Queenstown ace mountain biker Mark Williams successfully defended his title at the 2010 New World Tour de Wakatipu on Saturday (April 3) completing the 45km course in 1hour 41.52mins to set the fastest time over the 840 strong field.
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| Mark Williams winning for the second time (Photo: Southern Traverse) |
Williams says he was pleased to take the title again, which he achieved, even after taking a wrong turn on the course. "I ended up in someone's orchard off Slopehill Road but fortunately a few of the other elite riders followed me as well. It was a great event again, taking us on some awesome trails and it was exciting to have Wanaka warbirds flying above us during some of the race."
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| Linden Brackstone leads a small peloton (Photo: Southern Traverse) |
The majority of competitors entered in the 36km recreational event starting at Millbrook Resort following the Wakatipu Trails Trust trail through Millbrook West to Speargrass Flat Road. From there the course led over Slopehill Road to a single track alongside the Shotover River and across the restored Lower Shotover Bridge. Off the bridge a very tight track led on to the wide gravel roads of the Shotover Delta, followed by 300metres of single track along the banks of the Kawarau River.
The next stage rode through Remarkables Park, on to the state highway and across the Kawarau Bridge, followed by another short section of state highway to the privately owned Kawarau River road on Coneburn Station, finishing at Chard Farm vineyard.
Sport and elite riders completed a circuit on the Lake Hayes track taking their event to 45kms.
Williams made a race of it with James Olvanhill (Alexandra) who crossed the line in second place in 1.44.36 while the fastest women overall was Ruth Lee (Moa Flat) riding in the elite open division to clock a creditable 1.53.25. Tim Rush 19 (Oamaru) was the quickest junior over the field winning the elite junior title in 1.55.10.
The sport division was hotly contested with veteran Mike Plimmer (Wanaka) pipping fellow veteran Warwick Jones (Arrowtown) by one second to win in 1.47.39. Lucy Cruickshank (Masterton) competing in the sport open women section was fastest in 1.55.44, while the best junior male was Nick Ewen 17 (Whangarei) in 2.01.10 and Harriet Brown 19 (Dunedin) put up the best junior women's performance in 2.13.49.
The fastest recreational competitor was veteran Dean Broadhead (Timaru) in 1.42.15 while Pamela Hepburn (Queenstown) riding in the open recreational section was the first woman across the finish in 1.51.36. Fifteen-year-old Queenstown junior Casey Strachan put on a blistering pace to win the junior division in 1.48.42. while Annabel Kennedy 12 (Invercargil) was fastest recreational junior woman in 2.13.29.
Race Director Geoff Hunt says the event this year built on the reputation of last year's inaugural Tour de Wakatipu.
"While other events around the country have been losing numbers, we were pleased to attract the same size field as last year. We had great weather and there was a fantastic atmosphere at both the start at Millbrook and at the finish at Chard Farm. There were a lot of first time competitors and the feedback is that they really enjoy the informal nature of the Tour de Wakatipu which allows them to go as fast or as slow as they want. The elite riders can go hard out while many of the recreational riders like to take their time and enjoy the scenery."
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| Donna Fordyce starting the final climb from the Kawarau River (Photo: Southern Traverse) |
He says the Tour de Wakatipu has the advantage of using a number of trails around the district and provides an exclusive opportunity for people to ride through Coneburn Station to Chard Farm.
"This is a stunning river trail ride and can be quite challenging in parts. At the finish at Chard Farm winery the food stalls and entertainment made for a great laid back ambience."
New World owner John Thompson says he is excited about sponsoring an event like the Tour de Wakatipu which "attracts such a big cross section of the local community as well as visitors to the region. There' s lots of camaraderie and friendly rivalry and everyone , no matter what their level, gets a great feeling of achievement about completing the course."
Nevada Sport managing director Hamish Cochran whose company sponsors the event with Merrell products says the Tour de Wakatipu is a perfect fit with the brand because it caters for both elite athletes and inspired recreational riders whose challenge is to get to the finish.
"Add the great scenery along this wonderful course and what could be better. After riding in the Tour de Wakatipu for the first time I am delighted to see what it achieves for everyone who enters. Like Merrell it is all about getting into the outdoors and having a go."
The Tour de Wakatipu raised $4,740 for Cure Kids for provides funds for research into children's life threatening illnesses.
"We are indebted to the organisers for choosing Cure Kids as their charity," says Cure Kids South Island Funding Manager Josie Spillane. "This is a fantastic event and it is wonderful to be able to raise the profile of Cure Kids amongst the competitors."
Proceeds from the sale of Hoffbrau beer at the event were donated to the Wakatipu Trails Trust.
