PROGRAMME 22-27 JANUARY 2019 www.ridewaikato.co.nz @ride_cycling_festival_nz /ride2019 CELEBRATE THE RIDE! We are passionate about this region and believe that The Three Peaks RIDE New cycling is one of the best ways to explore our stunning landscapes, to stay healthy and active, to socialise with Zealand’s Cycling Festival friends and family, and quite simply to have a lot of fun! is a world-class, week-long We have created this event to showcase the wonders of cycling – from the highest level of competitive sport to the festival of cycling for widest possible community participation events – RIDE people of all ages and literally has something for everyone. stages. We invite you to take in the vibrant atmosphere and cheer on the pros as they take on the UCI 2.2 Grassroots Trust New Zealand Cycle Classic – or better yet, get on a bike yourself and ride the inaugural Hobbiton Movie Set Gran Fondo. Whether you are seasoned cyclist, a beginner or just keen to see what it’s all about, join us for a week of ‘all things cycling’ in the Waipa District from 22 January to 27 January 2019. On behalf of the event organising committee, I look forward to celebrating the RIDE with you! For a full list of event happenings each day check out the event schedule at ridewaikato.co.nz Simon Perry Chairman RIDE: New Zealand’s Cycling Festival Awe inspiring. Life enriching. From a remote active volcanic plateau comes the world’s most magnificent Manuka honey. Enrich life everyday. www.threepeaksnz.com WELCOME TO WAIPA We are delighted to have this outstanding event in our Welcome to the Waipa district and to welcome teams and spectators from New Zealand and around the world. district and to the UCI New Zealand Cycle Classic My Council is immensely proud of its ongoing support for cycling, including recreational cycling, in all its forms. road race. We are particularly delighted to support this world-class event; the first UCI-sanctioned road race to be held in Waipa. Over the next few days, as the five stages of the race traverse our district, please take the time to enjoy a part of New Zealand that some of our finest athletes call home. A number of high-performing sporting organisations, including Cycling New Zealand, are based here. We have a proud tradition of raising and nurturing world-class sports people across a range of disciplines including road, track and BMX cycling, rowing, equestrian, canoeing and triathlon. The district has more registered high-performance carded athletes than New Zealand’s biggest city, Auckland, with Olympic and world champions – past and present – part of our community. Cambridge, one of Waipa’s two main centres, has the highest concentration of domiciled Olympic Gold medallists of any town in the world. Given all this, it’s no surprise our district is known as the ‘Home of Champions’. However it’s not just our sporting prowess that we are so proud of. The Waipa district has much to offer visitors and residents. While you’re here enjoying the cycling, please take the opportunity to get out and about and see what we have to offer. We wish all of you a very pleasant stay here in the Waipa district. To those who live here and who are helping out at the event – thank you. To the cyclists, coaches, managers, support crew and spectators, best of luck for the competition and have a wonderful few days. Jim Mylchreest Mayor of Waipa District Be transported to the enchanting world of Hobbiton™ Visit the real Middle-earth™ at Hobbiton Movie Set as seen in The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit trilogies. See Hobbit Holes™, the Mill, the world-famous Green Dragon™ Inn and other structures. Tours depart daily from Shire’s Rest™ Cafe, 501 Buckland Road, Hinuera, Matamata i-SITE or Hobbiton Movie Set Shop, Rotorua. Freephone 0508 4 HOBBITON www.hobbitontours.com #hobbitontours WELCOME FROM BPCT The Brian Perry Charitable Trust’s support of RIDE and the The Brian Perry Charitable New Zealand Cycle Classic sits alongside other significant contributions the Trust has made to cycling over Trust (BPCT) has been the past few years, including the spectacular Te Awa River making a meaningful Ride and world-class Avantidrome. contribution to the We at the BPCT are passionate about cycling at all levels, Waikato Region for whether it’s biking into Cambridge for lunch, hitting the mountain bike trails, supporting our heroes on the track, more than 40 years. or following elite road races. There is something for everyone in cycling, and it is the perfect way to both enjoy and showcase our gorgeous region. We are delighted to welcome you to the Waipa District! Marlene Julian Trustee Brian Perry Charitable Trust WELCOME FROM THREE PEAKS As a Waikato based company Three