Pro Teams to Take on Bianchi Ruapehu Cycle Classic

The event touted as “the great little race”, the Bianchi Ruapehu Cycle Classic, will reach new heights in 2011 and promises to be a spectacular display of cycling.

The event has traditionally attracted some of New Zealand's top cyclists and 2011 will be no exception with two pro teams announcing their intentions to race.

Pure Black Racing, recently registered as a UCI Continental road cycling team, has announced that they will take the start line at the 2011 Bianchi Ruapehu Cycle Classic. They will be joined by Mico-Revolution Racing for what promises to be a challenging weekend tour.

Racing in the Bianchi Ruapehu Cycle Classic for Pure Black are: Shem Rodger, Mark Langlands, Roman Van Uden, Alex Ray (U23), Nick Sutton (U23). The Mico-Revolution Racing team will include Brad Carter, Matthew Wheatcroft, Josh Brown, Louis Wright, Jeremy Yates and Serena Sheridan.

Back for its fifth year, the Bianchi Ruapehu Cycle Classic 2011 will be bigger and better than ever. Now incorporating not one but three days of cycling fun in the Central Plateau, this popular event will run from Friday 11th February through to Sunday 13th February.

As well as the traditional 160km Bianchi Ruapehu Cycle Classic, spectators will enjoy watching New Zealand’s pro cyclists take on the Friday night TCB Criterium and the gruelling 17 kilometre Kune Climb on Sunday. Starting at an altitude of 597 metres above sea level and climbing through some of New Zealand’s most majestic scenery, this is not for the faint hearted.

For further information on the 2011 Bianchi Ruapehu Cycle Classic: www.cycleclassic.com