NZ Enduro day two began with a blaze of sunshine in a paddock in Opouri Valley.
Stage one sidled it’s way down into Duncan bay and the waters edge.
Riders stopped by Duncan bay Jetty to take in the views and refill their water bottles before the climb to Nydia Saddle.
Riders made their way between the Rata flowers, Lancewoods and Black Beech trees.
NZ enduro is hard. The stages are long and physical with big root-balls and pinball rocks. Mat Hunt and Odin Woods we’re the only riders out of 140 game enough to ride hard tails. This is Mat Hunt trying to ignore the pain in his legs.
Mike Cowlin spent the week before the race making as much Granola as he could so that he could do one handed wheelies on the liaison from lunch at On The Track lodge in Nydia bay to the start of stage three.
Mitch Ropelato is in the region for a press camp, but took time out to race.
Connor Macfarlane has been laying down solid times all weekend.
Overnight leader Keegan Wright crashed on stage one and retired from the race, leaving Jerome in the lead.
The weather forecast is looking great for flying helicopters tomorrow, so check back for more coverage from the slopes of the Richmond ranges, high above Blenheim.
