BikeNZ Elite riders booked in for Avantidrome REV Cycle Fest
12 February 2014
BikeNZ Elite riders booked in for the Avantidrome REV Cycle Festival next weekend
Cambridge is revving up for a ripper next Saturday with more than 60 elite cyclists from across the country registered to compete for a share of the $10,000 prize purse in one of New Zealand’s Premier One Day races.
Not only are the majority of last year’s podium finishers entered, but nine of BikeNZ’s High Performance athletes will also join the RadioSport REV CLASSIC race – making for an exciting spectator experience as they sprint for the finish line.
London Olympian and current National Road Race Champion Rushlee Buchannan says the REV is one of her favourite events because it’s on home turf, includes fantastic terrain and is a challenging ride.
“It covers some of the best training grounds in the Waikato. I think it's probably the toughest One Day race in NZ - for the women at least! If you don't bring your climbing legs you’ll be in trouble…”
Defending men’s champion of the REV and fellow local, Shem Rodger, says coming back home to compete in the REV is always something he looks forward to, anticipating that he’ll race it for many years to come despite the challenges along the course.
“It’s a good, hard ride so close to home. I really enjoy the roads, they encompass many of the elements the Waikato is famous for. As far as the lows go, I’m sure Maungakawa will be tough – that is until I get to the top! I definitely have a love/ hate relationship with it that’s for sure. On the whole though, it is a great day with an awesome atmosphere.”
Fellow 2013 podium finisher Roman van Uden says there is always a strong line-up for the Rev as it’s “most definitely motivated by the best prize fund in NZ cycling.”
The RadioSport REV Classic is recognised as one of New Zealand’s Premier One Day races and includes a $10,000 prize purse.
For recreational cyclists looking for something slightly less challenging, the REV100 (100km), REV Midi (55km) and REV Intro (18km) rides offer a fantastic cycling experience.
And for the kids, there’s the free REV Mini – a 2km, 4km or 6km ride and cycling workshop which teaches children all they need to know about cycling.
Event day is less than 10 days away but there is still time to enter the Avantidrome REV Cycle Festival. However from 17 February a ‘late registration fee will be added’.
The event is on Saturday 22nd February 2014. Visit www.therev.co.nz to enter.
About
the REV - Saturday 22nd February 2014
Experience
New Zealand’s greatest cycling terrain in Cambridge, the
Home of Cycling.
The Avantidrome REV Cycle Festival
is an event held in the true spirit of cycling in
Cambridge’s Home of Cycling. Taking place in the
Waikato’s most scenic rolling countryside and upon the
Waikato’s Roads of Champions, the REV has riders out
amongst the action on some of the best terrain on offer in
the country.
For keen experienced cyclists the RadioSport REV CLASSIC and REV 100 rides, 135km and 100km rides respectively, take you over the challenging French Pass, through the famous Hobbiton and thoroughbred district of Matamata and home via the legendary Scotsman Valley. The RadioSport REV Classic is recognised as one of New Zealand’s Premier One Day races.
For those looking for something slightly less challenging, the REV Midi (55km) and REV Intro (18km) rides offer a fantastic cycling experience. And for the kids is the free REV Mini – a 2km, 4km or 6km ride and cycling workshop which teaches children all they need to know about cycling.
For more information visit www.therev.co.nz and to receive updates
follow
www.facebook.com/cyclefestival
Additional
Information re: BikeNz Elite Athletes Competing in the
REV
(Buchanan, Nielsen, Ellis, Williams, Williamson
all part of BikeNZ’s Women Endurance
Programme)
• Rushlee Buchanan - current National Road
Champion (last month), and in 2010 was the NZ Road and
Criterium champion. Rides for Team TIBCO in USA. World
Championship Track medallist in 2010 in Team Pursuit. London
Olympian. From Te Awamutu.
• Jaime Nielsen – current
New Zealand Elite Time Trial Champion (last month). Double
Track World Championship medallist in the team pursuit in
2009 and 2011. Fourth in the 2010 Commonwealth Games
(Individual Pursuit). From Hamilton.
• Lauren Ellis –
Triple Track World Championship medallist in the team
Pursuit in 2009 and 2010, and silver medal in the Points
Race in 2010. Former double world junior championship
medallist. From Hinds.
• Georgina Williams – 20 year
old from Auckland. Brilliant junior career, bursting on to
scene with victory in the Elite Criterium Championships in
2012. First year in elite road racing, she was 2nd in the NZ
Road Championships and 3rd in the Time Trial. Enjoyed
outstanding debut season for World Tour team Be Pink based
in Italy.
• Sophie Williamson – Another outstanding
young prospect at 19. World Junior track medallist in 2011
(Bronze Points Race) and 2 silver medals in 2012 at
Invercargill (points and scratch). 5th in sprint finish at
Elite NZ Road Champs last month.
• Linda Villumsen –
Has won five straight medals in the road time trial at the
world championships including silver in 2012 and 2013. 5th
Road Race 2008 Olympics,
• 4th Time Trial 2012
Olympics, Silver Medal Time Trial Commonwealth Games 2010.
Rides for Wiggle Honda on World Pro Tour. Born in Denmark,
became NZ citizen in 2010. From Auckland.
• Wesley
Gough – Olympic Bronze Medallist Beijing 2008 and London
2012. 4 medals at world championships on track – team
pursuit in 2009, 2010, 2012 and individual pursuit in 2012.
Former junior world champion team pursuit 2005. From Hawkes
Bay.
• Myron Simpson – Won several national titles on
the track and road, including the Tour of Ireland. Rides
professionally in Europe. From Auckland.
• Paddy Bevan
– 22 years old – strong junior track career, won elite
NZ criterium in 2009 but moved to the road as successful pro
with Team Bissell in USA. Returned late last year to move
back to the track. Won World Cup in the Madison with Tom
Scully in Mexico in January. From
Taupo.
ENDS