Gordon wins Motu 50km race

FOUR-TIME WINNER: Callum Gordon was again fastest in the Motu Special 50-kilometre men’s mountainbiking race on Sunday. File picture by Scottie T Photography

Callum Gordon has won the Motu Special men’s 50-kilometre mountainbiking race for the fourth time.

The Gisborne rider finished in 2 hours, 15 minutes and 19 seconds, followed by Josiah Ney, also from Gisborne, in 2:25:08 and Joel Wilson, from Whakatane, in 2:27:38.

Gisborne’s Rose Candy was the fastest woman, completing the two laps of the rugged terrain in 3:12:15.

One of the event organisers, Shelley Cornwall, said the weather, which had been suspect in the lead-up, turned out to be “perfect” on Sunday.

“The course started a little muddy up on the tops of the hills but had dried out by the time the 50km riders went around for the second lap,” she said.

“We had entries from Whakatane, Hamilton, Ohope, Hastings, Napier, Gisborne, Tolaga Bay and Motu. It was a real family day, often with mum, dad and the kids all competing.”

The Motu Special, run as a fundraiser for Motu Community House between Gisborne and Opotiki, has been going since 2015.

This year’s 25km race was popular, with 22 entries, half of them women.

Matthew Ney, from Gisborne, was the first man home in 1:11:45, ahead of fellow Gisborne riders Tim Horn (1:12:08) and Patrick Ney (1:22:11).

The first woman was Belinda Andrew in 1:48:47. Jess Croker (Hawke’s Bay) was second and Nikki Speirs (Hawke’s Bay) third.

The 12km speed event was won by Matt Candy (41:44), ahead of Asher Larby (46:15), with Amy Spence (46:51) third.

Waerenga o Kuri School won a prize for having the most children enter.

“We had 30 kids all really fit and flying over the quite challenging course, with creek crossings and steep inclines, and a few sharp twists and turns thrown in,” Cornwall said.

Erica Butt, from Gisborne, was first in the 11-to-15-year age group.

Gisborne’s James Butt was the fastest boy aged 7 to 10 and Hayley de la Haye, from Gisborne, was the quickest girl.

The under-7s featured “a crazy assortment of crazy-coloured bikes, with very determined little riders”, Cornwall said.

Patrick Trafford was first, Harry Newman second and Nathan van Beelen third.

Cornwall said the event had the support of landowners, 30 volunteers and St John Ambulance.

Eastland Community Trust, PGG Wrightson and Ballance Agri-Nutrients were the main sponsors.