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29 Nelson’s cyclists riding with the best
Niamh Fisher-Black at the Giro Donne, wearing the white jersey for best u23 rider classification (July 2021).
Nelson cyclists riding with the best
Nelson has long been a cycling paradise with its plethora of diverse tracks, spectacular scenery, and sunny climate. However, the region is now starting to see its cyclists shine on the international stage. Reporter Jonty Dine investigates what makes cycling here so special.
Olympians, national champions, world series riders. The cycling factory that is Nelson is consistently churning out superstars. The Tasman Wheelers is home to many of these riders and is garnering a reputation on the world stage for punching well above its weight. President Mike Rutledge credits the success of the club to its inclusive and competitive culture. Mike says there aren’t many sports where you get such diversity of age participation. “One of the cool things is you get kids who are 11-12 to people who are well into their seventies.” The Wheelers currently boast 170 members. “Nelson is a fantastic place to ride a bike, great weather and great back country roads to ride on.” As well as spectacular scenery, Nelson is also one of the cheapest places in the country to race on two wheels. “Whatever equipment or experience you have, we cater for a wide range of abilities and backgrounds.” Thanks to the generous support of local sponsors, children are able to race for free. “That keeps our costs manageable, and our juniors don’t get charged to race.” “For adult members it’s only $5 a race.” “We try to make it a really affordable sport.” Another key ingredient to its formula for success is the close connection with Nelson Track Cycling. Under the astute tutelage of former New Zealand representative Jason Craig, track cyclists are also making their mark on the international scene through the likes of Shaane Fulton and Kaio Lart. “We work closely together and lots of members cross over with Track Cycling Nelson.” The establishment of the Saxton Velodrome secured the future of cycling in the region.
BARRY WHITNALL/SHUTTERSPORT
Tasman Wheelers Mighty Masters Cycling Festival.
“We have seen a big pick-up of kids and it is a really good way to pick up skills quickly which are applicable to the road.” The club also puts a strong emphasis on safety, with all race courses marshalled and run under full traffic management plans. “We take road safety really seriously, that can be a barrier for people and is something we have a real focus on.” The region is riddled with quality cyclists, any number of whom could be the next Nelsonian to step on the podium in an international event.
“There are plenty of kids with talent, for sure. Whether they decide to follow in the path with some of these other pros or just have a great time racing, that’s fantastic.” The club has an outstanding record of producing superstars. There are currently four Tasman Wheelers on the world tour, George Bennett, Jack Bauer, Niamh and her brother Finn Fisher-Black.
Not to mention former Olympians Robin Reid and Chris Nicholson.
Of course, the riders don’t forget their roots. “We then get quite a unique situation where people like George come back, and you get young kids rubbing shoulders with world tour riders.”
The national champion and Jumbo-Visma team member has ridden in the most iconic races in the world including the famous Tour de France.
Takaka’s Jack Bauer has been riding professionally for over a decade, took silver in the 2014 Commonwealth Games road race and has competed in seven World Championships. Then there is the limitless ceilings of the Fisher-Black siblings Finn and Niamh.
The duo has racked up some staggering accomplishments in their short careers.
In 2019 at just 17-years-old, Finn set the cycling fraternity on fire with a new world record in the 3000m pursuit. Much of his training prior to etching his name in history was carried out at the Nelson Velodrome.
His record was recently broken by an American who was riding a $70,000 bike and lives fulltime in a highperformance environment. “The results you can get out of a little place like Nelson with some real dedication is pretty amazing,” says Mike. Not to be outshone by her younger brother, Niamh has quickly ascended the international ranks to become the best young rider on the planet today. In just her first year as a professional, Niamh has set the bar incredibly high, ending the season as the number one ranked rider on the UCI Women’s World Tour.
“I couldn’t have asked for a better start, and it has been huge for my confidence,” says Niamh, after signing for one of the best teams in the world in SD Worx,
“I was thrown into the deep end and it was a big step up, but success breeds success and the team drove me to make that step up.” Niamh joined the Tasman Wheelers as a child and recalls her first race against dad and brother at about nine-years-old. “It’s been my first steppingstone into my life as a cyclist, their Tuesday night races, and Saturday races were a huge part of my development.” She says it was here that her competitive spirit was harnessed. “The races were aggressive but always lots of fun, we had a really nice group of junior riders and were all just as competitive with each together, which pushed us.” Niamh says it was special to not only ride together but develop and grow as athletes. “When you’re in a competitive, successful environment, that’s what drives you to step up to the next levels.” As well as a friendly rivalry with Finn, the siblings also spent their youth teaming up to defeat more experienced cyclists. “There is camaraderie too. I am pretty lucky to have someone in the same situation.”
