CYCLING

Dion Smith wins REV Classic UCI 1.2 Oceania Tour

By REV Cycle Race

The New Zealand National Team showed remarkable teamwork to best last year’s winners at the REV Cycle Race in Cambridge on Saturday.
 
Continuing a successful start to his season on the international stage, New Zealand’s Dion Smith claimed first place in the REV Classic UCI 1.2 race.
 
Brilliant riding from teammate Taylor Gunman saw Smith edge out Avanti IsoWhey Sports’ Mark O’Brien in a three-man sprint finish, reinforcing the notion that the REV Classic has evolved from an individual to a team challenge.


New Zealand National Team's Dion Smith wins REV Classic UCI 1.2 Oceania Tour. Credit: Stephen Barker, Barker Photography. Copyright U Leisure Limited 2016.
 

A new mountainous 138km course challenged riders’ right from the first two ascents of the infamous French Pass, with the main peloton shedding cyclists in the opening 10km of the race.
 
The whittling down of the field continued throughout the finishing two circuits of the notorious Maungakawa climb, culling a break of five riders to a lead group of just three; Gunman, Smith and O’Brien.
 
On the final ascent, Gunman who had been at the head of the race since the first hike up French Pass, was put under pressure by his Australian rival but fought back on the descent. An incredible display of selfless riding saw Gunman sacrifice himself to work for teammate Dion Smith, dragging the pair all the way to the line.


​REV100 riders conquer the infamous French Pass. Credit: Stephen Barker, Barker Photography. Copyright U Leisure Limited 2016.
 

At prizegiving all praise was for Gunman’s teamwork. “Taylor deserved the win today,” explained race winner Dion Smith.
 
“He did an amazing job. I knew I could sprint better than Mark so we played our game and it worked out perfectly.”
 
“It was just a game of probability,” replied Gunman.
 
“At the end of the day I knew we had a good chance of winning with Dion.”
 
Second placed O’Brien was not only full of praise for Gunman’s work, but also the new course design.
 
“Taylor did an incredible ride today and it was tough all day; just an unrelenting course. I would have loved to have won, so I guess I’ll have to come back next year!”


Elite women competing in the Women's REV Classic. ​Credit: Stephen Barker, Barker Photography. Copyright U Leisure Limited 2016.
 

The top ten riders left with valuable UCI points which count towards their individual rankings: 40 – 30 – 25 – 20 – 15 – 10 – 5 – 3 – 3 – 3.
 
This year the Women’s REV Classic saw elite female riders competing in a race of their own. Clear winner of the challenging 77.9km course was Amelia Rose Watkinson, finishing 7 minutes and 26 seconds ahead of the next rider.
 
After sticking with a group of four others for the first lap, the Half Ironman triathlete decided to brave a solo attack.
 
“The pace dropped coming into the second lap so I thought I’d make the most of French Pass. I got a bit of a gap so thought I’d try my luck and see if I could hold it for the next 30km and managed to do so.”
 
Second place winner Rebecca Kingsford attempted to bridge the gap but Watkinson was too far ahead. A sprint finish for third saw previous New Zealand Road Champion Courtney Lowe take the final place on the podium.
 
Jack McNeely took out the popular REV100 in an exciting bunch sprint finish. The Auckland based rider finished in 2:33:25, followed closely by Lynton Chitty and Richard McKey.
 
Starting and finishing in Cambridge for the first time, the REV60 was won by 14 year-old Te Awamutu Sports Cycling Club rider Archie Martin.


Participants enjoy a scenic ride past Hobbiton. ​Credit: Stephen Barker, Barker Photography. Copyright U Leisure Limited 2016.
 

The REV11 saw 52 participants complete the 11.33km loop, with Patrick Clancy crossing the line first.
 
The popular REV Mini kids’ event had a great atmosphere once again with youngsters enjoying fun on the bouncy castle and learning new bike skills in the Team Energize Kids Zone after their race.
 
Every year over 1000 keen riders tackle Cambridge’s challenging cycling terrain. With event categories catering for kids and beginners right through to the world’s elite, the REV Cycle Race is an event designed for everyone to enjoy.
 
Date: Saturday 20 February 2016
Location: Tom Voyle Park, Cambridge | 8am-5pm
www.therev.co.nz
@TheREVCycleRace
 
Elite teams for the REV Cycle Race’s REV Classic UCI 1.2:
 
1.    Avanti IsoWhey Sports (AUS Continental)
2.    Data#3 Cisco Racing Team p/b Scody (AUS Continental)
3.    Team Skoda Racing (NZ Regional)
4.    Kenyan Riders Downunder (AFRICA Continental)
5.    New Zealand National Team (National Team)
6.    Livingstone Building Team (NZ Regional)
7.    Spoken Cycles Team (NZ Regional)
8.    Opus International Team (NZ Regional)
9.    Rotorua Racing Team (NZ Regional)
10. Team Sign Factory (NZ Regional)
11. L&M Group - Ricoh NZ (NZ Regional)
12. Speed Works Team (NZ Regional)