Recovered Hambrook ready to make up for lost time

Story by: JOSH REICH - Photo by: Marc Palmano

After illness wrecked his hopes at the elite nationals this month, Kieran Hambrook is hoping the New Zealand Cycle Classic will kick-start his 2012 season.

Hambrook is one of 105 riders in the tour, which starts today with a short 7.1-kilometre time trial.

The race has been moved from Wellington and Wairarapa to Manawatu for its 25th anniversary and is the only UCI-sanctioned event in New Zealand.

Hambrook, who rode for Team Tasman Glass during the Nelson summer, is part of a strong Armstrong Motor Group team featuring Jason Christie, who placed second in the under-23 time trial at nationals, Ryan Sissons, Chris Macic and Sam Lindsay.

After a decent showing in the Tour de Vineyards around the Tasman region between Christmas and New Year, Hambrook was looking forward to a strong outing in the road race at the nationals in Christchurch a week later.

Unfortunately he fell ill with what he thinks was giardia.

He still entered the race, but was forced to withdraw halfway through.

"I seem to be coming right; I've done a few good rides.

"I think I might have got a bit of giardia from drinking water.

"I lost 3kg and had no energy, and couldn't really train between Vineyards and nationals, so I lost a little bit of form."

It was a blow for Hambrook, having put in a strong effort on his local tour, including finishing second on the Hope Circuit.

That disappointment is now behind him and he is keen for success in the Manawatu, his last New Zealand race before heading back to France for the European season. He will be riding for a team based in Saint Etienne, who were keen for him to already be training with them.

However, he convinced them that riding in a UCI 2.2 race was just as beneficial.

Given the strength of the team, one of the riders picking up a jersey was a possibility, he said.

There are 21 teams from the United States, Australia and New Zealand, headed by US-based Team Type 1 Sanofi.

Other leading teams include Team Jayco, a UCI Continental team under the Australia Institute of Sport programme that includes defending champion Patrick Lane and strong combinations of Drapac and Genesys Wealth Advisers from across the Tasman.

The other New Zealand challenges should come from the BikeNZ combination and the proven trade teams of Subway Pro Cycling with Wes Gough, Peter Latham and national time trial champion Paul Odlin; Mico Protrain led by national champion Michael Vink and Jeremy Yates and Benchmark, headed by Tour of Southland winner Josh Atkins.

Defending champion George Bennett, of Richmond, won't be back to defend his title as he is overseas with his new pro-team Radioshack Trek Nissan.