The Urge 3 Peaks Enduro mountain bike event went down on the weekend, with riders tackling three long and challenging tracks around Dunedin.
Former cross-country Olympian Rosara Joseph proved that she is well on track towards a new career in enduro, beating Dunedin’s Anja McDonald by almost 2min in a combined run time of 34min 53sec. Joseph was full of praise of the inaugural event. “It was one of the best events I have ever done, super well organised, a great atmosphere and just amazing tracks,” she said.
Joseph has decided to stop racing world cup cross-country events in 2013 to focus on this new exciting format. “I’ve decided I need a break from the Olympic format and Enduro racing is what I’m having most fun at now. I love the atmosphere at the events, being able to enjoy the climbs, but still compete on the way down. Basically its less suffering and more fun, who wouldn’t want to do this?” Joseph smiles.
Local pinner Tom Lamb scored an impressive victory in the overall men”s category ahead of Oceania U23 Super-D champion Sam Shaw (Yeti NZ). Tom’s time of 30min 11sec was just 36sec faster then Sam and 1min 36sec faster then third place Mat Weir.
In the gravity-assisted category, former junior World downhill champion Cam Cole (Yeti Cycles) scored his first victory on his new SB-66, ahead of local Matthew Wood. Cole’s partner Amy Laird won the womens category ahead of German Carolin Friese.
The Urge 3 Peaks enduro was organi’sed by former mountain bike Olympian Kashi Leuchs and local club, Mountain Bike Otago. Leuchs seemed pleased with how the event unfolded. “Today really could not have gone any better. The expression on riders’ faces tells it all. Enduro is the future for mountain biking and we are blessed to have these beautiful high mountains with amazing trails on them, right here close to the city”.
Leuchs said he has big plans for the Urge 3 Peaks event in 2013, hopefully involving more international riders. Entries will be limited though and likely to be in high demand.
Heaps of fun, very well run event.Thanks Kashi and crew.
Looks like Cam Cole’s combined time was faster than Tom Lamb’s, yet Tom is called the winner, confusing?
Maybe it would be less confusing if next year all entrants got 1 or 2 shuttle tickets and could use them during the event if they wanted to. Then the results would be meaningful. Currently entering the event but you can’t win the overall if you use the shuttle that’s paid for as part of the event, albeit optional, seems silly.
Not really. For those that entered it was quite clear. The Downhill category (that Cam raced) was offered as an alternative option for those that didn’t want to pedal up, and it was quite clear this category would not be considered for the overall. The enduro was about pedalling up, and racing down. It did this very well
Sounds much more confusing.