Sandoval rates cycle classic best yet

Jorge Sandoval is a man of strong views, but not exaggeration.

So when the New Zealand Cycle Classic race director talks about the field for this month’s UCI 2.2 five-stage elite men’s cycle tour being held entirely in the Waipa¯ region, as the best he’s assembled in its 32-year history, you know he’s being sincere.

‘‘We’ve had some fantastic fields over the previous 31 years with riders coming from Europe, America, Asia and Australia, but I believe the 2019 field to be the best ever,’’ Sandoval says.

‘‘All teams in this year’s quality field have their own reputation. We have 14 overseas teams, including riders from Australia, England, Ireland, Japan, Italy, Serbia, Switzerland, France and the Netherlands and some of the top riders from New Zealand taking part . . . it’s going to be fantastic.’’

The New Zealand Cycle Classic celebrates its 32nd anniversary this year and begins on Wednesday, January 23 and concludes five days later.

After being staged in the Wairarapa for the past three years it will be staged entirely in and around the surrounds of Waipa¯ and will feature new race routes that will test all riders.

These include the opening stage which takes riders around Waipa¯ district, a stage from Cambridge to the spectacular Mighty River Domain at Karapiro and stage four that will see riders cycle twice up Maungakawa hill. The tour will culminate with eight laps completed around Cambridge.

Sandoval is predicting exciting racing from all teams.

Switzerland’s national pursuit cycling team is coming back to the event for the second time.

The team is led by Lukas Ru¨ geg, the current national champion and winner of the King of the Mountains competition at the eight days 2018 Ra´ s Tailteann international cycle tour in Ireland, and Thery Schir, who competed at the 2016 Olympic Games, finished fourth place in the Madison at the 2016 World Champs and recorded strong results in international tour of Portugal, Fleche Du Sud in the Netherlands and other events.

Other members include: Stefan Bissegger, 2016 winner of the Driedaagse Van Axel tour and sprints classification in the Netherlands; Frank Pasche and Cyrille Thie` ry – all experienced riders in stage races around Europe.

As well as the Swiss team, Sandoval also announced the confirmation of 10 Australian teams. The ST George Continental team will be led by winner of the 2014 New Zealand Cycle Classic Michael Vink who is looking forward to the tour.

‘‘It will be nice having new roads to race on in the Waikato,’’ says Vink.