Relay bikes being prepared for transport (2007).
Relay riders waiting for their teammates (2007).
The bagpiper on Hatepe Hill (2007).
Aftermath crowds on the Taupo Domain (2007).

The Lake Taupo Cycle Challenge is New Zealand's largest mass participation cycling event. First held in 1977, it takes place on the last Saturday of each November and circumnavigates Lake Taupō, a volcanic crater lake in the centre of the North Island. The ride starts and finishes in Taupō with one full circuit being approximately 160 km. Around 7,000 riders take part each year.

Categories

The event aims to cater for all riders, from the elite racers to those just wishing to make it around. This is reflected in the range of finishing times - from under 4 to over 10 hours. Riders are asked to nominate finishing times and staggered starts are used to group riders by ability.

Subcategories of the event are (2022 data):

  • Round The Lake: A one lap circuit of Lake Taupō, starting and finishing in Taupō and following Poihipi Road and State Highways 32, 41 and 1. Approximately 160 km.
  • Length Of The Lake: One half of the full circuit, starting at Tūrangi and finishing in Taupō. Approximately 80 km.
  • Lakesider: A 16 km leisure ride for recreational cyclists, mostly off-road.
  • Enduro: An option for individuals who ride multiple laps of the lake circuit (normally either two, four or eight, - this is certified as a qualifying brevet for Paris–Brest–Paris and RAAM).
  • Huka Mountain Bike: Mountain bike challenges of 35 km, 60 km or 85 km, and an 85 km elite licensed rider race.
  • Men's Classic Road Race: An official sanctioned race. Participants set off before the rest of the riders, competing in a full-on race, with a current racing license required, and entry limited to 100 riders. Riders must have a previous best time in the main event of under 4:30.
  • Women's Classic Road Race: A women's only 100 km race for licensed riders from Taupō to Tūrangi and return.

Records

Source:

  • Fastest Round the Lake (male): Sam Gaze 3:37 (2017 Men's Classic winner)
  • Fastest Round the Lake (female): Susy Pryde 3:57 (1999)

Past winners

Source:

YearMen's winnerWomen's winner
1998New Zealand Darren MurrayNew Zealand Susy Pryde
1999New Zealand Lee VertongenNew Zealand Susy Pryde
2000New Zealand Jason Kelly, Patrick Kelly & John Barry (Tridem)New Zealand Susy Pryde
2001New Zealand Marcel HollensteinNew Zealand Michelle Hyland
2002Netherlands Paul de RijkNew Zealand Melissa Pilla
2003New Zealand Matthew YatesNew Zealand Roz Reekie-May
2004New Zealand Jeremy YatesNew Zealand Nadene Boyle
2005New Zealand Peter LathamNew Zealand Meshy Holt
2006New Zealand Hamish BondNew Zealand Brei Gudsell
2007New Zealand Gordon McCauleyNew Zealand Kerri-Anne Torckler
2008New Zealand Peter LathamNew Zealand Kaytee Boyd
2009New Zealand Jeremy YatesNew Zealand Melissa Holt
2010New Zealand Roman Van UdenNew Zealand Karen Fulton
2011New Zealand Michael TorcklerNew Zealand Kaytee Boyd
2012New Zealand Mike NortheyNew Zealand Rushlee Buchanan
2013New Zealand Michael TorcklerNew Zealand Reta Trotman
2014New Zealand Patrick BevinNew Zealand Ruby Livingstone
2015New Zealand Dion SmithNew Zealand Racquel Sheath
2016New Zealand Aaron GateNew Zealand Racquel Sheath
2017New Zealand Sam GazeAustralia Matilda Raynolds
2018New Zealand Hamish BondNew Zealand Ione Johnson
2019New Zealand Kees DuyvesteynNew Zealand Sharlotte Lucas
2020No race due COVID-19 pandemic in New Zealand
2021
2022New Zealand Michael TorcklerNew Zealand Claudia Weidekam

External links

  • (official event website)