The Warmup Cycling Team has named five riders from a squad of 15 to compete in the first race of this year’s Benchmark Homes series in Nelson on Sunday.
Greg Scott, John McKenzie, Michael Fergio, Brent Harris and Arron Perriam will contest the 3rd Tasman Woolaston Classic, which is being held at the same course as October's Club Nationals. The race is one of several upcoming events that will involve all 15 riders.
Warmup Cycling Team Manager and Marketing Manager Kelly Chapman said "we are focused on enjoying the team concept, coffee and performing well in all upcoming events."
“We have a good bunch of guys that train a lot together and we’re really looking forward to the team-focused Benchmark Homes series, next weekend’s Tour of Canterbury and Tour de Lakes, the Canterbury Champs and then the Club Nationals. It is crunch time with the season’s key events all lined up and we’re hopeful of a strong showing.”
The squad includes riders aged 15 – 54 and Chapman said they have been great ambassadors for Warmup.
“The team has served Warmup well. It’s been great profile for our business and we have really enjoyed supporting local riders as they race all over the country in their various grades and age groups.”
“We’re realistic about where we sit in the scheme of things. The guys all work hard in various jobs, most have families and cycling is something we do for fun, when and where we can fit training and racing in. We’re certainly not a Subway – Avanti or Benchmark Homes type of team, but we enjoy racing and competing at our own level.”
The Warmup team has already tasted success this season, with Harris winning the National Masters 4 grade in October and Amanda Minty’s podium efforts in last Saturday’s Le Race and Club Nationals. The summer season’s highlights have also included McKenzie and David Roche winning the Canterbury Time Trial in the masters and veterans grades.
The team has also featured in several local events, including the recent Christchurch to Hanmer race where Chapman and Mark Forsey both featured at the front over the final stages of the race. Both finished in the top eight.
The Tour de Vineyards, held in Nelson in January saw the team compete in the sprint category, with Fergio spending a large part of the tour in the green jersey. He ended up tied for first, having finished behind the leading pack in the last stage. Forsey finished third in the Masters 3 category.
Warmup team:
Michael Crawford, Tom Molloy, John McKenzie, Laurence Holding, Brent Harris, Mark Forsey, Harrison Perriam, Alan Williams, Arron Perriam, David Roche, Mike Fergio, Amanda Minty, Greg Scott, Stephen Clearwater and Kelly Chapman.
