Malaysian Formula One Driver Set to Take on Pioneer

1 February 2017

On Embargo until 6:45pm Wednesday 1 February 2017

MALAYSIAN FORMULA ONE DRIVER SET TO TAKE ON PIONEER

Ex-Formula One driver Alex Yoong will be trading in his fast car for the bike and his own engine, when he takes on The Pioneer Mountain Bike Stage Race through the South Island’s Southern Alps next week.

Yoong is in New Zealand to compete in the Pioneer MTB race with his good friend Anton Morgan, who is from Auckland. Morgan suggested the race to Yoong last year, and it was the perfect excuse to travel to the South Island and see his Kiwi mates.

“I have been to the North Island before, but never the South Island. My first time in New Zealand was for the New Zealand A1 Grand Prix at Taupo Race Track in 2007. When Anton told me the race was in the South Island, I said yes.”

In 2001, Yoong became the first Malaysian to race in Formula One with Minardi in the Italian Grand Prix. He started his career in saloon cars before racing in single-seater cars where he went on to win the Malaysian Championship in 1995. Yoong competed in a number of other categories such as Formula Renault, Formula Three, Formula 3000 and Formula Nippon, as well as CART World Series, Porsche Carrera Cup, the A1 Grand Prix series between 2005 and 2008, Le Mans 24 Hour race and even V8 Supercars.

The 40-year old is still well and truly involved in the racing scene. He still does some racing for Audi China, with the Audi TEDA Racing Team. It’s a 10-round series which starts in May in Malaysia and moves onto Japan, Korea and Shanghai, before finishing up in Zhejiang. He is also a pundit on Formula One for Fox Sports Asia.

The former F1 driver admits his training for Pioneer took a little longer than he expected to get going, but he is confident he has done the work to enjoy what is a tough challenge.

“My season ended late last year and admittedly I kind of signed up for Pioneer without looking at quite how much we were going to do over the seven days. So, I’ve given myself a lot to do, as I only started training in the first week of December. I know I am going to suffer a wee bit on the ride.”

Yoong and Morgan are entered in for the 7-day Epic Masters (40+ category). He said he doesn’t have massive expectations for the race, which consists of 545km of riding and 15,008m of climbing.

“I have never done anything like the Pioneer before, so my expectations aren’t great to be honest. My main thing when I decided to enter was to hang with my mate Anton and see a bit of the South Island, which I’m sure will happen nicely.”

Yoong lives in Kuala Lumpur, so he won’t have any of his family supporting him at Pioneer, but the friends he has in New Zealand will be there to cheer him and Anton on.

“I’m giving myself some time to get acclimatised properly, to the conditions and the bike. I have also managed to get hold of a 29 inch bike, at home I am used to riding a 26 but I have been told the 29 is ideal for this type of mountain bike stage race.”

The Pioneer MTB Stage Race runs from 5-11 February in the Southern Alps. To enter or for more information about the Pioneer MTB Stage Race visit HERE

ENDS

Pioneer Event – Entry Summary

The event has again proven hugely popular and building already on its first-year reputation as a world leading mountain bike stage race, with entrants attracted by a combination of the stunning landscapes and trails and the Kiwi hospitality and welcome that is afforded to everyone by the organisers and the NZ riders.

The total of 338 riders is an increase of 6% on the inaugural event in 2016. Of those 338 riders, an incredible 45% are from overseas (17 countries), testament to the international reputation of the event and the attraction from all over the world (see countries below).

The event starts with a prologue at the all new Christchurch Adventure Park and then follows very similar trails (some changes to part of the course but not significant) to Queenstown, visiting Geraldine, Fairlie, Tekapo, Ohau, Hawea and Snow Farm on the way to Queenstown.

This year the event is partnered with the Absa Cape Epic, with qualifying positions up for grabs to secure entries to the 2018 race in what is widely regarded as the ‘world championship’ of mountain bike stage racing in South Africa.

Leading riders in categories include:

Open Mixed Category

Kate Fluker and Mark Williams, Team New World

Back to defend their mixed team title, up against good opposition though this year, with likely competition to come from Sonya Looney and Gordon Wadsworth (Team Freakshow), from the USA and Antonio Gasso Navarro and Eva Tomas Sanchez (Team Imparables) from Spain.

Fluker and Williams were two of the stars of the inaugural event, constantly riding at the front of their category, but also finishing high in the overall line honours each day. Fluker is a gutsy and strong rider who has contended previously at world champs and world cup level and just missed qualifying for the Rio Olympic Games.

Open Men’s Category

Tim Rush and Kris Rush, from Oamaru, Team Alps to Ocean

Brothers riding as a team and amongst the leading contenders in the open men’s category. Tim is a well credentialed rider on both road and mountain, Kris is new to cycling but already has notched some impressive results in his first year in the sport. Both rode in the Tour of Southland and Tim finished 16th at the 2017 Elite National Road Championships.

