Ambassadors

RIDER
PROFILES

We are fortunate enough to be sponsoring a bunch of super talented local riders. Get to know them a little better here.

Cycleworld | Bike Shop | Cycling | Dunedin

Ant Jackson

Downhiller turned triathlete, Ant has a love for bikes and all things adventure. He has a wealth of knowledge, specifically racing and training.

Andy Toomey

This Cross Country rider just can’t get enough of bikes and racing up and down. He is the perfect person to advise if you fancy getting into the discipline.

“The Hasminszkys” – Tom and Paula

The epic riding power couple, The Hasminszkys is a perfect partnership between Paula Hasler and Tom Kaminszky.

Zac Williams

Downhill MTB – World Cup Series

Hope Family, Cycleworld, 67 Stuart St, Dunedin, 9016, 03-477 7473

“The Hopes” – Ray, Linda, Sam, Shannon – The Mountain biking family

The Hopes are epitome of an adventure loving family. They absolutely love the outdoors, spending time as a family and the wonderful life Dunedin and New Zealand enables them to have. They certainly live life to the fullest, whether it be mountain biking, climbing, hiking the beautiful countryside we have on our doorstep or competing in all sorts of adventure racing and off road competitions. Cycle World is so proud to have them all as Ambassadors as they encapsulate the ethos of the shop and our community.

Andy Toomey

Andy Twoomey, Cycleworld, 67 Stuart St, Dunedin, 9016, 03-477 7473

Andy Toomey – Cross Country Star

This Cross Country rider just can’t get enough of bikes and racing up and down. He is the perfect person to advise if you fancy getting into the discipline and a bloody nice guy to boot!

Age?

Hometown?

Dunedin

When did you start riding a bike?

I have always ridden bikes but started racing in 2013 and loved it!

What is your favourite style of riding and racing?

My favourite style of riding and racing is cross country but I also love shuttling.

What's your favourite Dunedin Trail?

My favourite trail in Dunedin is ‘the classic’. You should really give it a go.

What was your favourite race and why?

My favourite race would have to be Linger and Die in Alexandra the Cross Country and the Bluff Enduro was lots of epic fun.

What is your sporting goal?

Sporting goal would be to keep improving in MTB cross country races and keep enjoying myself while doing it without majorly injuring myself! That is key of course.

And do you have a tip to help fellow riders or athletes to train or race better?

My tip to fellow riders is to set goals that you can achieve and then keep improving those goals till you are the best you can be and if that doesn’t work just shuttle everyday! 😉

Ant Jackson

Downhiller turned triathlete, Ant has a love for bikes and all things adventure. He has a wealth of knowledge, specifically racing and training. Great guy to hit up with a question and to have a laugh.

Age?

Hometown?

The beautiful Dunedin City

When did you start riding a bike?

I rode as a kid, Dad always took us to races as he was a member of the MTB club, I raced mountain bikes from around the age of 10 but got serious at racing Downhill around 16. I race DH for about 10 years competing nationally and for NZ in Australia. I didn’t compete for a few years then I thought racing an Ironman would be cool…

What is your favourite style of riding and racing?

I love steep, technical single track mtb. I also love racing Ironman Tri, it’s so grueling and requires so much training and mental strength just to turn up let alone really race it.

Favourite bike?

My Specialized Epic HT, its got big bars and handles everything I can throw at it.

Why did you get into Triathlon?

I have always swam, rode and run but never raced triathlon until in 2010 my friend (back then) and now partner Bex suggested I give Challenge Wanaka a go, how bad could an Ironman be I thought…

What's your favourite Dunedin Trail?

The Silverpeaks Mountain Loop, it doesn’t matter how fit, strong or in form you are, that trail will chew you up and spit you out! It never gets easy you just get a little stronger every time.

What was your favourite race and why?

Challenge Roth, it’s an Ironman in Germany, there are 5000 competitors, 200,000 spectators and you have to earn a spot to race. It is AMAZING.

What is your sporting goal?

This year my sporting goal is to finish Wanaka Challenge in under 9hrs 30.

And do you have a tip to help fellow riders or athletes to train or race better?

I have two tips – 1. Get a coach / training plan together – it helps structure your training and your life. It allows you to track your progress and limit over training. 2. You get out what you put in.

The Hasminszkys

Haminsky, Cycleworld, 67 Stuart St, Dunedin, 9016, 03-477 7473

“The Hasminszkys” – Tom and Paula –

The epic riding power couple, The Haminszkys is a perfect partnership between Paula Hasler and Tom Kaminszky. With the inaugural Pioneer Race under their belt, and multiple cross country, cyclocross and road race wins to boot team you can’t get more experienced. Paula founded Cycle World’s women’s Elite Road Team and led the team for 3 years while Tom was Team Manager and key Support person. Paula will race at the UCI Gran Fondo World Championships Tom continues to dominate in MTB as well as Road. Find out more about these biking loving couple.

Age?

Paula: 40

Hometown?

Paula: Dunedin Tom: Budapest

When did you start riding a bike?

