Tour of New Zealand

What a great way to see Aotearoa! The Tour of New Zealand cycle race sees two groups start at opposite ends of the country and race up to Wellington over 8 days. The race started a day early for the Southern team when they came over to Stewart Island to participate in its first official cycle race and although the sunshine gave way to light rain just before the start, the race was run in cool but mostly dry conditions. Great to see the support for the riders and extra-loud cheering for the island riders that joined in. Stewart Island's Ship to Shore 4 Square is sponsoring Klaartje for the southern leg and she looked a treat kitted out in 4 Square colours and with Charlie 4 Square riding on her back.

Jill and Klaartje before the race

Easy to see where Klaartje is from - Charlie 4 Square covers
the back of her top

Thumbs up from our island rider

Bunting on the Glowing Sky shop frontage

Stewart Island's hi-tech message board!

The 20km race started soon after midday and it was mostly downhill from the airstrip to the waterfront; we abandoned the checkout and got outside in time to watch Klaartje lead the pack down Main Road and into the sharp right hand turn at the pub...

Yay! Klaartje out in front coming up to the right hand turn

Road marshal and TV1 film crew direct the cyclists out to Lonnekers

...and then out along the flat and winding road around Halfmoon Bay to Lonnekers where they did a U-turn, back past the pub, Glowing Sky and 4 Square and up the hill on their way to Horseshoe Bay. Lots of ups and downs on this stretch before doing another U-turn and heading back to complete the lap at the pub. Not finished here though as they did a second lap (out to Lonnekers then back out to Horseshoe before racing to the finish just along from the pub.

Pete, another local, racing past the pub

Coming back from Lonnekers on their way to Horseshoe Bay

Klaartje going past the shop on her last lap - go, Klaartje, go

200m from the finish line - Klaartje was 5th home and first woman overall

The Stewart Island Lions Club feeding the masses and raising funds

Well done to all participants; it's not an easy course but good preparation for the long haul from Bluff up to Wellington. Thanks very much for the entertainment, enthusiasm and hard work from the organisers to make sure it went off without a hitch. Check out TV1 news footage on their website and follow each day's race results here (all links open in new tab).