Elite women cyclists set for Wairarapa

LINE-UP: Jorge Sandoval is flanked by Team Tibco members in Lauren Stephens (left), Jo Hogan, Emily Collins, Ed Beamon (team manager), Joanne Kiesanowaski and Kendall Ryan. Collins and Kiesanowaski are Kiwis, the remaining riders are from the United States. PHOTO/LYNDA FERINGA

Jorge Sandoval is excited.

The organiser of the Trust House Women's Cycle Tour of New Zealand which will be raced in Wairarapa over the next five days, starting with a team time trial around the streets of Masterton late this afternoon, is not only rapt with the calibre of rider he has attracted to the event but what it could mean to Wairarapa as a cycling destination.

The field oozes talent. So much so that while Sandoval knows it wouldn't be good politics for him to nominate a likely winner of the general classification, he says even if he could he wouldn't be so brave.

"Honestly, there are probably half-a-dozen, maybe even 10 riders, who could win the individual title without it being a surprise," he said.

"A lot is going to come down to which of those riders get the best support from their teams along the way. It's not the sort of tour where you can do it on your own."

Sandoval has long held the view that Wairarapa's terrain and weather makes it "absolutely ideal" for major cycling events and he says events like this tour are an ideal opportunity to showcase the province.

Particlarly pleasing for him is that some of this year's teams arrived up to eight days early as part of their preparation and he sees that becoming a trend for future tours.

"We've got plenty of flat and plenty of hills all in close proximity. It's a superb place to train and more and more people are starting to realise that," Sandoval said.

"It's as good a cycling destination as there is in New Zealand, no question of that."

The 2015 tour will be a top promotional tool for Wairarapa in general with all five stages attracting extensive media coverage here and overseas.

"Cycling is huge in places like Europe and the United States and they will be following results of this event very closely ... it's big news to them."

Tonight's team time trial over 15km will be a sizzler in terms of pace with the average speed likely to be around the 45km/h mark. The emphasis will be on working together with the aim being to have at least three team members making it to the finishing line simultaneously.

"The time trial will be great for spectators, they get a really good look at just how skilful and quick these riders are," Sandoval said.

The first of the teams will get under way at 4pm and they will go from Genesis Recreation Centre in Dixon St to Park Ave, Archer St, Church St, Colombo Rd, Johnstone St, Manaia Rd, South Road and Kuripuni St before turning back into Colombo Rd. They will then head to the finish via Church St and Dixon St.

Stage two tomorrow covers 125km from Masterton to Martinborough and return with the Carrington circuit in Carterton hosting Friday's stage three over 130km.

Then will come the "crunch" part of the tour, stage four on Saturday which will finish at the top of the torturous Admiral's Hill after taking in an earlier testing 6km ride up Te Wharau Hill.

It has been labelled the "Queen's Stage" because it is likely to have such a big say in the end results. There will though still be one stage to go, the 122.5km fifth stage from Masterton to Alfredton and return, with the first riders home likely to make it to the finish line in Dixon St about 1.10pm.