Lake Taupo Cycle Challenge Celebrates 40th Anniversary
Celebrating its 40th anniversary today around 7,000 participants pitched themselves across 14 different categories from solo and elite road rides, mountain bike tracks to short distant rides for families and kids.
The Lake Taupo Cycle Challenge is New Zealand's Premier and Largest annual cycling occasion with both on and off road event categories on offer.
Since 1977, when 26 friends got together to ride around Lake Taupo for fun and to raise funds for what was the local IHC, nearly 200,000 people have followed their lead and taken part in the annual Lake Taupo Cycle Challenge providing $3.4 million for community groups and more than $700,00 for Heart Kids, the official charity of the event since 2006
Celebrating its 40th anniversary today around 7,000 participants pitched themselves across 14 different categories from solo and elite road rides, mountain bike tracks to short distant rides for families and kids.
The elite road and mountain bike riders provided thrilling finishes for spectators with milliseconds separating the winners of the 100km Women’s Classic Road Race, Holden Men’s Classic and Huka XL and course records broken in the Women’s and Men’s events.
It’s a sensational event that sees Taupo’s population almost double with spectators and supporters creating a festive, family atmosphere throughout the day in the event village with cyclists displaying everything from elation to exhaustion following their rides.
There’s an outstanding list of major and minor spot prizes with an all-new Holden Trax, as well as a seven-night trip for two to Niue up for grabs at prizegiving later today. Several memorial and special awards will also be given out at the ceremony.
“It’s been an amazing day and we’re thrilled to have seen thousands of happy, smiling (and tired) faces cross the Lake Taupo Cycle Challenge finish line. With everyone in all event categories receiving their own special 40th anniversary event medal, it’s a great reason to celebrate,” says Event Director Aaron Carter.
“I knew it was a big event, but in my first year as event director, to actually experience it has been amazing. We applaud and congratulate all the participants, supporters and especially the hundreds of volunteers for another fantastic event. We love the fact that we’ve helped raise money for Heart Kids, our official charity, and net proceeds going back to communities.”
Record Breaking Finishes
It was fast and furious and record-breaking in the men’s and women’s elite races in the 40th Lake Taupo Cycle Challenge with a thrilling sprint finish in the Women’s Classic, creating exciting spectator action.
Milliseconds separated the fast-paced 100km Women’s Classic Road Race between Turangi and Taupo with all three podium finishers crossing the line at 2.41.03.
Knocking seconds off her 2015 win, recent Olympian Racquel Sheath (2:41:03:56) defended her title against Palmerston North woman Michaela Drummond (2.41.03.57) second and Karen Fulton from Richmond third (2:41.03.83). Auckland woman Ruby Livingstone took out the sprint award with Natalie Kerwin from Napier, taking the hill climb honours.
Cambridge man and Commonwealth Game bronze medallist Aaron Gate took out the Holden Men’s Classic 160km race in 3.39.38.91, taking seconds off his 2015 second-place effort. Second and third places also went to Cambridge cyclists in an exciting sprint finish with Regan Gough second (3:40.11.35) and Michael Torkler third (3.40.11.48).
In a day of tight finishes, less than a second separated the first and second place getters in the Huka XL 85km men’s mountain bike event.
Lower Hutt man Edwin Crossling took first place in 3:49.08.02 and Henry Jaine from Nelson a very close second (3.49.09.07) with Rotorua man, Sam Shaw third (3.56.06.30).
The winner in the women’s Huka XL 85km mountain bike race was Kim Hurst from Upper Hutt (4:29.51.90) with Australian Karen Hill second (4:35:43.82) and Reta Trotman from Christchurch third (4:55.06.82).
100 riders left at 1.30am this morning to complete two laps of the lake in the Enduro event while another 24 are riding around Lake Taupo four times.
“It’s fantastic to experience the energy and excitement of my first cycle challenge as event director,” says Aaron Carter. “Seeing the mass of colour and cyclists all the way down Tongariro Street to the lake was a sensational start to celebrate the event’s 40th anniversary.”
Link to Results - http://www.thetimingteam.co.nz/results/index.php?thread=1136858114
259 km
