Rush Brothers in a Hurry on Pioneer Mountain Bike Race

From The Pioneer MTB Stage Race, for further information visit www.thepioneer.co.nz

RUSH BROTHERS IN A HURRY ON PIONEER MOUNTAIN BIKE RACE

The Rush brothers will be doing just that next week, when the Oamaru pair of Tim and Kris take up the challenge of The Pioneer Mountain Bike Stage Race, seven days of tough riding from Christchurch to Queenstown over the Southern Alps.

26-year-old Tim has an extensive CV on the bike, on both road and mountain, and will likely be one of the strongest riders on the event. Already in recent times he has been a winner of the Gutbuster (Kris 5th), Naseby 12 Hour (solo) and the Bannockburn Classic in late December (Kris 4th) and was runner up to Commonwealth Games gold medalist and 2016 Pioneer winner Anton Cooper at the 2016 Macpac Motatapu.

“I have done a few events but this is the next level, it is the unknown for both of us, how we go and how we treat things day to day is different to a road tour, we are green on that side of things. It is about being smart about things, taking it day by day and not going into the red too often.”

Tim says he is improving with every ride, but admits the skills on the dirt are different to the road.

“My skills are on the improve, downhill is an issue but on the uphill I am comfortable. I love the suffering and the long climbs, but the downhill and technical parts we will struggle, albeit we are not going to have much of them which is good, but my experience is lacking race wise for sure – I have done half a dozen races only.”

Tim defers outright favouritism to former elite road riders Scott Lyttle (American based) and James Williamson (Alexandra), but says there are plenty to look out for.

“James and Scott would be favourites, the overseas guys will come out of the woodwork too so it is a case of having to watch them all. There are a few from Dunedin that could do something too, it is a long week and anything can happen.

“I am worried about the whole week to be honest and not knowing how we will handle it, there is no rest on the mountain bike, you are always working, you can’t sit on or have a break down a hill, you are always concentrating.”

Kris is certainly the ‘junior’ of the two riders, both in age and experience, only taking up riding just over a year ago, but the 22-year-old is fast learning the ropes and knows he must be at his best to stay with his better credentialed older brother.

“I started about this time last year. I used to be into my golf, playing pretty much every day at High School and University. But that kind of went off the rails a little at Uni and just decided one day to give a long bike ride a go – so off I went from Naseby to Timaru (150km) – with no training. It was harder than I thought, I was stuffed at about 50k, I ended up finishing but it took me seven or eight hours and I was completely on my own.”

It was Tim who started the family on the bike riding path, one that not only Kris has followed but also their father who got on a bike at around the same time as Kris, throwing himself into it with such commitment that all three lined up in teams at the 2016 Tour of Southland.

Kris says the partnership for The Pioneer just happened without a great deal of talking.

“Tim was pretty much saying if you want to ride with me you have to get a lot better. He is such a good climber so I know I have work to do in that area. He was looking to see who might be interested and I guess by default he has me. I am not really feeling pressure though, I remind him of how he started six years ago in a similar space to me and finally this year he is getting something out of it, so I remind him I am only a year in and I think I am going okay – but yeah, we have plenty of banter.”

Kris says the brotherly bond should be a help, not a hindrance during the ride.

“I think it is an advantage for us, I have only really started to get to know him lately, what with him being overseas and me being away. This is about the first time in our lives we have had that time and got on well with each other, we only really started training together this year.

“But we are in this to win it for sure. We are also being realistic – Jimmy and Scott must be the favourites and it is just some of the climbing that I am unsure of. Tim is a far better climber than I am, but I think with the days being long many of the climbs will be ridden at full intensity anyway.”

Pioneer Event – Entry Summary

The event has again proven hugely popular and building already on its first-year reputation as a world leading mountain bike stage race, with entrants attracted by a combination of the stunning landscapes and trails and the Kiwi hospitality and welcome that is afforded to everyone by the organisers and the New Zealand riders.

The total of 338 riders is an increase of 6% on the inaugural event in 2016. Of those 338 riders, an incredible 45% are from overseas (17 countries), testament to the international reputation of the event and the attraction from all over the world (see countries below).

The event starts with a prologue at the all new Christchurch Adventure Park and then follows very similar trails (some changes to part of the course but not significant) to Queenstown, visiting Geraldine, Fairlie, Tekapo, Ohau, Hawea and Snow Farm on the way to Queenstown.

This year the event is partnered with the Absa Cape Epic, with qualifying positions up for grabs to secure entries to the 2018 race in what is widely regarded as the ‘world championship’ of mountain bike stage racing in South Africa.

Leading riders in categories include (contact numbers included):

Open Mixed Category

Kate Fluker and Mark Williams (Mobile 64275540941), Team New World

Back to defend their mixed team title, up against good opposition though this year, with likely competition to come from Sonya Looney and Gordon Wadsworth (Team Freakshow), from the USA and Antonio Gasso Navarro and Eva Tomas Sanchez (Team Imparables) from Spain.

Fluker and Williams were two of the stars of the inaugural event, constantly riding at the front of their category, but also finishing high in the overall line honours each day. Fluker is a gutsy and strong rider who has contended previously at world champs and world cup level and just missed qualifying for the Rio Olympic Games.

