The UCI Continental Circuits Chronicle

Now in its 32nd year, the New Zealand Cycle Classic stage race took place on January 23-27, in and around the Cambridge region of New Zealand's north island. The UCI 2.2 event is part of the UCI Oceania Tour, covering 693 kilometres over five stages.Local rider Aaron Gate (EvoPro Racing) claimed victory over a field that also included Australian, British, Japanese, French and Swiss riders. Gate never relinquished the leader's jersey after winning it on the opening 132km stage that started and finished in Cambridge. He was part of a two-man breakaway with fellow New Zealander Matthew Zenovich (St George Continental Cycling Team) that finished more than a minute ahead of the peloton. The next two stages finished in bunch sprints, and on the fourth stage that finished atop Maungakawa Hill, Gate limited his losses by finishing third, seven seconds behind Australian stage winner Jesse Featonby (Oliver's Real Food), who moved into second overall. The final stage ended in a bunch sprint, cementing Gate's victory.2019 Final Standings1 Aaron Gate (NZL), EvoPro Racing 16:42:342 Jesse Featonby (AUS), Oliver's Real Food at 1:093 Jay Vine (AUS), Nero Bianchi 1:154 Daniel Whitehouse (GBR), EvoPro Racing 1:285 Thomas Lebas (FRA) 1:31

Individual UCI Africa Tour - Daryl Impey (RSA)UCI America Tour - Miguel Angel Lopez Moreno (COL)UCI Asia Tour - Alexey Lutsenko (KAZ)UCI Europe Tour - Alejandro Valverde (ESP)UCI Oceania Tour - Michael Matthews (AUS)TeamsUCI Africa Tour - Sovac (ALG)UCI America Tour - Rally UHC Cycling (USA)UCI Asia Tour - Terengganu Cycling Team (MAS)UCI Europe Tour - Cofidis, Solutions Credits (FRA)UCI Oceania Tour - Team Bridgelane (AUS)Nations UCI Africa Tour - South AfricaUCI America Tour - ColombiaUCI Asia Tour - KazakhstanUCI Europe Tour - BelgiumUCI Oceania Tour - Australia

Canadian Michael Woods (EF Education First) was a late starter as a cyclist, beginning his professional career in 2013 at the age of 26. Formerly a talented middle-distance runner, he set national records as a Junior in the 3000 metre and mile distances and won a gold medal at the Junior Pan American Continental Championships. Recurring stress fractures in his left foot led him to cycle as a cross training exercise, and he finally retired from running. After riding for a succession of Continental-level teams, Woods rapidly gained attention for his prowess as a climber, and joined the Cannondale UCI WorldTeam for the 2016 season, which became the EF Education First team. In his first season on the UCI WorldTour he finished second in Milano-Torino and fifth overall at the Santos Tour Down Under. 2017 saw him finish seventh overall in the Vuelta a España, and in 2018 Woods had his best season ever, winning a stage of the Vuelta, finishing second at Liège-Bastogne-Liège and taking the bronze medal in a sprint finish at the UCI Road World Championships. He starts 2019 ranked third in the UCI America Tour.

Follow Michael Woods on Twitter