George Bennett
George Bennett was born in Nelson, New Zealand in 1990. Unlike some of the other New Zealand World Tour riders, George's pathway to professional road cycling didn't come via a track program. Instead he played rugby as a kid and only began riding as a way to keep fit for his activities on the rugby field. However it didn't take long before he quit rugby and decided to focus solely on cycling.
In 2015, George joined Team Lotto NL and made a strong start to the season with a top 10 finish at the Tour Down Under.
George loos to continue targetting stage races over the coming seasons. All photography provided by CorVos and Team Jumbo-Visma.
For more info visit www.georgebennettcycling.com
NIAMH FISHER-BLACK
In 2021 World U23 rider of year Niamh Fisher-Black's signing of a two-year contract generated great satisfaction among the members of the technical staff.
This champion from New Zealand is only 20 years old and comes to us from Équipe Paule Ka. "It's only a matter of time before Fisher-Black establishes herself as one of the absolute world leaders on climbs", says Stam.
"She surprised everyone in the Giro Rosa in 2020. She has a tremendously athletic body and she impressed our riders with how she handled the tricky bits. I'm convinced she will continue to make a lot of progress in our team."
The New Zealander was pleasantly surprised to be approached by Team SD Worx.
"I still have to discover my possibilities as a cyclist", she says with great modesty.
"Everyone in the peloton sees how dominant Boels-Dolmans can be on rides. I'm very proud to be part of this winning team. I think it will be an ideal learning opportunity for me."
Fisher-Black hopes to prove herself mainly in the tougher competitions.
"I'm at my best during stage races and classics with lots of climbs. I was very pleased to already be riding the Giro Rosa this year. That I made it to second place in the final stage gave me huge satisfaction. It also goes to show that I recover well from heavy exertion."
More info visit Wikipedeia
Finn Fisher-Black
In early February, New Zealander Finn Fisher-Black captured the world record in the 3000-metre individual pursuit for juniors. A month later, he proved that he also is a decent road cyclist.
In Australia, he captured two Oceanian junior titles, one on the road and one in the time trial.
After a season of racing for Jumbo Visma, Fisher-Black will make his appearance in the shirt of Development Team UAE Team Emirates.
For more info visit Wickipedia
Jack Bauer
Jack Bauer was raised in a remote area of New Zealand called Parapara near the township of Takaka, Tasman. In 2003, Bauer began his tertiary studies at the University of Otago in Dunedin, New Zealand whilst residing at Aquinas College in his first year.
He was a nationally ranked mountain biker at the time. Whilst there, he was also often seen around the Dunedin Music scene playing his bass guitar in a band called Dream Farm.
In 2006, Bauer earned his bachelor's degree in Physical Education from Otago University in Dunedin, OtagoNew Zealand.
Jack Bauer then worked as a cycle courier in Wellington for a year. After a move to Ghent in 2009, he raced in amateur races and as a result obtained a contract with Endura Racing.
While riding for Endura Racing, Bauer won the 2010 New Zealand National Road Race Championships.
In November 2011, Bauer signed with the renamed Garmin–Barracuda squad, for the 2012 season. He remained with Garmin–Sharp for the 2013, 2014 and 2015 seasons. On the fifteenth stage of the 2014 Tour de France, Bauer broke away with Martin Elmiger for 222 km, only to be caught by the charging peloton a few meters from the line.
Bauer currently resides in Girona, Catalonia, Spain.
For more info visit Wikipedia
SHAANE FULTON
Best race results:
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5th Keirin 2020 Oceania Championships
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3rd Keirin 2019 UCI C1 Festival of Speed
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1st 500m TT with a big PB just 0.03 outside the National Record, clocking 34.239 at the 2021 National Championships
Shaane is 21 and a part of the New Zealand Track Cycling Team.Shaane joined the Tasman Wheelers when she was 12 years old and raced any chance she got, whether it be on the road, mountain bike or track.
As she grew up, she found her love for Track Sprinting. In April 2020 was integrated into the New Zealand Sprint Team. More recently at the 2021 National Championships she won 3 titles in the Sprint, Kerin and the last one being the 500m TT where she missed the National Record by the slimmest of margins (0.03)!
In July Shaane had the chance to have a crack at it again, where she managed to set a new record of 34.025, later that evening, she and her teammates also lined up and set a new Team Sprint record.
Over the next 12 months Shaane will be pushing towards the 2022 Commonwealth Games and World Championships which will hopefully be a great halfway marker as her eyes stay firmly set on the Paris Olympic Games, 2024.
ARI SCOTT
I started riding at Trafalgar Park on the track plus road at the age of five, then as a junior with Tasman Wheelers at the age of about 9 years, as well as MTB events, also riding Cyclocross.
In 2017 I started racing for Cycle NZ doing the Goulburn Junior Tour of Australia. From here I then progressed up to doing junior tours throughout NZ, which gave me the opportunity to join Team Skoda Fuzio for the season of 2018/2019.
During this time, I completed the Tour of Southland with this team as well as doing events such as Gravel and Tar and Le Race.
Also, during 2019 I went with Cycle NZ again to compete in the Junior Worlds in Harrogate in the UK.
From here I went to France riding once again for Cycle NZ and this is where I got many great race highlights, with winning two Criterions and podium finishes in other road races.
I left NZ in 2019 and went to pursue my cycling career in Spain riding for team ACB-Girona Cycling team. While racing there I managed to achieve winning four jerseys in one day on a three day tour.
Returning to NZ in 2020, I joined Black Spokes Cycling Academy. We raced in Taiwan, Australia, and a few other countries. I also did the Tour of Southland with the Black Spokes.
In 2021 I returned again to Spain and re-joined my old team ACB-Girona cycling team. I was in Spain for another seven months doing many races including the Spanish Cup cycle race. Our team did well but personally, the experience was amazing.
Travelling back to NZ in October 2021 I joined up with Team Coupland and raced for them during the summer of 2021 and leading into summer 2022. While here I completed the Tour of Southland and the Cycle Classic with Team Coupland.
During this time back in NZ I competed in Elite Road Nationals, TA Tours, and several other events, before heading back to Spain in March 2022.
I am currently riding in Spain for Team SmartDry Girona for this 2022 season and will return to NZ about October 2022.
ANDREW BIDWELL
Andrew is currently racing for Swiss Racing Academy overseas in Europe competing in the top U23 and Elite races.
His best result was in Italy at Trofeo Citta Di Sant'Egidio where out of over 200 riders he placed 3rd.
However, with an unforseen knee injury this year I hope to get back racing in 2022.
Tasman Wheelers helped me make that next step and enjoy some great races.
KEEGAN HORNBLOW
KEEGAN HORNBLOW
I was born and raised in Nelson. On the bike with the family since forever,
I then discovered Tasman Wheelers when I was about 12. Local club racing with them was a key part in my development and motivation within cycling while I was younger.
My highlight as a junior was competing at the 2019 Track Jr World Champs in Germany.
Local legend Jason Craig coached me to 4th in the Team Pursuit and 9th in the Individual Pursuit.
I'm now 20 years old and racing in Spain with ‘Team SmartDry’. Alongside Ari Scott a fellow Nelsonian and good mate! I am also a part of the New Zealand Track squad, spending a fair bit of time in Cambridge when in NZ.
As well as Tasman Wheelers, Team Couplands has been a huge part in my development. Providing me with opportunities in the 2021 Tour of Southland coming away with 3rd U23 GC, and 3 stage top 5’s.
Then also the 2022 NZ Cycle Classic, taking my first UCI stage win and finishing 5th on GC.
I look forward to racing with Tasman Wheelers when in get back to Nelson.