NZ Cycle Classic field best in 25 year history

The field for the NZ Cycle Classic on January 25 to 29 will be the best in its 25 year history, says race director Jorge Sandoval.

In the classic’s 25 years, which started in Wellington and the Hutt Valley and more recently was concentrated in the Wairarapa, Sandoval has had the cream of New Zealand’s road talent.

Numerous accomplished overseas riders have appeared, particularly from Australia, some of whom had been to or would eventually climb to the very pinnacle of the sport.

However, he regards the quality among the 105 riders in the 21 teams who have entered this year as superior to any of the previous years.

“We’ve had some fantastic fields over the previous 24 years with riders coming from Europe, America, Asia and Australia, but I believe the 2012 field to be the best ever,” says Sandoval.

“Having eight overseas teams, including the first I’ve had from a Pro Continental level team, Team Type 1-Sanofi, and some of the top riders from Australia and a powerful entry from among the leading New Zealand riders is the best I can aim for.”

“Team Type 1 will make things very difficult for the other teams as it’s fully professional. The riders have been in training camps in the United States and Italy for a month. It’ll ensure the riders come well prepared.”

“Among the New Zealanders the hottest name is Michael Vink. He’s just won the New Zealand men’s elite road race as a 20-year-old, and in the form he’s in he’s quite capable of winning the classic. If he does I hope Team Type 1 sign him because he deserves to be in a professional team.”

“Other New Zealander’s likely to be in the top bunch in the end include Patrick Bevin, the recent tour of Southland winner Josh Atkins, Wellington’s Joe Cooper and members of the Subway team.”

“Australians have won the tour so many times that among the many competing, there are sure to be several with genuine tour-winning prospects no team has a better record in the classic than Jayco AIS. This year seven of the teams are from Australia and a few other riders from across the Tasman are in composite teams.”

Returning AIS rider Patrick Lane thought he had won last year’s classic when he won the final stage criterium on Wellington’s Lambton Quay only to learn it did not count for general classification.

Sandoval says the competitor with the best CV is Team Type 1’s most experienced cyclist, Rubens Bertogliati. The Swiss 32-year-old wore the Tour de France’s yellow jersey for three days in 2002 after winning the opening stage, which just about puts him at the top among those to contest the classic over the years.

Sandoval, who came to New Zealand from Chile in 1976 as a political refugee, is very proud of what he has achieved. First he had to learn English and to have created the classic, and successfully run it for so many years is a tribute to his persistence, organising skills and love of cycling.

“The classic is now one of the biggest international cycle races in Oceania,” he says.

“Moving the tour to the Manawatu for the first time has been a long hard road. I’ve been working on it for the last 10 months to ensure the people of Manawatu get to see a really top cycling spectacle. Having the support of organisations such as Sport Manawatu, Bike Manawatu, Palmerston North City Council and Massey University, among others, has made things easier.”

Like the many travellers, businesses and farmers who rely on it, Sandoval has been disappointed at the closure of the Manawatu Gorge, which prevented him taking the tour to the top of the Saddle Road climb.

“I had to come up with an alternative race route that I think will still produce some fantastic racing.”

“Riders that in past classics would have been dropped on the hills will have a greater chance of racing hard on the now flatter stages, and having a go, and still being around to compete at the finish. We will have some big, exciting sprint finishes where team work will be a key to success.”

Having committed himself to a move to the Manawatu, Sandoval believes the classic will be a feature of the sporting fabric there for many years to come.

“The region is one of the best for cyclists of all ages and abilities in New Zealand,” he says.

“The Palmerston North City Council and Sport Manawatu are very pro-active in making the city a cycling destination. Having two of the biggest cycling events in Oceania in the region (he will also conduct his international women’s tour there next month) means they are almost there.”

“I look forward to seeing the classic grow in importance in the Manawatu, and to receiving increasing support within the local community.”

For more information contact Jorge Sandoval on 0274 464 300 or visit the website www.cycletournz.com