additional 30 minute interval, the system is not only an affordable and eco-friendly way to navigate around the city, but also a fun and convenient method to visit the various tourist sites at one’s own pace.

Bike Tour #1 : Giant factory Giant started in 1972 with one goal: Create a better cycling experience for people around the world. Three principles craftsmanship, innovation and inspiration.

Manufacturing for others, known as original equipment manufacturing, "helps us understand the overall market situation.

It helps our management do planning and not make silly mistakes," said "King" Liu Chin-piao, Giant’s chairman who founded the company in 1972.

Giant Manufacturing Co. bicycle factory in Taichung City, Taiwan.

Sales in the U.S., where Giant is third-largest behind Trek and Specialized among specialty bike retailers, are up 13.8 percent in the first half of 2015 compared with the same period in 2014, according to data provided by Giant.

Bike Tour #2 : KENDA tyres Kenda Rubber Industrial Company is a manufacturer of pneumatic tyres in Taiwan since 1962 with manufacturing facilities in Asia.

Kenda has a winning track record with a drive to build a better tyre.

Kenda's breadth of experience in their field remains unmatched.

In the Kenda factory, quality is top-knotch with checks throughout the factory line. Every tyre is hand assembled before being placed into the machines, all inner tubes are tested for leaks by hand before leaving the factory.

Bike Tour #3 : BN’B Rack BN’B Rack is designed to ensure the safe and convenient transportation of bikes, ranging from a one to two roof bike stand to a four-bike carrier for those adventure get-aways.

This family run business will be moving to a larger eco-friendly factory in 2016 to help with the growth of the OEM and BN’B racks.

Bike Tour #4 : Velo saddle factory Velo saddle was founded in 1979 by who is known and referred to as the most powerful woman in the bike industry and is still heavily involved in the design and development process ensuring high quality saddles to meet individual needs for every cyclist selling 10 million saddles per year. Velo aims to stay ahead of the technology curve and to develop new trends, elevating the sport to higher levels, maintaining both comfort and performance. Velo currently holds 17 patents and its engineers are intensely focused on building on these achievements.

Throughout the tour, emphasis of the importance of quality was repeated continuously with checks following each assembly belt.

Preference of saddle size, thickness and weight have also been customised to meet individual needs and preferences.

Marwi started in 1983 and is now one of the world’s largest pedal manufacturers with production units worldwide producing in excess of 30 million pairs of pedals and six million saddles. Marwi also produces chains, water bottle cages, high-end lighting systems and stainless steel/titanium spokes. Marwi claims that their Germanbased research and development team have the ability to provide individualised request with minimal notice while maintaining a high quality standard.

The technology and systems within the Marwi factory was incredible with varying saddle templates to meet individual needs.

All the pedals are put through numerous tests and checks to ensure the highest quality and standard. The Marwi team dynamics expressed a feeling of fun, yet high quality productivity. Marwi is also the manufacturer for Speedily pedals.

NZBIKEMAG.CO.NZ

Bike Tour #5 : MARWI pedals

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FEATURE

Bike Tour #6 : KMC chains KMC was founded by Charles Wu in 1977, known as “Dr Chain”, and was the largest bicycle chain manufacturer in the world in 2011.

When it comes to super light weight chain, high-tensile strength, rigid energy-transfer technology, precision mold and heat treatment techniques and innovative production equipment, KMC is the leader.

Sadly no photos could be taken in the KMC factory, as KMC has a very close relationship with major componentry companies and the chains are manufactured in large volumes.

Bike Tour #7 : TAYA CHAIN

FEATURE

Taya Chain was established in 1969 with four principles: Durable with 5k chain life, eco-friendly with 25 year rust-proofing, world’s lightest and an Sigma connector with an exclusive double pin design with no-tool required for bike chain installation.

The CEO of Taya Chain, Mr Hua-Tien Wu performed a display dressed as a sailor captain – “sailing towards 50th years of Taiwan Excellence”.

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Bike Tour #8 : hubsmith Hubsmith Co Ltd, Precision Crafted Cycle Components established

in 2010. Offers performance cycle components to suit the most demanding extreme use. Lightweight precision technology and strong performance.

Bike Tour #9 : Lezyne Lezyne has grown over the years to become a company known for its innovation and high quality componentry for enhancing and maintaining your bike.

After walking around the high-tech factory, you can see everything is still hands on and 90% of the products are assembled by hand.

Lezyne designed a new type of GPS which now has three models, each one tailored for different riding styles. Maintaining quality control is essential with onsite testing for every single GPS prior to packing and distribution.

After spending five days travelling around Taiwan and visiting some of the biggest names in the bicycle industry, it is clear that Taiwan is still the world leader. Research and development has been heavily invested with use of new facilities and high tech machinery and robots where required to enhance production and quality and can be used 24 hours a day, 7 days per week.•

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FEATURE

Fausto Coppi

GIRO D'ITALIA 100 years of pink dreams

Text: Jesper Storgaard Jensen I Photos: From the Giro d'Italia historic archive

For more than hundred years Giro d'Italia has been a fascinating scene where myths, heroes, victories, defeats and extraordinary events have been on display. NZ Bike tells the story of some of this famous race's most important names - the only female rider, the terrible black jersey and the eternal rivalry between Coppi and Bartali.

The Netherlands will have the honour of opening the 99th edition of the Giro d'Italia, when it starts on 6th May in the small Dutch city of Apeldoorn. The final sprint will take place on 29th May, in Turin, 3.383 kilometers later.

It is the 12th time that the Giro starts outside of Italy's borders, and only once before, in 2002, the start gun was fired on Dutch soil.

A total of 22 cycling teams and 198 riders will soon be ready to embark on a new chapter in a bicycle saga that is more than 100 years old.

FEATURE

The first and only woman

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One early morning at 2.53 am in Milano, the 13 May 1909, a total of 127 riders took off in the very first edition of Giro d'Italia. The number of stages was eight, the length of the first competition was 2.448 kilometers and every second day was dedicated to restitution. 49 riders managed to complete the race, and when the legendary Giro d'Italia director Armando Cougnet asked the winner, Luigi Ganna who worked as a bricklayer - how he felt having won the race, Ganna

replied in a rather laconic way with his Lombard accent: "me brusa tanto el cu" (I have a terrible pain in my bum)!

