11 February 2014
7 Seconds Separate Top 3 in BDO Challenge
The BDO Wellington to Auckland Cycle Challenge continued on its way up the North Island today, with riders completing
two stages from Palmerston North to Hunterville and then on to Wanganui for the overnight stopover tonight with prize
giving at the Velodrome.
For the first time this week the weather played its part, with the rain and cold giving way to overcast but warmer and
dry conditions for the 160 riders, increasing the comfort levels for the 160 plus participants and Corporate Teams in an
event raising money and awareness for official charity Multiple Sclerosis New Zealand.
Today’s stages included some tough climbs, none more so than Vinegar Hill at the end of the 75km stage into Hunterville
with the afternoon primarily rolling roads through to Wanganui, with the descents a test of the riders technical
abilities on the tight and twisting roads.
There was little change in the Group One leaders, with Jason Thomason (Taranaki) maintaining a 6 second lead over Mel
Titter and just one more second back to Mel Titter. With 4 days left to ride into Auckland on Saturdayafternoon
(Pukekohe), the top 3 riders have established a 1:40 lead over the chase pack, with their move in this morning’s stage
looking like the deciding move in the BDO Challenge this year.
“It has been fairly challenging few days with a lot of the Group One riders working against Mel and I as a couple of the
stronger two in the race. This is great though and presents a great challenge for the both of us. Climbing probably
suits Mel and I when it gets a bit tougher, we can maybe get rid of a few of the challengers so we are looking forward
to it, we will have to see how it works out tomorrow on the hills.”
Indeed tomorrow’s ride into Ohakune has the potential to change all of that very quickly though, with stage one taking
the riders from Wanganui to Kakatahi over the Parapara’s and then the afternoon sees the riders tackle the notorious but
spectacular Fields Track, with a total of 8km of climbing facing the field as they head further north.
The BDO Challenge has over 160 New Zealanders of all backgrounds, ages and walks of life participating alongside the
Group One riders as they achieve their own objectives in a life changing challenge. Many are raising money for the
official Charity MS NZ.
BDO Wellington to Auckland
Day 3 – stages 5 and 6
Palmerston North to Wanganui
General Classification
1 Jason Thomason: Taranaki - 8:37:14
2 Michael Jones: Thames - 8:37:20
3 Mel Titter: Taranaki - 8:37:21
The BDO Wellington to Auckland
Schedule
Sunday 9 Feb
Stage 1: 8.30am - Lower Hutt to the summit of the Rimutaka Hill
Stage 2: Midday - Ride through the Wairarapa from Featherston to Masterton
Monday 10 Feb
Stage 3: 8.30am - Masterton to Pahiatua
Stage 4: 1.00pm - Pahiatua to Palmerston North
Tuesday 11 Feb
Stage 5: 8.00am - Palmerston North to Hunterville
Stage 6: 12.45pm - Hunterville to Wanganui
Wednesday 12 Feb
Stage 7: 8.30am - Wanganui to Kakatahi
Stage 8: 12.15pm - Kakatahi to Ohakune, via famous Fields Track
Thursday 13 Feb
Stage 9: 8.00am - Ohakune to Turangi
Stage 10: 1.00pm - Turangi to Taupo
Friday 14 Feb
Stage 11: 8.00am - Taupo to Te Awamutu
Saturday 15 Feb
Stage 12: 8.00am - Hamilton to Glen Murray
Stage 13: 12.45pm - Glen Murray to Pukekohe
For further information visit www.dynamoevents.co.nz
ENDS