Wednesday, January 8, 2020 Wairarapa Midweek
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International teams vie for title New Zealand
CYCLE CLASSIC
People from all around the world are tuning into the Wairarapa as it hosts the 2020 New Zealand Cycle Classic. Jorge Sandoval is staging the event of his life. As race director for the New Zealand Cycle Classic, the five-stage elite international men’s road cycling race and the only Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) sanctioned stage race to be held in New Zealand in 2020, he says all eyes are on the Wairarapa. “I’m looking forward to welcoming 17 teams to the Tour next week – the largest field in its 33-year history,” says Sandoval. “We’ve two teams from Japan, one from Sweden, Guam and Malaysia, six from Australia and six from New Zealand – with 12 nationalities represented.”
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“With defending champion Aaron Gate riding for Black Spoke Pro Cycling, New Zealand’s newly launched UCI Continental team – there’s going to be plenty of exciting racing taking place from January 15th – 19th and plenty of global interest in who will take out the coveted yellow jersey.”
The NZ Cycle Classic takes riders around the townships of Masterton, Carterton and Martinborough as well on roads that pass through rolling rural countryside and past vineyards. It o° cially opens on Tuesday, 14th January at a special evening event in Queen Elizabeth Park. The following morning riders complete a 122km stage heading north of Masterton towards Eketahuna and back, before a small hill climb sees them finish outside the Masterton Golf Club in Lansdowne. Stage two sees riders make a return loop from Masterton to Gladstone, while stage three will be held around the pretty wine village of Martinborough. Stage four – known as the Queen Stage – will test riders to their maximum. “This
178.6km stage will be the longest and toughest stage in NZ Cycle Classic history. I’ve put a new twist on an old favourite by making it even harder! There are fast downhills, where riders will reach speeds up to 100km/ hr, and three major hill climbs before the final ascent up Admiral Hill which sees riders climb a total of 2784 meters of altitude.”
stage 5.
The Tour concludes with a 120km stage starting and finishing at Mitre 10 Mega Masterton.
The 2020 NZ Cycle Classic is made possible thanks to the generous support from Trust House, WBS, Mobile Communications Service, WIZwireless, Fagan Motors, Mitre 10 MEGA Masterton and Lion Foundation plus all three Wairarapa District Councils. It also brings together 61 specialised volunteers who carry out a variety of roles from marshalling, setting up the finish line and driving in the convoy.
Community events will also be held to celebrate the region’s bike-friendly roads, tracks and trails; the people that ride on them and the bikes they ride with. These include a picnic and fun ride in Masterton during the o° cial opening and a Sunday Funday before
“My team and I are very grateful for all the support from our sponsors and key stakeholders and together look forward to making this New Zealand’s biggest international cycle tour,” says Sandoval.
SHARED COMMUNITY SPACES Bringing Masterton Together
HAVE YOUR SAY ON THE TOWN HALL Masterton District Council is working on one of the biggest decisions it will make in the next three years - whether or not to invest in a shared, multipurpose community facility, like a civic centre or Town Hall. The need for a decision comes after the Masterton Town Hall was closed due to seismic issues in 2016. The costs of a facility will be funded by the whole district through rates, up to $200 a year for a household in urban Masterton. So, if you’re in the Masterton district, it’s important you have your say about what YOU want. y Are you willing to pay for a new facility? y What do you think should be in it? y How important is the façade of the current building? y Would you be willing to pay extra to retain the façade?
Masterton District Council will be out and about during the NZ Cycle Classic asking locals for their views on this important issue. If you see us walking around, make sure you stop us for a chat. Alternatively, you can tell us what you think at: www.mastertontown.nz
MASTERTON DISTRICT COUNCIL
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Wednesday, January 8, 2020
Black Spoke to make debut New Zealand
CYCLE CLASSIC
New Zealand’s newly launched UCI Continental team - Black Spoke Pro Cycling Academy – is hoping to stamp its mark on the New Zealand Cycle Classic says race director Jorge Sandoval. “Many of Black Spoke Pro’s riders have had a big impact on the New Zealand Cycle Classic in previous years, while racing for other teams,” says Sandoval. “Aaron Gate and Hayden McCormick have both won the title while James Oram has enjoyed stage wins. They know the roads here and I’ve no doubt will rely on this experience to make a big impact on debut.”
