The 2017 Pioneer Mountain Bike Stage Race got underway in spectacular fashion at Christchurch Adventure Park yesterday, with the 338 riders enjoying the thrill of single track riding in the event’s opening stage prologue in perfect weather conditions.
Cyclist Magazine – Alex Malone and Michael Cameron hunt down the competition
All set for a stunning summers day in Christchurch Adventure Park
At just 20.5km and featuring 1,260m of climbing, today’s stage was but a teaser of what is to come, with a further 525km of riding across stunning landscapes on the way to the finish line in Queenstown on Saturday. It was understandably for the leading contenders then a day of controlled aggression, rather than all-out attack.
Prologue winners, Watson and Son Mankua Honey – James Williamson and Scott Lyttle
Quickest of the 7-Day-Epic teams was the Watson and Son Manuka Honey combination of James Williamson (Alexandra) and Scott Lyttle (Masterton but now based in Boulder USA), the former pro road cyclists clocking 1:16:02 to finish 53 seconds ahead of the first of the international teams, Tommi Misser and Ibon Zugasi (Imparables, Spain), with Oamaru brothers Tim and Kris Rush (Alps to Ocean) 5:40 behind in third place.
Inparables 2 – Ibon Zugasti and Tomi Misser
Alps to Ocean – Chris and Tim Rush
2012 Elite National Road Race Champion Williamson was delighted at the chance to ride in the Adventure Park. “This is brand new for us, my first ride here was yesterday, I have done a little in Christchurch before but today was pretty special, to be blasting through those new tracks, it was a lot of fun.”
Former pro road rider Lyttle was pleased with the first up effort, but is wary of what is to come in an event the likes of which he has never taken on before. “We have both done a lot on the road, but that was a while ago – the last time I was racing was 2011 and while the body does remember a little bit what to do, I hope it does this week, but in terms of the mountain bike I really have not done anything like this at all. But we have done the training and we are hopeful of doing well.
Sweet berms and lots of dust
Misser and Zugasi’s effort to be second fastest overall is all the more impressive, as they lead the Men’s Masters (40+) category. Part of an eight strong Imparables team from Spain with a television crew following their every move, the pair also ride for the Orbea Factory Team and are legendary in Europe. Misser is a 15-time Spanish national champion and multiple World Cup Downhill winner.
“We enjoy a lot, the track is really amazing,” said Misser. “The uphill and the switchbacks and then on the top the downhill was very fun. The views were beautiful, at the top we can see the other side of the mountain and the city below, it was very beautiful and an amazing way to start the race.”
Christchurch Adventure Park looks to be great venue!
Leading the Open Women’s category is Christchurch pairing of Nina McVicar and Reta Trotman. The two immediately showed the pre-race talk of them as contenders to be accurate as they put almost two minutes on defending champion Erin Greene (Queenstown) and her new riding partner Ingrid Richter (Nelson). McVicar and Trotman rode with great control, finishing the two-lap course in 1:35:04.
Nelson based, Ingrid Richter, flying through the dust
In the Open Mixed Category, Americans Sonya Looney and Gordon Wadsworth (Team Freakshow) have thrown down an early challenge to defending champions Kate Fluker and Mark Williams (Queenstown), with the colourful American pairing coming home just 52 seconds behind the Kiwis, with the two combinations clearly the class in the category, with third place nearly 27 minutes back after the first stage.
Over from the US, Sonya Looney and her team mate Gordon Wadsworth
Kate Fluker from team New World
The Adventure Park proved a hit with the riders on prologue day but also with the recently opened facility. Communications Manager Anne Newman was thrilled at the sight of so much activity and international visitors to the Park.
“The Pioneer Mountain Bike race was the first international event we have held in the Park and what a great event to start with! The park came alive this morning and the quality of the riders that the Pioneer has attracted is truly impressive. The riders have an exciting week ahead of them and we’ll be watching progress and cheering them on. We can’t wait to see them back here next year.”
Views over the city of Christchurch from the hills of the bike park
Rock and Road Cycles Mike Sangster and Johnny Van Leeuwen
Riders in both the 7-Day-Epic and 4-Day-Traverse rest up at the event village in Geraldine this evening, enjoying a buffet dinner, massage, a few drinks and stories from the opening day’s riding as they prepare for the 106km ride (2,480 metres of elevation) to Fairlie on Waitangi Day Monday.
Full results CLICK HERE
Amy Haddon competing in the four day traverse, fastest in her category in the Prologue