Seen in a historic light the first edition of Giro d'Italia was a palpable evocation of the futuristic manifesto which had been launched exactly the same year, in 1909, and which paid tribute to the beauty of speed. Exactly 50 years earlier, in 1869, Milan's mayor, Giulio Belinzaghi, had banned the use of the bike in Milan, because it created panic among the city's pedestrians. Now, in 1909, the speed and all the aesthetics that surrounded the concept of speed, were highly fashionable and the fascination of athletes and sport practitioners soon managed to create the myths and the stars, all major sports events are built around.

The very first myth created by Giro d'Italia was named Alfredo Binda. He became the first serial winner and won in the years 1925, 1927, 1928, 1929 and 1933. Actually, the Giro d'Italia direction found his victories and physical supremacy in the years from 1927 to 1929 so enervating and suspense killing that in 1930 Binda was paid 22,500 lire - the same amount that went to that year's winner! - not to participate! Throughout the Giro d'Italia history only two other riders, Italian Fausto Coppi and Belgian Eddy Merckx, have been able to step into Binda's footsteps as five time Giro winner.

The Giro's distinctive pink jersey was introduced in 1931 as a tribute to Italy's largest sports newspaper, the Milanese Gazzetta dello Sport, which was founded in 1896 and since 1899 printed on pink paper. But of course, the unusual color was also chosen to put an extra focus on the leading rider.

In 1924 the pink colour was in some way a metamorphosis for the only female participant ever in the Giro d'Italia. Her name was

A total of 22 cycling teams and 198 riders will soon be ready to embark on a new chapter in a bicycle saga that is more than 100 years old

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Gino Bartali

21 Alfonsina Strada

Bartali and Coppi

FEATURE

Several false punctures were staged, and once Malabrocca sat for a full hour in a hotel toilet before he was thrown out. The riders would hide in haystacks along the route and peep out, while competitors drove past.

FEATURE

Gino Bartali 1951

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Alfonsina Morini, who ironically had taken the surname Strada (Street, Ed.) as a married woman. Alfonsina came from a peasant family around Bologna. Initially her participation caused some embarrassment to the race organisers, who weren't used to the mix between sport and gender questions. However, Alfonsina soon became so popular that the Gazzetta dello Sport journalist Silvio Zambaldi in an article published on 14. May 1924, wrote: "After just two stages Alfonsina's popularity has risen to incredible heights.

Along the route Genoa-Florence you could constantly hear people ask, 'When will she pass by?', 'Is she left behind?', 'Is she still in the race?".

Not in one single stage Alfonsina ended as the last rider in the rankings. However, on a stage that led to Perugia, she faced huge problems due to the cold and the rain. She crashed several times, hurting her knee and because of that she arrived in Perugia out of the time limit. According to regulations she should have been excluded from the race, but due to her popularity, she was allowed to continue as "external participant". The same popularity led the Gazzetta dello Sport to pay her hotel stay during the rest of the race together with the cost of a masseur. When Alfonsina arrived in Milan in the final stage, she was completely exhausted but satisfied. However, her heroic and avant-garde efforts - seen from a gender point of view did not manage to change gender politics in Italy. Only in 1945 - 52 years after New Zealand - women in Italy gained full suffrage.

Bartali and Coppi Great deeds, heroic performances and incredible victories. These

are some of the key words that populate the pages of the Giro d'Italia.

In the years 1946-1951, however, the Giro also seemed to celebrate the famous slogan "bad publicity is better than no publicity". These were the years where the curious Maglia Nera (The Black Jersey, Ed.) - a prize to the worst rider - was introduced.

The black jersey was named after the football player Giuseppe Tozzetti. From 1924-31 he played in the club Casale, whose club jersey was black with a white star. In 1920, Ticozzelli played his one and only game with Italy's national team. In 1926 he decided to participate in the Giro as an external participant, wearing Casale's black club jersey during the race.

He got very popular due to his "optimistic attitude": before every stage he arrived elegantly in a taxi, jumped nimbly on the bike, his assistant had prepared, and right after the start he threw himself into energetic and completely inconsiderate breakouts. All this only to seek refuge at a good trattoria along the route when lunchtime approached. Here he would enjoy a nutritious meal without considering neither competitors nor time. He only lasted for three stages!

Twenty years later, in 1946, the Black Jersey was introduced in Tozzetti's "honor". It consisted in a number of appetizing prizes to the rider who "conquered" the last position in the final classification.

Wine, cheese, salamis, even sheep and pigs and a cash prize of 60,000 lire (about 1.800 euro today, ed.) went to the winner of "the reverse standings". All this was obviously a financial carrot for the riders who had no change whatsoever of even getting close to the podium. The trick was to get the worst overall time, however, without

breaking the time limit of each stage. To do this the riders obviously had to be equipped with a mix of imagination and lack of shame.

Actually, riders like Luigi Malabrocca and Sante Carollo had a lot of imagination, when they fought for the worst ranking. Several false punctures were staged, and once Malabrocca sat for a full hour in a hotel toilet before he was thrown out. The riders would hide in haystacks along the route and peep out, while competitors drove past. You would also see riders who took plenty of time having lunch with friends and family. This "show" came to an end after six years, as many of the serious riders complained that this undignified spectacle undermined the whole race's professional integrity. Today - more 50 years later - the term "maglia nera" is still frequent in the Italian language as a metaphorical indication of the worst ranking.

If Malabrocca and Carollo were two riders without any winning ambitions, in the upper part of the Giro rankings you would find two other riders - Gino Bartali and Fausto Coppi - of a completely different caliber. Bartali, surnamed il pio and l'intramontabile - the pious and the immortal - due to his strong Catholic faith and the fact that he never gave up, won the Giro three times and the Tour de France two in the years from 1936 to 1948, while Coppi - perhaps the strongest Italian rider ever - captured five Giros, Tour de France twice and various first rankings in classics like Milan-San Remo and Paris-Roubaix between 1940 and 1952.

The rivalry between the two riders in the period immediately after the second World War was so pronounced that it nearly split Italy in two parts - Bartaliani and Coppiani. According to many observers,

this Bartali-Coppi-schism was the first of its kind that the Italians since the end of the war and up to today have practiced ever since: Christian democrats against the communists, communists against fascists, Sophia Loren against Gina Lollobrigida, the trendy Vespa scooter against the more anonymous Lambretta, Milan against Inter, Roma against Lazio, summer holiday by the sea or in the mountains and today ... for or against the current Renzi government.