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Headlining Black Spoke, a team established to inspire more Kiwis to consider cycling as a realistic professional sporting career, is defending NZ Cycle Classic champion
Many of Black Spoke Pro’s riders have had a big impact on the New Zealand Cycle Classic in previous years, while racing for other teams. Aaron Gate Aaron Gate, gold medal winner at the recent UCI track racing competitions in Cambridge and Brisbane. He’s joined by McCormick, returning to New Zealand after several years racing in Europe and Oram, who led the Mitchelton Bike
Locally Owned and Operated Bicycle Specialist For all your cycling needs come and see Brent and the Team at
HAPPY VALLEY CYCLES.
Hayden McCormick
Exchange Continental team on the Asian circuit last year. Also as part of the team are Ethan Batt, Josh Kench and Xander White.
many spectators to get out and watch this team in action - they won’t be disappointed,” says Sandoval.
“Black Spoke’s inclusion will make for such an exciting Tour and I encourage as
Following this Tour, Black Spoke will tackle tours in Taiwan and Australia.
Proud Wairarapa Cyclist The Computer Service Centre 8 Lincoln Road, Masterton. David Howden - Ph: 377 7323 service@computerpartners.co.nz
Be cool in Summer with a Daikin Air Con CALL US FOR A QUOTE Put your air con on your rates with GWRC Funding -Masterton only Bosch and Shimano Trained E Bike Technicians P: 06 377 1726 • 119-121 Queen Street info@happyvalleycycles.co.nz
Wednesday, January 8, 2020 Wairarapa Midweek
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Cycling fun for all the family Cyclists of all ages and abilities will be able to experience the glitz and glamour of international racing at the special Sunday Funday to be held at Mitre 10 MEGA Masterton before the fifth and final stage of the New Zealand Cycle Classic.
Timeline for Sunday, 19th January
On Sunday, January 19th part of the fifth stage route will be open to members of the public for one hour while three fun, sprint cycle races will be held for children. “We hope to recreate a slice of cycle racing mania for the littlies on Sunday morning with three special kids' races held over two distances,” says New Zealand Cycle Classic Race director Jorge Sandoval. “At the end of these, the top three placegetters will be welcomed onto the podium for a special medal ceremony, emulating what the elite riders will experience later in the afternoon. We want to leave a positive cycling legacy for children in the Wairarapa.” In addition, the 10km circuit will be opened for all riders so they can enjoy a pedal
before the big guns take to the line. There will also be an opportunity for the kids and the public to meet their cycling heroes afterwards. “It’s a bit like a pitch invasion in rugby, but on the tarmac,” says Sandoval. Also in the Mitre 10 MEGA Masterton carpark, a short, fun skills course will run all morning. This has been designed to test balance and rider skills with wooden obstacles made by members of the Menz Shed Masterton. Spot prizes will also be up for grabs.
WIN spot prizes! Bluebridge Bike Club return ferry for two adults and a car Mitre 10 MEGA, Masterton bundles of prizes Beehive cooler bags full of product Books and gifts from Paper Plus Masterton Ride in a race management vehicle for a lap Dinner with a team at their hotel
WORLD CLASS RURAL OR URBAN BROADBAND WAIRARAPA WIDE. We are proud sponsors of the NZ Cycle Classic 2020 Lansdowne Business Centre - 16 Opaki Road Corner of Opaki Road and First Street, Masterton 06 370 9210 | www.wizbiz.co.nz
Location: Mitre 10 MEGA Masterton, Ngaumutawa Road 8.30am for 9.00am start: 4km circuit will be open to members of the public to ride at their leisure for 60 mins. Start/finish line start 9.30am: 300m dash for children aged 5yrs and under. Start at Ngaumutawa Rd 9.35am: 300m dash for children aged 5yrs to 8yrs. Ngaumutawa Rd 9.40am: 400m dash for children aged 9yrs to 14yrs. Ngaumutawa Rd 9.50am: Prize Giving at the main NZCC Podium in the Mitre 10 MEGA Masterton car park. 10.10am: New Zealand Cycle Classic riders assemble at Mitre 10 MEGA Masterton for sign on registration 10.30am: Fifth and final stage of the NZCC begins Approx 1.30pm: Prize Giving for the fifth and final stage of the NZCC
New Zealand
CYCLE CLASSIC
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Wednesday, January 8, 2020 Wairarapa Midweek
Wednesday, January 8, 2020
New Zealand
CYCLE CLASSIC
Experience the Charm of The Top Pub one of New Zealand’s oldest pubs, with all its old school charm and honest country hospitality. This historical bar is the perfect spot for a quiet afternoon pint or alternatively a great place for a night out in Greytown.
