Two young New Zealand cyclists, Laurence Pithie and Finn Fisher-Black, are set to embark on a new chapter with the prestigious Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe team. Both athletes have a long-standing history of racing together, often as rivals, but now they will unite under the same team banner. Their journey from New Zealand’s tight-knit cycling community to one of the sport's leading teams showcases their remarkable talent and ambition. With significant investment from Red Bull into the team, both riders aim to make a significant impact in the upcoming season. Pithie, known for his impressive performance in classics, will focus on Flanders and Paris-Roubaix, while Fisher-Black aims to excel in stage races and Grand Tours.

A Childhood Rivalry Turned Teammates

The relationship between Pithie and Fisher-Black dates back to their early teenage years, when they first crossed paths on the competitive cycling circuit. Despite being close in age, they have raced more frequently as rivals than teammates. However, this rivalry has fostered a deep mutual respect and understanding. Now, as they join forces at Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe, they bring with them a wealth of shared experiences and a strong camaraderie that will undoubtedly benefit the team.

Growing up in New Zealand's South Island, these two cyclists have been part of a close-knit racing community where everyone competes against each other due to the small size of the country. “We’ve probably known each other since we were 13 or 14 years old,” remarked Fisher-Black. “Back in Paris-Nice this year, we started discussing the possibility of racing together next season, and it became a reality just a few months later.” Pithie added with a smile, “It was always nice racing with Finn, but not so nice because he’d always outperform me.” This friendly competition has shaped their careers and prepared them for the challenges ahead.

New Horizons at Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe

Pithie and Fisher-Black are now poised to take on new challenges with one of the most ambitious teams in professional cycling. The pair will kick off their season at the Tour Down Under in January, marking the beginning of what promises to be an exciting year. Pithie, who had a breakthrough year in 2024, is particularly focused on the Classics, especially after securing a seventh-place finish at Paris-Roubaix. Fisher-Black, meanwhile, aims to target GC positions in stage races and hopes to participate in a Grand Tour by the second half of the year.

For Pithie, the season will involve defending his title at the Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race and preparing for key events like Milan-San Remo and the Flemish Classics. He explained, “I’ll start at the Tour Down Under, then move on to national championships and European classics.” Fisher-Black, on the other hand, will focus on the Ardennes Classics and stage races such as Basque Country and Romandie. At just 22 and 23 years old, both riders have immense potential to unlock during their time at Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe, and the support from the team could be pivotal in helping them achieve their goals.