Together Bartali and Coppi were a sort of national treasure, and in quite a number of cases they took the headlines not because of their cycling merits, but as a result of their private life. The Catholic Bartali was a member of ACI, Italy's oldest Catholic association, founded in 1867. During the second World War, through the ACI Bartali gets into contact with the Delasem organization, which helped Italian Jews to escape the German occupation. In the period from September 1943 to June 1944 Bartali hid the documents of Italian Jews in his bicycle's frames, and during his training sessions he transported these documents to a monastery in San Quirico, where false documents for fleeing Italian Jews were printed. With these false documents reportedly about 800 Jews managed to escape from Tuscany to the region of Abruzzo region, which at the time was out of German reach.

When Gino Bartali's widow, Adrianna, in 2006 received the Italian State's gold medal as a proof of her husband's courage shown in the resistance 60 years earlier, the then president Ciampi said: "Madam, your husband was a true hero".

Bartali is even accredited for having averted a difficult domestic political situation, which could have developed in the direction of

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Malabrocca maglia nera

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FEATURE

FEATURE

Fausto Coppi

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civil war. It happened in 1948, when the Communist Party leader Palmiro Togliatti was shot on 14. July. The crowds were agitated and social tensions were at the boiling point for several days following the attack. But then the tense situation is loosened due to an important "news bomb" which arrives from Paris on the 25.

July. After having lost more than 20 minutes on the first stage, Bartali had slowly managed to regain the lost time on the following stages. Then, during the last mountain stage, at the age of 34 years, he had systematically massacred the French favourite Louison Bobet. It is said, that when Gino Bartali's incredible Tour triumph was announced in the Chamber of Deputies in Rome, the political enemies embraced each other and on the street the announced revolution was suspended.

Coppi too was often to find in the papers' headlines. He had an incredible lung capacity of more than seven liters of air and a resting heart rate of 32 beats per minute. In 1940, just 20 years old, he surprisingly wins his first Giro d'Italia. Immediately thereafter he is sent to the front in Tunisia, where at a certain point he is captured.

Fortunately he is released and resumes his career back in 1946.

He wins the Giro again in 1947 and in 1949, and at the peak of his career he becomes the first rider ever that conquers both the Giro and the Tour in the same year.

Once he ended up in the middle of a social-sentimental scandal, when he fell in love with Giulia Occhini. They were both married (but not with each other!), and when their relationship became official in 1953, the scandal really flared up in Catholic Italy. The Pope even sent an official communication to Coppi, which stated that "the Catholic Church was disheartened" about what had happened.

And once in a while, during Coppi's races, thousands of fans remained in provocative silence when he drove past, as a sign of

Together the bike and the bicycle sport were a perfect metaphor for the fact that now - in post-war Italy - you would need to roll up your sleeves to make a fresh start.

their disapproval. Coppi divorced from his wife, whereas Occhini's husband (who had previously been a big Coppi-fan!) filed a lawsuit against Occhini for adultery. This later led to a suspended sentence of prison of respectively two and three months to Coppi and Occhini, due to the fact that at the time adultery was prohibited by law. Later on the two married in Mexico, where they had a son.

Coppi died in 1960, only 41-years-old. During a trip to Africa he had contracted malaria, which was diagnosed too late. Today Coppi is still considered to be Italy's biggest bicycle icon ever.

More popular than football The cycling sport has for many years been the national sport in Italy. The snake of riders who from Milan started their three-weekstruggles through the boot-shaped peninsula to be celebrated by millions of enthusiastic spectators and fans along the route, has always been as a kind of "social glue" in Italy. In some way the Giro d'Italia would help keep the long and both socially and economically incoherent country together.

Past radio transmissions from the stages were followed by millions of bicycle enthusiasts, and postwar children amused themselves by playing with soda pop capsules that carried photos of the era's most famous cycling idols. Throughout time memorial pages recounting moments of suffering, gigantic mountains, dramas, race analysis and heroic exploits have been written by so great and well-known Italian novelists as Dino Buzzati, Vasco Pratolini, Anna Maria Orthosis, Orio Vergani and Indro Montanelli.

In Italy, in the early postwar period, cycling was actually much more popular than football. In the period from 1945-60 the interest in the cycling sport peaked in Italy. During that period the Italian riders won great victories in both the Giro and the Tour, and also several

world championship titles were brought back to the "cycling crazy" Italy. All this while the postwar Italian football team found itself on quite a mediocre level.

However, this changed, probably in 1964, when the Italian national team won the European football championship and Inter conquered the final victory in the Champions League. And who knows, perhaps the Giro - and the cycling sport in general - lost some of its innocence when the race's first doping scandal emerged in 1968. And the year after the Belgian superstar Eddy Merckx called the cannibal due to his insatiable appetite for victories - was busted for the abuse of doping. With five victories in both the Tour and the Giro Merckx has long entered the category of "the world's biggest cycling stars".

Other great names in Giro d'Italia have been for example Giuseppe Saronni, Ivan Basso, Francesco Moser, who set the one-hour world record on racetrack on a homemade aerodynamic bike. And then we shouldn't forget the super popular climber, Marco Pantani. He won both the Tour and the Giro in his most successful year, 1998.

The following year his doping test was positive. The year after, in 2004, Pantani died alone and abandoned in a hotel room in Rimini, allegedly as a result of an overdose of cocaine. The short version of Pantani's dramatic death is that he never recovered mentally after the doping verdict which had led to a period of strong depression.

Today, when many Italian cycling and the Giro enthusiasts are speaking about Pantani, they often do so with wet eyes.

The bike that writes on asphalt Throughout time sociologists, historians and anthropologists have done more or less strenuous attempts to analyze the Italians' use of and love to the bike in reference to socio-economic factors in different periods.

As regards the years immediately after the second World War, the historian Daniele Marchesini writes that "in postwar Italy cycling was the sport that most of all reminded of a work. Pedaling to earn money for that day's food, that was what awaited the Italians after the lost war. Together the bike and the bicycle sport were a perfect metaphor for the fact that now - in post-war Italy - you would need to roll up your sleeves to make a fresh start".

About three decades and an economic miracle later - at the beginning of the hedonistic 1980'ies - the situation had completely changed. Reagan was the US president, Thatcher was wearing the trousers in the UK, and Italy had started something that very much resembled a consumer party. The number of cars pro capita rose to the second highest in the world after the US, and in those years the interest in the muscle-powered two-wheeler dropped significantly.

In today's Italy, where la crisi is one of the most discussed themes, Reagan's and Thatcher's yeah-yeah-80'ies seem to belong to a distant memory. The crisis has - together with a growing antipollution-awareness and a new eco-trend - contributed to give the bicycle a second life. In fact, the two-wheeled has become so popular that, according to a recent article in the daily la Repubblica about two million bicycles were stolen last year in Italy.

