The Pioneer MTB stage race has now reached Lake Hawea close to Wanaka, New Zealand. The riders have now have close to 450km in their legs and some serious tales of struggle, suffering, spectacle, disappointment and victory up their sleeves. Today’s stage was suggested to be the ‘Queen Stage’ of this tour with 112km and […]
Archives for February 2017
The Pioneer Stage 3: Leaders Consolidate as Zanella Conquers 4-Day-Traverse
There are so many landmark stages, so many ‘wow’ moments on the Pioneer Mountain Bike Stage Race that it is hard to single any out, but the climb over Ben Ohau must be in the conversation and it didn’t disappoint on today’s stage four of the race from Christchurch to Queenstown. The climb didn’t separate […]
The Pioneer stage 3 report- Weather BOMB!
After a scorching day 2 with many riders experiencing sunburn and heat exhaustion, in typical New Zealand style the weather for day 3 took a severe turn for the worse. With wind chill temperatures of well below zero and gale force winds expected on the planned route the organisers took the very smart decision to […]
Who to watch at the JetBlack 24hr
This post has been written by Ed McDonald Awaba has long held a privileged spot as one of Australia’s best riding destinations. An accessible distance from Sydney and Newcastle, it boasts spectacular trails set in the foothills of the Watagan ranges, with the flowing berms and gullies of Salad Bowl, rocky descents, the treacherous Murderhorn, […]
The Pioneer Day 2 report- The reality sets in.
After a relatively tame first day in Christchurch for the 2017 Pioneer stage race yesterday, today was when the real business got underway for the hardy competitor’s of this truly epic race. A pleasant 8am roll out from the polite town of Geraldine began relatively conservatively with a moderate pace across the first 15km of […]
The Pioneer Day 1- Roadies charge away as the epic climbing begins!
Day 1 of the 2017 Pioneer stage race in New Zealand began in the newly built Christchurch Adventure Park this morning with a 21km time trial. For some teams this was their first meeting for others it was time to hone those tactics they have been discussing for months of preparation. The weather was perfect […]
Pioneer Bike Check: Mike Blewitt’s Norco Revolver 29 FS
The Pioneer mountain bike stage race is just hours away – or it’s started if you’re reading this down the track. As a 7 day race along New Zealand’s Southern Alps, The Pioneer presents it’s own unique requirements, but also very similar ones to other mountain bike stage races around the world. We often get […]
My first PAIRS race
This weekend I am pretty gee’d to be heading to the EPIC Pioneer mountain bike stage race in New Zealand. Apart from seeming to be a spectacular event this race marks a MTB racing milestone for myself. I have been tying numbers to the handlebars of my mountain bike since the year 2000, however this will be […]
Big hitters arrive in New Zealand for The Pioneer
It is here. The second Pioneer Mountain Bike Stage Race sets off this Sunday with the opening Prologue at the Christchurch Adventure Park, before we are left to ponder longer stages and plenty of climbing over a further six days of riding that will take them around and over the Southern Alps to the finish line […]