Huri Huri News
11 January 2016 Excitement is building in the lead-up to Huri Huri: Wairarapa’s Bike Festival which starts on Wednesday 20 January, in association with the New Zealand Cycle Classic. The six-day event offers everyone an opportunity to get involved, whether it’s getting on a bike and taking part in a trail, mountain or road biking event or cheering on the international cycling professionals as they race along Wairarapa's roads and through the towns. There are numerous ways that members of the community can join in the fun of the New Zealand Cycle Classic during the festival. The Union Cycliste International (UCI) 2.2 five-stage race features 18 top international men’s road cycling teams. The New Zealand national team is made up of top Kiwi riders such as Micheal Vink and Brad Evans, who are both contenders for the 2016 New Zealand Cycle Classic title. British cycling legend Kristian House and NZ rider James Oram will be cycling for UCI Continental Pro team ONE Pro Cycling, and the race line-up will also feature the experienced JLT Condor team from England, on their second visit to New Zealand, as well as Kenyan cyclist Sulieman Kangangi cycling for the Kenyan Riders Downunder team. Stage One of the New Zealand Cycle Classic kicks off at 2.30pm on Wednesday at the Copthorne Hotel and Resort Solway Park, with the riders embarking on a 123km ride out to Gladstone and Longbush, finishing at Dixon Street at 5.30pm. Thursday sees a 10am start at the Copthorne and cyclists will once again head out towards Gladstone. The ride is 139km, but this time the riders race through Martinborough Square nine times before the winners stand on the podium for the jersey presentations in the square at around 1.25pm. This is a great opportunity for people to dress up in the colours of their favourite country, wave flags, get behind the teams and be part of the amazing race action - with the added bonus of meeting the cyclists afterwards. Stage Three is a 130km race out on the Carrington Circuit in Carterton. Starting at 10am on Norfolk Road, the cyclists complete eight laps of the 12km circuit taking in Mangatarere Valley Road, Hururua Road, Hinau Gully Road, Cobden Road and Haringa Road and finishing back at Norfolk Road at 1.30pm. Stage Four is the penultimate day and involves a mammoth 147km which includes three King of the Mountain climbs. Riders travel from the Copthorne at 10am and travel towards Riversdale, returning to Masterton towards Wainuioro over Limeworks Hill and then onto the top of Admiral Hill via Te Wharau Hill. The public are encouraged to enjoy a lunchtime picnic under shady trees, halfway up Admiral Hill at 529 Admiral Road. Spectators can cheer on the cyclists racing for Parkinson’s before the world’s premier cyclists take on the massive hill challenge. There will be a sausage sizzle and barista coffee, and a chance to once again to meet the cyclists as the stage winners and King of the Mountain are presented with their jerseys on the picnic podium. Admiral Road is scheduled to be closed from 11am, so picnic goers should get up Admiral Hill before then. The main race is expected to finish at 2.15pm. The professionals begin Stage Five at 10am on Sunday. Starting at the Copthorne, the cyclists ride out to the Alfredton circuit and complete 122km before finishing the race on Dixon Street in Masterton. This final stage of the New Zealand Cycle Classic gives young cyclists an opportunity to experience cycling the final stage through the finish line of a real road cycling event, as well as having the chance to stand on the winner’s podium and receive a yellow jersey of their own. The Huri Huri Mini (Kids) Criterium is open to youngsters aged from under 5 to 13 years old. There is also the opportunity to win some great prizes by taking part in the Best Dressed Farmgate Competition. Show your support and decorate your farm gate along the route of the New Zealand Cycle Classic. Visit www.hurihuri.co.nz for more details on the festival and to enter the Pedal for Parkinson’s Hill Challenge, the Huri Huri Mini (Kids) Criterium and Best Dressed Farmgate competition. For more information about race routes and timings go to http://www.cycletournz.com/stages-.
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