Cycling: Aussie legend to ride in Bay

MORE HYPE: Aussie cycling legend Robbie McEwen will be in Hawke's Bay for the elite nationals in January. PHOTO/GRAHAM WATSON

EVENT director for the Elite Road National Cycling Championships Ivan Aplin described it as an awesome coup and he wasn't wrong.

That was confirmation Australia's triple winner of the Tour de France green jersey, Robbie McEwen, will be in Hawke's Bay for the January 6-8 nationals. McEwen, 44, who is proving to be just as good a television commentator as he was a sprint cyclist on the UCI World Tour will join event ambassador Julian Dean as the guest speakers at the Legends of Cycling Dinner on the Sunday night.

"In addition Julian and Robbie will ride on one of the Summer Cycling Carnival's trail rides on the Thursday before the nationals start. So that will be an ideal opportunity for youngsters who want to ride with two of the code's biggest names from the southern hemisphere to do so," Aplin said.

A former Orica-Greenedge rider, McEwen, raced in the Tour de France 12 times from 1992 to 2010 and had 12 stage wins. He retired from professional racing in 2012.

"Last year we were feeling our way a little bit when hosting these nationals ... getting Robbie here is part of the plan to build a bit more hype," Aplin added.

New Zealand's most successful professional cyclist, Dean, 41, was a race professional between 1999 and 2013 and at the peak of his career was considered the best lead out rider in the world.

Auckland hosted this year's Legends of Cycling Dinner in January and English commentator and "the voice of cycling" Phil Liggett labelled it as "something long overdue for New Zealand that exceeded everyone's expectations".

"It brought the sport and pastime together to celebrate its achievements. So many great Kiwi riders have passed into history unnoticed; it was an outstanding night that celebrated all things cycling."

One of the greatest cyclists of all time, American Greg Lamont, joined Liggett and Dean as the guest speakers at the dinner which was the highest profile gathering of international cyclists seen in New Zealand.

Organiser of the dinner, John McKenzie from enthuse media & events, said he was looking forward to running the event in Napier and believed it would be a great way to cap off the elite nationals.

"Napier has been really enthusiastic and supportive about the event and having it on the last night of the nationals makes good sense," McKenzie said.

"It will once again be a real celebration of all things cycling and Robbie is really looking forward to coming and being part of it."

The January 8 dinner at Church Road Winery will feature impressive audio visual presentations and McKenzie promised a few surprises.

"We worked really hard to provide something unique that was not only entertaining but inspiring as well this year," he recalled.

"Julian was just fantastic in Auckland so to have him back for Napier is great. Robbie's track record speaks for itself and he is proving to be a good television commentator as well so the banter and storytelling on the night will be great."

McEwen said he was looking forward to experiencing the Hawke's Bay region which includes tremendous scenery, rides and wineries.

"The legends dinner will celebrate cycling and will be a fantastic way to cap off a week of racing where New Zealand's elite riders all go head-to-head for national titles."

"It will be my first visit to the Bay after having visited Wellington, Auckland and Taupo previously. I can't wait to take it all in and enjoy the riding and socialising," McEwen added.