Del Woodford: Cycling expert on Niamh Fisher-Black winning silver at the UCI Women's Elite Road Race
September 27, 2025 • 7 mins
A strange environment hasn't stopped Kiwi cyclist Niamh Fisher-Black becoming the first New Zealander to podium at the Road World Championships - finishing second in the elite road race in Rwanda.
Cycling expert Del Woodford joined Piney to discuss.
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Speaker 1 (00:06):
You're listening to the Weekend Sport podcast with Jason Vine
from Newstalk ZEDB.
Speaker 2 (00:12):
A New Zealand professional cyclist, Neve Fisher Black has made history.
Speaker 3 (00:16):
Rainbow Bun's going to Canada absolutely superb Shapo to her
amazing right. Fisher Black is just going to cry in
this one home the three medals for the three bravest riders.
It seems out there, but let's wait and see. Fisher
Black coming home for silver. Garcia is going to take
a bronzon. So well fought for they most certainly have been.
(00:39):
That's your medals done and dust it so.
Speaker 2 (00:41):
Nee Fisher Black, the twenty five year old from Nelson,
becoming the first New Zealand rider male or female to
make the podium in the Elite road race at the
UCI World Champs. Second, as you heard there, in the
Elite women's race at the UCI Road World Champs in Rwanda.
The win acrossed in four hours thirty four point four
eight seconds thirty four minutes forty eight seconds. Rather, Nee
(01:02):
Fisher Black was twenty three seconds behind. Cycling expert Dell
Woodford is with us, Dell, can you put this into
context for us? How significant achievement and achievement is this
from Nie Fisher Black.
Speaker 4 (01:14):
Yeah, Jason, it's absolutely outstanding, an amazing performance, just proves
their quality and backs up the years she's had. You
know she would have gone into the race as one
of the riders to keep an eye on for sure,
because everyone knows how good she is on a tough circuit.
You know, under twenty three World champion in twenty twenty
two in Australia, that was a pretty tough course as well.
(01:37):
Preparation for a wanders a little bit different. You know,
it's hot, it's humid, it's the altitude and it's a
really tough, gnally grinding little circuit. The club will climb.
It looks like a Belgian Classic. So and then you've
got the big powerhouse teams, the Italians, the Netherlands, the
Swiss expected to control the race big time, but as
you heard in that commentary, the three bravest riders in
(01:58):
the race, they took it to the rest of the
field and came out with the medals and you know,
absolutely superb performance. If you had a set at the
start that it would be dominating by Canada in New Zealand,
you know, everyone to look sideways at you, But that's
what happened.
Speaker 2 (02:11):
Some big climbs on this course, as I understand at
del So would that have favored Neve and her particular strengths.
Speaker 4 (02:19):
Yeah, she's a very good climber. If we look at
her season Jason fifth in the Tour de France fourth
and the Tour to Swiss sixth, and the Welfa seventh,
the age best on the age eighth Straighta, the Yankee
and ninth Flesh for Lane. They are all racist with
brutal climbs. So she's certainly one of the world's best climbers,
and it is getting better. Only twenty five years of age,
and she's got a couple I think, you know, really
(02:41):
good chances of years coming up to climb onto the
top step next year in Montreal, but then in twenty
seven in France. It's on one of the most brutal courses.
You know that the world chances have ever been held
on as well, So you know she'll be looking her
lips for the next few years, looking at the courses
ahead and trying to go on that top step, because
she certainly proved today she's well capable.
Speaker 2 (03:03):
Yeah, and you talked about her trajectory. Del You know,
she has been a name that we've been aware of
for a while. But do you believe that her best
years are still to come? What is she now twenty five?
Speaker 4 (03:13):
At twenty five years Jason? Absolutely, you know, if she
stays injury free, keeps loving the sport, you know, she's
got another five to five plus years as long as
she wants to do it, really, you know, so it's
certainly the next fight. She'll get better and stronger. She
she's a tiny, tiny little lady and she can climb
with the absolute best in the world. And it's proving
(03:35):
all the time. She's just getting better. And she's one
that they have to really watch and mark. And you know,
she's on a great professional team and I think they'll
be backing her for junior classification and some of those
big races, the big tours I mentioned in the years
to come, so a lot more to come from from them.
