Riders prepare for historic Gore to Invercargill race
Top cyclists from across the South Island will descend on Invercargill on Friday for the 90th running of the Stonewood Homes Gore to Invercargill Classic cycle race.
It is a race steeped in history, having first been held in 1930, and the trophy features some wellknown names.
Barry Harcourt, a man as well known for his photography as his cycling, won the race twice, as did Olympic medallist Mark Ryan.
The names of fellow Olympians
Greg Henderson and Dylan Kennett also feature on the trophy.
The most recent addition to that illustrious list is Southland’s Josh Miller, who broke away over the final kilometres of the race to take a solo win last year.
The race is run using a handicap format, with riders starting in reverse order of ability. This means that the fastest riders, who start in the ‘‘scratch’’ group, have the biggest deficit to make up, giving everyone the chance to cross the line in first place.
Sponsor and Stonewood Homes director Brendan Akeroyd said part of the race’s attraction was that the format really brings teamwork to the fore. ‘‘If a bunch does not work together at all they really have no chance.’’
Cycling Southland race organiser Glen Thomson said the event’s longevity showed the passion that existed for the sport in Southland.
‘‘Gore to Invercargill is the longest-running club classic in New Zealand and it really is a uniquely challenging race, as the handicap format prevents any one rider from dominating it year after year,’’ he said.
The race is also very important when it comes to the development work Cycling Southland does, and includes a junior event for under13, under-15, and under-17 riders, who will take on a shorter 25-kilometre course rather than the full 74km of the main race.
The main race commences from the Gore Town and Country Club car park at 5.30pm on Friday and will travel via Mataura to Wyndham, then Seaward Downs coming out at Kennington and finishing with the final sprint on Racecourse Rd about 7.15pm.