New Zealand Cycle Classic 2023: Route, Stages, Entries, Standings

Last year Mark Stewart (Bolton Equities Black Spoke Pro Cycling) won the Te Wharau Hill stage already wearing the yellow jersey. Photo: NZCC

The 2023 cycling season will kick off this year with the New Zealand Cycle Classic, a UCI 2.2 event held in New Zealand from January 11-15. The riders entered from Masterton will set out to finish at a city circuit in Wellington after five stages and five days of racing. The queen stage will mark the third stage with a summit finish, at Te Wharau (Admiral Hill).

Last year, from end to end Mark Stewart (Bolton Equities Black Spoke Pro Cycling) led the race in the yellow jersey On strong shoulders from his success in the team time trial during the first stage. And his success on the Queen’s Stage (Te Wharau Hill) only cemented his progress. In the general classification, the British rider beat the New Zealanders Ollie Jones (St. George Continental Cycling Team) and Lawrence Bethe (Team New Zealand – Groupama-FDJ Conti). French Raphael Amorux (Team Trust House) finished 46th and 1st in the Tricolor.

New Zealand Cycle Classic 2023 stage dates

Wednesday, January 11, 2023 – Phase One | Masterton-Masterton (158.1 km)
Stage Classification – General Classification and Featured Classification

Thursday, January 12, 2023 – Phase Two | Masterton-Martinborough (127.3 km away)
Stage Classification – General Classification and Featured Classification

Friday, January 13, 2023 – Phase Three | Masterton – Te Wharau / Admiral Hill (155.5 km)
Stage Classification – General Classification and Featured Classification

Saturday, January 14, 2023 – Phase Four | Miramar Wellington Circuit (126 km)
Stage Classification – General Classification and Featured Classification

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Sunday, January 15, 2023 – Phase Five | Wellington – Wellington (1 hour + 3 laps)
Stage Classification – Final General Classification and Featured Classification