Started in 1977 with only 26 cyclists, New Zealand’s Lake Taupō Cycle Challenge has grown to be the country’s biggest and most popular cycling event. The 46th edition this past weekend saw over 2000 riders, from first timers to Olympians, tackle a variety of routes around Lake Taupō, with most racing the iconic 160km Round the Lake loop – and a few die-hards doing it twice!

With a total prize purse of over $50,000 on the day, the men’s 160km gran fondo competition was fierce. After almost four hours of racing it was 37 year-old Christoph Friedli (DISCOCYCLE CYCLE CLUB) besting all with a final time of 3:55:35, a nice improvement on his 16th place finish last year. Corbin Nicol, followed closely by Alex Botha were next in 3:55:39.

For the women it was 21 year-old Rhylee Akeroyd (MERIDIAN BLUE P/B 99 BIKES) also claiming overall victory in the gran fondo, finishing in 4:17:04. Byrony Botha (4:25:02) and Georgia Waghorn (4:25:09) earned second and third place.

The 47th Lake Taupō Cycle Challenge will taken place Saturday 29 November 2025 from Taupō town center on the North Island.

Complete Lake Taupō Cycling Challenge results HERE

Photo Credit: Instagram/cyclechallenge

© 2019-2024 All Rights Reserved Gran Fondo Daily