Cycling New Zealand riders prominent in Classic
Cycling New Zealand’s Vantage elite track riders enjoyed outstanding success at the New Zealand Cycle Classic that finished in Masterton.
South Canterbury’s Dylan Kennett, riding for his St George Continental team, won the final stage in a sprint finish to cement his win in the sprint classification.
Australian Rylee Field (Team BridgeLane) won the yellow jersey title with CNZ’s Aaron Gate, riding for Black Spoke in their first event, finished second overall. Team New Zealand’s Corbin Strong sprinted home for third and third overall to claim the under-23 classification jersey and teammate Finn Fisher-Black won the King of the Mountains polka dot jersey.
Strong thanked Cycling New Zealand for putting together such a strong team which included world omnium champion Campbell Stewart.
"It was great out there today, the team really gelled well this week," he said.
Gate, early leader Jensen Plowright and Kees Duyvesteyn made an attack off the front of the peloton on final circuits around Masterton. With two laps to go, the group was back together with several riders trying to attack, but in the final straight it was St George Continental and Team BridgeLane riders who positioned themselves to take the stage win.
Kennett said his team had gone into planning mode the night before.
"We talked about last night and did the maths ... we talked about what a fast finish it would be and the boys positioned me well," he said.
Kennett's strong performance also saw him awarded the WIZ Wireless Sprints Classification Jersey on a countback from Plowright, whom he praised for his "classy" riding and determination over the five-day tour.
New Zealand Cycle Classic Race Director Jorge Sandoval said the tour was a huge success.
"I was really happy to bring the New Zealand Cycle Classic back to Wairarapa. All the team managers and riders loved the stages and I am very proud of the team I had behind me who helped put on a terrific event that went throughout the entire Wairarapa region," said Sandoval.
The New Zealand Cycle Classic is the only UCI 2.2 sanctioned stage road race in New Zealand.
CAPTION: From left – Corbin Strong (U23 winner), Race Director Jorge Sandoval, overall winner Rylee Field, Dylan Kennett (Points winner) and Finn Fisher-Black (King of Mountains winner). Photo David Lintott.