LATEST LAKE TAUPO CYCLE CHALLENGE NEWS
11,000 CYCLISTS CONVERGE ON TAUPO
Press Release: 30 November 2009
11,154 entrants were treated to near perfect riding conditions in the 2009 Wattyl Lake Taupo
Cycle Challenge on Saturday 28th November.
18 year old Patrick Bevin had his home town buzzing when he crossed the line first in the
Avanti Classic Race – in a sprint finish at the end of the 160km race, he edged out the
experienced Jeremy Yates and Cambridge’s Eric Drower.
In the inaugural WorkoutZone Women’s Road Race, Cambridge’s Melissa Holt took victory
almost one and a half minutes ahead of Wanganui’s Cath Cheatley. Cheatley headed off a
bunch of 13 to secure second place with Taradale’s Serena Sheridan in third.
However, in an event where the focus is on participation rather than competition, event
organisers were particularly pleased with a record number of entrants in the BNZ Solo
160km Challenge.
While most people around the country were sleeping, leading Kiwi triathlete and Ironman
Kieran Doe was beating the Endurance record – starting at 1.30am, he slashed the current
record by 8 minutes, taking 9 hours 28 minutes to ride 320kms.
In the Maxi Endurance 640km event, Josh Kench took riding ‘24/7’ to another level taking 24
hours, 32 mins to ride four laps of New Zealand’s largest lake, Lake Taupo.
In its second year, the Contact Huka Mountain Bike Challenge continues to grow in
popularity with 330 riders tackling the 80km challenge. The race version was won by
Wellington’s Stuart Houltham marginally ahead of Mike Northcott.
In the women’s race, Annika Smail led home a Rotorua 1-2-3 ahead of Katherine O’Neill and
Eloise Fry.
“Putting on event like this would not be possible without the support of our dedicated
sponsors and volunteers, and the efforts of the Rotary Club of Taupo Moana, who own and
organise the event,” said Event Director Keith Crate.
Race Results
Avanti Men’s 160km Classic Race
1. Patrick Bevin 3:46:31
2. Jeremy Yates 3:46:31
3. Eric Drower +00:01
WorkoutZone 60km Women’s Road Race
1. Melissa Holt 1:28:58
2. Cath Cheatley +01:21
3. Serena Sheridan +01:22
Contact Huka XL 80km Men’s Race
1. Stuart Houltham 3:45:11
2. Mike Northcott 3:45:11
3. Mark Leishman 03:10
Contact Huka XL 80km Women’s Race
1. Annika Smail 4:22:04
2. Katherine O’Neill +10:36
3. Eloise Fry +18:21
For further information, please contact Wattyl Lake Taupo Cycle Challenge Media Manager
Clare Ponton on 021 228 3721 or clare@cpcommunications.co.nz