Paula: About 6 years ago when I got my first MTB, an awesome little Kona hard tail. But first bike was a Healing HMX 500 at age 5. And then an ancient “10-speed” with no brakes. Tom: Urban BMX bandit from an early age in the Eastern Block. Got into MTB with an entry level Scott about 6 years ago.

What is your favourite style of riding and racing? Favourite bike?

Paula: It used to be MTB cross country – Motatapu, Epic etc, now it is all about the Road! Love Cyclo-cross as well! Favourite bike(s) in order: Specialized S-Works Venge, Specialized Epic, Specialized S-Works CruX, Specialized S-Works Shiv. Tom: MTB cross country and cyclo-cross… but just did my first Elite level road race and secretly loved it! All racing is good racing. Favourite bike(s) – all of them: Specialized S-Works Tarmac Disc, Specialized Epic, Specialized CruX.

What's your favourite Dunedin Trail?

Paula: Redwoods and Big Easy – anything else is too technical haha Tom: Pretty much all of them! Signal Hill, not so much haha

What was your favourite race and why?

Paula: 2016 Forrest GrapeRide – won my age group to qualify first for the UCI Gran Fondo World Champs. One of those days when everything went right. Calm and focused on the start line, able to cover attacks and stay in touch on the climbs, and then hang in with the speedster “big boys” for the last 50km. Tom: 2016 inaugural Pioneer as a mixed team with Paula – epic 7 day adventure and the hardest race I have done so far. Why? 40 hours of stage racing across the best country in NZ.

What is your sporting goal?

Paula: Compete at UCI Gran Fondo World Champs in September 2016, complete a good season in the Calder Stewart Elite Series 2016, continue to pursue age group elite races in Road and TT, and make more time for epic MTB adventures like the Pioneer (completed in 2016), Heaphy, Old Ghost Road etc. Road trip about the country doing road races. Tom: Do as much racing as possible. Win Cycle World CX series – and beat Matt!

And do you have a tip to help fellow riders or athletes to train or race better?

Paula: Set goals and be realistic about what you want to achieve. The bigger the goal, the more time and commitment to training and racing you will need. If you have the passion and the drive, you will improve and achieve your goals – a super flash bike(s) definitely helps(!) but commitment, mental strength and tenacity is the key! Tom: Having fun is important, but you will definitely notice a huge improvement with regular structured training.

Tamsyn Hayes

New Zealand triathlete putting Dunedin and NZ on the map! Tamsyn travels the world competing in Ironman races and we are lucky enough to have her here in Dunedin between these awesome events. Tamsyn loves to talk to budding triathletes and help them into the sport she loves.

Age?

Hometown?

Dunedin

When did you start riding a bike:

I have been riding bikes all my life. I remember Mum and Dad making my sister and I ride the rail trail and Mavora Lakes on a tiny BMX and wondering why we were complaining about how hard it was 🙂 I didn’t ride through High School but got back into it around 2008 when I got into Triathlon. I did my first Blokefree triathlon with no practice. I just hopped on a road bike, a super old one with gears on the frame and went for it.

Fav style of riding and racing?

I love heading out on the TT or road bike with a group of like minded friends to have a good yarn and get a sweat up. My fav type of racing is Ironman racing where the bike is non drafting and you are out there pushing yourself to your limits on an even playing field so to speak.

Favourite bike?

My S works Shiv, whether it’s triathlon season or not I love taking it out for a hoon on the streets.

Why did you get into triathlon?

After rowing competitively for a number of years with some great successes I needed a new sporting motivation. Started with the some blokefree triathlons and gradually raced longer and longer events each year and have never looked back. I love the sport and the people you meet along the way. Its great to see so many people taking up triathlon and cycling. I have made lifelong friendships all over the world through these sports.

Favourite Dunedin Trail?

My favourite place is to ride in Dunedin is super tough. There are so many different places to go. If you wanted I reckon you could do a different ride every day of the month. A few of my favs though would be the high roads (both ways) loop to the albatross colony, Karitane and to Tairei Mouth over the hill to Waihola. I have been recently introduced to George King lately too though and if I can master the downhills I will have to add that one to the list.

Favourite race?

That’s easy, would have to be Challenge Wanaka Iron distance. It’s one of the hardest, slowest ironman races in the world but without a doubt the most fun. I absolutely love it, especially the bike section. Many professionals come and race it once and never come back 😉

Sporting goal?

Any time I am out racing around the world I try to do New Zealand and my sponsors proud BUT I would love to win Challenge Wanaka one day because it is my favourite race.

Best tip to help fellow riders or athletes to train or race better?

Try to always take advantage of going out and training with others. It helps your training and racing. I know many times I ask people to come biking and running with me and they always think they won’t be able to keep up. When I first got into the sport I felt exactly the same way but it was by going out with others that helped me improve the most. We never leave anyone behind on group rides or runs so don’t be afraid 🙂

RIDER PROFILES

We are fortunate enough to be sponsoring a bunch of super talented local riders. Get to know them a little better here.

Ant Jackson

Andy Toomey

“The Hasminszkys” – Tom and Paula

Zac Williams

RIDER
PROFILES