Spectators guide to the 2012 NZCT Women’s Tour of New Zealand
Stage One: Individual Time Trial
Date: Wednesday 22 February
Start Time: 6.00pm
Stage Finishes: 7.30pm (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.
Stage two: Palmerston North – Apiti - Palmerston North Via Kimbolton
Date: Thursday 23 February
Distance: 137 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 24 February
Distance: 121 km
Start time: 10.00am
Finish time: 1.00pm – 1.10pm (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
Date: Saturday 25 February
Distance: 110 kms
Start time: 11.00am
Finish time: 1.30 pm (Approx.)
Stage start: The Square Palmerston North - neutralised for 6km
Stage finish: Memorial Park – Palmerston North
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.
Stage Five Palmerston North/ Ashhurts Circuit
Date: Sunday 26 February
Distance 111.9 kms
Start time: 11.00am
Finish time: 1.30 pm (approx.)
Stage start: The Square Palmerston North - Neutralised for 6km
Stage finish: Main Street – Palmerston North
This stage has two laps the reverse of Stage four, best viewing will be twice at top of climb on Colyton and Watershed Roads junction, KOMs 6 & 7. Also worth an early look at Dixons Line climb, twice at top of Valley Road Hill which is an gentle climb of about 8-9 kms before descent to Pohangina Valley Road, twice climbing up hill along Pohangina Valley Road on Ashhurst side of Waterford Cafe and finally in Ashhurst for Sprints on Cambridge Ave or at corner.
Your comments have been posted, thank you.
Please make sure all required fields are completed.
Your email address doesn't appear to be correct.
An error occured while attempting to post your comment, please try again.