Dave Lintott
Black Spoke Pro Cycling Academy s Aaron Gate won the New Zealand Cycle Classic title in 2019 and is back for another title tilt in 2021.
Black Spoke Pro Cycling Academy are not shy about their ambitions when lining up to contest this week’s UCI 2.2 New Zealand Cycle Classic five-day stage race being held in Wairarapa and Wellington. “It would be great to take out the overall win and stage wins along the way,” team manager Scott Guyton said. “We have a well-rounded team with individuals that can do well over all the terrains Wairarapa has to offer. We also have the national criterium champion, Aaron Gate in the team, and we are looking forward to seeing him race in the national jersey in our capital city on the last stage.”
Tour of Southland winner Aaron Gate
Photo: James Jubb/Studio Jubb
A bronze medallist from the 2012 London Games, Gate is one of several members of the New Zealand track team for this year s Olympics taking part the Classic.
The 30-year-old, who rides for the Black Spoke team and won the Tour of Southland a couple of months ago, says balance is important for him to stay in top form. The road compliments the track cycling and visa-versa the track stuff makes me a faster road cyclist too so I enjoy doing both and this is a great race to do also.
He rode the next 5km on adrenaline and the final 60km in pain. A hospital visit that evening revealed breaks to his left wrist and right elbow, forcing him to withdraw from his first Tour of Southland. But the gutsy young Southlander, who completed his schooling at James Hargest College in 2020, was back training on his bike - on a wind trainer in his parent’s lounge - within a couple of weeks.
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Hunter Gough, the day after breaking bones in both arms when crashing out of the Tour of Southland in November. He will compete in the New Zealand Cycle Classic from January 13-17.