Queenstown’s Mark Williams made it a hat trick when he fought off a tight challenge for the Tour de Wakatipu title on Saturday (April 23) setting a new record of 1.37.14. Six hundred and ninety people entered the race which was held for the third consecutive year and featured as a key event in the inaugural Queenstown Bike Festival.
Photo by Camilla Stoddart
The event which caters for elite, sport and recreational mountain bikers starts at Millbrook Resort and follows tracks across public and private land to finish at Chard Farm.
Race Director Geoff Hunt says it is the only time of the year people have access through Coneburn Station along the Kawarau River which is part of the appeal of the event.
“It was a stunning day and the feedback from the competitors was fantastic. It is always good to see new competitors and everyone, whatever level, can take part without any pressure.”
The elite and sports competitors include a loop of Lake Hayes to ride 45km while the recreational ride covers 36km.
In the elite section Williams and four others formed a tight pack from the start line dominating the race throughout.
“As we came close to the finish there was a lot of jostling for position,” he says,” but I just managed to nose across in front.”
Paul Winterbourne (Moa Flat) who won the elite veteran title was just two seconds behind Williams in 1.37.16 and Shorty Allnutt (Hokitika) flew over the finish line in third place in 1.37.18.
Williams says conditions for the race were brilliant. “There had been rain overnight and the track was firm, a lot less dust than last year. Once again there was a great atmosphere at the finish.”
National women’s mountain biking champion Kate Fluker (Queenstown) was on fire to win the elite women’s open title in 1.50.14, but she was pushed hard by Whitney Dagg (Dunedin) who claimed second place in 1.53.54.
The fastest male and female junior elite competitors were Jeff Notman (Dunedin) in 1.52.57 and Laura Bridger (Dunedin) who clocked 2.01.49 respectively.
The elite women’s veteran female section was won by Denise Thorne (Alexandra) in 1.56.15 while the women’s masters’ title went to Anne Scanlan (Wanaka) in 2.06.12.
Brett Strachan (Queenstown) took the men’s masters’ title in a fast 1.47.14 while the masters plus section winner was Colin McKee (Invercargill) in 2.32.41.
The fastest man in the sports category was Tom Kaminszky (Dunedin) in 1.57.43 while the open women’s title was won by Lydia Tann (Queenstown) in 2.06.16.
Marco Wilkins (Dunedin) took out the junior men’s title in 2.24.31 while Annie Blair (Christchurch) clocked 2.00.38 to win the women’s veteran title.
Dallas Bean (Rangiora) rode a quick race to win the sports veteran men’s category in 1.47.50.
The sports masters’ section saw Barbara Buchanan (Dunedin) win in 2.08.57 and Dave Johnstone (Invercargill) won the men’s title in 1.57.36.
The sports master plus title went to June Meadowcroft (Christchurch) in 2.43.31 and Laurie North (Queenstown) clocked a creditable 2.13.58 to win the men’s master plus.
The recreational open female race was a head-to-head battle with Jindra Sykorova (Prague, Czech Republic) crossing the line in 1.50.02 just in front of Suzie Read (Queenstown) in 1.50.35.
The men’s race was also closely fought with Brook Armishaw (Invercargill) taking line honours in 1.38.02 followed by Bradley McPherson (Invercargill) in 1.38.41.
Women’s junior winner was Sarah Davidson (Roxburgh) who recorded 1.50.35 while Will Sutherland (Gore) won the junior men’s title in 1.40.17.
In the veteran section Debbie Walders (Queenstown) clocked 1.48.27 to win the women’s title and Carey McDowall (Invercargill) took the men’s title in 1.34.06.
The masters’ titles were won by Judy Morrison (Dunedin) in 1.44.44 and Kenneth Mitchell (Queenstown) who finished in 1.40.24.
The fastest woman in the masters plus section was Janne Ross (Christchurch) in 2.33.10 and John Young (Dunedin) won the men’s title in 1.48.23.
New World owner John Thompson who competed in the race for the third time in the sports section says the Tour de Wakatipu has become well established and is a highlight on the Queenstown mountain biking calendar.
“It is the sort of event that appeals to such a range of people who can compete at their own level. Being able to cross such spectacular private tracks is also a major plus. The course was in the best condition it’s been in this year.”
Nevada Sport Managing Director Hamish Cochran who sponsors the event with Merrell products says the Tour de Wakatipu has good synergy with his brand because it caters for both elite and recreational riders.
“It is inspiring to see all the mixed age groups and particularly some of the older competitors. Everyone who enjoys biking can give it a go and the finish at Chard Farm has such a great atmosphere it is well worth getting there.”
