McCauley sets new race record in Taupo
Perfect riding conditions saw an in-form Gordon McCauley grab first place and $2000 prize money in Saturday’s Wattyl Lake Taupo Cycle Challenge 160km Avanti Classic Race.
Second place went to Jeremy Yates with M1619 rider James Dobson taking out third in a close sprint finish. McCauley led for the last 20km of the race after breaking away on Hatepe Hill, his winning time of 3:46:48 establishing a new race record over a slightly longer course. Peter Latham’s 2005 record of 3:46 45 remains for the pre 2007 course.
The Women’s Hot Dog Street Race was won by New Plymouth’s Kerri-Anne Torckler,19, with Marina Duvnjak second and Rushlee Buchanan third. $1,000 was awarded for first place.
9,500 other riders participated in the 160km round Lake Taupo event, either as solo riders or in teams of two to five. The event also featured 31 children suffering from heart conditions in the 5km Heart Ride, escorted by Sir Richard Hadlee and Olympic Silver medalist Bevan Docherty. Two hundred other children ten years and under also participated in the Heart Ride. $81,000 was raised for Heart Children New Zealand, the official Charity of the event, through rider donations and online fundraising.
21 year old Thomas Lindup from New Plymouth completed the 680km Maxi Enduro (four laps of the Lake) in 22hours 28min with Tirau’s Jim McMurray riding the 340 km Enduro in 9hrs 55m.
The event is organised by Taupo nui -a -Tia College and Taupo Moana Rotary Club and uses over 1000 volunteers from the above organisations and other community groups to run the event. All proceeds from the event returned to the local community.
$400,000 worth of spot prizes was drawn at the event with the major prize winner Kareena Hildred from New Plymouth taking home a Toyota Prius Hybrid car.
Results
Women’s Hotdog Points Race
1 Kerri-Anne Torckler F1619
2 Marina Duvnjak F2034
3 Rushlee Buchanan F1619
4 Susy Pryde F2034
5 Elisabeth Williams F2034
Mens Avanti Classic Race 160km
1 Gordon McCauley M3544 3:46:48
2 Jeremy Yates M2034 3:47:04
3 James Dobson M1619 3:47:23
4 Aaron Strong M3544 3:47:24
5 Justin Kerr M2034 3:47:25
[CLICK HERE] to view full results. |
