Cycling: BikeNZ team up with PureBlack Racing

Scott Lyttle of PureBlack Racing in action during last year's Trust House Cycle Classic. Photo / Wairarapa Times-Age

BikeNZ have helped revive the PureBlack Racing concept by teaming up with the road cycling organisation.

The agreement follows PureBlack Racing's announcement last month that its plans to continue racing internationally in 2012 were uncertain due to a lack of funds.

BikeNZ have offered support with their ability to secure entry into various road races for a national team, which would ride under the combined PureBlack Racing and BikeNZ banner.

The first will be next month's Tour of Langkawi in Malaysia and there are hopes they will race in events in Europe and Australia, likely to focus on an under-23 development squad.

The team will also have access to BikeNZ facilities and expertise in Europe.

Riders could already be aligned with a professional outfit and also ride for the national team on a one-off basis. This could work well for someone like national under-23 champion and overall elite winner Michael Vink, who is eyeing up a move to Europe this year.

"We're absolutely delighted to have found a way for the team to race internationally this year," PureBlack Racing spokesman Greg Cross said. "Many of the PureBlack Racing riders from 2011 have already committed to riding again this year. This new partnership provides valuable momentum as we continue to work towards our ambitious goal of achieving Pro-Continental status."

The concept would also assist BikeNZ with the development of young riders towards professional careers at the highest levels of the sport.