Reagan Koff is the first leader of the New Zealand Cycle Classic

Reagan Koff is the first leader of the New Zealand Cycle Classic

Wednesday 5 January 2022 at 09:08

The road season in Europe is still a long way off, with the first UCI race of 2022 kicking off in New Zealand on Wednesday. Bolton Equities Black won the five-day New Zealand Cycle Classic (2.2) opening team time trial. Spoke Pro cycling. Reagan Koff crossed the line first on his team and will start tomorrow in the captain’s jersey.

The plan for the next two days is to have relatively flat conditions, but on Saturday the finish will be on Mount Te Wharau, climbing 1.7 km at 10.6 per cent. On paper, George Bennett (UAE) who will play next week’s New Zealand’s national selection with Shane Archbold (BORA – hansgrohe) is the man to win the day. Since only one criterion will take place on the streets of Wellington on Sunday, this makes him the most favorite for overall success.

Last year the New Zealand cyclist won the classic Corbin Strong, who switched from the SEG Racing Academy to the Israel Start-up Nation this winter. On that occasion he defeated his teammate Finn Fisher-Black: both played for the New Zealand national team.

New Zealand Bicycle Classic 2022 (UCI 2.2)
Wednesday 5 January, Level 1: Masterton – Masterton (TTT, 10 km)
Thursday January 6, Level 2: Masterton – Masterton (158.1 km)
Friday, January 7, Level 3: Masterton – Martinboro (136 km)
Saturday January 8, Level 4: Masterton – Admiral Hill (137.2 km)
Sunday 9 January, Level 5: Wellington – Wellington (1 hour + 3 laps, 1.1 km grid)