Former World Champion Launches Cycling Team at Le Race

Former junior world road cycling champion Jeremy Yates will launch a new development cycling team at Le Race at the end of the month.

Le Race, the iconic 100 km Christchurch to Akaroa cycle race, has returned to its regular March weekend (31st March) after the Christchurch earthquake moved it to October last year.

Yates, a former Le Race winner and course record holder, has created the All About Plumbing – Mico Cycling Team to help develop local Canterbury cycling talent.

“I received a lot of help over the years and I want to give back to the sport that has given me so much. Together with Richard Aitken from All About Plumbing we decided the best way to do that was to start a development team,” said Yates.

“The All About Plumbing-Mico team is the ideal way to help young riders who are looking to make the step up to Elite level racing. It will show our other kiwi hopefuls that there is a solid pathway from club and domestic racing to an international career.”

The under 19 team consists of Sam Friend, Olly Marshall, Max Beckert, Tayler Reed and Andrew Ward.

The hilly Le Race course offers the perfect challenge for both recreational riders and those more competitive riders.

“I like that Le Race is a race of attrition and full of hills at the end. It’s an iconic race that we are lucky to be able to take part in.”

“Le Race will be the team’s first outing together so I’m hoping that we can start off doing the basics right - working together as a team, to a plan and for the best result possible.”

Yates, and partner Serena Sheridan another New Zealand representative cyclist, are relocating to Christchurch to help with the rebuild with their newly established company, Yates Construction.

“As I am back on the building site, my role in the team is mainly as a mentor. I want to be accessible to answer all of the questions I had as a younger rider, and also to pass down some of my knowledge for free- especially on race day! I will ride with the team when I can and hopefully throw in a few races as well.”

Entries are still open for Le Race, and with three weeks until race day, there is still time to train for the 100km race. There are teams and tandem options to make the race accessible to all no matter what their fitness.

For more information and to enter visit www.lerace.co.nz