:quality(85)/arc-anglerfish-arc2-prod-infobae.s3.amazonaws.com/public/PFKDHFXRMNAZPGWUZDXMUYH6CM)
:quality(85)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/infobae/RRSAOHZ4YNHDNIHIZBEU3B2NE4.jpg)
EsCiclismo.com · Road Racing · 01/13/2024
New Zealand national team great cyclist and world track champion Aaron Gade won stage four of the New Zealand Classic at Carterton today with a blistering pace. The win keeps New Zealand at the top of the competition, reaffirming their dominant form in the race.
Kate, a multiple Commonwealth Games gold medalist and Hallberg Prize finalist, was initially tasked with paving the way for teammate George Jackson. However, a minor crash involved Jackson in the final turn of the homestretch, forcing Kate to hold onto her position and eventually take the win on the final lap.
The New Zealander completed the 122km course in 2 hours, 45 minutes and 3 seconds, narrowly beating Bailey O'Donnell (Oxford Edge) and third-placed Adam Chapman (Rushwell-Ridley).
At the finish line, and after confirming the condition of his team-mate Jackson, who suffered scratches on part of his body, Kate announced: “Today was bittersweet … We wanted George to sprint, but unfortunately he fell.” I was lucky enough to stay out of the corner while I tried to lay the groundwork for him. Nobody else was able to get past me, so luckily it was a nice extra win for the guys for the week.”
Today's conditions, indicated in the New Zealand Test, presented an unknown challenge to all teams. Called the “Carrington Circuit” and located in the Carterton district of the Wairarapa, it began with a neutral start from Masterton and headed south, where riders completed several laps of a figure-eight circuit. Behind the district and city.
The pressure was felt from the start, with valuable points at stake and small margins between the riders at the top of the general classification.
Several small groups of escapees formed, causing the peloton to react, but in the last 30 kilometers five cyclists managed to distance themselves and extend their advantage to a minute. The breakaway team consisted of Ryan Christensen (NZ National Team), Thomas Sexton (St George Continental), Ryan Kavanagh (Keenan Racing Team), Toby Evans (Cooplands Booth Group) and O'Donnell.
Despite the heat and strong winds, the riders stayed together as the peloton, led by Cate, followed determinedly to defend the yellow jersey. At one point, the peloton broke with the cyclists, but it was unsuccessful.
Already in the last kilometers, again as a peloton group, the QFS Cycling, CCACHE x Par Kup and Coupland teams, together with the New Zealand cyclists, pushed the pace. Everyone was fighting for position for the final sprint, but a crash left several riders out, including Jackson, who was preparing to sprint through the gate.
Kate described today's stage as “brutal”. He commented: “George took the first move and the guys went full speed. We were lucky to sit back and let the others chase. Ryan was in front but we were leading the chase. , we weren't going to chase a team-mate but we also had to defend the yellow jersey. Then , on the last lap, got some help to get really close and it was all decided. Sprint.”
Kate added that the bonus she received today will help her ahead of tomorrow's fifth and final round in the city center of Wellington, her home town. “Hopefully George can rest and if he finally recovers well, he'll have a chance to win that stage tomorrow,” Kate said.
Meanwhile, young Whanganui rider Finnegan Murphy (Southern Cross) showed great strength to retain the top junior jersey; Australian Liam White (CCACHE x PAR KUP) retained the mountain title, Kavanagh won the warrior award for his outstanding performance and O'Donnell beat Kate to take the coveted sprint jersey.
The fifth and final leg of the New Zealand Classic starts and ends in Wellington on Sunday.
New Zealand Classic Qualifiers 2024 – Stage 4
Classification of Level 4:
1. Aaron Gade (NZL/New Zealand Cell) – 2:45:03
2. Bailey O'Donnell (NZL/Oxford Edge Cycling) – mt
3. Adam Chapman (NZL/RushVelo-Ridley) – mt
4. Keegan Hornblow (NZL/Couplands Bakeries) – mt
5. Thomas Gibbons (USA/US Sel.) – mt
6. Josh Rivett (NZL/Oxford Edge Cycling) – mt
7. Elliott Schultz (AUS/BridgeLane) – mt
8. Ollie Jones (NZL/Southern Cross Racing) – mt
9. Logan Currie (NZL/New Zealand Sel.) – mt
10. Kurt Ether (AUS/Ccacha x Par Kp) – mt
General Classification:
1. Aaron Gade (NZL/New Zealand Cell) – 12:18:04
2. Elliot Schultz (AUS/BridgeLane) at 0:24
3. Logan Currie (NZL/New Zealand cell) at 0:30
4. Ollie Jones (NZL/Southern Cross Racing) at 0:30
5. Boris Clarke (NZL/St George) at 0:34
6. Josh Burnett (NZL/ MitoQ-NZ Cycling Program) at 0:34
7. Alastair Christie-Johnston (AUS/Ccacha x Par Kp) at 0:34
8. Drew Morey (AUS/ Kinan Racing) at 0:34
9. Finnegan Murphy (NZL/Southern Cross Racing) at 0:34
10. Cameron Beaumont (NZL/Ibuilt Racing) at 0:34
Escycling – All rights reserved. Reproduction of any kind without express written permission is prohibited.
“Typical beer advocate. Future teen idol. Unapologetic tv practitioner. Music trailblazer.”
More Stories
Rugby Championship U20: New Zealand beat Australia to win
Where to watch ‘Escaping the Sect’, a mini-series about New Zealand’s most extreme sect, coming to streaming
Bhumitas lost 43 for 20 to New Zealand in Australia