1998
A borrowed bike on the Miramar circuit
In April 1998 the 1997 winner wrote a vivid stage diary of a puncture, a wrecked derailleur and a borrowed bike.
Read in History
NEW ZEALAND CYCLE CLASSIC · THE LEGACY
A race toremember.
Founded in 1988. Last held in 2024. A tribute to Jorge Sandoval and the people who made the New Zealand Cycle Classic.
Explore the story01 The story
1988First held as the Angus Inn Cycle Classic
1997According to the organiser, the Tour of Wellington became a UCI event for the first time in 1997.
2024The last edition held
More than three decades of racing.
It began in 1988 as the Angus Inn Cycle Classic. Founded by Jorge Sandoval, the race became the New Zealand Cycle Classic and brought international stage racing to New Zealand roads. Across Wellington and the Wairarapa, its story was written in climbs, breakaways and finishes.
Explore the full history
02 The organiser
Jorge Sandoval
Founder and race director
A race born from a challenge
Jorge was racing for a Wellington club when he asked why local riders always had to travel elsewhere for major races. In a 2024 interview, he recalled being challenged to organise one himself. The following year, he did. The race began in 1988.
His contribution to cycling was recognised in the 2007 New Year Honours, when he was appointed an Honorary Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit.
Jorge, in his own words.
Interviews and a personal profile of the man behind the race.
Select play to load a video from YouTube.
New Zealand Red Cross
Kiwi Legends: Jorge Sandoval
A profile of Jorge’s journey from Chile to New Zealand and the place cycling has held in his life.
Watch on YouTube
CNN Chile · Spanish
Jorge’s story on CNN Chile
Jorge discusses his book, life in exile and returning to Chile as a cyclist.
Watch on YouTubeLe Puncheur · 14 January 2024 · Spanish
How the Cycle Classic began
Jorge recalls the challenge that led him to organise the first race, its international growth and his ambitions for its future.
03 The riders
From these roads to the world
The overall winners include riders who went on to Olympic medals, Tour de France victories and Commonwealth Games gold. Here are four connections in the race’s record.
Overall winner · 1995
Robbie McEwen
Seven years after winning in Wellington, McEwen took the Tour de France’s green jersey. He won the points classification again in 2004 and 2006, finishing his career with 12 Tour stage victories.
Overall winner · 2006 and 2007
Hayden Roulston
After back-to-back wins here, Roulston won two medals at the Beijing 2008 Olympics: silver in the individual pursuit and bronze in the team pursuit.
Overall winner · 2016
Ben O’Connor
Five years after his Cycle Classic victory, O’Connor won stage nine of the 2021 Tour de France. His first Tour stage win came in the rain-soaked Alps, on the road to Tignes.
Overall winner · 2019 and 2024
Aaron Gate
Between his two Cycle Classic victories, Gate won four gold medals at Birmingham 2022. He became the first New Zealander to win four golds at a single Commonwealth Games.
04 The legacy
A race made by many.
The riders were only part of the story. Officials, mechanics, medical crews, traffic teams, sponsors and volunteers made the racing possible. Spectators filled the roadside, while the Golden Mile ride opened Wellington’s city circuit to everyday riders. Together, they gave the tour a place in the life of the region.
A trophy with a story
The 2018 winner received a rimu carving made at Rimutaka Prison. The trophy grew out of Jorge’s volunteer mentoring work with the Department of Corrections, bringing another part of his community work into the race.
Racing through an uncertain summer
In January 2021, while major early-season races in Australia were cancelled, the Cycle Classic went ahead under the UCI’s special pandemic provisions. Corbin Strong won the five-day race, and spectators were able to line the roads to watch.
05 The archive
From the archive.
A record of the tour as it was. Historical pages retain their original context and may contain dated event information.
48 pages preserved from the original site.
2024Race resultsThe original 2024 results page, with links to SportSplits.ArchiveNews and race reportsBrowse reports from the original site.ArchiveHistory page from the original sitePreserved from the original tour website.48 pagesBrowse the full archiveRoutes, teams, race reports, rules and volunteer pages.
The race on film.
Return to the 2024 edition with stage coverage by CyclingTom.
Select play to load a video from YouTube.
CyclingTom
2024 Cycle Classic: Stage One
Coverage of the opening stage, published on 10 January 2024.
Watch on YouTube
CyclingTom
2024 Cycle Classic: Stage Two
Coverage of the second stage, published on 11 January 2024.
Watch on YouTubeSources and further reading
- New Zealand Cycle Classic: race history and overall winners
- Jorge Sandoval interview, Le Puncheur, 14 January 2024
- New Year Honours List 2007, DPMC
- Cycle Classic press release: the 2018 carved trophy
- UCI: New Zealand paves the way for the 2021 road racing season
- Robbie McEwen, AusCycling Hall of Fame
- Hayden Roulston, New Zealand Olympic Committee
- Tour de France: The day of glory of Ben O’Connor, 4 July 2021
- Aaron Gate, Birmingham 2022, New Zealand Olympic Committee
06 Get in touch
Get in touch
with Jorge.
Have a memory of the tour to share, or simply want to get in touch? Send Jorge a message.
For everyone who was part of the journey.
NEW ZEALAND CYCLE CLASSIC