Spectators guide to the NZCT New Zealand Cycle Classic
General Spectating Advice
Here is some general spectating advice, which may be useful if it’s your first time at the roadside for a major bike race.
Please obey the instructions of police and motorcycle escort marshals, volunteer marshals and race staff, whose aim is make the race pass safely and enjoyably for yourselves and fellow spectators.
We hope to inspire future generations of cyclists, but please keep young children back from the roadside and animals on a lead or away from the roadside. Please be aware that riders and the race convoy may pass by very fast!
Use bins or take your litter home with you, especially if you are spectating on route in the countryside. The NZCT Cycle Classic wants to showcase the best of Manawatu region scenery, so please respect your surroundings.
The Tour's advice is:
- Plan your journey and consider all travel options available to you
- Check for road closures / rolling road closures
- Arrive at your chosen spectating spot early
- And finally be prepared for all weather conditions! Waiting for the riders in the NZCT Cycle Classic at the roadside you might need waterproofs, or hopefully suncream!
Road Closures
The NZCT Cycle Classic uses a system of rolling road closures along its route, put in place by the highly trained police escort group and civilian motorcycle marshalls.
Expect the roads to be closed approximately 5 minutes ahead of the first rider, and then to re-open again once the final vehicle in the race convoy has gone past. To find out when NZCT Cycle Classic is due to arrive at your chosen viewing spot. If travelling by car, we would recommend arriving at your spectating location a minimum of 30-minutes before the race is due to pass.
To assist, please do not park on the route, at stage start and finish locations, static road closures may be in force and some car parks unavailable, so please plan your route in advance and expect some delays.
How the race works
The first escort bikes and police cars will close the road approximately 3 - 5 minutes ahead of the first riders, forming the front part of the race 'bubble'. Ahead of the arrival of the first riders a number of police and motorbikes will pass by before the foreward announcer car. This will inform you of the current state of the race – who is on the attack, where the race is and what has been happening.
Typically there may be more than one group of riders, each of which will be escorted by motorbikes and also accompanied by motorcycle marshalls and TV crew.
Each group of riders may also be followed by several cars, including judging vehicles, Specialized neutral service and team support vehicles.
Behind the peloton will come the main convoy of vehicles, including further judging vehicles, team cars, paramedics and ambulances before the famous broom wagon and the course closing police vehicle. Once this has passed the road is re-opened and the normal rules of the road will apply.
Stage One: Individual Time Trial
Date: Wednesday 23 January
Start Time: 2.30pm
Stage Finishes: 4.30pm (approximate)
Stage Start: Albany Drive – By the Massey University Sport and Rugby Institute
Stage Finish: Albany Drive – By the Massey University Sport and Rugby Institute
Best place to view:
Locals intending to view using their bike should view near the finish on Old West Road or Albany Drive, Massey University. If the viewer must drive please be considerate and keep road side clear of parked vehicles, don't park along Tennent Drive (Albany Drive will be closed).
If available take a stop watch (some cell phones have this facility) to enable checking time gaps between cyclists, the starts are one minute apart. Best viewing along Old West Road (along the first straight from Tennent drive there is good road width for vehicle parking) and along Albany Drive, Massy University toward the finish line.
Free parking at the car park - Massey University near the start/finish line.
Stage two: Palmerston North – Apiti - Palmerston North Via Kimbolton
Date: Thursday 24 January
Distance: 148 kms
Start Time: 10.00am
Finish Time: 13.35 – 13.45pm (Approx.)
Stage start: The Square - Palmerston North - neutralised to Ashhurst for 15k
Stage finish: Memorial Park – Palmerston North
Best place to view:
This stage allows opportunities to view twice during the stage. Early opportunity at top of 1st climb, junction Colyton and Watershed Roads (park vehicles on Watershed Rd). Other opportunities along Kimbolton Road (at Cheltenham and Kimbolton), 1st KOM climb after crossing the Oroua River bridge on Oroua Valley Road (before Apiti Village), series of climbs between Apiti and Totara reserve (one of which is KOM 2). Later in Stage the top of Valley Road Hill is the last major climb and should most difficult at over 100km along stage, the remaining distance is mainly downhill to finish line.
Stage three: Ashhurst - Pohangina Valley – Apiti – Palmerston North
Date: Friday 25 January
Distance: 161 km
Start time: 10.00am
Finish time: 13.55pm – 14.15pm (Approx.)
Stage start: The Square, Palmerston North – neutralised to Ashhurst.
Stage finish: Memorial Park - Palmerston North
Best place to view:
Best viewing at climbs along Pohangina Valley East Road (between Raumai and Apiti) one of which is KOM 3 and top of climb at junction Apiti and Rangawhahia Roads. The balance of this Stage is mainly downhill to finish, except the small hills along Stoney Creek Road.
Stage four: Palmerston North / Ashhurts Circuit - Top Saddle Road finish
Date: Saturday 26 January
Distance: 131 kms
Start time: 10.00am
Finish time: 1.30 pm (Approx.)
Stage start: The Square Palmerston North - neutralised for 6km
Stage finish: Top Saddle Road by Meridian Te Apiti Wind Farm
Best place to view:
With two laps around Valley Road the top of Valley Road Hill offers best viewing for KOMs 4 & 5, Ashhurst village also offers two viewing opportunities. Also consider climb from Bunnythorpe up Dixons Line and twice up Reids Line East heading to Huwinui.
To watch the finish up Saddle road, spectators should go there BEFORE riders get to Ashhurst as the road will be closed to all traffic during the final 12 kmts.
Stage Five Palmerston North Circuit
Date: Sunday 27January
Distance 127 kms
Start time: 10.00am
Finish time: 13.05 pm - 13.15pm (approx.)
Stage start: The Square Palmerston North - Neutralised for 6km
Stage finish: Main Street ( by Railway Land)– Palmerston North
New stage in the tour comprises of two laps of a circuit around Glen Oroua and Rongotea
Stage starts from the Carpark of the Palmerston North Square, travelling SOUTH via The Square, Main St, Pioneer Highway turning Right onto Botanical Rd. At Round about (3.6km) go onto Gillespies Line and continue towards Aranui Rd, Left turn onto Aranui Rd (8.3km) Right turn onto Hammond Rd (26.7km) Left turn onto Longburn Rongotea Rd (31.3km) Continue on Kellow Rd (31.3km).
At 45km riders turn left onto SH56m, continue on SH56 towards Palmerston North. Left onto Main Drain Rd (53.4km), Right onto Sansons Rd (64.2km) Left onto Kaimatarau Rd (66.3km)
At Rongotea, Mersey St riders start the second lap of circuit (69km) Left onto Penny Rd (73.6km) Left onto Hammond Rd (75km) to complete one more lap of circuit.
