About
The Tour
Established in 1988 by Jorge Sandoval, the tour has given riders a platform to prove themselves and launch into the professional ranks of world tour cycling.
The only Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) 2.2 event staged in New Zealand with four stages in the Wairarapa, and in 2021, for the first time in 10 years, the fifth and final stage was held in the World's Coolest Little Capital; Wellington!
Tour History
The Legends Have Ridden It
In 2020, George Bennett, having won the NZ Cycle Classic in 2011, went on to achieve the highest ever position by a New Zealander in a Cycling Monument, by placing 2nd at Giro Il Lombardia, racing for Team Jumbo-Visma.
Among other famous names counting the NZ Cycle Classic as one of their first major victories are Robbie McEwen, who won in 1995, only a few years before success in the Tour de France and other world class events. Followed by Julian Dean 1999, Chris Jenner in 2001, Matthew Lloyd in 2005, Hayden Roulston in 2006, Travis Meyer in 2008 and Jay McCarthy in 2012.
Over the years, riders from all continents have lined up at the start as potential winners. Many of them have gone on to brilliant careers in professional cycling. The New Zealand Cycle Classic (or Tour of Wellington as it was known until 2012) became a UCI event for the first time in 1997.
Here is a list of some of the riders who have gone on from the New Zealand Cycle Classic to experience success at the highest professional level.
Robbie McEwen (Australia)
- Winner of the 1995 Tour of Wellington
- Participated in the Tour de France 12 times, he had 12 stage wins and three times winner of the points classification of the Tour de France (2002, 2004 and 2006).
Julian Dean (New Zealand)
- Winner of the 1999 Tour of Wellington
- Participated in the Tour de France eight times, five Tours of Italy and three times in the Tour of Spain
Brendon Vesty (New Zealand)
- Winner of the 2000 Tour of Wellington
- Went to join the German Nurberger Pro team and later the USA Navigators Pro team
Chris Jenner (New Zealand)
- Winner of the 2001 Tour of Wellington
- Went to ride professionally for French team Credit Agricole for six years. Until 2009 Chris Jenner remained the only Kiwi cyclist to have won a stage at the Tour de France; a team time trial with Credit Agricole in his only tour, back in 2001
Eric Wohlberg (Canada)
- Winner of the 2004 Tour of Wellington
- Multi race winner in America and Europe and 2006)
Matthew Lloyd (Australia)
- Winner of the 2005 Tour of Wellington
- King of the Mountains winner Giro de Italia 2010, participated in the Giro de Italia four times, Tour de France three times and the Tour of Spain twice
Hayden Roulston (New Zealand)
- Winner of the 2006 and 2007 Tour of Wellington
- Turned pro in 2009 with Cervelo, Team HTC 2010-2011 and Radio Shack 2012-2015
Richie Porte (Australia)
- Came to the tour twice in 2007 and 2008
- Signed pro with Praties in 2008 and later with Team Saxo Bank and in 2012 with Team Sky, Winner 2013 Tour of Italy
Travis Meyer (Australia)
- Winner of the 2008 Tour of Wellington
- Signed pro in 2010 with Garmin-Transitions and later with Green Edge, Rode Tour de France 2013 and Tour of Spain 2012.
Aaron Gates (New Zealand)
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4-time Gold Medalist & World Champion
Aaron is a world champion cyclist and three-time Olympian who has been a permanent fixture in both the track and road scenes since joining the national high performance squad in 2010.
George Bennet (New Zealand)
- Winner of the 2011 Tour of Wellington
- Same year signed with Trek Livestrong and a year later with Team RadioShack-Leopard
- Achieved the best ever result by a New Zealander in a Cycling Monument, placing 2nd at Il Lombardia
Steele Von Hoff (Australia)
- 7th in the 2011 Tour of Wellington, the following year signed with Garmin-Sharp
Nathan Earle (Australia)
- Winner of the 2013 NZ Cycle Classic Tour of Manawatu
- Signed a few months later by Sky Procycling team
Campbell Flakemore (Australia)
- Stage winner in 2012, finished 3rd on final GC – World ITT U23 champion in 2014
- Signed by BMC for 2015
Ben O'Connor (Australia)
- Winner of the 2016 NZ Cycle Classic with Avanti team, ten months later signed with Pro tour Team Dimension Data. 202 Tour de France stage winner riding for AG2R Citroen Team.
NZ Cycle Classic CHampions
Past Tour Winners
2023 James Oram - NZ
2022 Mark Stewart - SCO
2021 Corbin Strong - NZ
2020 Rylee Field - AUS
2019 Aaron Gate - NZ
2018 Hayden McCormick - NZ
2017 Joseph Cooper - NZ
2016 Ben O'Connor - AUS
2015 Taylor Gunman - NZ
2014 Michael Vink - NZ
2013 Nathan Earle - AUS
2012 Jay McCarthy - AUS
2011 George Bennett - NZ
2010 Michael Torckler - NZ
2009 Peter McDonald - AUS
2008 Travis Meyer - AUS
2007 Hayden Roulston - NZ
2006 Hayden Roulston - NZ
2005 Matthew Lloyd - AUS
2004 Eric Wohlberg - CAN
2003 Matthew Yates - NZ
2002 Robin Reid - NZ
2001 Chris Jenner - NZ
2000 Brendon Vesty - NZ
1999 Julian Dean - NZ
1998 Hayden Bradbury - AUS
1997 Corey Sweet - AUS
1996 Ric Reid - NZ
1995 Robbie McEwen - AUS
1994 Ric Reid - NZ
1993 Clark Richards - NZ
1992 Brian Fowler - NZ
1991 Brian Fowler - NZ
1990 Brian Fowler - NZ
1989 Brian Fowler - NZ
1988 Darien Rush - NZ