Cycle Challenge Enjoyed By Thousands

CYCLE CHALLENGE ENJOYED BY THOUSANDS

Just under 10,000 cyclists descended on Taupo for today’s annual Contact Lake Taupo Cycle Challenge enjoying blue skies and sunny conditions.

The event attracted record numbers of international riders with over 477 cyclists from 21 different countries participating including 374 Australians.

The Contact Huka mountain bike event continues to grow in popularity with over 579 entrants tackling the 80m course as a solo, in the race, or in a two person relay team

The elite riders battled for race honours - in the Workout Zone 100km Women’s Road Race, the sprint finish was won by 19 year old Kate Chilcott (Auckland) in a time of 2:55.25 marginally ahead of Hamilton Sonya Waddell and Wanganui’s Cath Cheatley.

The Avanti Men’s Classic was won by Roman Van Uden (Pure Black Racing) eight seconds ahead of Justin Kerr and defending champion Patrick Bevin (Taupo)

In the Contact Huka XL Mountain Bike Challenge, last year’s runner-up Mike Northcott (Tokoroa) beat Taupo’s Tim Wilding and Rotorua’s Mark ‘Cabin’ Leishman.

Meanwhile, defending women’s MTB champion Annika Smail (Rotorua) regained her crown five minutes ahead of Karen Hanlen (Whakatane) and Nic Leary

Over 55 hours after he started, Wellingtonian Josh Kench was the first rider to complete the eight lap Extreme Track Extreme Enduro 1280km challenge at 9.15pm on Friday 26th November while the first four lap rider home was Martin Lincoln of Manukau in a time of 28:32.43.

Facts
• 5472 riders in the 160km Solo event
• Over 110 riders tackled more than one lap of the lake in the Endurance (2 lap), Maxi Endurance (4 lap) and Extreme Endurance (8 lap)
• 579 entrants from 21 different countries including 374 Australians

Race Results

Avanti Men’s Classic
1. Roman Van Uden, Auckland, 3:45.21
2. Justin Kerr, Tokoroa, 3:45.29
3. Patrick Bevin, Taupo, 3:45.30

WorkoutZone Women’s Road Race Results
1. Kate Chilcott, Auckland, 2:55.25
2. Sonya Waddell, Hamilton 2: 55.25
3. Cath Cheatley, Whanganui, 2:55.25

Contact XL MTB Race - Men’s results
1. Mike Northcott, Tokoroa, 3:43.56
2. Tim Wilding, Taupo, 3:43.59
3. Mark Leishman, Rotorua, 3:46.28

Contact XL MTB Race - Women’s results
1. Annika Smail, Rotorua, 4:19.17
2. Karen Hanlen, Whakatane 4:24.46
3. Nic Leary, Rotorua, 4:27.54

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