Scott Lyttle and James Williamson, Team Watson and Son Manuka Honey

Scott is a former pro cyclist and at 32 the now Boulder based rider will still be in shape to contend in this event. Lyttle was a regular on the pro events in New Zealand and Australia. His partner is Alexandra’s James Williamson (27 years old). The 2012 elite national road champion enjoyed a strong career on the road, riding pro in Europe (including Tour of Britain in 2013 against Wiggins, Cavendish and company) and North America before turning to the mountain bike as he ‘settled down’ and changed priorities with a return to NZ in 2015. Williamson enjoyed success on the road, including 6th place at the Philadelphia International Classic in 2011. James trained a number of riders in the 2016 Pioneer but this time rides himself and will be dark horses for the overall title.

Mike Blewitt and Justin Morris – Australia, Team Subaru-MarathonMTB.com

Blewitt rode the event in 2016 but returns with his regular and more experienced riding partner for another and perhaps more serious tilt at the event.

Yuri Hauswald (USA), Andrew Young, GU-IRide NZ

Back in the open men’s category after a strong showing in the masters 40+ last year, word is this combination might be stronger on return in 2017 and ready to challenge for a podium

Blake and Dylan Coppo (Australia), Corry Cycles Ace Racing

Regulars on the mountain bike scene in Aussie and top 35 finishers at the popular Crocodile Trophy in 2016, the Coppo brothers could be ones to watch

Open Women’s Category

Erin Greene and Ingrid Richter, Team Sujon Thermatech

Defending champion in this category, Greene returns with a new riding partner and will be the favourites to take out the women’s open. As with most of the categories, competition however will be much tougher in this category in 2017 with a number of strong teams entered.

Nina McVicar and Reta Trotman, Team Hirepool, Christchurch

McVicar is a former quad bike racer and now endurance and mountain bike athlete. German born Kiwi Reta Trotman is a former top road cyclist, competing at the UCI World Championships in 2013. Three time winner of Le Race.

Other notable teams

‘Imparables’ from Spain

Team Imparables is a multi-media project set up by Santi , combining adventure, filming and racing at events around the world. Made up of former and current pro riders from the road and mountain bike communities, Team Imparables have four teams in total entered in The Pioneer, and will be supported by a film crew of five documenting their participation in The Pioneer.

As well as the mixed team mentioned above, they have three teams entered in the open men’s category and will present serious contenders amongst their group. Riders include current or former professional riders in Tomi Misser, Ibon Zugasti, Carles Ortet, Miguel Silvestre and Vitor Gamito.

Summary

7-Day Epic

• 236 entrants

• 110 internationals

4-Day Traverse

• 102 entrants

• 44 internationals

Overall

• Entrants 338

• Male 286

• Female 52

• Oldest 68

• Median 44

New Zealand 184

• Auckland 36

• Christchurch 37

• Wellington 15

• Rotorua 2

• Queenstown 5

• Hamilton 3

International 154

• AUS 95

• USA 8

• SGA 3

• ESP 8

• CAN 7

• GBR 13

Additional information can be found at www.thepioneer.co.nz

THE PIONEER, MTB STAGE RACE, NZ

The Pioneer came out of a simple idea. Ride beyond. The idea of creating a uniquely New Zealand event that took you through the parts of the country that few will ever get to enjoy. To ride to the remotest parts of the Southern Alps. To push yourself beyond your comfort zone. To get you far away from familiar trails and in to the unknown. And you do it all for seven days straight in teams of two.

KEY STATS

7 DAYS OF RACING – Lose yourself in mountain bike nirvana, February 5 to 11, 2017

8 HOST TOWNS - Enjoy the legendary hospitality of the South.

545 KMS OF RIDING - Through New Zealand’s untouched Southern Alps.

1508 METRES OF CLIMBING – With pleasure also comes the pain.

OVERVIEW

The Pioneer is an awe inspiring seven-day mountain bike stage race through New Zealand’s pristine Southern Alps. Linking together over 500kms of farm tracks, NZ Cycle Trails, double track and single track riding in a very special part of the world where soaring mountain peaks, crystal-clear blue lakes, and golden high country await. If you’re looking for a mountain bike race to get you inspired again, this is it!

WHAT TO EXPECT

Find Stunning – A rare chance to journey through a pristine and untouched part of New Zealand – riding through the some of the most awe-inspiring scenery on earth.

Find Character – An epic challenge that will push you to the edge and have you digging deep.

Find Welcome – Discover New Zealand’s legendary warm kiwi hospitality…with a super-friendly race vibe to enjoy at the end of each day. You’ll have earned it!

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