Rotorua's Sam Shaw celebrates a first-place finish in the Huka XL 85km men's mountain bike event at the Lake Taupo Cycle Challenge. Photo / Supplied
Rotorua's Sam Shaw celebrates a first-place finish in the Huka XL 85km men's mountain bike event at the Lake Taupo Cycle Challenge. Photo / Supplied
at the 41st Lake Taupo Cycle Challenge.
It was heads down and legs pumping at the end of the fast-paced 100km Bayleys Women's Classic Elite Race with Australian rider Matilda Raynolds in first place and all three podium finishers crossing the line at 2h 47m 13s. Hokitika rider Sharlotte Lucascame second and Tauranga's Laura Jorgensen third.
Rylee McMullen, of Auckland, took out the sprint award and hill climb honours. It was the first year the elite women have received the same prize money as their male counterparts.
Following his win at Friday night's Criterium, Sam Gaze, of Cambridge, was first in the 160km Holden Men's Classic Elite Race in 3h 37m 51s, breaking the course record set by Aaron Gate (3h 39m 08s) last year. Second was fellow Cambridge cyclist Josh Lane and third Frank Sutton of Hamilton.
In a day of records tumbling, Roman van Uden took an impressive two hours off the previous fastest Maxi Enduro event time with four laps around Lake Taupo in 20h 30m 22s. Thomas Lindrup had the previous record of 22h 28m.
Rotorua's Sam Shaw, coming off the back of a Single Speed World Championship win, blitzed his own time in the Huka XL 85km men's mountain bike event (3h 45m 01s), taking 11 minutes off his 2016 third-place ride. Second was Glenn Haden (3h 46m 26s) and a tight third, Henry Jaine (3h 46m 27s).
Cambridge cyclist Sam Gaze (centre) celebrates a win in the 160km Holden Men's Classic Elite Race at the Lake Taupo Cycle Challenge. Photo / Supplied
The winner in the women's Huka XL 85km mountain bike race was Josie Wilcox (4h 22m 26s), followed by Jeanette Gerrie (4h 43m 03s) and Emma McCosh third (4h 43m 23s).
First place in the Bike Barn Round the Lake 160km ride was Craig Galbraith (3h 41m 44s) and the first female was Robyn Tavendale (4h 12m 29s).
More than 6000 cyclists, including 1000 mountain bikers, took up the challenge at Lake Taupo, riding in one of 14 events, on and off the road, from individual and elite road rides and mountain bike events, to short distant categories for families and kids.
"It's an occasion that the whole town seems to gets behind – everyone knows when it's Cycle Challenge weekend," said event director Aaron Carter.
"It's a sensational event that sees Taupo's population almost double with spectators and supporters creating a festive, family atmosphere, especially at the event village.
"More than 800 volunteers help our team do an amazing job on the course and behind the scenes, and it's great to be able to help raise money for Heart Kids, our official charity, and provide proceeds back to the community via the Lake Taupo Rotary Club."