But that's quite a different story. Right now we are awaiting the 99th edition of the Giro, from Apeldoorn to Torino - a total of 3.383 kilometers. 198 riders are ready to write another chapter according to the saying of the French singer, songwriter and cycling interested, Guy Demahysoncel: "The bike is like a pen that writes on the asphalt".

Giro d'Italia's 2016 - from 6 May to 29 May. From Apeldoorn in Holland to Turin in Italy.•

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Fausto Coppi

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UCI World Track Championships LONDON

Natasha Hansen wins her 5th-8th place ride-off

Dylan Kennett lead s the men’s team pursuit

The men’s team ir sprint sport the s rainbow jersey

Eddie Dawkins celebrates victory

Eddie Dawkins battles to the line in the keirin final and celebrates.

IMAGES: Guy Swarbrick

ion Natasha Hansen in act in the women’s sprint

UCI Track Cycling World Cup CAMBRIDGE

Celebration after a medal for the New Zealand women’s team pursuit , interview on Sky Tele vision

on IMAGES: Dianne Mans

Crowds enjoyed world class track cycling including the brilliant victory in the Omnium

by Olympic champion Lasse Norman Hansen

led the Jack Bobridge lian awesome Austra suit pur men's team

Multi world champion, the amazing Kristina Vogel

World champion Annette Edmondson leads the women’s omnium points race with carnage behin d

IMAGES: Dianne Manson

The New Zealand men’s team sprint burst out of the start in qualifying on the opening day of the UCI Track World Cup in Cambridge.

Track Cycling Nationals NEW ZEALAND

Jaime Nielsen leads the women’s team pursuit in their time trial effort.

Natasha Hansen claims title

Eddie Dawkins is high on the banking on his way to sprint record s

IMAGES: Dianne Manson

Piet Bulling gets underway during the individual pursuit (right) and Natasha Hansen zie in the Stephanie McKen int at the spr women’s team Cambridge Avantidrome in

Simon van Velthooven leads Matt Archibald and Zac Williams in the semifinal of the men’s keirin competition

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PATRICK BEVIN A classic(s) cyclist in the making Words: Aaron S. Lee

ROAD CYCLING

Cannondale neo-pro and reigning New Zealand time trial champion Patrick Bevin already making an impactful WorldTour debut.

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With a population of only 4.4 million, New Zealand has always prided itself with punching above its weight in most sports, with Rugby Union undoubtedly topping the list – just ask any All Blacks fan. However, in recent years, the sport of cycling – predominantly track, with road cycling not far behind – has quietly made its own mark on the global stage, and given nationals a reason to swell with pride.

Kiwi riders such as Greg Henderson (Lotto Soudal), Jack Bauer (Cannondale Pro Cycling), Sam Bewley (Orica-GreenEdge), George Bennett (Team LottoNL-Jumbo) and Jesse Sergent (AG2R La Mondiale) have all followed in the wheel tracks of those that came just before them such as Graeme Miller, Julian Dean and Hayden Roulston, to name just a few.

Currently there are six riders signed to UCI WorldTour teams in 2016, with the sixth rider Patrick Bevin (Cannondale Pro Cycling) looking like the next in line to continue the country’s rise to prominence.

Less than four months after winning the Australian National Road Series while riding with the New Zealand-registered UCI Continental squad Avanti Racing (now AvantiIsoWhey Sports), the recently turned 25-yearold (15 February) has already racked up two top 10 finishes on general classification in as many races to start the season.

The reigning national time trial champion finished sixth on stage 2 at the Santos Tour

Down Under (TDU) in January en route to taking 10th overall and third on youth classification all while riding in support of fellow neo-pro Michael Woods (CAN), who finished fifth overall.

Bevin backed up and finished 10th on the opening stage of the gruelling two-day Haut Var-matin in February to take 10th overall.

But Bevin’s success does not come as a surprise to Avanti co-founder and sports director Andrew Christie-Johnston, who talked to NZ Bike about the man who would be his eighth WorldTour signee back at Tour de Korea last July.

“There is no risk in signing Paddy,” said Christie-Johnston. “Whatever team gets his signature will be pretty bloody happy with what they get.”

For the past five years, the Avanti Racing Team has been collecting Australian National Road Series titles and churning out ProTour riders the likes of Richie Porte (Team Sky), Nathan Earle (Team Sky), Nathan Haas (Cannondale-Garmin), Campbell Flakemore (BMC Racing Team), Jack Haig (OricaGreenEdge), Steele von Hoff (formerly Garmin-Sharp, now NFTO) and Will Clarke (formerly Team Argos-Shimano, now Drapac) – with Bevin being the latest call-up.

“Paddy is the closest to being ProTour ready,” Christie-Johnston continued.

“Although Richie slotted in pretty quick as a neo-pro and won the white jersey at the Giro. All the others for different reasons – be

it their age or whatever – were slotted into a working role.

“Whilst a team will most probably put Paddy into that working role initially, he has the ability to step in and immediately win races, and I think he’s ready and he is certainly one of the best – if not the best – riders we’ve ever had on this team.”

Last year was a Cinderella season for Bevin. Not only did he claim the NRS title and help give Avanti its fifth straight team title (and sixth overall), but the North Island native from Taupo also racked up wins at last year’s Herald Sun Tour (UCI 2.1), Tour de Taiwan (2.1) and Tour de Korea (2.1).

Bevin joined three other notable signees, including Colombian Rigoberto Urán, Frenchman Pierre Rolland and Irishman Ryan Mullen on a Cannondale-Garmin squad that loses Dan Martin to Etixx-QuickStep.

Bevin’s pathway to cycling’s highest competitive level was not always such a smooth ride. In fact, he even came close to walking away from the sport in 2013 following a disappointing four-year stint riding for US-based Bissell Pro Cycling (CT).

“I had a couple of really bad crashes back to back and head knocks at the start of 2012 and spent about three months floundering,” Bevin admitted to NZ Bike during in a candid sit down interview in Seoul last year.

“I eventually called the contract off in June (2014), and came home but I wasn’t really sure what I wanted to do. It had been four

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IMAGE: Cannondale Pro Cycling

It was a moment of vindication and proof that I was better than how my career had progressed from the road to the track in previous years.

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IMAGE: Cannondale Pro Cycling

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years and my mind was starting to wonder.

“I enrolled in university just to tell my parents I was doing something while in reality I just needed to try and figure things out.”

During this time away from the road, Bevin turned his attention toward the highly touted national track program and took gold in the Madison with teammate Tom Scully at the UCI World Cup in Mexico last year. Bevin would later be selected for the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, but claims his relationship with the boards was rocky at best.

