NZCT WOMENS CYCLE TOUR 2011
Women cyclists hit the road
The 2011 NZCT Women’s Tour of New Zealand was won by Judith Arndt from the HTC Highroad Women's Team. Arndt lead the tour from the start, winning stages one and two. New Zealand road champion Catherine Cheatley finish second, with Ruth Corset taking third place and winning the R+R KOM competition. The Cycle Tour was held at the end of February and involved 104 cyclists, from 10 countries, competing in a five day, 510 km cycle race.
This internationally recognised event, which has been running for the past seven years, is the only International Cycling Union (UCI) women’s event in Oceania. This year it attracted 10 overseas teams and 12 overseas individual riders - as well as the New Zealand national team and the best individual Kiwi riders from all over the country. Race Director Jorge Sandoval says the race provided an excellent opportunity for Kiwi cyclists to compete with international riders without incurring the expense of overseas travel.
“This race allowed promising Kiwi cyclist to race against top overseas riders,” says Jorge. “It was a great way for local riders to gain experience and learn from the best without leaving home. This race holds them in good stead for future competitions.”
Jorge says the tour, which took place between Palmerston North and Masterton, via the Pahiatua track, also showcased the region to overseas visitors.
“It was an exciting, challenging course and the countryside and scenery are just magic,” he says.
Tony Gill, NZCT’s National Grants Manager, says the cycle tour met the trust’s goals of supporting amateur sport in New Zealand, because many Kiwi riders are involved and it has a huge following.
“We always aim to get the maximum return for the community with the grants we distribute,” says Tony. “This cycle tour is popular amongst locals and does a great job promoting the sport and New Zealand to international visitors too.
“We we’re proud to be involved and I’d like to thank our NZCT publicans, whose work running NZCT gaming rooms, helps us raise the funds needed for events such as this.”