To keep up to date on race days visit www.cycletournz.com or find us on facebook Stage 1 122km
Stage 4 178.6km
Finish: Masterton Golf Club
Finish: Admiral Hill
Come and see a ton of wildlife including Manukura - the world's only white kiwi in captivity!
CARTERTON Not only is Carterton the gateway to the Tararua Forest Park and the Gladstone wine region, it is home to some of the region’s top artists and Stonehenge Aotearoa.
33 Main Street Open 11am until late Phone 06 304 9138
THE ULTIMATE DO-IT-YOURSELF PICK AND MIX.
State Highway 2 Mount Bruce 20mins north of Masterton pukaha.org.nz
Mt Bruce BEST VIEWING AT: Manuka Street by 12.45pm
Stage 2 121km Finish: Masterton
A selection of sweets from all over the world.
Eketahuna
GREYTOWN Greytown is known for its boutique shopping, great cafes, towering trees and pretty colonial cottages.
We also cater for special occasions such as Weddings, Birthdays and Baby Showers!
Stage 5 120km
1860 focus is to bring market-fresh, seasonal dishes to your table. Our chefs shop fresh from local markets, butchers and fish merchants. All dishes are prepared from start to finish in our kitchen, from baking bread to pasta making to curing meats.
Finish: Mitre 10 MEGA Masterton
MASTERTON Family-friendly Masterton is Wairarapa’s largest town and has something for everyone - from shopping, cycle trails and art to great food.
Shop online or in store. 100 Main Street, Greytown 06 304 8436 www.facebook.com/thelollyjarnz thelollyjargreytown@gmail.com www.thelollyjar.net.nz
Masterton
BEST VIEWING: Millers Hill to watch the King of the Mountain and Gladstone Inn by 10.00am for sprints
Stage 3 127km
Finish: Martinborough
www.aratoi.org.nz
FEATHERSTON
BEST VIEWING AT: Outside Mitre 10 MEGA Masterton.
The gateway to the 115km Remutaka Cycle Trail, which connects Wairarapa to Wellington.
Carterton
Sunday Funday
Greytown Featherston
33 Main Street, Greytown Open 11am until late Phone 06 304 9138
• WOF • Repairs • Servicing • Vehicle Diagnostics • Wheel alignment • Tyres • Batteries
Phone 06 379 6995 | www.cheersauto.co.nz
Renowned for its 20-odd vineyards located within a short distance of the town square, Martinborough is packed with colonial charm.
