News
Cycling Southland will be kicking off the new year in a big way this weekend with three races taking place over three days.
Headlining the weekend will be the Stonewood Homes Gore to Invercargill Classic, New Zealand’s longest running club classic cycling race, which will return to the roads of Southland on Saturday morning, while track riders will also have a shot at glory at the ILT New Year Track Carnival, taking place at the SIT ZeroFees Velodrome on Friday evening and Saturday afternoon. The weekend will wrap up with the Ascot Park Hotel Criteriums on Sunday morning.
The Stonewood Homes Gore to Invercargill Classic, which is raced in a handicap format, will see local riders take on top national talent over the 71km distance from Gore to Invercargill, with shorter 36km and 16km junior classic races also taking place.
Some big names will be lining up for the event, including defending SBS Bank Tour of Southland champion Michael Vink, who will be facing quite a different challenge on this one day race than over at the week long Tour of Southland.
“I have done the done the Stonewood Homes Gore to Invercargill Classic previously, it must have been about 10 years ago and I was second and second fastest with a pretty stacked field, so I’m really looking forward to heading down and trying to go one better this year,” Vink said of his chances in the event.
Although previous successes in Southland certainly plays a role in the three time Tour of Southland winner’s affinity for the region, it is far from the only thing bringing him back to race here again.
“The Southland hospitality is second to none, so it’s a really easy event for me to attend as there are so many generous people that are happy to help with accommodation and transport.”
The race kicks off what promises to be a packed year for Vink as he joins a new team and sets his sights on some international racing.
“I have signed with the Bolton Equities Black Spoke Pro Cycling team, which is a really exciting setup as it’s well supported and offers Kiwis the opportunity to perform on the international stage. It’s a team with a big future and I’m really looking forward to using my experience to help grow the team and guide some of the younger talent we have within the squad,” Vink said.
He might not have it all his way though at Gore to Invercargill, with a strong local field, including the likes of top mountain biker and SBS Bank Tour of Southland stage winner Josh Burnett.
With $500 on offer for the first rider home, $500 for the fastest time, and $500 for the first woman home, the race certainly offers riders an incentive to keep their training up through the December holidays.
Race sponsor Brendan Akeroyd of Stonewood Homes, who will also be lining up for the event, said the company is proud to be the title sponsor of the Gore to Invercargill Classic once again.
“This is New Zealand’s longest running cycle classic and it is a great southern community event that promotes recreation, sport and fitness amongst our community. Long may it continue,” he said. The event will start from the Gore Town and Country Club at 10:30am on Saturday, and finish on MacQuarrie Street in Invercargill.