Team Massey begins cycle classic on home soil

Team Massey joined 15 other cycling teams at Massey’s Manawatu campus for the opening time trial of the New Zealand Cycle Classic today.

The tour – the only New Zealand race that is endorsed by the International Cycling Union – runs until Sunday. Sixteen teams are expected to line up for the tour, including five Australian teams and the best New Zealand riders.

The time trial starts and ends at Massey’s Sport and Rugby Institute and takes in part of the campus’s Ring Road and surrounding rural roads.

Team Massey is led by School of Sport and Exercise head Professor Steve Stannard and also features Matiu Kaihau, Shem Rodger, Luuk van Wagtendonk and Roman van Uden.

The tour launches the 33 days of cycling campaign. Run by Sport Manawatu, every day will feature an event, activity or competition related to cycling.

The tour concludes at the top of the Saddle Road on Sunday.