Forshare Black for sure.
Speaker 2 (03:53):
And there was another key we Ella Wiley and the
race as well from Auckland. She was with the peloton
I think until the final lap and finished a pretty
credible and hard for twenty fourth.
Speaker 4 (04:02):
Yeah, road fantastic. Jason was struggling a little bit in
the latest. They just came back to the main group,
went off off the front of that main group and
at one stage was about thirty odd seconds behind before
the paloton and the powerhouses nations sort of finally, particularly Switzerland,
decided to chase. But she put in a great ride
and certainly played a role in You know, with only
(04:23):
two riders in the race, they've got to support each
other a little bit. They would be getting bottles and
sharing drinks. It's tough out there when there's only two years,
so you know, put for me having that support in
the palaton, even just that one rider, and that one
rider being there certainly gives you some confidence and takes
a little bit of pressure of you as well. And
all road and outstanding race. And yeah, should we be
(04:44):
really rapped with her performance.
Speaker 2 (04:46):
I guess when I heard that it was in Rwanda,
I almost did a bit of a double take. The
first time it's been held in Africa. Is there something
that is you know, I guess an intent that the
race be shared around I guess you just assume that
it'll be in Europe most of the time.
Speaker 4 (05:01):
Yes, it was quite controversial taking it to to Africa
to Rwanda. A lot of talk around it was more
political with the president of the u C I trying
to get votes from Africa to get the top job
at the you know, with the Olympics. But you know
that didn't pay off. But I think taking cycling Africa
(05:22):
and cyclingers grow and we're seeing more and more of
their riders racing in Europe, racing on the World Tour,
racing at the UCI Cycling Center, and it's a big
growth area. And I think that the enthusiasm of the
fans and taking it. Yeah, it's kept a lot of
riders out of it because of you know, the challenging
of the course and hasn't suited everybody, but that's the
(05:42):
nature of sport, isn't it. You know, it's not for everyone.
The best riders in the world are there and you
can't take anything away from the UCI taken it to Africa,
I think, you know, listening to the comments, listen to
what the riders they've had to say, it's been been challenging,
but very successful and a great experience for them.
Speaker 2 (05:58):
Yeah, and a great result for the Fisher Black as well.
Will keep us on. It's It's good as't I mean,
I mean it's it's quite regular now that a key
we is in the headlines, you know, on these on
these Grand tours and on in these world champs and
just you know, you it seems that not a week
goes by without a New Zealand cyclist somewhere doing something significant.
Speaker 4 (06:20):
It's fantastic, you know when you think about it, Jason,
that they don't get really on the road, no support
from a fight in New Zealand. In terms of funding,
it's all these trips with the road are self funded
or HP you know, ETHNZ Sport goes to Metals which
is on the track at the moment, so you know, yeah,
to see our riders, you know, performing on the world stage,
(06:41):
doing it the hard way to get there and battling
and being up there is absolutely amazing. And just before
we go, Nate Pringle a young man from Canterbury. He
also got second in the under twenty three time trial,
which was an amazing performance and that shocked a lot
of the big stars around the world. He rides for
the Red Bull Rockies development team, but prior to that
(07:02):
he was with the oxyd Jigs team in christ Church
and everyone's going, who is this kid, where does he
come from? The take second of the World Championships in
the under twenty three time trials, So now two silvers
at these were road World Champs for New Zealand. Jason's
just absolutely outstanding.
Speaker 2 (07:15):
And another name to add to the list. Always appreciate
your time and your analysis.
Speaker 4 (07:19):
Dell.
Speaker 2 (07:19):
Thanks for joining us this afternoon.
Speaker 4 (07:21):
Pleasure Jason, thank you all the best.
Speaker 2 (07:23):
Mate. Del Woodford there breaking down knee Fisher Black's history
making ride at the UCI World Champs in Rwanda, first
key we ever to get on the on the podium
at a UCI World Championship Elite road race.
