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Trust House Cycle Classic one to watch |
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Jorge Sandoval tests Admirals Hill in the Rice Mountain Classic
Race Director Jorge Sandoval, who has been running this tour for many years, continually tries to add something new to challenge the riders and provide the spectators with exciting racing. He hopes adding the Rimutaka Hill climb will do just that.
"This is my 23rd tour and I try to make it better every year so I hope riders, spectators and all the sponsors enjoy the event and see that we have improved in many ways," Sandoval told RoadCycling.co.nz.
"Having permits to race over the Rimutakas is a big thing," he said.
Stage two is similarly difficult with the steepest hill in the Wairarapa, Te Wharau, to climbed for a second time, this time after 125km. Then, just when the riders are looking for relief, there is still another 12km to the stage's end at the summit of Admiral Hill.
The climb up Admiral Hill has tended to decide the overall tour winner in the past, but this time stage three from Masterton to Pahiatua, and return, includes five climbs and may prove to be the decisive stage.
The five climbs will offer plenty of opportunity for the wearer of the tour leader's yellow jersey to be challenged. Over the five days there are 64km of serious climbing.
Top Class FieldThe field for the Trust House Cycle Classic includes teams from New Zealand and Australia and based on some of the riders and their performances, this year's tour is shaping up for a display of intense racing.
"This year's field is one of the best in the tour history. I will only compare it to my 1995 Auckland to Wellington cycle classic in quality so it should be a great event," said Sandoval.
With riders like Heath Blackgrove, winner of the 2009 Tour of Southland, Tom Findlay, Under 23 National title holder, and Jack Bauer the new NZ National Road Champion among the kiwis competing, this is going to be an interesting battle against the strong international teams.
The Australian teams competing include Genesys Wealth Advisers, Apollo Cycles, Madonagh Blake Mace, Shortis Cycle Team, and Fly V Australia.
Fly V Australia won more than ninety races in Australia and the United States in the last nine months of 2009. This UCI Continental Team has riders with current or past national titles, major USA tour victories, and past Trusthouse Classic wins. They will be looking for more titles for their trophy cabinet.
Sandoval is delighted with the continued high calibre of the Australian riders, and the professionalism of their teams.
"They are very close to the leading European teams in terms of their setup, which will help ensure the classic is bigger and better than last year," Sandoval said.
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Radios banned in this year's tour