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2XU Ruapehu Cycle Classic 2009 24 February 2009 It was another great weekend on the North Island's Central Plateau as 400 cyclists converged on the alpine village of Ohakune for the 3rd 2XU Ruapehu Cycle Classic. Touted as "the great little race", the event garners great support from the local community, and while the event is growing year-on-year, there is a friendly personal feeling to the race, bringing many competitors back for the 3rd year in a row. As the main field grew in numbers, the elite field took a real step up in 2009 with the inclusion of top NZ rep Toni Bradshaw in the women's field, and while last years champion Gordon Macauley was missing, a strong group including Aaron Strong, Will Alexander, Matt Yates, Roman van Uden and Joseph Cooper promised to deliver a great spectacle at the front of the field. The day dawned an absolute stunner, with the snow capped Mt Ruapehu a constant companion to the riders' left as they circled the Tonagriro National Park. A steady stream of riders rolled out of Ohakune in a controlled bunch and at the 2km mark the lead car pulled away signaling the start to the race proper. The usual surges and attacks dominated the first 20km, with none of the real contenders making a push until well after Waiouru (30km mark). Matt Yates was an early casualty with a puncture, and as the field climbed up on to the Desert Road two riders jumped away, with Joseph Cooper setting off after them. With a slight tailwind across the Desert Rd, the field approached a fog bank at the Tukino Skifield turnoff (48km), and just as the riders came past the first team change, the fog lifted offering a clear road - much to the relief of the event team - who had a number of pilot vehicles standing by in case they had to accompany each bunch through the morning mist. By this stage Joseph Cooper was clear and alone, quickly building a 3 minute lead over the bunch, and once out of sight enjoyed the calm riding conditions. His recent 3rd place at the Elite Road Nationals marks his pedigree, and by the 100km mark Cooper's lead was almost 6 minutes. Heading past the Grand Chateau and Whakapapa Skifield turnoff (130km) the riders passed the third team changeover at National Park. Cooper held a 7 minute lead over two riders who had a 4 minute gap over the chase bunch. The group of 20+ riders were working well together and through the railway viaduct on the way home it was women's leader Toni Bradshaw quite visible on the front of the bunch. With 20km to go Aaron Strong and Will Alexander left the bunch and decided to have a go at catching Josh Page and Brent Backhouse who were some way up the road. They cut a 4 minute lead down to 1min 45sec in no time, but when Page and Backhouse received word of the chase, Strong and Alexander were held at 1:45 until the 5km-to-go mark offered assurance they wouldn't be caught. Joseph Cooper rode a great solo effort, crossing the line in 4:13.38, and Josh Page winning the sprint for second with Brent Backhouse who finished in 4:21.02 and 4:21.04 respectively. In the women's event, Toni Bradshaw smashed the women's record by 33 minutes, with Bridget Robertshawe (4:54.40) and Sheryl Duncan (same time) taking the minor placings and also going under the previous women's record. Top Veteran finishers were Jane Baldwin (5:21.39) and Steve Glasgow (4:24.14). As bunch after bunch rolled in, the day turned out to be one of the best of summer, calm and clear, with riders rolling into the finish area and enjoying some ice cold Export "33" thanks to DB Export and the guys from Leppin Sport who made sure everyone enjoyed their recovery (one way or the other!). The teams section was also well contested in every category, and the double-hard-man award has to go to Bruce Murtagh, who rode Auckland to Te Kuiti (190km) on the Thursday prior, Te Kuiti to Ohakune (180km) the day before, completed the 160km solo event, and finished himself off by riding to Taupo airport on the Sunday! A huge thanks to 2XU for all of the great cycling apparel, FuelMe.co.nz for their nutrition support, Leppin Sport for the Squeezies and Enduro Booster that got everyone around the course, Bonita for the bananas, DB Export 33 for the post event "sports nutrition" and Oxygen for the great riding glasses. As usual the prize giving was great fun, with almost 100% attendance (the adjacent bar and Wellington Sevens on TV was a great bonus) and some great prizes were given away. Congratulations to everyone who took part, and a huge thanks to all of the locals at Ohakune, Waiouru and National Park for their ongoing support. Entries are now open for 2010.

News Countdown to 2XU Ruapehu Cycle Classic 19 January 2010 Saturday, 6 February, 2010 marks the date for the event touted as "the great little race", the 2XU Ruapehu Cycle Classic. Back to work in 2010 10 January 2010 Happy New Year to everyone out there from the team at Media Unlimited! 2XU Ruapehu Cycle Classic 2009 24 February 2009 It was another great weekend on the North Island's Central Plateau as 400 cyclists converged on the alpine village of Ohakune for the 3rd 2XU Ruapehu Cycle Classic. Top Kiwi Cyclists join the field 20 January 2009 NZ Women's rep Toni Bradshaw and top male Aaron Strong will take the start at the 2009 2XU Ruapehu Cycle Classic Happy New Year!! 5 January 2009 We'd like to extend you a warm welcome to 2009, and with just over 4 weeks until the 3rd 2XU Ruapehu Cycle Classic, we have 3 more winners of $100 of 2XU gear to announce.

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