Just as the cobbles give character to Paris – Roubaix, the gravel in the fourth round of the Benchmark Homes Cycling Tour makes for a tough and unusual race. Sunday’s race will see riders thrash themselves over a 140 kilometre course studded with gravel.
Raced through the Selwyn District of Christchurch, this race is commonly referred to as the “Hell of the South” as the combination of the gravel, highly exposed course and often foul weather makes for a tough day on the bike.
Benchmark Homes Cycling Team is again dominating the series. Team rider Daniel Barry won the 2009 series, and already the team has set the standard for this year’s tour, winning two of the first three rounds.
The previous race, Hanmer to Kaikoura, won by bright Benchmark prospect Josh Atkins tested cyclists climbing ability. This race tests their sheer grit and determination.
Atkins won’t be contesting this round, instead, young gun James McCoy, who is second on the tour classification will lead the Benchmark Homes team.
“I know the course really well. I got second last year in this race, so if things go to plan then a similar result should be on the cards,” said McCoy.
He would not divulge his plan, but predicts that the race will probably stick together until the gravel sections.
The gravel sections will pose the biggest challenge. Five gravel sections are dotted through the last 60 kilometres, with a total of 8.3 kilometres of gravel.
“Bikes respond differently to gravel and thus it is important to know your bike and be a good handler. Few riders would ever train on gravel as it ruins their gear.”
McCoy’s biggest rival is Cycle Surgery’s Scott Lyttle. Lyttle won this stage last year, and is hot on McCoy’s heels in the overall points. Based in Dunedin, Lyttle will be well used to the freezing temperatures predicted for Sunday.
Like any Tour, the overall win is as prestigious as any of the stage wins.
“I guess Benchmark is in a good position to win the overall series. I just take each race as it comes, and if we perform consistently throughout each race then the series will take care of itself,” McCoy said.
Benchmark Homes Cycling Team Manager Brendan Hart recognises that “it's hard to know what the form of other teams will be due to the winter break. We will race to win and hope to consolidate our lead”.
Subway-Avanti Pro Cycling, being the only team to have raced together during the winter, will be in good form. The team tackled the Chinese Tour de Quinghai Lake, which with a harsh combination of high altitudes and massive climbs mean that they will be in optimum condition for this race. They will also be rejoined by one of their top riders James Williamson who has just returned from five months in the US.
At this point only three women have been brave enough to enter this round. The reputation of the ‘hell of the south’ might be too much for some….
