The New Zealand Cycle Classic is moving to the Waikato next year.
Up until now the five-stage race has been held in the Wellington-Wairarapa area.
NZ Cycle Classic Photo: PHOTOSPORT
Race director Jorge Sandoval said he'd been offered a fresh start to move the tour, which this year attracted over 100 riders representing six nationalities, from Wairarapa to Waikato in 2019.
Mr Sandoval said it was an amazing opportunity and allowed him to grow the race with the financial support required.
"I've been running this event for 31 years and my dream has always been to grow the race from a UCI 2.2 accredited stage tour to a UCI 2.1 accredited tour."
"Whilst I believe the Wairarapa has some of the best roads and routes for road cycling in New Zealand it was a constant challenge to get the financial support the event needed. Instead an opportunity has arisen to take the Tour and stage it in the Waikato," he said.
Despite the move, Mr Sandoval is not abandoning the Wairarapa altogether. He is hopeful of staging an elite women's race similar to the 2015 Women's Cycle Tour of New Zealand.
"I am going to work really hard to find a replacement Tour to be staged in the Wairarapa. Over the last three years we've seen a growing cycling culture emerge here and I hope to continue that in the future."
