Wairarapa will next year host a new international cycling four-day stage race for masters riders. Wellington cycling events promoter Jorge Sandoval said yesterday the inaugural Vets Cycle Classic will be held in Masterton over Easter weekend. "There will be four age categories, beginning from 35 years, and the distances raced each daywill vary with the respective categories," Sandoval said. The routes will be a combination of the roads already used in the men's Trust House Classic, and new sections in the Wairarapa region. The final stage would be as hard as for the elite men ? finishing with a hill climb up the gruelling 12km Admiral Hill. "It will be the first time a race of this nature has been held in New Zealand and will see the involvement of hundreds of masters' cyclists," Sandoval said. Sandoval said he was prompted to organise such an event because veteran racing was growing in popularity in New Zealand. "Between the months of September to May vets club races have become increasingly popular in many cities throughout the country. "Vets riders commonly provide the largest number of participants in fun races and other cycling events in New Zealand." The time was ripe for a major national event such as this. He expected the race to attract participants from all over New Zealand and Australia, many of them ex-national champions.- NZPA
