Mar 22nd, '09. Dave Rolands of Wellington took line honours in the inaugural Kapiti Cycle Challenge with a winning time of 2m28s for the 95 km course. On what was a chilly Autumn day 450 cyclists turned out for the event that raced over many iconic Wellington cycle training grounds.

Kapiti Cycle Challenge 2010 ....

450 cyclists gather for the start

Photo courtesy Matt Oliver

Dave Rowlands takes the sprint (c) RoadCycling.co.nz

More finish line photos by RoadCycling.co.nz are available in the Gallery Section.

With many of the roads closed racing was fast and intense with a number of elite riders crashing on the descent into Waikanae on the Kapiti side of the Akatarawas.

After the race Rob Kilvington spoke to RoadCycling.co.nz about his two "offs" on the descent. "I have half worn slicks, pumped up to a high pressure, and the road was slippery" says Rob. "You know that noise that your wheel makes when the front tyre lets go?". Luckily most of us don't know that noise. Rob still managed to gain his composure after his crashes to finish in 7th place.

The weather played a factor in today's race with temperatures hovering around 10 degrees for most of the ride. Speaking to a few of the lead riders after the race brought out some interesting adjectives, "It was bloody freezing, hands and feet frozen, legs cramped, too cold for me" said Brent Bismark from Marton (14th overall). Many others were also suffering from the temperatures and were seen shivering after the race but the free coffee on offer at the finish line would have helped many.

Glen Owen (in black) leads a bunch up Paekakariki Hill

(c) RoadCycling.co.nz

The race organized by Bob Pratt, Greg Cundy and Peter Ellis was a professionally run cycling event, with all the support vehicles, medical, and mechanics on hand to help in all situations.  The race wouldn't have been possible without all four councils involvement and without the support of sponsors such as Pak n Save.

Mike Searle from SearleTech, a mobile bicycle mechanic service, was stationed at the start/finish line to support the riders. Reports were that Jorge Sandoval, organizer of the Mens and Womens Tour of New Zealand, used SearleTech for an emergency puncture repair just 5 minutes prior to the bunch leaving Waikanae. Mike was also stationed on the finish line support the SearleTech team rider Joshua Kench. Kench won last years Maxi Enduro (640km) in the Wattyl Lake Taupo Cycle Challenge.

The Kapiti Challenge will be firmly placed on the funride calendar after this very successful inaugural event, although with all the climbing many of the riders may not consider this a fun ride!   With plenty of hills to test the climbing legs and lots of descents to show off those cornering skills, surely you can call it fun.

With this success, next year more people will be challenging themselves and the Kapiti Cycle Challenge 2010 will be even bigger.

Kapiti Cycle Challenge Results 2009

Men

• 1st DAVID ROWLANDS 02:28:15
• 2nd CRAIG LAWN 02:28:18
• 3rd SILAS CULLEN 02:28:18
• 4th ANDY HAGAN 02:28:18
• 5th SAM KING-TURNER 02:32:46
• 6th TERRY MOES 02:33:05
• 7th ROB KILVINGTON 02:34:08
• 8th OLIVER FERRY 02:34:08
• 9th ANDREW YOUNG 02:34:08
• 10th BEN MCHALE 02:34:09

Full results of the event can be found on the event website www.kapiticyclechallenge.org.nz

Gallery of photos