“The track was really hard,” he said. “I came from nowhere and had no help from the federation, and spent about $20,000 just to be in the ballpark with the equipment to race – the Oceania champs cost me a fortune.

“After the World Cup win, I had a pretty good nationals and won the points race and came second in the pursuit, and that put me on the radar for the CommGames.

“But I didn’t get to start in the points race and was just in the pursuit in Glasgow, so that stung a bit.”

In the meantime, Bevin took two stages and the points classification at An Post Rás (Rás Tailteann or the Rás) last May. Bevin’s success in Ireland caught the attention of Australian Continental team Search2Retain (S2R), which lured Bevin back to the road.

While riding for S2R in the latter part of last year, Bevin bounced back to both physical and mental form with stage and race wins at the National Capital Tour and the Tour of Tasmania.

"I learned a lot from my time in the track program,” explained Bevin. “The transformation came after realising how wrong I went in to the CommGames. I went in there flying and came out creeping and found out that’s how not to do it for me. Don’t get me wrong, the national high performance program does a great job, but I was going backwards – that’s where Search2Retain came in.

“I signed with S2R at the end of the NRS to supplement what I was doing on the track and I was really grateful for that opportunity and we had a lot of fun,” said the 2014 national criterium champion. “They were really good to me and without that opportunity. S2R came at a time when it was really important for me to transform as far away from my track experience as possible.

“A month later I was second up the Mt Wellington time trial – a hors catégorie (HC) climb in the Tour of Tasmania – which set me up to win the race,” he continued. “It was a moment of vindication and proof that I was better than how my career had progressed from the road to the track in previous years.”

Now firmly entrenched on the road, there is little doubt as to where his future lies according to Cannondale team manager Jonathan Vaughters.

“I do not feel that Patrick’s long term future in cycling is not going to be as a cyclist who makes his living in the true mass field sprints,

between the riders is clear.

“As far as the differences between Patrick and Steele and Nathan, both Steele and Nathan are immensely talented riders, but both of them are in a way, are sort of free spirits and world adventurers,” claimed Vaughters. “In Patrick, I see someone that is really interested in being a professional cyclist.

“He is focused on being professional cyclist and that’s where I see a bit of a difference,” he added. “He really wants it and he wants to be a successful professional rider and that is his number one focus in life.”

According to Vaughters, of all of Cannondale’s new signees, Bevin arrived to the team’s first training camp last October most prepared in terms of his nutrition.

“Our nutritionist, who we hired away from Team Sky, Nigel Mitchell, said Patrick knows nutrition better than anyone else on the team,” shared Vaughters recounting his conversation with Mitchell. “Patrick’s done the research and figured it out on his own.

“Considering Nigel is one of the most highly respected nutritionists in the world, to say Patrick Bevin has it figured out is a pretty strong compliment.”

For Bevin, it’s business as usual in 2016 with plenty left to learn.

“Obviously every time you make that step up you wipe the slate clean a fair amount, so it was nice to turn up and be compete in my first WorldTour race,” he explained following his TDU debut. “I haven’t raced at this level before, so you just don’t know what to expect. To turn up and be competitive is a great start to the season and hopefully something I can build on and continue to show that I belong at this level.

“I have lots to learn, and find myself growing as a rider every day,” Bevin concluded. “At the moment, I’m just taking it day by day and really enjoying it.”

Aaron S. Lee is a pro cycling and triathlon columnist for Eurosport and a guest contributor to NZ Bike.•

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IMAGE: Alphapix/John Cowpland

but more so in selective sprints,” explained Vaughters. “A really good example of a selective sprint is Gent-Wevelgem.

“I think he will become a ‘classics’ rider, but he will of course have to adapt to the colder weather, harsher conditions and narrower roads of the northern classics,” he continued. “But for me, races like GentWevelgem will be very well suited for him, maybe eventually Tour of Flanders – probably not this year, but as we go forward Flanders will become a race he is capable of contending in as it’s not a sprint of 180 guys, it’s a sprint of 30, 40 or 50 guys – it’s a race that requires explosive power to make final selection.”

As for the difference between Bevin and former Avanti alumnus Nathan Haas (Team Dimension Data) and Steele von Hoff (One Pro Cycling), two Aussies who rode for Vaughters under previous incarnations of Slipstream sports between 2012-2015 and 2012-2014 respectively, the distinction

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cannondale SUPERSIX EVO The unfair advantage

SUPERSIX EVO IS:

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STIFF: It has the best stiffness-to-weight ever recorded, an incredible 142.3 Nm/deg/kg.

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The SuperSix EVO is the ultimate road racing machine. Designed to be the perfect blend of all the key factors of performance - weight, stiffness, strength, compliance, handling and aerodynamics - the EVO is so good that Tour magazine in Germany named it the “Best Bike in the World” (Mar 2012).

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SPEED SAVE FORK The 315 gram fork features full BallisTec carbon construction, an 1-1/8” to 1-1/4” tapered steerer for the best balance of weight and stiffness, and offset dropouts, which allow for more fork angle and compliance without affecting handling.

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EVO has a mere 14g more drag than the best ‘aero’ frames without their added weight and harsh ride.

CONTINUOUS CARBON A continuous network of hight modulus stiffening fibres runs around joint areas and along the outer edges of the frames tubes, connecting all parts of the frame and allowing precise tuning of stffness and ride quality.

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3. EVO Carbon: By using a higher percentage of intermediate modulus fibre to tune the stiffness, we are able to expand the EVO line with a super high-performance, sub-950 gram frame. Offered both with and without internal rear brake routing.

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This year’s Tour attracted a field of 90 riders representing four countries including England, France, Australia and New Zealand

Brad Evans Wins stage 2 of NZCC

CLASSIC RACING IN THE WAIRARAPA The 2016 New Zealand Cycle Classic lived up to its hype of unearthing new talent

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Words: Katie Farman Images: Dave Lintott Photography

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Notable riders have won the New Zealand Cycle Classic title over the past 29 years - Robbie McEwen, Brian Fowler, Hayden Roulston, Julian Dean, Chris Jenner and George Bennett to name but a few and Race director Jorge Sandoval has made no secret of it being a launching pad for new riders wanting to make an even bigger impact on the international stage. So it was with an enormous sense of pride that Sandoval presented this year’s UCI yellow tour jersey to 20-yearold Australian Ben O’Connor, a relative newcomer to road cycling, who made his tour debut with Avanti IsoWhey Sports.

