Mar 23rd, 10. The 2nd Kapiti Cycle Challenge was a climber's feast where Joe Cooper proved the King of the Climbs winning the race to each summit and to the finish line.

The lead bunch climbing Paekakariki hill ©Adrian McKenzie

After a long descent into Pauatahanui Inlet the riders headed up again through the Haywards Hills.

Following a flat stretch on State Highway 2, the race headed up once more with a 35 km adventure into the Akatarawa ranges before finishing back in Waikanae.

Unlike last year's freezing cold and windy inaugural race, the weather was near perfect for the competitors this year with the temperature peaking at 20 degrees.

Before the 300 odd peloton had a chance to get into full swing after the starter's gun they were forced to come to an abrupt halt to wait for the Overlander train to pass.  Luckily this early misshap appears to have been the only incident in the event.

With the train out of the way the racing began and the pace was furious as riders jostled to get in a good position for the start of the climbs.  Once the road angled upwards the peloton was soon strung out and the in form riders made their presence known.  

A day after placing 4th in Christchurch's Le Race, another climbers event, Subway Avanti's Joe Cooper showed what he can do when he's back in form and able to ride for his own victory.

From a select group which included Silas Cullen and Andy Hagen (who knew the course well after placing 3rd and 4th last year), Michael Naylor, Brent Backhouse and Finlay Brazier, Cooper stole the first two sprint primes at the top of the Paekakariki and Haywards Hill summits.

The green line shows the climbing profile - thanks to the MeoGPs (who three of the front bunch ride with) for sharing www.meogp.com

With 25km to go, Cooper left his breakaway companions behind, taking the final prime at the Akatarawa summit and finishing 2m32s ahead.  His finishing time of 2h20m30s was 8m faster than last year's winner David Rowlands.

The rest of the peloton came home throughout the next hour and a half and, according to the reports RoadCycling.co.nz has heard, most riders had a great day and improved on their times from last year.  

Kapiti Cycle Challenge Race Manager Bob Pratt was very happy with the event.

"The support people looking after the riders were fantastic, from the traffic management people to the Police riders who did a fantastic job making the event safe. Thankfully the ambulance staff were very short of work during the day," he said.

Top five results

1. Joe Cooper 2h20m30s 
2. Silas Cullen 2h23m02s 
3. Andy Hagan 2h23m11s
4. Michael Naylor 2h23m14s
5. Brent Backhouse 2h23m27s

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