Race Report: Prologue

Cycle Co-op Shimano.

Starting fresh on a beautiful Rotorua afternoon, around 300 4 Stage riders in the Shimano Volcanic Epic MTB Stage Race, presented by Tineli, had their first glimpse of what was in store.

A first taste of Rotorua’s legendary golden dirt, but it’s about to get a whole lot tougher. Sorting the pack, the 10km of singletrack enabled riders to test their legs and gear out, and set their places for tomorrow’s first big day out. 

Pairs and solo riders about to embark on the four day epic warmed up on two big climbs, the smooth trails Apumoana and the forebodingly named Frontal Lobotomy, punctuated by the fast fun flow of newly opened Mahana, and top favourite Eagle Vs Shark trails. 

Rotorua's Te Putake O Tawa hosts the Prologue and tomorrow's Stage 1 of the Epic.

At one stage I thought Em joined the NZ Postal Service as she was sending it”.

Eagle Vs. Shark proved the tougher of the two descents as the last run into the finish chute, with roots, ruts and dust in between the tempting table tops. The darkness of the thick tree cover on the lower half put the anchors on many as they picked their way through the twists and turns.

Back at Good Eastern Taphouse, in between banter of the day, the coveted yellow Leaders Jerseys were awarded to the fastest riders. The Tineli jerseys will mark out the fastest riders for the following day, to set the scene for some exciting racing over the best trails the Geothermal Plateau has to offer.

Congrats to our new leaders for this year. Open Mens’ Pairs went to locals Solis Shaw, Olly & Sam Shaw nailing the Prologue in 28:21min. Mixed Pairs’ jersey went to Australian’s Cycle Co-op Shimano, Karl Michelin-Beard & Emma Viotto. Open Pairs Women went to Lee B and GB, Lee Boon and Gabby Buchanan. Check out all the results here.

“It’s always fun riding really different dirt” said Michelin-Bead, “At one stage I thought Em joined the NZ Postal Service as she was sending it”. Teammate Emma Viotto added “Here there’s so much traction you can actually go higher, back in Cambara the trails are so loose you’re relying on the slide.” Sitting in her beanbag she added “This is our first time in Rotorua. Love it.”

It’s all on tomorrow for Stage 1 right back here in Rotorua. The chase will be on with our leaders looking to keep ahead, with some tight competition shaping up. The course heads into the have legs and the have nots with Hill Road, before dropping into the fast and furious Tūkonohi. Tight and twisty Feeder will take riders through lush natives down past Lake Tikitapu, into some passing space before hitting the the undulating Taura. Returning to the finish line, riders will pass trails new and old including Dipper and Soakhole Climb,

Rotorua’s world-class trails are made possible thanks to 30,000 years of volcanic activity. The grippy golden ‘hero dirt’ formed from violent eruptions of Mt. Tarawera and others is the ultimate surface for riding bikes on fast. 

The Shimano Volcanic Epic, presented by Tineli is New Zealand’s premier mountain bike stage racing event. Over 350 riders and eleven nationalities represented, athletes are embarking on a 185km grand tour of the best trails across the North Island’s Geothermal Plateau. From elites riding for the podium, to friends and family riding to experience world-class trails and some of the best times you can have on a bike, Volcanic Epic is a ticket to the experience of a lifetime.