Elite Young Riders Prepare to Bike the Bridge

Elite Young Riders Prepare to Bike the Bridge

Two of New Zealand’s leading young cyclists, Sam Lindsay and Logan Griffin, will be taking part in Auckland’s MS Bike the Bridge event on Sunday and are looking forward to the opportunity to tame the 105km course, which includes riding across the iconic Harbour Bridge.

Nature Valley Avanti cycling team rider Sam is in great form, having finished runner-up at the recent Cranleigh K2, just seconds behind the winner Joshua Aldridge. He won a stage at the Tour of Northland earlier this year and was third in the 2013 Tour of Southland, including an impressive second place in the stage which finished up at Coronet Peak.

“I'm taking part in Bike the Bridge because it's such a unique opportunity to be able to race over the Harbour Bridge,” he explained. “I also live on the North Shore, so the course route passes over many of my regular training roads, which I'm excited to be able to race.

“I have also done this race in its first edition (in 2011), so I know a little bit of what to expect. I hope I can be up the front at the end and contest for the win. It will be nice to win so close to home and have my family at the finish.

“It's also great to see the race support such a great cause, helping people with MS.
I’m looking forward to seeing everyone on the start line!”

Nineteen-year-old Logan Griffin is another local, and is currently studying sport and recreation at Auckland University, majoring in sports management. A BikeNZ junior national team regular for several years, he was winner of the 2014 Taranaki Cycle Classic and the National U23 Club Time Trial Championships, as well as best young rider in the Tour de Polynesia and second on the general classification and best young rider in the Tour of New Caledonia.

“The Bike the Bridge event is at a great time of year and really opens the summer cycling season,” he said. “It’s a great chance for all riders to show that they have been training hard over winter.

“The event is great for me because it starts right in central Auckland and less than a kilometre from my house. I cross the Harbour Bridge most days by car to travel to university, so it will be really cool to ride across.

“I rode the first Bike the Bridge and really enjoyed it. Sadly I was away racing for last year’s edition, but am really looking forward to crossing the Bridge again on Sunday.

“I don’t really have a specific goal for the event, I am just keen to get involved in an event that is local and supports a great cause like the MS Society, while also promoting cycling in the city.”

Entries are still open for Bike the Bridge from all cyclists, young and old, serious and social. There are courses to suit a wide range of abilities, from the challenging 105km circuit, a 50km mid-range route or the short and sharp 20km distance, which is ideal for families or teams of riders who just want to enjoy a fun day out with their friends.

Each one of these routes includes the unique experience of riding over the iconic Auckland Harbour Bridge and the full length of the Northern Busway.

All participants cross the same finish line at the North Harbour (QBE) Stadium, where primary school children ride on the closed ring road and toddlers can enjoy their own dedicated track inside the safe confines of the oval.

There’s a fantastic atmosphere waiting for riders at the stadium, with entertainment and hospitality creating one big festival for everyone to enjoy. Bike the Bridge is also a great way to raise money for a fantastic cause, with over $170,000 already raised for Multiple Sclerosis from the two previous events in 2011 and 2013.

For more information or to enter go to www.bikethebridge.co.nz

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