LUNCH RACES AND FUN FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY: Outside Mitre 10 MEGA Masterton 8.30am for 9.00am start
BEST VIEWING AT: Martinborough Square from 10.45am for nine laps
Stonehenge Aotearoa
RELAX OVER A COFFEE WHILE ENJOYING THE CYCLE CLASSIC
B.W. O’BRIEN & CO. LTD
Refrigeration Air conditioning & Heatpumps Proud to support the NZ Cycle Classic Tour
Call us today
118 Pembroke Street, Carterton
OPE N for
MARTINBOROUGH
Stonehenge
Martinborough
Does your vehicle need a ser vice? We offer:
Proud to support NZ Cycle Classic
BEST VIEWING AT: On Te Wharau Hill or Limeworks and then Admirals Hill before 1.30pm when the road closes
Open 7 Days from 6.30am Fantastic Food, Coffee & Restrooms 127 High Street, Carterton Ph. 06 379 5580 | www.wildoatscafe.co.nz
OPEN: TUESDAY-SUNDAY 11AM-LATE WOODFIRED PIZZAS AVAILABLE Thursday to Saturday nights, Saturday and Sunday lunch
Take a tour into the past Phone (06) 377 1600 | www.stonehenge-aotearoa.co.nz
COUNTRY HOSPITALITY AT ITS BEST
www.gladstoneinn.co.nz 06 372 7866 571 Gladstone Rd, Carterton
Phone: 06 378 2288 Mobile: 027 442 5022 Email: bwobrienandco@xtra.co.nz www.heatpumpswairarapa.co.nz
1 0am -3 p m D aily
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Wednesday, January 8, 2020
Winner’s trophy loaded with meaning New Zealand
CYCLE CLASSIC
15 Jan 19 2020 Jan
WAIRARAPA
The winner of the 2020 New Zealand Cycle Classic will take home with them a beautiful trophy, carved by three Wairarapa artists.
Our first ever UCI podium came at this event, our first ever UCI jersey win came at this event, our first ever UCI victory as a UCI Continental team came at this race, on our very first day competing as a UCI Continental team. So yes, it holds a special place for us, especially the Wairarapa region, and it really is thrilling that the race will be returning there for 2020...although I think some of the riders will be less thrilled when they are on their third rep of Te Wharau Hill on stage four.
Wayne Pitau, Francis Te Maari and Trevor Simmonds, who are based at kaupapa Maori workshop Te Patukituki-oWairarapa, designed and then carved the Tour trophy out of Totara wood. It is a patu on a stand complete with a set of bicycle handlebars. “The patu is about the leader of the day, the champion of the event,” says Wayne. “The design we’ve carved into it is about puhoro, meaning cutting through the wind and being swift and steadfast. It is symbolic of being courageous. The base is the female element of the trophy and we knew there had to be a stand to place the patu on, so we made these handlebars. I remember riding my 10-speed as a kid and turning my handlebars upside down as I thought it looked better.” The trio, who are part of a collective of local Maori artists with a passion and vision to add value to the local community and positively change the lives of all locals,
- Sam Layzell, Oliver’s Real Food Racing General Manager.
were thrilled to be involved in this project. Race director Jorge Sandoval can’t wait to award the trophy. “This is very special and has so much meaning. The winner of this year’s Tour will be able to take this beautiful artwork from the Wairarapa back to their home and display it proudly.”
Proud to support of the New Zealand Cycle Classic Good luck to all competitors in this wonderful event New Zealand Cycle Classic 2020. From the team at Mitre 10 MEGA Masterton
159-167 Ngaumutawa Road Phone 06 370 6888 www.mitre10.co.nz
OPENING HOURS
Monday - Friday 7am - 6pm Saturday, Sunday & Public Holidays 8am-6pm
Wednesday, January 8, 2020 Wairarapa Midweek
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In’s and out’s of the NZ Cycle Classic Each team competing in the New Zealand Cycle Classic will have a clear strategy – whether it’s to win the overall tour title or claim a race jersey such as the King of the Mountains or Sprint Ace.