State of Matter Team Winners

O’Connor claimed the jersey following an impressive ride on the fifth and final stage of the UCI 2.2 accredited Tour held entirely in the Wairarapa. Going into the 122km final stage with a 31 second advantage over his teammate Mark O’Brien and JLT Condor’s Stephen Williams, there were predictions the racing would be fast and furious. But no one imagined just how fast and furious, least of all O’Connor who was forced to chase many of the breaks launched by One Pro Cycling, Data#3 Cisco, State of Matter, Kenyan Riders Downunder and the New Zealand national team, as a solo rider. “(The other teams) threw everything at us – it was unbelievably tough,” said a relieved O’Connor after the race held on rolling, rural roads and in scorching heat.

“There was a little bit of cross wind today and short punchy climbs out there and it left us isolated. The first half, the boys rode brilliantly and then we went to get some bottles and there were some cheeky moves made, which left the boys out, and left me and Mark to try and nurse her home.”

“You’re kind of hoping for an easy (final) day where it’s all nice and controlled and have a team bunch sprint but that didn’t happen at all today. That’s bike racing, that’s what makes it such a great sport.”

GC Winners Stage 5

O’Connor finished the fifth stage in Masterton nine seconds behind stage winner Michael Cuming [CRRCT] but there was no denying he earned that yellow jersey, especially after overcoming a mechanical mishap (a snapped seat post saw him finish the last 3km out of his saddle) to win the grueling, hilly 152km stage four atop Admiral Hill the day before.

“I am absolutely stoked, obviously the aspiration has always been to become a professional cyclist and this is my first year with Avanti IsoWhey and I am loving it right now. I just hope it continues like this,” said O’Connor.

It was also a pleasing result for Sandoval and continued his tradition of unearthing new talent at the event, which made a welcome return to the Wairarapa after four years being staged in Manawatu.

“I’ve always said this event is to champion the riders of tomorrow and we saw that again this year,” said Sandoval.

This year’s Tour attracted a field of 90 riders representing four countries including England, France, Australia and New Zealand. It also saw the NZ debut of ONE Pro Cycling featuring British rider Kristian House, who nabbed a stage win and JLT Condor which finished third overall on the teams’ classification points table and saw

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Stage One Podium

incredible lead-out rides by George Atkins and a stage win by Christopher Lawless thanks to the excellent support from kiwi Alex Frame. Kenyan Riders Downunder also debuted with Jason Christie, who finished the final stage second in second place just after a week of being crowned New Zealand National Road Cycling Champion.

The New Zealand National team also had a successful outing thanks to the efforts of Michael Vink who finished seventh overall on GC and Brad Evans, who grabbed a stage win – useful preparations for their pro racing later this season. Vink will race for Sojasun Cycling Team in France while Evans will don the colours for Pat’s Vege, a feeder team for DRAPAC professional cycling.

This year’s Tour received ringing endorsements from many riders and management including Australian Peter Tomlinson, the UCI representative appointed to officiate the event. “Jorge has assembled a competitive field, the Police and volunteers around the course ensured it was a safe race. Also the Wairarapa surrounds were lovely and the Police and volunteers outstanding,” he said.

His comments were echoed by John Herety, a former English road cyclist who represented Great Britain in the Olympic Games and is now the manager of English based JLT-Condor. Herety was pleased to see a significant Police presence in the Wairarapa and said their approach was clear and precise while their positive attitude was greatly appreciated by all teams. Mr Herety said rider safety was the most important thing and this race delivered on that. He said he would return home to England with nothing but positive things to say about the event and the way in which it was conducted.

With the New Zealand Cycle Classic turning 30 next year, there is increasing talk that various national and local bodies are working to elevate the race's status. Sandoval is expected to make an announcement of some sort in middle of the year.

Destination Wairarapa general manager David Hancock was pleased the Tour and the week-long Huri Huri: Wairarapa’s Bike Festival held at the same time, put the Wairarapa on the international cycling map.

“This double-header week of cycling events is such a good showcase for the Wairarapa region. Images of our rural scenery were beamed all around the world and the riders have indicated they will return home with nothing but positive comments on the region,” he said.

“This year’s event attracted new visitors to the region and contributed to the whole economy – in terms of accommodation, spend at local cafes and retail outlets, it also proves we can host an event of this international level.”•

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Wairarapa cycling legend Brian Lambert tackling Admiral Hill on his 30-year old Vitrus during this year’s Pedal for Parkinson’s.

IMAGE: Catherine Rossiter-Stead

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The wheels keep turning for veteran cyclist Lambert One of the great things to come out of Wairarapa’s Huri Huri Bike Festival is the celebration of all things biking and that includes personal achievements both past and present.

Words: Catherine Rossiter-Stead

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Brian Lambert is cycling legend in Wairarapa. He retains a claim on the record for the fastest non-stop cycle ride from Auckland to Wellington, a journey he undertook in 1984 on his beloved aluminium-framed Vitrus bike, in just 19 hours, 59 minutes and 27 seconds.

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He is a stalwart of the sport having cycled for 60+ years, was also the owner of Masterton’s Lambert Cycles until it became Avanti-Plus a few years ago. The veteran rider can frequently be spotted as part of the support team assisting national cycle promoter Jorge Sandoval with his international road cycling events.

Now into his golden years, Lambert still likes to tackle the region’s toughest hill climb, Admiral Hill in Gladstone. What’s really remarkable about his determination to take on the 18km climb, is the fact that

he was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease more than 15 years ago.

“At this stage of my Parkinson’s, I’m having trouble balancing,” explained Lambert. “But on the bike I don’t need to worry about anything.

“With Parkinson’s, exercise is better than taking a bottle of pills,” he said.

Next summer, Huri Huri will be into its third year and the festival has been a wraparound event for both Sandoval’s Women’s Tour of New Zealand and the New Zealand Cycle Classic. Local cyclists warmed up the roads for these top international events as

part of the cycling festivities, and nominated Parkinson’s Wairarapa as their charity of choice in honour of Lambert’s achievements and continuing contribution.

For the last two years cyclists have converged on the Gladstone Vineyard prior to Stage Four of the professional race, to ‘Pedal for Parkinson’s’: a fun ride that includes 18km, 45km and 72km options, culminating in the infamous Admiral Hill climb.

Naturally, the fiercely-independent Lambert once again took to his 30-year old Vitrus bike to take up the challenge.•

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The Commissaire…

NZ Bike sits down with Cambridge’s John McDonnell to talk about life in the fast lane as a UCI cycling official.

