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| Torckler crowned Trust House Tour Champion |
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Michael Torckler celebrates on the final podium ©RoadCycling.co.nz
The Australians don't go home empty handed though, they won the U23 jersey (Michael Matthews, Jayco Skins Team) and the King of the Mountain jersey (Lachlan Norris, Drapac Porsche).
The Sprint Ace jersey winner is South African but races for an Australian team (Jay Thomson, Fly V Australia). (Full results ...)
Torckler's great climb up Admiral's Hill on Stage 2 gave him the yellow jersey and with great defence from his 100 % Kiwi Cardno team, he stayed in the lead to win the overall title.
Team Cardno won the Team's Classification.
Under the guidance of team manager John Lee, Cardno teammates Clinton Avery, Wade Mangham, George Bennett and Aaron Strong controlled the peloton, alternately attacking, defending and chasing as the need arose.
"It was great to be in a team that had plenty of options," Strong told RoadCycling.co.nz.
"It was supposedly a climbing tour, and we had three guys who can climb pretty well, so we knew we had a few bases covered, and we could try a few things."
Team Cardno - Mangham, Avery, Torckler, Strong, Bennett win the Team Classification and the General Classification ©RoadCycling.co.nz
"We set up Michael on stage 2 to get away, and it worked really well. I guess there is a bit of luck involved, but he was more than capable of pulling it off, and hanging on to the jersey."
After yesterday's penultimate stage, Torckler had a 5sec lead over Drapac Porsche's Lachlan Norris.
Today's criterium around the streets of central Wellington was set to be a great race with Norris' team still on the hunt for the win.
However, the weather gods denied them the chance.
As the rain came down and the many road markings on the city streets became even more slippery, the race organisers made the call to cancel the stage for the safety of the riders.
Riders were given the option of riding a shortened demonstration race, but it didn't count towards the General Classification and therefore Torckler was announced as the champion.
Torckler honoured the yellow jersey and rode a few laps of the course to give the spectators a chance to cheer him on.
Putting his own goals to one side, Torckler considered the decision to call off the criterium stage for safety reasons a good one.
"I think everyone was pretty happy with the decision. The boys who were out there [for the whole ride] said it was pretty slippery. I think some guys did even crash."
Torckler rightly believes he didn't win the tour by default today.
"I think we have done a lot of work this tour, and definitely earned the win. So I don't think anyone is too worried."
On stage, the 22 year old from New Plymouth acknowledged the great support he'd had from his teammates.
Cardno on the front chasing the break on Stage 4 ©RoadCycling.co.nz
Torckler said he considers this the finest tour in New Zealand, saying to win was something he has looked to since he started coming to the race. This is his third Trust House Cycle Classic. "It's pretty special to get this one," he said. "For all the people who have helped me out so far, it's good to be able to give this back to them."
Torckler had previously told RoadCycling.co.nz his goals for the NZ summer season were to catch some fish, shoot some deer and not to get hurt. He's achieved a lot more than that.
After tonight's celebrations, the successful Cardno Team are each heading off to seek new challenges and goals for 2010.
Their four Kiwi internationals are rejoining their 2009 teams in Europe.
Last year Torckler had his first season racing overseas and in 2010 he's heading back to the same team in Pamplona, Spain. This year he's taking fellow Kiwi Brad Carter with him, which will increase to two the number of English speaking riders in the team.
"Back to Spain in the middle of March. I'll put some km's in the legs before then. It will be nice to have someone there with me," Tockler said of Carter joining him.
Clinton Avery is back to Belgium this Tuesday, George Bennett is back to France in a week and a half and Wade Mangham back to France in March. Kiwi based Strong and Team Manager John Lee are back to their NZ home towns.
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Jan 31st, 10. Kiwi Michael Torckler was crowned the 2010 Trust House Cycle Classic Champion today. In doing so he ended the Australian domination of this UCI tour.