Y
oung Waitetuna cyclist Cory Hartgill is “definitely” looking forward to the return in July of the Karioi Classic, and reckons he’s in it to win.
Chances are – given his history – he could do just that.
Because at 19 years old Cory already has three Karioi Classics behind him, with a couple of medals to show for it. He was in fact one of the event’s youngest riders back in 2018 when still at Waitetuna Primary School, and is keen now to go hard out at senior level.
Fair to say this event – and another he entered the same year at Raglan Area School – played a big part in inspiring Cory to become the serious cyclist he is today, competing both nationally and, back in March, at the Oceania Mountain Bike Championships held at Coronet Peak in Queenstown.
Before that, in February, it was the Mountain Bike National Championships at Redwoods Forest Park in Rotorua, while last month saw Cory turn out to the Anzac Day Cycling Festival in Cambridge.
Last weekend Cory was just about impossible to track down for an interview because he was competing at the two-day Te Awamutu Tour out of Goodwood School in Cambridge – leaving home at 6.30 each day and not getting back till around five at night.
If it sounds like a punishing schedule, it is. Cory trains “around the (Waitetuna) valley” both before and after work as a builders’ apprentice in Hamilton, and competes most weekends at events of some sort.
But he says nothing compares with racing locally, as in your own backyard. Cory’s now gearing up for the long 85km grind around the mountain on his new high-performance, hi-tech Cervelo gravel bike, and aiming for a three-hour finish.
He gave the circuit a go recently to test himself one wet and windy weekend, taking a “pretty cruisy” three-and-a-half hours to complete the distance. That was okay, he reckons, as it was more of a “low watts training” exercise used for building endurance.
On the day he’ll be aiming for “maximum effort”, as per coaching guidelines.
The young go-getter – born and bred at Waitetuna – went on from his first Karioi Classic at the age of 12 to become captain of Hamilton Boys’ High School cycling team, and has for the last few years been a sponsored cyclist. He’s proud to have been able to compete all over the country, and do well, through that sponsorship and out of his own pocket.
The Te Awamutu Tour Cory competed in this month was serious stuff – riding for cash. It’s part of the career plan, he explains. Ever since those early successes he’s been geared to a cycling career.
With building as a “back-up” of course.
“But I’ve always thought it would be pretty sick to ride your bike and get paid for it,” he divulges.
Cory’s Karioi Classic tips:
- Focus on enough fluid and nutrition to minimise the likelihood of getting cramp towards the end.
- Don’t be afraid to invest in a good helmet; it has saved me a few times.
- Wear appropriate gear for the weather conditions.
- Make sure your bike is in a safe and functional condition.
by Edith Symes
Register and be into win some amazing prizes drawn each month in the lead up to the Karioi Classic
Congratulations to our April prize winner Shona Stewart rider number #63 who won the Raglan Cyclery wahine cycling pack together with helmet, socks, gloves, glasses, drink bottle with nutrition products valued at $300.
Be in to win for May: $500 accommodation voucher with Groundswell Property. Groundswell is a local company run by local people who offer a selection of holiday homes to fit every group and every budget. Check out the holiday homes, register and get training and you could be in to win both a $500 voucher on a holiday vacation and the Karioi Classic race.
How to enter:
Register for the Karioi Classic during May
Start training
Be in to win both the $500 holiday voucher and the Karioi Classic race
Bonus offer: Anyone can book a Groundswell Property for the Karioi Classic weekend and receive 15% off.
Email the team at hello@groundswellproperty.co.nz and mention ‘Karioi Classic’ to claim the discount.
Register at www.goraglan.com/events/karioi-classic-2025 and stay in the loop via our socials @KarioiClassic
For further event information contact Karioi Classic Event coordinator Jacqueline Anderson on jacqueline@raglanihub.nz
