New cycling event brings tactics, intrigue

Stage winner Sam Phipps of Team Skoda Racing winner of SBS Bank Tour of Southland 2016 stage 2 to Te Anau RGP 02Nov16 - STOKED: Rotorua's Sam Phipps (Team Skoda Racing) celebrates victory in stage

After successfully defending his Coast to Coast title just a week ago, Whakatane's Sam Clark will take on a very different challenge tonight.Clark is one of a number of elite athletes who have put their had up for the "serious" event at this year's Ride the Runway - the Elite Eliminator Race or Devil Take the Hindmost.

Based on the same principle as the track elimination race, each lap, the last rider to cross the line is out.

"The event is a bit of experimental hybrid," said event director Mark Leishman.

"It should provide some really good racing and excitement for the crowd."

In the past, the elite riders have competed in the flying kilo.

"That's a spectacular event, but over so fast that we wanted to create something with a little more action and drama. So we came up with this concept."

After a couple of laps of the 600m course, eliminations start at the end of lap three.

"Last across the line is eliminated each lap until we have a final one on one sprint for the title," said Leishman. "So it becomes very tactical. Do enough to not be eliminated, while
still saving something for the end if you survive that far."

The track is oval.

"With the smooth surface and large turning radius - the runway is 28m wide - we expect cornering skills to play key part in the action, and it won't be just a pure test of power."

As well as Clark, Rotorua rider Sam Phipps, who won a stage of the 2016 Tour of Southland will compete along with two likely favourites from the road, Auckland-based professionals Roam Van Uden and Alex Ray.

"However, there is a host of talented young riders with aggressive racing styles that could shake things up," said Leishman, Phipps among them.

Also likely to be in with a shout will be Bradley Knipe, the current World Junior Track Cycling Sprint Champion, XTERRA World Champion and current Oceania U23 Triathlon No 3, Hayden Wilde, veterans Paul Bishop and Bryce Shapley. Other local hopes include last
year's Bike the Lake winner Daniel Johnston, Chris Groome and Jared Johnston.

The women's race offers another interesting mix, with pre-race favourites Holly Edmunson, a member of the New Zealand Elite Track Squad who was fifth in the New Zealand Criterium national championships and road professional Ruby Livingston.

"However there is a host of national talent in the mix whose MTB and technical skills could come to the fore," said Leishman.

"Former Commonwealth Games representative and two times national elite MTB Champion Sonia Foote will have skills and tactical nous second to none."

There are also two former U23 National MTB Champions in Katie O'Neill and Amber Johnston as well as last year's flying kilo winner Sarah Pitcher-Campbell.

"It's a unique format, one the riders aren't all that familiar with, so it should really provide
some excitement and intrigue," said Leishman.

The women's race starts at 6.25pm with the men's race to follow.