Speaker 1 (07:37):
For more from Weekend Sport with Jason Fine, listen live
to News Talk zed B weekends from midday, or follow
the podcast on iHeartRadio
You're listening to the Weekend Sport podcast with Jason Vine
from Newstalk ZEDB.
Speaker 2 (00:12):
A New Zealand professional cyclist, Neve Fisher Black has made history.
Speaker 3 (00:16):
Rainbow Bun's going to Canada absolutely superb Shapo to her
amazing right. Fisher Black is just going to cry in
this one home the three medals for the three bravest riders.
It seems out there, but let's wait and see. Fisher
Black coming home for silver. Garcia is going to take
a bronzon. So well fought for they most certainly have been.
(00:39):
That's your medals done and dust it so.
Speaker 2 (00:41):
Nee Fisher Black, the twenty five year old from Nelson,
becoming the first New Zealand rider male or female to
make the podium in the Elite road race at the
UCI World Champs. Second, as you heard there, in the
Elite women's race at the UCI Road World Champs in Rwanda.
The win acrossed in four hours thirty four point four
eight seconds thirty four minutes forty eight seconds. Rather, Nee
(01:02):
Fisher Black was twenty three seconds behind. Cycling expert Dell
Woodford is with us, Dell, can you put this into
context for us? How significant achievement and achievement is this
from Nie Fisher Black.
Speaker 4 (01:14):
Yeah, Jason, it's absolutely outstanding, an amazing performance, just proves
their quality and backs up the years she's had. You
know she would have gone into the race as one
of the riders to keep an eye on for sure,
because everyone knows how good she is on a tough circuit.
You know, under twenty three World champion in twenty twenty
two in Australia, that was a pretty tough course as well.
(01:37):
Preparation for a wanders a little bit different. You know,
it's hot, it's humid, it's the altitude and it's a
really tough, gnally grinding little circuit. The club will climb.
It looks like a Belgian Classic. So and then you've
got the big powerhouse teams, the Italians, the Netherlands, the
Swiss expected to control the race big time, but as
you heard in that commentary, the three bravest riders in
(01:58):
the race, they took it to the rest of the
field and came out with the medals and you know,
absolutely superb performance. If you had a set at the
start that it would be dominating by Canada in New Zealand,
you know, everyone to look sideways at you, But that's
what happened.
Speaker 2 (02:11):
Some big climbs on this course, as I understand at
del So would that have favored Neve and her particular strengths.
Speaker 4 (02:19):
Yeah, she's a very good climber. If we look at
her season Jason fifth in the Tour de France fourth
and the Tour to Swiss sixth, and the Welfa seventh,
the age best on the age eighth Straighta, the Yankee
and ninth Flesh for Lane. They are all racist with
brutal climbs. So she's certainly one of the world's best climbers,
and it is getting better. Only twenty five years of age,
and she's got a couple I think, you know, really
(02:41):
good chances of years coming up to climb onto the
top step next year in Montreal, but then in twenty
seven in France. It's on one of the most brutal courses.
You know that the world chances have ever been held
on as well, So you know she'll be looking her
lips for the next few years, looking at the courses
ahead and trying to go on that top step, because
she certainly proved today she's well capable.
Speaker 2 (03:03):
Yeah, and you talked about her trajectory. Del You know,
she has been a name that we've been aware of
for a while. But do you believe that her best
years are still to come? What is she now twenty five?
Speaker 4 (03:13):
At twenty five years Jason? Absolutely, you know, if she
stays injury free, keeps loving the sport, you know, she's
got another five to five plus years as long as
she wants to do it, really, you know, so it's
certainly the next fight. She'll get better and stronger. She
she's a tiny, tiny little lady and she can climb
with the absolute best in the world. And it's proving
(03:35):
all the time. She's just getting better. And she's one
that they have to really watch and mark. And you know,
she's on a great professional team and I think they'll
be backing her for junior classification and some of those
big races, the big tours I mentioned in the years
to come, so a lot more to come from from them.
Forshare Black for sure.