Peaks Manuka honey The team at Three Peaks is proud to sponsor this event where elite cyclists from around the world can compete and experience the truly Manuka honey extends stunning countryside that the Waipa region has to offer. a very warm welcome to Three Peaks Manuka Honey produces some of New all Competitors, Coaches, Zealand’s finest range of Manuka honey, recognised by its Managers and Supporters ultra-premium, unique, Tongariro jar. A symbol of our brand name which is inspired by the three mountain peaks within to what will be a fantastic the UNESCO Tongariro National Park. Our Manuka is week of cycling events in certified authentic and carries the UMF certification mark. the magnificent Every day our beekeepers strive to bring you the very best Waipa region. that nature has to offer to ensure you get the finest, natural goodness that Three Peaks Manuka honey provides. Manuka honey is the ultimate energy boost when you are on the go or take it every day for good health, keep an eye out for the team at the different events this week and come and try some of our delicious honey. The very best of luck to each and every competitor. Andrew Kerr General Manager Three Peaks Manuka Honey WELCOME FROM GRASSROOTS TRUST Grassroots Trust operates gaming machines and provides It is with great pleasure as local funding to local communities. We’re passionate about amateur sport and are very proud to be able to support the Chairman of Grassroots Grassroots Trust New Zealand Cycle Classic. Trust to welcome you all to Grassroots Trust currently operates venues in the the Three Peaks RIDE New Northland, Auckland, Bay of Plenty, Hawkes Bay and Zealand’s Cycling Festival Waikato regions. In the Financial year ending March 2018, Grassroots Trust provided $13,251,578 to local which this year will communities. Sport, education and community groups showcase and celebrate within these regions are encouraged to submit an application to Grassroots Trust for funding and can seek the Waipa district. further information and apply online at www.grassrootstrust.co.nz. We wish you all well as you have an amazing week at the Three Peaks RIDE New Zealand’s Cycling Festival. Martin Bradley Chairman Grassroots Trust This will be the 32nd edition of the New Zealand Cycle Classic under Race Director Jorge Sandoval and is shaping up to have the largest international field of cyclists on the start line come 23 January 2019. The New Zealand Cycle Classic has Grassroots Trust developed a rich history with some of the Individual Leaders absolute superstars of the world cycling Jersey is awarded to featuring on the honour role. Robbie McEwen, the overall leader of Julian Dean, Mathew Lloyd, Travis Meyer, the tour at the end of George Bennett and Jay McCarthy to name a each stage and few, have all been past winners of the Tour presented to the before moving on to join the professional ranks. winner of the tour The tour is creating history in 2019, with the race taking place in the Waipa Home of Champions for the first time. The race routes Three Peaks Manuka Honey have been designed to produce spectacular King of the Mountain Jersey stages, with riders racing through some of the is awarded to the rider who most picturesque countryside in New Zealand. performs best over designated The tough hill climbs and fast sprint finishes will hill climbs in each stage. make for a race that is challenging for all riders and exciting for spectators to watch and follow. We welcome you to join us each day as the BNZ Sprint Ace Jersey is riders face over 700km of challenging terrain awarded to the rider who as they compete for the honour of over gains the highest points tally $25,000 prize money, valuable UCI points after each stage from selected and stage places. The Grassroots Trust New sprints and stage finishes. Zealand Cycle Classic will also consist of five competitions within the race, with the leader of that competition awarded the distinctive jersey at the completion of each stage. Foster U23 Jersey is awarded With a number of awards up for grabs at each to the rider who has the highest stage, the best way to keep up to date with all overall general classification the action is to follow: position under 23 years of age. facebook.com/NZCycleClassic www.cycletournz.com Plus the final hours of Stage 4 and 5 will be Winger Hamilton Most livestreamed at the Good George Maunga Aggressive Jersey is the most Madness and Party in the Park on the big screen aggressive jersey is an award with live commentary by the Del Woodford. which will be presented to the There will also be a highlights video package of rider following each stage who each stage to view via the New Zealand Cycle has made the greatest Classic website each night.