Women's tour follows men's tour to Manawatu

Strong international field expected again this year in Manawatu ©RoadCycling.co.nz

Nov 16th, 11. Race Director Jorge Sandoval today announced the NZCT Women's Cycle Classic is following his men's tour to the Manawatu region with an all new course for 2012.

Sandoval has previously announced the men's tour, the UCI2.2 NZ Cycle Classic, was moving to Manawatu, therefore today's announcement is not a big surprise.

Much of the 2011 women's tour was based in the Manawatu and after positive feedback from the community, and support from Palmerston North City Council and Sport Manawatu, both tours are to be solely based in the cycle friendly region from now on.

To make things simpler in terms of organisation and traffic management, Sandoval has set up the events almost identically.

The tours, which are about a month apart, start with an individual time trial around Massey University, and the other stages follow much the same routes in the following four days, except that under international rules the women are not permitted to ride as far. The maximum they can cover on any day is 130km.

Although this new course is hillier than in previous editions, Sandoval does not think the tour will be all about climbing ability, he believes sprinters will also have a chance at taking overall victory.

"I think the new race route will suit both [sprinters and climbers]," he told RoadCycling.co.nz. "There are hills like on Stages 2 and 3, but they are a bit too far away from the finish, this give the teams time to get their sprinters to the line.  

"Someone like NZ's Emily Collins [the tour's 2011 U23 Champion] will benefit if she is on form with her abilities both as climber and sprinting, but with lots of overseas riders in the race, it will be a wide open tour."

Judith Arndt riding safely in the peloton ©RoadCycling.co.nz

In the previous eight women's tours Sandoval has attracted some of the best riders in the world, and a similar class field should be guaranteed with the tour retaining its UCI status, and with the London Olympics fast approaching.

The NZCT Women's Cycle Classic, Feb 22-26, is the only UCI women's tour in Oceania.

For Kiwi riders the tour provides the opportunity to race against quality international competitors on their doorstep, a welcome break from the otherwise constant requirement of having to travel overseas to further their prospects.

"It is a great way for local riders to gain experience and learn from the best," Sandoval said.

"It also allows us to have grass roots riders mixing it with the elite, which has to be of considerable benefit to the up and comers."

Race Route for the 2012 NZCT Women's Cycle Classic

• Wed, Feb 22, 2.30pm, Stage 1, ITT around Massey University.
• Thur, Feb 23, 10am, Stage 2, Palmerston North to Vinegar Hill and return.
• Fri, Feb 24, 10am, Stage 3, Palmerston North to Apiti via Pohangina Valley and return.
• Sat, Feb 25, 10am, Stage 4, Palmerston North-Ashhurst circuit.
• Sun, Feb 26, 10am, Stage 5, Palmerston North-Ashhurst-Colyton-Bunnythorpe-Palmerston North

Previous tour winners

2011 - Judith Arndt, Germany

2010 - Shelley Evans, USA - won four of the six stages!
2009 - Amber Halliday, Australia
2008 - Kristin Armstrong, USA
2007 - Judith Arndt, Germany
2006 - Sarah Ulmer, New Zealand
2005 - Catherine Sell, New Zealand