Thousands of riders took to the start line on Saturday at the 46th edition of the Lake Taupō Cycle Challenge.

Challenge organisers said the atmosphere of New Zealand’s greatest cycling event was electric as organisers, riders, supporters, event partners and the Taupō community celebrated this milestone event.

Eight event categories were on offer at this year’s occasion including the newly introduced Tineli Huka Hundy, a 100km course which takes in some of the best mountain bike tracks in the country. From first timers to top gun riders everyone was catered for, with road cycling, mountain biking and gravel riding all featured.

Riders at the 2024 Lake Taupō Cycle challenge. Photo/Supplied.

In the iconic 160km Shimano Round the Lake, the men’s competition was hot and while Joshua Cavanagh crossed the line first, being a mat-to-mat event it was Christoph Friedli from Hamilton who took out the Best In Class with a time of 3:55:35.

The inaugural Tineli Huka Hundy title went to Matthew Walker from Christchurch with a time of 4:31:12 and an average speed of 22.12km/h.

Over on the women’s side, the competition was no less fierce, with Rhylee Akeroyd from Cambridge achieving a time of 4:17:04, and an average speed of 37.3km/h and Elizabeth Hicks from Cambridge with a time of 5:59:01, and an average speed of 16.71km/h taking out the titles of Best in Class for The Shimano Round the Lake and the Tineli Huka Hundy respectively.

Shanan Whitlock from Rotorua was fastest male in the Gravel Grind event with a time of 2:58:32, while Brittany Dykes from Wellington secured the top spot for the women with a time of 3:26:15.

Riders at the 2024 Lake Taupō Cycle challenge. Photo/Supplied.

For those who took on the awe inspiring two lap 320km Enduro event, the best here were Andrew Campbell from Wellington (male) and Barbara Woolley from Hastings (female) with times of 10:42:30 and 13:43:58 respectively.  

“Olympian Bryony Botha had a goal of beating her dad’s time of 4 hours 28 minutes, and the professional track cyclist can hold her head high with a time of 4 hours 25 minutes,” said an event organiser.

In town for the upcoming 70.3 Ironman World Champs to be held in Taupō in two weeks’ time, and not wanting to miss out on the action, German professional triathlete and 2023 70.3 Ironman World Champion Ricō Bogen tested his skills on the 160km Shimano Round the Lake course. 

“Although achieving a respectable time of 4:14, Ricō made no qualms that it was a tough ride - he’s looking forward to returning to familiar territory in the upcoming 70.3 Ironman event where he’ll be able to show us what he’s really made of.”

This year’s event boasted an impressive spot prize pool valued at over $50,000.

Prizes included a 19-month lease of a Suzuki Jimny 5-Door JLX Manual, the ultimate Shimano DURA-ACE bike build, Lun Performance Carbon Road Wheelset, a private charter on Chris Jolly’s Levante premium boat for four people, a Ride Holidays Fiordland National Park Minibreak, a Grapid 700c Carbon Gravel Wheelset, Choice Hotels accommodation vouchers and free Harraways breakfast for a whole year.

Supporters at the 2024 Lake Taupō Cycle challenge. Photo/Supplied.

“It’s been a fantastic day on and off course here in Taupō today,” said Hayden Dickason, event director.

“Once again, we have seen how a community can come together and put on a great event.  Congratulations to all those that participated across the eight categories and a heartfelt thank you to all the amazing Contact Energy Volunteers and event partners who help make this event possible.”

Event category provisional results best in class:

Shimano Round The Lake

Male: Christoph Friedli - 3:55:35 

Female: Rhylee Akeroyd - 4:17:04 

Tineli Huka Hundy

Male: Matthew Walker - 4:31:12

Female: Elizabeth Hicks - 5:59:01 

Gravel Grind

Male: Shanan Whitlock - 2:58:32

Female: Brittany Dykes - 3:26:15

Huka Steamer

Male: Alex Coventry - 2:40:25

Female: Kym Skerman - 3:13:49

Huka Teaser

Male: Craig Waterson - 1:20:45

Female: Rayne Mokaraka - 1:36:51

Enduro (2 laps around the lake)

Male: Andrew Campbell - 10:42:30

Female: Barbara Woolley - 13:43:58

Independent Traffic Control Length Of The Lake

Male: Oli Barnett - 1:28:59

Female: Alex Milne - 1:28:58

Lake Taupō Cycle Challenge information can be found at:www.cyclechallenge.com  

Lake Taupō Cycle Challenge

Lake Taupō Cycle Challenge is NZ’s greatest cycling event, with thousands of participants from around New Zealand and the world taking part each year.

It is best known for the Shimano Round the Lake event, the one-lap circumnavigation of Lake Taupō, although this is just one of eight event categories on offer, with road cycling, mountain bike, gravel and family ride options for individuals and teams.

Rider at the 2024 Lake Taupō Cycle challenge. Photo/Supplied.

The Lake Taupō Cycle Challenge is now in its 46th year and showcases the beauty of the Great Lake Taupō region while celebrating the joy of riding with the cycling community and their supporters.

The event offers something for everyone from the absolute beginner through to the gun rider. The Lake Taupō Cycle Challenge aims to inspire and allow participants to push their personal limits and challenge themselves in the confines of a fun, safe and well organised event.

From a grass roots beginning to one of New Zealand’s most iconic and well-respected sporting events, the Lake Taupō Cycle Challenge team of proud and dedicated locals are committed to ensuring the event’s continued success.

The Lake Taupō Cycle Challenge is a not-for-profit Rotary event and generates one of the largest economic impacts of any event in the Taupō region. It is a Rotary event, operated by a Charitable Trust, with all surpluses from the event being distributed in the Taupō Community by Lake Taupo Rotary.