Wednesday 21 August 2024
After 36 years, the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) 2.2 New Zealand Cycle Classic is putting the brakes on its incredible sporting legacy, after becoming a victim of the recession.
Without a naming rights sponsor for next January’s event, Race Organiser Jorge Sandoval said he had no option but to advise the UCI, cycling’s international governing body, and international teams that choose to travel to New Zealand to race in the five-day event, that it will be cancelled.
This will be a significant setback for road cycling in New Zealand as the NZ Cycle Classic is the only UCI 2.2 event held in Oceania, long providing a crucial platform for emerging riders to learn the art of teams racing before stepping onto the global stage. For many riders, it has enabled them to achieve their dreams of racing for top Pro Tour teams in Europe.
In the last 10 years, New Zealand Cycle Classic Tour winners Corbin Strong, George Bennett and Ben O’Connor have gone onto ride in the Tour de France, while the likes of James Oram, Mark Stewart, Aaron Gate and Campbell Stewart have captured the attention of the world’s cycling media thanks to medal winning performances on the road, as well as on the track. A previous generation of New Zealand cyclists – the likes of Brian Fowler, Julian Dean and Hayden Roulston are previous Tour winners … and it is a legacy Jorge is extremely proud of.
“My Tour has a rich and proud history of unearthing new talent and every year it’s wonderful to see the next generation of riders coming through,” says Jorge.
“Because it’s always the first Tour of the year, it sets the tone for many of the riders, some of whom eye up international events such as the Summer Olympics, the Commonwealth Games, the Tour de France or Giro Italia while for our developing young riders it provides them the perfect training ground. They race over multiple days, learn team tactics and racing etiquette as well as fine tune their criterium, hill climbing and sprinting techniques.”
“I can sit and watch any of the world’s biggest stage races, like the Tour de France, Giro d ‘Italia, Vuelta a España, or any other major European race, knowing that there are always riders who have taken part in my race.”
Jorge is also proud of the specialised event crew he has developed over the years. This includes race officials and judges, traffic management, team’s support in the way of mechanics, race doctors and ambulance, team managers, volunteers and a media team. He says stage videos from 2024’s event created by Cycling Tom Media received an audience of over 75.000 with viewers tuning in from USA, New Zealand, Australia, UK, Canada, Philippines, Germany, Japan and France – partly a reflection of the international riders in the tour, including the USA Track Endurance Team who used the event as a build up to the Paris Olympics.
This reach was also helpful for 2024 Tour winner Aaron Gate, who along with George Jackson, had signed with Spanish based UCI Pro cycling team, Burgos BH who enjoyed the updates and race reports.
While the event has been staged in Wellington, Wairarapa and Waikato during its 36 years, it’s home for the last decade has predominately been Wairarapa – helping cement it as a road cycling destination thanks to its quiet, rolling roads and varying terrain.
During this time, it has received ongoing support from local sponsors including Mobile Communications Service, Wizwireless, Fagan Motors, Pedal Project, Mitre 10 MEGA Masterton, Cross Country Rentals plus all three Wairarapa District Councils and Wellington City Council.
But over the last two years, Jorge has struggled to find a naming rights sponsor to help stage the event.
Long time event supporter Mitre 10 MEGA Masterton alongside cycling enthusiast, Aaron Slight under his 111, business swooped in at the eleventh hour to be named the 2024 naming rights sponsor, but Jorge believes the event has become a victim of the recession.
“Generally speaking, feedback I’ve received from would-be sponsors is they’re being more prudent with their sponsorship dollar thanks to rising costs and business uncertainty, so I did make the difficult decision to cancel the 2025 event. I’ve informed our key partners and long-time sponsors – thanking them for their ongoing support and helping me leave a legacy here for young aspiring riders to see they can achieve success too and encouraging a lifelong participation in the sport.”
Jorge says he will continue to run the Trust House North Island Team Series, beginning this September, and is also exploring other opportunities within the cycling world.