We’re excited to partner with Team Skoda Racing cycle team this coming year to promote the sport and provide pathways for up and coming NZ talent as they look to make their mark on the road scene. For more information have a read of the official team release below.
Team Skoda Racing – New Zealand’s leading cycling team launched their new team look for the 2016/17 season last week at Torpedo7 Mt Wellington in Auckland. The team’s mission is simple, develop New Zealand’s leading U19 and U23 riders and set them up for international success. The team have done this in spades with 2016 netting some big wins along the way. The past year saw five world titles, Oceania titles and podiums, two club national titles and some international successes.
Alongside Skoda as the principal sponsor of the team are new partners Trek Bikes and Torpedo7, DT Swiss Wheels, Bontrager, Shimano components, CCN Clothing, Vittoria Tyres, Park Tool, Biomaxa, SIS Nutrition, On Fire Design, Ballina Motel, Whipit Legal, Apex Insurance and Headpace website. The signing of big international brands such as Trek, Shimano and DT Swiss is recognition of the team’s success and buy-in to the development of New Zealand’s junior talent. Scott Fairbairn – team co-owner says, ‘We are extremely excited to have some of the world’s biggest bike brands on board. Having the support from the likes of Trek, Torpedo7, Shimano and DT Swiss will allow our riders to race on the best equipment available. We have always sought to partner with brands that are on the leading edge of technology and our partnerships with Vittoria Tyres, Bontrager and Park Tool this year has no doubt lead to a big part of our success’. Joining the team this year is CCN Clothing. While not a household name in New Zealand, CCN is a large brand in China and will offer the team a chance to partner with rider sharing in the Asian racing scene.
The line-up for 2016/17 will be led by Robert Stannard, Callum Gordon, Campbell Stewart and Connor Brown. All four riders have competed exceptionally well across the last year and are set for bigger things. Stannard and Stewart will start the year by racing in the World Road Championships in Qatar, while Gordon heads to China. Returning to the team is Joel Yates, Chris Denholm and Harry Waine. New to the team is Ethan Batt, Jack Sowry, Oscar Elworthy, Alex West, Ben Hamilton. Brad Tilby, team co-owner says, ‘The line-up for this year is a young one at an average age of 18. However, we believe we have the right mix of raw strength, experience and opportunity within our riders to really compete at the top echelon. Riders like Robert and Campbell have proven they can win any race on their day while newcomers such as Ethan, Oscar and Alex are not far off this mark. For our U19 riders, we see this year as more of an investment for where we expect they can be in a year. Being around the more experienced riders, they pick team racing up quickly and will learn how to work as a group for better results’. The also team contains a development rider – George Jackson who will gain valuable experience.
The team race schedule will be based around New Zealand’s biggest races – New Zealand Cycle Classic, Elite Nationals, The REV Classic and the Tour of Southland with the first team race at the North Island Series next weekend.
Be sure to follow the team on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