The 21-year-old is currently enjoying a much-deserved break in Nelson, the first time she has been able to return home in 18 months.
“I am just soaking up some New Zealand sun and enjoying a bit of a relaxing time.” After an extended period in Europe, Niamh feels grateful to be back in Aotearoa.
Mike Rutledge
JONTY DINE
Nelson cyclists Kaio Lart, Mike Rutledge and Keegan Hornblow at the Saxton Velodrome.
“It is a pretty cool place to live and really nice place to train. There is not just road, but gravel and mountain, and at any point can get into some hard racing.” The former Nelson College for Girls student says she hopes her journey can inspire other young girls to see there is a pathway to greatness, similar to how the older riders at Tasman Wheelers inspired her. “It takes a lot of determination and drive, but I think I can show it’s doable. It has taken a couple years but now I’m at the top from little old Nelson.”
Join the legacy.
Mike says while primarily a racing club, Tasman Wheelers is very much a social atmosphere. “It is always nice to know for bragging rights who came where, but it’s certainly at the low-key end and we often have a catch up and race debrief over a quiet refreshment.” Highlights on the Wheelers’ racing calendar include the Junior Tour and part of the New Zealand Cycling Series which takes place on the first weekend of March. “We get riders from all over the country coming to participate in the three-day tour.” Other features are the 100k Classic at the end of the summer season and the newly-introduced Kermesse Championships. The club is open doors and welcomes all new members. “If people need gear, it’s amazing what can be found in members’ garages that can be put to good use.”
To inquire about joining the Tasman Wheelers email race@tasmanwheelers.co.nz
on the couch
WITH NELSON AIRPORT CEO MARK THOMPSON Nelson Airport’s new CEO Mark Thompson has had a career working with transport, infrastructure and logistics. He says those skills will help him make the region’s “rock-star” airport even better.
You have only been in this job a few months and were chosen out of 87 applicants. What past experience have you had? I have been fortunate to have had a rich and fascinating career in the transport, infrastructure, logistics, supply chain and travel industries. I started working life as a courier owner/driver in the 1980s, before taking the reins as the general manager of Courier Post in 1995. A number of overseas posts followed in great places like Chicago and Sydney, ending up back in New Zealand in 2015 as general manager of Interisland Operations for KiwiRail which was a terrific job. I always believe in moving on when I feel I have made all the difference I can and this role seemed the perfect next fit that could make the most of all the skills I have developed over the years.
How significant is Nelson Airport as a New Zealand regional hub? It is extremely important. Latest post-Covid figures cement our place as the sixth busiest airport in the country and the top regional one with, pre-Covid, over a million people transiting through here each year. To put it in perspective, that is the same as what the interisland ferries transport annually. We are a gateway for tourism, commerce and freight which makes us a critical strategic asset for the region as a whole.
You seem to be extremely excited about this new role. Why is that? I know the airport well thanks to the years of commuting through it and I am very excited about the prospects for development and making it a truly fabulous experience for people to enjoy, not just for those arriving and departing but also for the local Nelson and Tasman communities to utilise for other reasons. Our existing visitor numbers show that we are already a rock-star airport and are perfectly placed geographically to become an even bigger hub of activity. We have plenty of land and ideas in the pipeline such as complementing the great biking and walking facilities in the area, providing more places to catch up with friends for a drink, shopping, more businesses on site, a solar farm so we can produce our own power, a facility to produce hydrogen and possibly even some accommodation. It is vitally important that any decision made has to promote safety and sustainability and keep our carbon footprint as minimal as possible while contributing prosperity to the region.
Covid is the elephant in the room. How has it affected the airport? Clearly it has constrained everyone in some way or other and we are no different. Auckland provides fifty percent of our customers and when it went into lockdown the impact was substantial. When I started the job I was the only one here for the first two weeks while everyone else was working from home. It was a very peculiar experience. Since then we have been planning rigorously as a team to put everything possible in place to protect our staff bubbles and ensure that the airport is open for business, regardless of what happens.
How is the rest of the summer looking? Summer figures are looking great and we are doing our very best to promote Nelson Tasman and the events and activities coming up. I want the Nelson Airport to be the jewel in the region’s crown and every day I come to work I am filled with excitement about what we can do to help the whole region grow and prosper and make the airport a vital and fun destination along the way.
