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20th Trust House Classic (Tour of Wellington) - 2.2
New Zealand, January 24-28, 2007
Preview
New Zealand's premier cycle race kicks off 20th year
Most of New Zealand's best riders will line up for the 20th Trust House Classic, bringing a quality field to the start in Lower Hutt on Wednesday.
Commonwealth Games silver medallist Hayden Roulston with the Trek-Zookeepers Café team will take his place in the event despite having not fully recovered from a riding accident two weeks ago. He will be one of the leading contenders and with another Commonwealth Games medallist in Gordon McCauley on his team, plus top Kiwi riders Marc Ryan and Sam Bewley adding their support, Roulston will be given every opportunity.
One team likely to give Roulston a run for the honours will be the strong Subway team including Hayden Godfrey, Logan Hutchings, Joe Cooper and top New Zealand triathlete Kris Gemmell.
Other contenders for the race include the strong Australian pro team and the Trust House team, led by past winner Robin Reid, with top New Zealand hill climber Aaron Hill and Jeremy Vennel providing support.
Race Director Jorge Sandoval, who has presided over many of these races is reluctant to pick a winner.
"This year's race will be a very close one. If Hayden Roulston was 100% fit, I would say he is the favourite. But with him still favouring the injury to his hand, the other riders will attack him on the hills where he need both hands the most."
"Jeremy Vennel has been close to winning other tours in the past and I think he is the rider to watch. He never says much, never looks for any headlines on or off the bike, but is one of the most under rated cyclists in this country. I believe he will be up with the leaders with one day to go," said Sandoval.
"The beauty of this race is that all top riders are race fit and they are not coming here to get some fitness. If any rider is thinking they will have it easy, I've got news for him because the Trust House Cycle Classic is a tough race and the many hills in the Wairarapa will sort them out very quickly," Sandoval added.
