Joseph and Lamb win inaugural Urge 3 Peaks Enduro

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Joseph and Lamb win inaugural Urge 3 Peaks Enduro
/ Cam Cole wins downhill

The Urge 3 Peaks Enduro is New Zealand's first major enduro mountain bike event, with riders tackling three long and challenging tracks around Dunedin.

Former cross country mountain bike Olympian Rosara Joseph proved that she is well on track towards a new career in enduro, beating Dunedin's Anja McDonald by almost 2min in a combined run time of 34min 53sec. Joseph was full of praise of the inaugural event,

"It was one of the best events I have ever done, super well organized, a great atmosphere and just amazing tracks," offers Joseph.

Joseph has decided to stop racing world cup cross country events in 2013 to focus on this new exciting format.

"I'v decided I need a break from the Olympic format and Enduro racing is what I'm having most fun at now. I love the atmosphere at the events, being able to enjoy the climbs, but still compete on the way down. Basically its less suffering and more fun, who wouldn't want to do this?" Joseph smiles.

Local pinner Tom Lamb scored an impressive victory in the overall mens category ahead of Oceania U23 Super-D champion Sam Shaw (Yeti NZ). Tom's time of 30min 11sec was just 36sec faster then Sam and 1min 36sec faster then third place Mat Weir.

In the gravity assisted category, former junior World downhill champion Cam Cole (Yeti Cycles) scored his first victory on his new Yeti SB-66, ahead of local Mathew Wood. Cole's partner Amy Liard won the womans category ahead of German Carolin Friese.

The Urge 3 Peaks enduro is New Zealand's first major enduro event. It was organized by former mountain bike Olympian Kashi Leuchs and the local club, Mountain Bike Otago. Leuchs seemed pleased with how the event unfolded,

"Today really could not have gone any better. The expression on riders faces tells it all. Enduro is the future for mountain biking and we are blessed to have these beautiful high mountains with amazing trails on them, right here close to the city" shares Leuchs

Leuchs has said he has big plans for the Urge 3 Peaks event in 2013, hopefully involving more international riders. Entries will be limited though and likely to be in high demand.

Link to Full Results

Link to Urge 3 Peaks Event Website and information

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Rosara Joseph loving the new Enduro format. Photo Kashi Leuchs (CC BY-NC)

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Cam leads off the DH riders from Mt Cargill. Photo Kashi Leuchs (CC BY-NC)

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Overall Mens Podium. Photo Kashi Leuchs (CC BY-NC)

ENDS

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