Speaker 2 (03:53):
And there was another key we Ella Wiley and the
race as well from Auckland. She was with the peloton
I think until the final lap and finished a pretty
credible and hard for twenty fourth.
Speaker 4 (04:02):
Yeah, road fantastic. Jason was struggling a little bit in
the latest. They just came back to the main group,
went off off the front of that main group and
at one stage was about thirty odd seconds behind before
the paloton and the powerhouses nations sort of finally, particularly Switzerland,
decided to chase. But she put in a great ride
and certainly played a role in You know, with only
(04:23):
two riders in the race, they've got to support each
other a little bit. They would be getting bottles and
sharing drinks. It's tough out there when there's only two years,
so you know, put for me having that support in
the palaton, even just that one rider, and that one
rider being there certainly gives you some confidence and takes
a little bit of pressure of you as well. And
all road and outstanding race. And yeah, should we be
(04:44):
really rapped with her performance.
Speaker 2 (04:46):
I guess when I heard that it was in Rwanda,
I almost did a bit of a double take. The
first time it's been held in Africa. Is there something
that is you know, I guess an intent that the
race be shared around I guess you just assume that
it'll be in Europe most of the time.
Speaker 4 (05:01):
Yes, it was quite controversial taking it to to Africa
to Rwanda. A lot of talk around it was more
political with the president of the u C I trying
to get votes from Africa to get the top job
at the you know, with the Olympics. But you know
that didn't pay off. But I think taking cycling Africa
(05:22):
and cyclingers grow and we're seeing more and more of
their riders racing in Europe, racing on the World Tour,
racing at the UCI Cycling Center, and it's a big
growth area. And I think that the enthusiasm of the
fans and taking it. Yeah, it's kept a lot of
riders out of it because of you know, the challenging
of the course and hasn't suited everybody, but that's the
(05:42):
nature of sport, isn't it. You know, it's not for everyone.
The best riders in the world are there and you
can't take anything away from the UCI taken it to Africa,
I think, you know, listening to the comments, listen to
what the riders they've had to say, it's been been challenging,
but very successful and a great experience for them.
Speaker 2 (05:58):
Yeah, and a great result for the Fisher Black as well.
Will keep us on. It's It's good as't I mean,
I mean it's it's quite regular now that a key
we is in the headlines, you know, on these on
these Grand tours and on in these world champs and
just you know, you it seems that not a week
goes by without a New Zealand cyclist somewhere doing something significant.
Speaker 4 (06:20):
It's fantastic, you know when you think about it, Jason,
that they don't get really on the road, no support
from a fight in New Zealand. In terms of funding,
it's all these trips with the road are self funded
or HP you know, ETHNZ Sport goes to Metals which
is on the track at the moment, so you know, yeah,
to see our riders, you know, performing on the world stage,
(06:41):
doing it the hard way to get there and battling
and being up there is absolutely amazing. And just before
we go, Nate Pringle a young man from Canterbury. He
also got second in the under twenty three time trial,
which was an amazing performance and that shocked a lot
of the big stars around the world. He rides for
the Red Bull Rockies development team, but prior to that
(07:02):
he was with the oxyd Jigs team in christ Church
and everyone's going, who is this kid, where does he
come from? The take second of the World Championships in
the under twenty three time trials, So now two silvers
at these were road World Champs for New Zealand. Jason's
just absolutely outstanding.
Speaker 2 (07:15):
And another name to add to the list. Always appreciate
your time and your analysis.
Speaker 4 (07:19):
Dell.
Speaker 2 (07:19):
Thanks for joining us this afternoon.
Speaker 4 (07:21):
Pleasure Jason, thank you all the best.
Speaker 2 (07:23):
Mate. Del Woodford there breaking down knee Fisher Black's history
making ride at the UCI World Champs in Rwanda, first
key we ever to get on the on the podium
at a UCI World Championship Elite road race.
Speaker 1 (07:37):
For more from Weekend Sport with Jason Fine, listen live
to News Talk zed B weekends from midday, or follow
the podcast on iHeartRadio
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