The Tour de Wakatipu raised $3,300 for Cure Kids which funds research into children’s life threatening illnesses and approximately $2000 will be donated to the Wakatipu Trails Trust through the sale of beverages at the finish line.
High Res photos are on the web site Queenstownbikefestival.co.nz/gallery/new-world-tour-de-wakatipu/
Spectacular action highlighted the inaugural Corona Dirtmasters Downhill in the Ben Lomond Forest at the Queenstown Bike Festival today (April 24), as 80 competitors took on the challenge with top honours going to national downhill exponent Reon Boe of Queenstown, in a time 5.08.50 minutes.
Collen Tocher - Dunedin Photo: Camilla Stoddart
Boe was the fastest qualifier and the top seed and a big crowd gathered at the Brecon Street steps to watch him put in the quickest run of the day ousting second fastest rider, Rupert Chapman of Christchurch, who clocked 5.13.56, from the “hot seat.”
“This was an awesome race and it such a good thing for Queenstown,” says Boe. “I am sure we can get lots more people to come here in summer and hopefully one day we can hold a World Cup downhill.”
Festival co-ordinator Geoff Hunt predicts the Dirtmasters will grow into a major event.
“This was the inaugural event in the inaugural festival and the huge interest it has created amongst both spectators and riders bodes well for the future. This is a developing sport and judging by the numbers of people on the hill, lining the street and gathering on nearby balconies, it’s the sort of action people love.”
Competitors rode the Skyline gondola to the top of the course which was held on a track established by the Queenstown Mountain Biking Club finishing at the Queenstown camp ground. Riders then rode into the final finish arena via the Brecon Street steps.
“It was fantastic to see the riders come down the stairs, getting lots of air and gapping the last set of stairs,” says Hunt. “It all added to the excitement of the finish which was hyped by the commentators.”
Veteran mountain biker Tony Moore says the downhill has huge potential.
“Today’s race was impressive, a really good start. Riders have come from all over the country and the draw is Queenstown and also the gondola. They like to know that their bikes will be looked after and putting them on a gondola means they will arrive at the top undamaged, unlike some events where they are shifted round on the back of trucks.”
Moore says qualification is likely to become more competitive for future events as more riders are attracted to enter.
“For this first event everyone qualified and we set a reasonably mellow course to allow ‘have a go’ downhillers to enter but as the event gets sharper the hill will become more geared to it and focus around higher end riders.”
In the open men’s section Jec Rooney of Oamaru placed second in 5.16.10 and Edward Masters of New Plymouth put up a strong challenge finishing third in 51.16.18.
Chapman won the under-20 section followed by Christchurch’s Nick McConachie in 5.23.
One of the stars of the day was 17-year-old Reuben Olorenshaw of Nelson who held the hot seat against many older competitors with his blistering time of 5.18.
“The course was in perfect condition after being slippery during qualifying, “he says. “It had dried out and was quite grippy.”
Olorenshaw clearly won the under- 18 title and is eyeing a future in downhill biking and will compete at the World Championships in Switzerland in August.
The veteran men’s title went to Seb Kemp of Queenstown in 5.22.44 , heading off local guru Jim Hawkridge who clocked 5.29.20 and Vertigo’s Tim Ceci in 5.31.59. The master’s title went to well known Queenstown rider Graeme (Morg) Morgan, who put on top performance recording 5.33.08 and holding the hot seat for 13 places, before being ousted by Ceci.
The fastest woman of the day was junior Veronique Sandler of Nelson competing in the under 16 section and clocking 6.27.35. Veteran Teresa Blanpain of Dunedin won her category in 6.39.28 while the open women’s title went to Canadian Amy Freedman Davies who made her debut in the event.
She recorded 6.59.18 despite crashing on the course to beat national women’s mountain bike champion Kate Fluker, also competing in her first ever downhill event. She timed out at 7.15.88, placing second, and says she will be riding in more downhill events in the future.
“It was awesome and I was stoked because I shaved a minute off my qualifying time. This is such a great event for Queenstown, everyone’s loving it.”
Photos will available on the web site of the QueenstownBikeFestival.co.nz/gallery/downhill-photos
The official full results from the Super D on the 16th April 20011 can be downloaded here: SuperDresults
And here are some great photos taken on the day by a couple of the photographers on the hill:
Photo By Andy Peskett
Photo By Andy Peskett
Photo By Andy Peskett
Photo By Andy Peskett
Photo By Andy Peskett
Photo by Camilla Stoddart Photography
Photo by Camilla Stoddart Photography
Photo by Camilla Stoddart Photography
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