Words: Aaron Lee

Images: Daebong Kim

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Few people understand – or appreciate – the role of a sports official. Whether its rugby, soccer or cycling, those who uphold the letter of the law are never fully given the proper credit they’re most often due. Without officials, referees or commissaire’s participants would simply run amok. Checks and balances are critical, even if they are rarely positively acknowledged.

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But for 62-year-old John McDonnell of Cambridge, no thanks are necessary as it’s simply all in a day’s work.

Standing at a perfectly postured 182 centimetres and weighing a solidly built 85 kilograms, with a chiseled face and a shaved head, McDonnell is an imposing figure in any walk of life – even more so when perched through a sunroof of an Audi S8 as the chief commissaire at the Qinghai Rural Credit Cup Tour of Qinghai Lake – a race considered by many as professional cycling’s fourth Grand Tour.

That’s just the shadow the New Zealand native casts along roadsides around the world. After a celebrated amateur cycling career, that’s exactly what the Cambridge High School deputy principal has been

doing over a 27-year career while as of August serving at 99 UCI-sanctioned road and track cycling events around the world – including Olympic- and Commonwealth Games, as well as world championships and world cups.

NZ Bike caught up with proud husband, who is father of two children and grandfather of five, in July at Qinghai Lake along the Tibetan Plateau at more than 4,000 metres above sea level to discuss the life and times of a cycling official.

“My first job was as a technical official at the 1983 Junior World Championships, which was both road and track in Wanganui, New Zealand,” shares McDonnell on how it all began. “I was lucky enough as a young lad to be appointed and helped out at those

events. It wasn’t until 1988 that I was one of the ones selected in the UCI international commissaire course.

“From there I got involved nationally doing as much as I possibly and in 1991 the UCI decided to hold an international commissaire course in Cairo.”

Seven people from New Zealand applied for the course, but immediately afterward the Gulf War broke out and those in front of McDonnell declined to attend, leaving him just two weeks notice before the event.

“It was a hostel time and didn’t have much time to make a decision, but I decided to go,” recalls McDonnell. “I was successful with two other commissaires to come away with an A-Grade qualification.

“From that time I’ve been involved from

I’ve been lucky enough to cover about seven Tour Down Under races and 11 or so Herald Sun Tours, not to mention all the Olympic Games, Commonwealth Games and world championships

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At times we would have more than 150,000 fans inside the last 10 kilometres – it was amazing

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everything from the Olympics to club racing twice a week with juniors on the track in Cambridge.”

McDonnell explains that becoming an official requires a level head for those willing to put in the time climbing the ranks – starting with local club ranks.

“You can’t overreact,” claims McDonnell, who was introduced to the sport at the Wanganui Cycling Club by his cousin at age 13. “And as far as getting into the profession, just ask someone at a local cycling club if you can get some training holding a stopwatch, judging a finish, sitting in a commissaire’s car or riding on a moto,” he continues. “Gain that experience and make sure you know the rules, as well as earning respect in the field and showing respect.

After almost three decades officiating in the UCI, McDonnell admits that while the role is challenging, it gets a bit more manageable the higher in the ranks one goes.

“I wouldn’t say its tough,” he explains. “It’s a challenge at times, but at the international pro ranks, it’s always a bit easier.

“At the regional and national events, I suppose the people you are dealing with are not always aware of the rules and they don’t always understand the reasoning for your decisions – meaning it’s more personal to them, rather than official.”

Just one race shy of the century mark, McDonnell found himself on his fifth assignment in China, this time to officiate the 14th edition of Qinghai Lake – his first at

the UCI 2.HC classified race – an event he’s readily return to officiate.

“I must say, that event although I’ve been to the biggest races in the world, Qinghai Lake would have to have been one of my most enjoyable experiences,” claims McDonnell. “I came home and talked to people about the experience, the people I met – everything.

“Without a doubt, I would go back if asked.”

McDonnell tells NZ Bike it was the people, not necessarily the riders that made the experience so special.

“You would not anywhere in the world and find more passionate fans,” he says. “At times we would have more than 150,000 fans inside the last 10 kilometres – it was amazing.”

That said, McDonnell admits that after 13 stages and 14 days, his job was not always an easy one and at times tried even his patience.

“It’s not always a smooth workday, and Qinghai Lake provided its own challenges,” he says. “I did have a conflict between two riders (Adria Mobil’s Marko Kump and Amore & Vita’s Mattia Gavazzi. It was a crucial time in the whole event in my view.

A verbal exchange turned physical on stage 9, which forced McDonnell to make an executive decision amongst his threeperson commissaire triumvirate on how to best proceed, after all quick thinking is not uncommon in a sport that races up to 200 kilometres per day at speeds in excess of 50km/h.

“It as a bit of a ‘biffo’ and when I reflect back I realise it was a turning point to keeping things all in check,” says McDonnell. “I made clear to all the team managers and riders that I would not tolerate such behaviour and I think the message filtered pretty quickly and we had no problems since.”

So with another cycling season ready to commence, just what remains for a man that has officiated 99 UCI races?

“Most definitely the Tour de France,” McDonnell says emphatically. “Not being fluent in French, I’m afraid it may be out of the question and I understand that.

“That said, I’ve been lucky enough to cover about seven Tour Down Under races and 11 or so Herald Sun Tours, not to mention all the Olympic Games, Commonwealth Games and world championships.

And of the near-century of races called, McDonnell fondly recalls his favourite in closing the conversation.

“I can vividly remember counting down Fabian Cancellara (SUI) in the individual time trial at the UCI Road Worlds in Melbourne in 2010, and a week later using the same stopwatch and clipboard with the 10- to 15-year-old juniors in New Zealand at the Bev May [Women’s Tour],” he recounts.

“I will never forget that.”

Aaron S. Lee is a pro cycling and triathlon columnist for Eurosport and a contributor to NZ Bike Magazine.•

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The Australian cyclist already has 21 ProTour wins to his credit

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Michael Matthews: Can 2016 be the year of ‘Bling’?

Australian cyclist Michael Matthews continues meteoric rise in the pro ranks with sights set on 2016 and beyond...

Words: Aaron S. Lee

Images: Orica-GreenEDge

Matthews has also topped the general classification leader boards at two of pro cycling’s three grand tours, including three days in red at the Vuelta a España and eight days in pink at the Giro d’Italia. Matthews has also picked up three and two individual stage wins respectively – including most recently a stage three victory in Italy in May. Add a 2015 Paris-Nice points classification to those impressive palmarés highlights, along with a recently earned silver medal from the UCI Road Race World Championships in September, and it can be hard to imagine that the 2010 under-23 world road champion is just 25 years old.

