January 31, 2016
For immediate release from The Pioneer – for further information visit
www.thepioneer.co.nz
Media information on images, news reel, highlights and logos at the end of this
release.
KIWI AND AUSSIE DOMINATE OPENING PROLOGUE STAGE AT PIONEER
The inaugural Pioneer 7-Day stage mountain bike race set off today, with the
opening stage a prologue in the Port Hills of Christchurch before riders and gear
were transported to Geraldine for the first overnight stop before stage two takes
riders 107km to Fairlie on Monday.
Close to 300 7-Day Epic riders took to the opening 37km Prologue Stage and while
short in distance, the legs were still tested with a series of single track climbs
(including C2 and Crocodile Trail) to 478m, before descending through the likes of
the famous Flying Nun back to the finish line at Bowenvale.
Commonwealth Games gold medalist Anton Cooper (NZL) and his Aussie team
mate Dan McConnell (bronze in Glasgow) were the quickest on a stage that
favoured the riders more used to a shorter, sharper course, finishing in 57:22, almost
four minutes clear of their closest rivals in Kona Factory Team A (Cory Wallace USA
and Spencer Paxson CAN), with Kona Factory Team B (Barry Wicks USA and Kris
Sneddon CAN) third.
Cooper and McConnell were not getting carried away with today’s result, knowing
that there are much longer days and tougher rides in prospect.
“Today was wicked, the track was running really good, it was a tough climb up and
we were trying to figure out what pace is best on the first day, especially with a
partner involved – this is all new to us but we were happy with a wicked descent,”
said Cooper.
“This style of riding and racing over multiple days and longer distance is new for both
of us and is a different style of racing, today is more typical of what we normally do in
terms of distance. We will see what the rest of the week brings and see if we are still
smiling.”
Steve Gurney and partner Simon Callaghan posted the 11th quickest time on the
stage, the multisport legend loved day one and was just happy to be under way after
months of buildup and expectation.
“That might be a little stage but it was steep! At the start everyone is quite hyped and
has been training for months and the gun goes and they want to hammer it. To be
honest for me it is a relief to hear that start gun, it kind of washes over you that you
are under way, it is nice.”
For Gurney, a man who has made his reputation and career in multisport and
adventure racing, he is looking forward to day two and the first real sightings of the
Southern Alps.
“It is nice to know that once we are in Geraldine tonight we are in the foothills of the
mountains and this is truly a mountain event. I am really looking forward to the Alps
and all the unpredictability, from the weather to the tracks and in particular to some
of the scenery we will ride through. Going over so much private property as we are,
this is the only chance to get up into these areas and I can’t wait, it is going to be
stunning.”
The feedback from competitors in the 7-Day Epic riders was consistent as they
completed day one of a week’s worth of riding – some in racing mode but plenty of
others in ‘just get there in one piece’ mode. All enjoyed the start to the event and the
chance to shake a few nerves and test out the machinery before sleeping for the first
time tonight in the event tent village at Geraldine.
The Pioneer also hosted one-day riders over 53 and 37km distances (including
neutral non-timed zones), with over 100 riders heading out into the Port Hills and
back to North Hagley Park on a day that became increasingly hot with the early
cloud cover burning off.
Stage Two of The Pioneer starts at 8:00am on Monday and takes riders from
Geraldine to Fairlie, with the first endurance test thrown at competitors over 106km
of riding that climbs to a high point of 978m at the 67km point in the stage. Riders
head into the high-country and the Orari Gorge with four wheel drive roads leading to
the ascent from Meikleburn Saddle where the climbing beings with stunning 360
degree views along the top of the ridge.
For more information and course details, visit www.thepioneer.co.nz
The Pioneer
Stage One Results
37km Prologue (timed section 23km), Port Hills
Overall
1 Team Danton, Anton Cooper NZL/Dan McConnell AUS, 57:22
2 Kona Factory A, Cory Wallace CAN/Spencer Paxson USA, 1:01:02
3 Kona Factory B, Barry Wicks USA/Kris Sneddon CAN, 1:01:40
4 Leighs Construction, Shane Kennedy NZL/Glen Currie NZL, 1:06:18
5 Fire Breathing Rubber Duckies, Daniel Barry NZL/Jeremy Inglis NZL, 1:06:53
6 New World, Mark Williams NZL/Kate Fluker NZL, 1:07:42
Open Male
1 Danton, Anton Cooper NZL/Dan McConnell AUS, 57:22
2 Kona Factory A, Cory Wallace CAN/Spencer Paxson USA, 1:01:02
3 Kona Factory B, Barry Wicks USA/Kris Sneddon CAN, 1:01:40
Open Female
1 Torpedo7 Erin Greene NZL/Kath Kelly NZL, 1:16:17
2 Rebel Food, Megan Dimozantos NZL/Lisa Bates NZL, 1:31:51
3 Thundercats, Kylie Burrows AUS/Sarah White AUS, 1:34:35
Open Mixed
1 New World, Mark Williams NZL/Kate Fluker NZL, 1:07:42
2 Goozie, Suzie Wood NZL/Gary Milbanke NZL, 1:13:38
3 Trideporte, Ada Xinxo ESP/Santi Val ESP, 1:19:31
Masters Male 40+
1 Team Iride, Andrew Young/Yuri Haulswald, 1:09:27
2 Leave Pass 2, Minter Barnard/Ian Chitterer 1:10:01
3 Fatty and Skinny, Barryn Westfield/Trevor Woodward 1:11:32
Masters Female 40+
1 Fuse creative, Leigh Cockerill/Sue Clark, 1:32:18
2 Total Betty Clothing, Tracey Harkness/Sarah Heine 1:54:13
Male Masters 50+
1 Masters of Mud Plugging Mayhem, Steve Gurney/Steven Callaghan 1:09:39
2 Flaming Nora, Patrick Meffan/Cliff Bowman, 1:17:59
3 Greg and Rob, Rob Garden/Greg Barbour, 1:24:20
Full results at www.thepioneer.co.nz
ENDS
Press Releases
 Daily Press Release sent at approx. 5:00pm each day, highlighting the
winners, human interest stories and information on the days riding
 This will include VNR news clip via the following Dropbox link https://www.dropbox.com/sh/hnyi74sle3p6no4/AABBUKc73Ofjb8sinezlNyy1a
?dl=0
Daily Images (free to use)


6-8 Press ready images available each day at approx. 5:00pm (action and
scenery portrait shots) downloadable via the following Dropbox link.
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/nnib11i2zg40iyv/AAAsk5opmo6QxjCB5rtAk_Nya
?dl=0
Additional images will be loaded later that night
Daily Highlights Video
 Loaded on to Vimeo account each day – approx. 7.00 – 8.00pm
 https://vimeo.com/thepioneer
Social Updates
 Daily social event updates throughout the day
 Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/ThePioneerNZ/
 Twitter - https://twitter.com/thepioneernz
 Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/pioneer.nz/
Results
 Live results feed with direct link from event homepage
 www.thepioneer.co.nz
Athlete Tracking
 Live athlete tracking information with direct link from event homepage
 www.thepioneer.co.nz
Artwork
- All stored on dropbox now that can be used via the following Dropbox link https://www.dropbox.com/sh/nnib11i2zg40iyv/AAAsk5opmo6QxjCB5rtAk_Nya
?dl=0
- Course maps - High Res and low JPG of all stage and overall course maps
downloadable
- Logos
- Images
For further information, contact:
Andrew Dewhurst
Media Manager
The Pioneer
021 535501
[email protected]