K2 Attracts International Field

 
K2 Attracts International Field
 

A star-studded field including former world and Tour de France champions head to the Coromandel this weekend for the grueling Downer EDI K2 Cycle Classic.

K2 is renown in mountain climbing circles as the world’s toughest peak. But in New Zealand it is a grueling 200km cycle event attracting the country’s best riders. Past winners include Kiwi internationals Glenn Mitchell and Fraser McMaster, American record holder John Leiswyn and Denmark’s women’s Tour de France champion, Linda Vilumsen.

The attraction is the European-style course and a hefty prize purse. With over 40k and 2300 vertical metres of climbing, the Downer EDI K2 combines the rigours of European cycling with New Zealand’s supreme surroundings to produce a challenge that is fast becoming a favourite amongst elite and recreational cyclists alike.

Every year this unique event starts from a different Coromandel town and does one full 200k lap of the peninsula. This year racing gets underway in Thames, which means participants get over the infamous Kopu-Hikuai climb when they’re still fresh.

The 14k long, 425m high Kopu-Hikuai is the events longest climb and comes after just 15k. After that there are 40k of rolling hills down into Tairua township, and then 50k inland through picturesque valleys and the 240m high Pumpkin Hill to Whitianga, which is halfway. A brutal 50k over the hills of “Kuaotunu” and Whangaparoa to Coromandel follows, and then it’s 50k of flat riding along the Firth of Thames back to the finish.

With a prize pool to match the challenge, K2 is a highlight of the year for many of the country’s top riders. Both men and women compete for a $1000 first prize, plus King and Queen of the Mountain sprints totalling $1000 for both men and women.

In 2006 Denmark’s women’s Tour de France champion, Linda Vilumsen, dominated the female elite section, while the men’s race went to Team Subway’s Fraser McMaster. Vilumsen is back in 2007, but will face stiffer competition from New Zealand rep Gina Waibl.

Waibl and Vilumsen have faced each other in Europe and New Zealand, with Vilumsen usually having the upper hand. But Waibl is a climbing specialist and could surprise on K2’s gruelling course.

Fraser McMaster’s Team Subway Cycling is also back, although this year they are riding for former world junior champion Jeremy Yates. Yates showed impressive form with a break away win in the national club championship last weekend, but he’ll need his teams support against one of the strongest fields ever assembled for a road cycling event in this country.

Team Southland Times will be riding for French-based Wairarapa rider Scott Lyttle, while top climbers Aaron Strong (Akld) and Ed Crossling (Mast) are also expected to be in the mix. Former world junior medallists Logan Hutching and Sam Bewley are also expected to stand out.

All eyes, however, will be on a strong international turnout headed by American pro squad, Team Bissell/Sram.

Bissell/Sram is USA’s fourth ranked pro team. Managed by former New Zealand Olympian Glen Mitchell, their line up includes many of the USA’s leading emerging riders, but also top Kiwi Jeremy Vennell who will be riding with his new team for the first time after competing well in Europe for the past two years.

Bissell/Sram are expected to dominate proceedings, but there will be added interest in two international entrants who have entered without team support.

American Johnny Rondash and Australian Adam Semple will be riding K2 for the first time. Rondash is an experienced journeyman on the US pro scene, but the young Semple is part of Australia’s development squad and after an encouraging first year in Europe is tipped for big things in the future. 

Organisers are expecting almost 2000 riders for the annual event, among them Kiwi-born television personality Phil Keoghan, who is best known as the host and creator of The Amazing Race television series.

As well as the feature 200k Downer EDI K2, organisers also stage an introductory Pearl Izumi K1 held over 100k, and the Quarter K, which is a 50k option.

Organised by Adventure Racing Coromandel, K2 is an event with something for everyone. Their other events include the Moehau Multisport Race, The Kauri Run, the White Star Intrigue mountain bike event and the ARC Adventure Race. Their events benefit the Spirit of Coromandel Trust, which provides opportunities for young people to experience the outdoors.
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