Gate will be joined by top hill climber James Oram, who led the Mitchelton Bike Exchange Continental team on the Asian circuit last year and is a previous stage winner at the UCI 2.2 New Zealand Cycle Classic and former junior world champion Luke Mudgway. Also, in the team is Ethan Batt, Josh Kench, Ari Scott, Xander White, Kiaan Watt and Dylan McCullough.
What is even more exciting for Wairarapa is that Black Spoke will remain in the region between races one and two for an intensive week-long training camp, says team manager Scott Guyton.
"Black Spoke Pro Cycling Academy is looking forward to returning to the Wairarapa for our training camp in preparation for the Tour of Southland. It’s a great opportunity for Black Spoke to be able to incorporate Jorge’s races into our training camp and we felt it our duty to support Jorge in putting on a race series in such a crazy year,” says Scott.
“While many of our riders have raced in the Wairarapa, the team looks forward to being able to explore the region at a more leisurely pace”.
Jorge is confident the team will enjoy racing and training on the Wairarapa’s rolling roads that weave through the countryside.
"I’ve no doubt their inclusion in the Trust House team series for the first time will make for such an exciting race and if we are in Alert Level One, I encourage as many spectators to get out and watch this team, and the others, in action - they won't be disappointed,” says Jorge.
Trust House Limited’s Chief Executive Officer, Charles Kaka, says Trust House is delighted to provide support again to the series.
“This is the seventh year of the successful series and it is a wonderful boost to the local economy. It is encouraging to see this event returning to the Wairarapa region bigger and better in 2020.”
For the first time in the Series’ history, riders will race in grade categories rather than age groups. In addition women can take part, something that has not happened for four years.
“I listened to feedback from riders who have taken part over the last few years and revamped this year’s Series so riders will be grouped in their ability category as opposed to their age. This means riders will now race against riders of the same ability. The other thing I have done is cater to the growing demand from female riders to race. I’ve two women’s teams with a couple of mixed teams entered which is great.”
The first race in the five-race series begins and finishes at Alfredton School, north of Masterton on Sunday, 27th September. Teams competing in categories 2, 3 and 4 will complete 65km while those in category 1 will complete 102km.
With Covid-19 restrictions currently in place all riders will need to sign in for contact tracing purposes and adhere to good hygiene practises. Jorge has signed up to the ‘Voluntary Code for Events’ which follows best practice expectations, based on Ministry of Health guidance to reduce COVID-19 related risks. He has also taken advise from Cycling New Zealand about best practise for holding cycling events.
DETAILS FOR THE TRUST HOUSE NORTH ISLAND TEAM SERIES 2020:
Sunday 27 September 2020
Race One: Alfredton Circuit - Alfredton
Distance: 65km and 102km
Sunday 4 October 2020
Race Two: Alfredton – Pongaroa - Alfredton
Distances: 80km and 110km
Sunday 25 October 2020
Race Three: TTT and Criterium races
Sunday 8 November 2020
Race Four: Rangitumau – Mauriceville - Rangitumau
Distances: 87km
Sunday 29 November 2020
Race Five: Masterton – Bideford - Dreyers Rock – Masterton
Distances: 84km
ENDS
For further information, please contact:
Race Director Jorge Sandoval
Mobile: 0274 464300
