CYCLING

Super Sprint Finish at Contact Lake Taupo Cycle Challenge

By The Business Studio

Fierce competition in the elite races at this year's Contact Lake Taupo Cycle Challenge made for thrilling sprint finishes and exciting spectator action.
 
Milli-seconds separated the fast paced 100km Women's Road Race between Turangi and Taupo with all three podium finishers crossing the line at 2.47.43.
 
Cambridge woman, Racquel Sheath crossed first at 2.47.43.31 and Wanaka woman Mikayla Harvey second at 2.47.43.37 and Aucklander Helen Baillie-Strong third at 2.47.43.6.

Auckland man Dion Smith took out the Holden Men's Classic elite 160km race in 3.46.47.3 with 2012 Olympic and 2014 Commonwealth Games bronze medalist from Cambridge, Aaron Gate was second (3.46.47.8) and Aucklander Roman van Uden third (3.48.06.6).


Super sprint finish. Credit: Steve Knowles.

 
Rotorua man Sam Shaw, second in 2014, took first place in the Contact Huka XL 85km elite mountain bike race in 3.55.40. Taupo man Henry Jaine came second and Edwin Crossling third.   
 
The winner in the women's Contact Huka XL 85km elite mountain bike race was Wellingtonian Samara Sheppard with a time of 4.28.18.9. Second place was local woman Greta Donaldson with Amber Johnston from Rotorua third.
 
In spite of intermittent showers it's been a fantastic start to the 39^th annual Contact Lake Taupo Cycle Challenge says Event Director Kay Brake.


Elite men's podium. Credit: Steve Knowles.

 
Almost 7,000 participants, plus thousands of supporters and spectators joined the wave of cyclists from around New Zealand and 21 different countries as they headed across the start this morning in one of the 18 event categories on offer in this premier cycling event.
 
93 cyclists left at 1.30am this morning to complete two laps of the lake in the Barfoot & Thompson Enduro event while another 24 are riding around the Lake Taupo course four times.
 
"It was a wonderful start to the event and I never tire of seeing the mass of colour and energy spread for as far as you can see down Tongariro Street," says Event Director Kay Brake. 
 
"It was great to have Taupo's MP the Hon Louise Upston and Mayor David Trewavas to help send riders off this morning and we're looking forward to welcoming everyone back for prize giving."
 
www.cyclechallenge.com


Women's MTB podium. Credit: Steve Knowles.