But after a whirlwind season that included a disastrous – yet courageous – Tour de France campaign in July and a wedding in August, the man known globally as ‘Bling’ is quickly coming of age, and fans of cycling Down Under are enthusiastic about what lies ahead for the Canberran in what will be a contract year for the Orica-GreenEdge rider.

The Tour…

With all the Grand Tour prosperity over the past two seasons, success still eludes Matthews at the Tour de France. Two years ago, a pre-race crash just days before the start of the Tour caused him to pull out due to a fractured wrist.

This year, Matthews was poised for prominence in France after another thrilling Giro performance when disaster struck. A massive pileup on stage three decimated the peloton and Orica-GreenEdge leaving Matthews with three battered ribs, along with two less riders to complete the remainder of the three-week, 21-stage grand tour.

Teammate Michael Albasini (SUI) would eventually join Simon Gerrans (AUS) and Daryl Impey (RSA) and abandon the race

two days later due to another crash, leaving Matthews to limp onward with just five supporting riders.

“We have to take the positives out of the Tour,” Orica-GreenEdge sports director Matt White tells NZ Bike. “Matthews went through some pain thresholds that at times I don’t think he thought he was capable of finishing.

But even in that last week of the Tour, he was battling on the mountain stages and ran top 10 at the Champs-Elysees.”

Matthews credits White, along with fellow team sports director Neil Stephens and the entire Orica-GreenEdge team and support crew, for helping him reach the finish line.

And like White, Matthews believes the experience at this year’s Tour has re-shaped him as both a person and a rider.

“I find it really hard to put into words what me and the team went through in that Tour de France,” Matthews tells NZ Bike. “I was pretty much 100 percent sure I wasn’t going to finish the stage that day.

“As you know the Tour is difficult to get through if you’re in top shape let alone if you have three broken ribs and skin off all over your body.

“It made it hard,” he continues. “Like Whitey said, it made me a new person.”

According to Matthews, the changes are reflected both on and off the bike.

“It made me appreciate cycling and appreciate life, too,” he explains. “I want to live to the fullest and I feel that I know how far I can push myself in any scenario now, and I think that’s the main positive I can take out of that situation at the Tour.”

The Marriage…

Matthews did not have long to lick his wounds following the Tour. Just two weeks after wrapping up the Tour with an admirable

ninth-place finish on the Champs-Élysées, Matthews found himself at the altar in Tuscany marrying his partner of five years, Katarina Hajzer.

“Things have obviously changed a little bit since the wedding,” confesses Matthews.

“Not so much professionally, but personally.

You feel more safe and secure with your relationship and everything.

“I think we are both a lot happier now and safe with our relationship and we know it’s forever now… plus, it’s just more fun.”

For the wedding, Matthews and Hajzer were joined by family members from both Australia and Slovakia for a beautiful, but quick ceremony in the Chianti region.

“The ceremony served as both a wedding for us and a holiday for our families,” Hajzer (now Matthews) tells NZ Bike. “Straight after the wedding on Sunday (8 August), we finished at 4am, and at 8am we were already driving to altitude training camp to prepare for the world championships.”

Matthews finished second to Slovakian Peter Sagan (Tinkoff-Saxo) at the world championships, a year after teammate and compatriot Simon Gerrans claimed silver in 2014. While a sensational result for both, the silver medal was bittersweet for Matthews who had his sights clearly set on gold.

“Looking back, strategically I should have gone with Sagan when he attacked,” admits Matthews, who claims he had the legs to challenge the eventual champion at the finish. “Sagan does it a fair bit and those attacks a lot of the times come back to a sprint so I sort of gambled, but unfortunately it didn’t this time.”

Hajzer recalls seeing Matthews immediately following the race, where she watched on her phone hidden out of sight just metres from the finish.

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Winning bike races is nothing new for Michael Matthews. The Australian cyclist already has 21 ProTour wins to his credit and during his brief six-year career, which started at age 18 with Jayco Skins before moving on to Rabobank (2011-12) and then GreenEdge in 2013.

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It is very likely that the young Aussie will become a world champion within the next five years

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“The world championships meant so much to him,” says the Trencin native. “Michael was going for the gold medal no matter what and after he crossed the finish line I could see the disappointment on his face because he basically sacrificed everything for that race.

“When we came back home to Monaco, he sat on the couch and was really disappointed, but quickly realised it’s not good to dwell on the past, so he stood up and said he learned his lesson and is ready to go again next year.”

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The Future…

Matthews’ stock continued to rise in 2015 with a stage win and points jersey at both Paris-Nice and the Tour of Alberta, along with a stage victory at Tour de Suisse and his second career stage win at the Giro.

Matthews also finished on the final podium (third) at both Milan-San Remo and the Amstel Gold Race before finishing the year with a silver medal at the worlds.

So after a stellar season, just what’s next for Matthews, who is in a contract year?

According to retired German cycling legend

Jens Voigt, the future is bright for “Bling”!

Looking forward, the former Hour Record holder feels the sport has never been in better hands and one rider that has caught Voigt’s eye is Matthews.

“I know Matthews may be disappointed with second place at the world championships this year, but there is no shame in losing to Peter Sagan (Tinkoff-Saxo) – who is just a super strong rider,” Voigt tells NZ Bike.

“It is very likely that the young Aussie will become a world champion within the next five years.”

White concurs with Voigt, and also believes that Matthews’ gutsy performance at this year’s Tour will pay dividends in the immediate future.

“I agree with Jens, sooner or later Matthews will be a world champion,” says White. “When you look at his season and the targets we set for him, he ticked all the boxes.

“Sure, we have to turn the podiums at Milan-San Remo and Amstel Gold into wins, but I think they are coming.”

A humble, but confident Matthews sincerely appreciates the backing and

eagerly accepts the responsibility that comes with it.

“I take that as good pressure when a guy like Jens Voigt says that about you,” says Matthews. “He really means it because he’s not getting anything out of it himself.

Obviously he believes in my ability and me as a person to make it to that sort of level in cycling, so it’s definitely a motivational booster for me coming from a guy like that.”

As for his contract with Orica-GreenEdge, Matthews has no plans to make any changes any time soon.

“For the moment it seems like the perfect team,” says Matthews. “I get paid to do a lot of the races I want to do and they support me in a lot of those races on and off the bike and that’s the main thing I’m pushing for… so then it’s up to me to make the results for myself and the team and let everything else play out accordingly.”

Aaron S. Lee is a pro cycling and triathlon columnist for Eurosport and a contributor to NZ Bike Magazine.•

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