Around 150 riders including Chris Jenner (ex. Tour de France) with a team of juniors from New Caledonia, current Australian Pro Series leader Wellington’s Joe Cooper, and top riders at U23 and Masters levels competed in the Capital Cycles Wellington Region Easter Tour. Bike Manawatu was well represented: A Grade – Alex West (8th on GC), Nate Levin (15th on GC, 3rd KOM), George Roberts (19th on GC), D Grade – Peter McCarthy (2nd on GC, 2nd KOM, 2nd Sprint) and John Arbuckle (4th on GC, 1st Stage 5), Womens B Grade – Libby Arbuckle (4th on GC, 1st Sprint). Colin Anderson (C Grade) had a mechanical in Stage 1 and couldn’t complete the tour.
It is a well organised tour with 5 stages over three days around the Martinborough vineyards and Masterton hills. The stages include 3 road races, a kermesse and an individual time trial. It caters for a wide range of riders from elite to first time tour riders, masters and juniors (the youngest rider who competed in D grade was 13 and he won the KOM).
We had a great time down there and would encourage you all to have a go at this tour; it’s a beautiful region to spend time in over the Easter weekend, good fun racing and an excellent new challenge if you have never competed in a tour before. Plus there are plenty of vineyards for supporters to check out!!