One of New Zealand’s longest and most established cycling events celebrated its 45th running on Saturday 25 November, with three up-and-coming teenagers sweeping the podium in the 160km Lake Taupo Challenge gran fondo road race.

Finishing fastest was 19 year-old Matt McClune with a time of 4:10:52, followed by 18 year-olds Wilson Hahannon (4:11:02) and Maui Morrison (4:11:02), according to preliminary results.

Former pro Kate McCarthy, 28, was the first women, recording a finish time of 4:12:09. Sharlotte Lucas (4:21:53) was second and Ellie Parry (4:27:39) third.

In the ultra distance (320km) enduro event Joshua Aldridge stopped the clock in 9:48:40 as the fastest man, while Brittney Litton (11:19:02) was the fastest woman by one second over Marcel Smithers.

The 80km Shimano Gravel Grind event James Harvey blew the doors off all challengers to win in 2:49:12.

Over 3000 cyclists participated in road, gravel and mountain bike events at the 2023 Lake Taupo Challenge on the South Island of New Zealand.

Photo Credit: Facebook/CycleChallenge

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