Gravel and Tar open to women for the first time
A one-day international event will for the first time welcome female riders to Manawatu¯ and they will compete for prize money equal to the kitty in the men’s race.
Gravel and Tar Classic organisers will this year also run the Gravel and Tar La Femme race on January 19, 2019, over Wellington Anniversary Weekend.
Given the timing, it is expected to draw more spectators and cyclists to watch and enter the peripheral events occurring on the day.
Both the La Femme and Classic events carry Union Cycliste International (UCI) 1.2 status and allow riders who finish the race to collect vital points towards overall placings at the end of each year.
Last year’s 130-kilometre men’s event, which included 40km of gravel road, attracted 55 riders, with only 26 finishing.
Race organiser Steve Stannard said the classic was one of the most gruelling events on the UCI calendar and the addition of a women’s race to the mix increases the event’s growing appeal.
‘‘We know there are some very strong female New Zealand cyclists out there who have limited opportunities to race at this level and test their ability,’’ he said.
‘‘We’re looking forward to once again seeing the best New Zealand cyclists and a dozen or so international cycling teams back here in the Manawatu¯ .’’
New Zealand mountainbike champ Samara Sheppard said she can’t wait for the women’s race.
‘‘It’s a fantastic opportunity for New Zealand female cyclists to compete in an international field and have a crack at the hardest single day race in the Oceania region,’’ she said.
Last year’s third-placegetter, Hayden Mccormick, was the ‘‘comeback kid’’ after suffering three punctures through the race.
Riding for the New Zealand national team, he was a race favourite and kept his focus despite the setbacks.
‘‘[The race has] some of the most beautiful untouched scenery, on a gruelling gravel course.
‘‘I really hope I’ll be on the start line again,’’ Mccormick said.