New Zealand
CYCLE CLASSIC
Typically, their strategy will see the team working together to protect their lead rider and ensure they are in the best possible position at the end of a stage for a sprint finish. The lead into this can involve “drafting” which experts say can save between 20 and 40 percent of a rider’s energy in a long event. The team may have a rider who sets the pace for everyone else. After a short stint in front of the main group or “peloton”, they’ll move back and let another rider take over. Team leaders tend to hang back in the bunch to conserve energy, while their teammates take turns out in front. More advanced strategy can come into play when someone tries to “breakaway” from the peloton. This “attack” or “break away” is a tactic used to try and split the field. An attack often prompts a “chase” which sees members of the peloton switch to a higher speed and attempt to “close the gap” on the attacker. If the peloton decides not to chase, an individual might try to “bridge”, or chase on their own. If a rider or several riders surge
ahead of everyone else, the competitors may take on the burden of quickening the pace of the field. Or the teammates of the breakaway rider could attempt to “block” rivals from mounting a chase. Teams can also mount group attacks. In this case, one rider surges ahead and forces a rival team to lead a chase. As soon
as the peloton catches up, another rider surges ahead. The goal is to tire out the opposing teams and soften them up for a run to the finish by the team leader. At the end of each stage, jerseys are awarded to the Trust House Tour Leader (yellow), WIZwireless Sprint Ace (green), Mitre 10
MEGA Masterton King of the Mountain (white with red polka dots), Mobile Communications Service Most Aggressive (orange) or Fagan Motors U23 (white) These riders then wear that jersey in the next day’s race. An overall prize is awarded for the Cross Country Rentals Teams Classification.
PROUD TO SUPPORT THE NEW ZEALAND CYCLE CLASSIC TOUR
EXPLORE
OUR WORLD
Explore New Zealand with Green Jersey Explorer Tours. Road, Gravel or NZ Cycle Trails Talk to us about riding in 2020.
www.greenjersey.co.nz tours@greenjersey.co.nz 0800 2 EXPLORE
Photo by Dave Lintott
24 Wairarapa Midweek Wednesday, January 8, 2020
Australian teams look to stamp mark New Zealand
CYCLE CLASSIC
Expect to see more Australian flags flying than usual, with six Aussie based teams lining up to contest the 2020 New Zealand Cycle Classic. Race director Jorge Sandoval is excited to welcome Team BridgeLane Continental Cycling team, Oliver’s Real Food Racing, St George Continental Cycling Team, Futuro Pro Cycling, Velofit Australia and Cycle House Racing to the Wairarapa this month.
of that history,” says Sam. “It holds a special place for us, especially the Wairarapa region, and it really is thrilling that the race will be returning there for 2020...although I think some of the riders will be less thrilled when they are on their third rep of Te Wharau Hill on stage four.”
Photo by Dave Lintott
“We all love a bit of TransTasman rivalry, don’t we? In addition to six Australian based teams there will be Australian riders racing for other teams while several Kiwis will be in action for Australian teams.”
FACT FILE
The New Zealand Cycle Classic is held over five “stages”. One stage is raced per day. The results from each stage are cumulative and determine the overall winner of the tour. The total distance of the NZ Cycle Classic is 668.6km across five stages.
2020
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Team Leader A cycling team is made up of a Team Leader, the rider chosen to try and win the race.
Domestiques Are other riders who do whatever is needed to help their team leader win, including getting drink bottles and food for them
Sam Layzell, Oliver’s Real Food Racing General Manager is excited to be returning to the event for the fifth time. “The race has such a rich history, and we are honoured that our team has had the opportunity to be a small part and even giving their wheel to the team leader if they get a puncture. Peloton The main group or field of cyclists. Breakaway A breakaway is when a small group of riders or an individual have successfully opened a gap ahead of the peloton. Race Director Moves back and forth through the race in a vehicle clearly labelled. The Race Director ensures
St George Continental manager Stuart Boyce says five New Zealand riders – including inform Michael Vink who won the recent Tour of Southland and Dylan Kennett, will lineup alongside Australian Blake Quick. “This race is an important race for the team as it starts o° the season and with a few new riders in the roster will quickly get the team working together.” everything is safe and working well for the race. Race Commissaire Oversees the Convoy of team vehicles following the race and ensures everything is within the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) rules. Convoy Team cars and other vehicles carry food and drinks, spare bikes and parts and communication systems to keep the riders and operations running smoothly for the long stages.
THE BIG BIKE FILM NIGHT
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BUY TICKETS NOW AT WWW.CARTERONEC.CO.NZ
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Te saludamos Jorge! NEW ZEALAND CYCLE CLASSIC 2020
Jorge Sandoval Lawrence Cheetham 027 463 4144 Chris Gollins 021 422 227
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