Cycling team keen to leave impression

One Pro Cycling Team Dion Smith, left, James Oram, Josh Hunt, Hayden McCormick, Kristian House and manager Matt Winston. PHOTO/LYNDA FERINGA

ONEPRO Cycling are looking forward to stamping their mark on the New Zealand Cycle Classic to be held entirely in Wairarapa from tomorrow through until Sunday.

That's the word from manager Matt Winston who says that while this is the first step along the way towards his squad making an impression in some of the world's biggest races they were certainly not here to just make up the numbers.

"I'd like to think a stage win or two and even having a couple of riders pressing hard for the individual honours could be within our capabilities," Winston said yesterday.

"We will be working hard to make a strong showing, no doubt about that."

Two of the OnePro line-up, Englishmen Kristian House and Josh Hunt, are coming out of a training block in a northern hemisphere winter and that, along with the effects of jet lag, could have them taking a back seat to their Kiwi teammates James Oram, Dion Smith and Hayden McCormack, over the first couple of days of the NZCC.

But Winston is confident they will come more into the reckoning as the classic progresses.

House has a particularly impressive CV. He was won the national road race title in his homeland along with the Tour of South Africa, and has joined OnePro after eight successful seasons with the powerful JLT Condor team. Hunt too is a tough competitor with some impressive overseas form in his background as well.

For Oram, Smith and McCormack the NZCC, the only UCI-sanctioned international cycling event in this country in 2016, will provide a prime opportunity for them to make an early push to become regular members of the OnePro racing unit and Matt Winston anticipates all three will give a powerful account of themselves.

"It's a big deal for them and they will be up for it, they're all in good shape and ready to go."

Eighteen teams have entered the NZCC which has developed a rich history in its 29 years of existence. Race director Jorge Sandoval is confident the 2016 edition will provide some close, tense and exciting competition over roads which will be a true test of endurance.

Sandoval says OnePro will be one of the teams to watch although he is quick to add that much will depend on how the overseas riders in all teams adapt to New Zealand conditions.

"Events like this often throw up a surprise or two and I can't see this one being any different," he said.

For Sandoval it is stage four on Saturday which could have a huge part to play in who takes the individual and team honours. This stage involves 160km and takes in some of the toughest climbs in Wairarapa, including the finish at the top of Admiral Hill in Gladstone.

"There's nowhere to hide on a stage like that, it will be a big factor in how things pan out in the end," he said.