At just 23 years and already one of New Zealand’s most seasoned WorldTour professionals, Finn Fisher-Black has returned home this week with his sights set on success in the Cycling New Zealand Elite Road National Championships in Timaru.
Fisher-Black is buoyed with his fresh start for new team Red Bull Bora Hansgrohe, with a WorldTour podium at the UCI Tour Down Under in South Australia and top-10 at the Cadel Evans Great Ocean Race in Geelong.
After two national under-23 time trial titles to his credit, Fisher-Black returns with renewed verve as he eyes the sought-after national jersey to take back to his new team.
“I have only ever gone there to help George (Bennett) as a teammate but this time I’m in a different team. We have been in the same team since I’ve been in cycling so it will be strange to be on different sides this year but I am keen to give it a crack,” said Fisher-Black.
The lanky Nelson rider is aware it will be no easy task on a challenging course, and one of the most competitive elite line-ups in history, with nine kiwis competing in WorldTour or UCI Pro teams and one for a WorldTour development team.
“I have not raced nationals for three years so I am keen to come back and give it another crack for the Fern,” said Fisher-Black. “It is a strong field with all the pros coming home. It is definitely not going to be easy to be in the race for the fern but I am keen.”
Fisher-Black did a reconnaissance on both the road and time trial courses before heading to Australia for the Tour Down Under.
“I have seen how grippy it can be. On paper people might think it may not be that hard, but it is always up and down, especially the TT course. With the road race finishing with that climb, after a long race, you are going to see it take its toll on a lot of guys.”
His confidence was boosted with a podium performance finishing third on general classification at the Tour Down Under, fitting into his new team well.
“The first week with the new team with three stage wins for Sam (Welsford). And a podium for me on GC. Could not have been better.
“The first race has reflected the move for me to the new team. I have gone straight in and been able to take a leadership role in GC at the Tour Down Under. That was the main reason why I changed teams and already we have seen it pay off. Hopefully we can turn the podium into a win some point this year but it is a good start.”
He has also reacquainted himself with fellow kiwi Laurence Pithie and friend Welsford.
“The atmosphere is good and I’ve been able to slot in with the other guys. With it being a sprint team, normally the GC rider is a bit on his own, but I have felt part of the team.
“With new goals and new support around me, I can reach greater heights.”
Fisher-Black’s major kiwi challenges will come from fellow UCI professionals Corbin Strong and George Bennett (Premier Tech), Campbell Stewart (Jayco AlUla), Dion Smith (Intermache Wanty), Laurence Pithie (Red Bull Bora Hansgrohe), defending champion Aaron Gate (XDS Astana), Reuben Thompson and Logan Currie (Lotto) and Lewis Bower (Groupama FDJ Conti) amongst a bunch of talented kiwi riders.
“Hopefully I am still at the start of my career,” said Fisher-Black. “I am just 23 and a fourth year pro now. The first few years were about learning, and I think now I am ready for the next step and start winning the big races especially on the WorldTour.”
The championships comprise the Time Trial for all grades on Thursday, followed by the road races for Under-19 Women, Under-19 Men and combined Under-23 and Elite Women on Friday, leaving the Under-23 and Elite Men’s road race over 190kms on Saturday.