Final Report
By Sarah van Boheemen
photos day two Photos day one
Photos day 4
By Sarah van Boheemen
After a week of perfect weather, the Tour of Wellington was rained out. The fifth and final stage of the tour was cancelled due to atrocious weather conditions, a huge anticlimax to what had been a great week of racing.
Rain and wind combined to make conditions that were deemed unsafe for riding. The central city streets with their mosaic of road markings, manhole covers and pot holes were slick with rain and oil.
In past years the criterium has offered the chance for riders to make up time, often seeing the yellow jersey change hands last minute. Australian team Drapac Porsche were the most disappointed by the cancelled stage, with rider Lachlan Norris only five seconds down on yellow jersey wearer Michael Torckler.
Despite the treacherous condition, the organizers still ran a criterium, making the most of their road closures. This race was only 30 minutes plus three laps long, did not involve any sprint primes and did not count towards the final tour general classification.
It was a slim field who were prepared to brave the course, with less than 30 riders starting, and even fewer finishing.
Jack Bauer, recently crowned national cycling champion, put his head down and rode full force from the starter’s gun. He quickly gained a lead on the field. Bauer was familiar with these roads and weather conditions having spent a year in Wellington as a cycle courier.
Bici Vida rider Michael Northey who has been quietly prominent throughout the tour chased Bauer. While the time gap between the two riders started at only 5 seconds, Bauer gradually put time on Northey.
Bauer lapped the bunch in his last lap, crossing the line victorious. Northey finished second, the only rider not to be lapped by Bauer.
Torckler’s epic climb up Admiral Hill won him the tour and much recognition needs to go to his Cardno Team who successfully defended the jersey.
Lachland Norris, robbed of his opportunity to take first place, finished in second. His team Drapac Porsche had a successful tour with Peter McDonald taking the opening stage, and Norris winning the King of the Mountain title.
South Africa’s Jay Thompson (Fly V Australia) took third.
Heath Blackgrove (Team Solway) was the best placed of the kiwis, finishing fourth.
The 2010 Trust House Cycle Classic
In 2010 the Trust House Cycle Classic will celebrate its twentieth third anniversary and it has been twenty three years of evolution from a two day event, run as the Angus Inn Cycle Classic in 1988 to the major international event it is today.
An estimated 25000 people throughout the greater Wellington saw the first Angus Inn Cycle Classic as it was known then. The winner was Darien Rush from Wellington.
WHEN: The 2010 Trust House Cycle Classic is scheduled for 27 to 31 January 2010.
WHERE: The 2010 Trust House Cycle Classic starts with a new stage from Wellington to Masterton over the Rimutakas range for the next three days for the road stages. The event finishes with the traditional Wellington Circuit in Lambton Quay on Sunday 31st January 2010. Over 5000 spectators come every year to watch the final stage of the event.
WHY: The Tour is a major international race and generates significant economic impact and media exposure to all sponsors and the towns involved. In its 23-year history the Trust House Cycle Classic has developed a rich history. The race has grown to become one of the most important races on the Oceania calendar, with riders from all round the world competing then continuing on to join the professional ranks.
Who?: In the past few years riders such as Robbie McEwen, (winner of the points jersey for the third time as well as stages in the Tour of France), Matthew Lloyd (Silence-Lotto) Matthew White, (Discovery Channel) as well as New Zealander’s Julian Dean and Hayden Roulston has given New Zealand and the event great credibility and interest globally.
Three past winners of the tour rode in the 2009 Tour de France.
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