A cracking pace despite the rain
The Mitoq K2 Cycle Race was almost axed for a third time at the weekend.
Having been postponed twice because of Covid-19, this year competitors were more than happy to battle the wind and rain and take part in the 200km cycle across the Coromandel Peninsula coastline.
Over all mens elite winner was James Oram, Logan Currie and Hayden Mccormick, who are all part of the professional team
Team Black Spokes.
James Fouche, 22, was the stage-one winner of King of The Mountain Pumpkin Hill.
Participating in the male masters division was Conrad Smith who managed a time of 7hrs:16mins:56 Seconds for the 192km course.
The 192km course record of five hours truly broken by not just one but 12 elite riders.
It was almost the race that never was. Twice postponed because of Covid-19, it looked like the weather would have the final say on the third Mitoq K2.
Just 24 hours before the start, forecasters were warning of strong winds, 70km/h gusts and lashing rain, the combination of which would have rendered Coromandel’s hills treacherous for cycling, says an event spokesperson.
But the anticipated event went ahead — minus a marquee, stage scaffolding or food stalls and music to celebrate and no big prizegiving ceremonies (although some prizes were given at informal gatherings).
A cut-off point at 140k was introduced for the first time.
“The 192k course record of five hours was well and truly broken by not just one but 12 elite riders; the cut-off was avoided by the slowest rider by an hour, the attrition rate of just 6 per cent was little higher than usual, and the worst injury of the day — a broken collar bone — was inflicted on the woman who has just broken the record for a New Zealand end-to-end, and said she wouldn’t have missed the race for anything.
“Most astonishingly, perhaps, the K2’s first ever hand cyclist, Jono Nelson, who was born with spina bifida, completed the course in 10.37.05; a record unlikely to be beaten (except perhaps by him).”