Four Course Records Broken At Avantidrome Rev Cycle Festival

For Immediate Release

24 February 2014

Four Course Records Broken At The Avantidrome Rev Cycle Festival

History was made as four course records were broken by cyclists taking part in the popular cycling event in Cambridge on Saturday. It is the first time so many records have fallen in the Avantidrome REV Cycle Festival’s nine year history.

Event Organiser Kevin Endres says there was a lot of buzz about the record haul from organisers and spectators alike as the calibre of riders got better each year.

“We’re thrilled to see so many fantastic results across our cycling categories. The conditions were good and the quality of participants fantastic; from those who crossed the finish line first, to those who hung on and completed their race despite being challenged by punctured tyres and fatigue.”

This year, two records went to BikeNZ elite track riders in the RadioSport REV Classic; Paddy Bevin (Male 3.23.07) and Jaime Nielsen (Female 2.36.30) who were both pleased to take the win.

Bevin said it that after an early breakaway from the main peloton it was “a hard ride” and “a tough slog” to get to the finish line. He’ll be back again next year to defend his title in an event that he says has become “one of New Zealand’s top premier races’.

Nielson echoed Bevin’s attitude and said it was “a good, hard, fun, ride,” and that she was pleased she’d come out on top ahead of fellow BikeNZ rider Linda Villiamson (3rd) and triathlete Kate McIlroy (2nd).

The popular REV100’s event saw a record made for the men with a three way tie between Josh Kuysten (Tokoroa) Heath Lett, (Tauranga) and Peter Murphy (Gisbourne) with a record time of 2.36.29.

The final record went to up and coming Te Awamutu teenager Tom Medland (15) for the 55km REVMidi (Male 1.32.04) who far exceeded his previous year’s placing of 17th and outpaced 134 other competitors to cross the line ahead of the bunch.

Tom said "it was a hard race” and “the best thing was finishing first and beating some of my club mates, as there is always a bit of friendly rivalry.” 

With so many categories to choose from to suit a range of ages and abilities the day was action packed, especially at Cambridge’s start/finish line, with the popular REV100 starting in staggered waves at 9am and the REVMidi beginning at the same time over in Matamata.

Alison Shanks got 134 enthusiastic kids underway at the REVMini at 9.30am. After asking kids to do a quick safety check they were all off on the 2km loop. Afterwards the kids were entertained by a bike skills session led by Sport Waikato.

Finally, the REVIntro (18km) designed for those new to the sport or those wanting to have a more social experience began at 1.20pm. There was a line up of duos of mothers and daughters, fathers and sons and friends, as well as a dozen handbike participants all giving it a go.

Kevin Endres says this year’s event attracted more than 1200 riders from across the North Island and that it is always well received by those who attend. 

“We had great feedback from those who entered this year about the course and its hidden gems; the can-can girls on French Pass and the bagpiper in Scotsman Valley. We look forward to adding more surprises to the course for next year’s ten year anniversary event.”

ENDS

© Scoop Media