Open Men’s Category

Tim Rush (0212690835) and Kris Rush, from Oamaru, Team Alps to Ocean

Brothers riding as a team and amongst the leading contenders in the open men’s category. Tim is a well credentialed rider on both road and mountain, Kris is new to cycling but already has notched some impressive results in his first year in the sport. Both rode in the Tour of Southland and Tim finished 16th at the 2017 Elite National Road Championships.

Scott Lyttle and James Williamson (0273058091), Team Watson and Son Manuka Honey

Scott is a former pro cyclist and at 32 the now Boulder based rider will still be in shape to contend in this event. Lyttle was a regular on the pro events in New Zealand and Australia. His partner is Alexandra’s James Williamson (27 years old). The 2012 elite national road champion enjoyed a strong career on the road, riding pro in Europe (including Tour of Britain in 2013 against Wiggins, Cavendish and company) and North America before turning to the mountain bike as he ‘settled down’ and changed priorities with a return to NZ in 2015. Williamson enjoyed success on the road, including 6th place at the Philadelphia International Classic in 2011. James trained a number of riders in the 2016 Pioneer but this time rides himself and will be dark horses for the overall title.

Mike Blewitt and Justin Morris – Australia, Team Subaru-MarathonMTB.com

Blewitt rode the event in 2016 but returns with his regular and more experienced riding partner for another and perhaps more serious tilt at the event.

Yuri Hauswald (USA), Andrew Young (Wellington – 64226397316), GU-IRide NZ

Back in the open men’s category after a strong showing in the masters 40+ last year, word is this combination might be stronger and ready to challenge for a podium

Blake and Dylan Coppo (Australia), Corry Cycles Ace Racing

Regulars on the mountain bike scene in Aussie and top 35 finishers at the popular Crocodile Trophy in 2016, the Coppo brothers could be ones to watch

Open Women’s Category

Erin Greene (Queenstown 021 2559836) and Ingrid Richter (Nelson 022 0459438), Team Sujon Thermatech

Defending champion in this category, Greene returns with a new riding partner and will be the favourites to take out the women’s open. As with most of the categories, competition however will be much tougher in this category in 2017 with a number of strong teams entered.

Nina McVicar (0273 260771) and Reta Trotman (021 724593), Team Hirepool, Christchurch

McVicar is a former quad bike racer and now endurance and mountain bike athlete. German born Kiwi Reta Trotman is a former top road cyclist, competing at the UCI World Championships in 2013. Three time winner of Le Race.

Other notable teams

‘Imparables’ from Spain

Team Imparables is a multi-media project set up by Santi Millan, combining adventure, filming and racing at events around the world. Made up of former and current pro riders from the road and mountain bike communities, Team Imparables have four teams in total entered in The Pioneer, and will be supported by a film crew of five documenting their participation in The Pioneer.

As well as the mixed team mentioned above, they have three teams entered in the open men’s category and will present serious contenders amongst their group. Riders include current or former professional riders in Tomi Misser, Ibon Zugasti, Carles Ortet, Miguel Silvestre and Vitor Gamito.

Summary

7-Day Epic

• 236 entrants

• 110 internationals

4-Day Traverse

• 102 entrants

• 44 internationals

Overall

• Entrants 338

• Male 286

• Female 52

• Oldest 68

• Median 44

New Zealand 184

• Auckland 36

• Christchurch 37

• Wellington 15

• Rotorua 2

• Queenstown 5

• Hamilton 3

International 154

• AUS 95

• USA 8

• SGA 3

• ESP 8

• CAN 7

• GBR 13

Additional information can be found at www.thepioneer.co.nz

THE PIONEER, MTB STAGE RACE, NZ

The Pioneer came out of a simple idea. Ride beyond. The idea of creating a uniquely New Zealand event that took you through the parts of the country that few will ever get to enjoy. To ride to the remotest parts of the Southern Alps. To push yourself beyond your comfort zone. To get you far away from familiar trails and in to the unknown. And you do it all for seven days straight in teams of two.

KEY STATS

7 DAYS OF RACING – Lose yourself in mountain bike nirvana, February 5 to 11, 2017

8 HOST TOWNS - Enjoy the legendary hospitality of the South.

545 KMS OF RIDING - Through New Zealand’s untouched Southern Alps.

1508 METRES OF CLIMBING – With pleasure also comes the pain.

OVERVIEW

The Pioneer is an awe inspiring seven-day mountain bike stage race through New Zealand’s pristine Southern Alps. Linking together over 500kms of farm tracks, NZ Cycle Trails, double track and single track riding in a very special part of the world where soaring mountain peaks, crystal-clear blue lakes, and golden high country await. If you’re looking for a mountain bike race to get you inspired again, this is it!

WHAT TO EXPECT

Find Stunning – A rare chance to journey through a pristine and untouched part of New Zealand – riding through the some of the most awe-inspiring scenery on earth.

Find Character – An epic challenge that will push you to the edge and have you digging deep.

Find Welcome – Discover New Zealand’s legendary warm kiwi hospitality…with a super-friendly race vibe to enjoy at the end of each day. You’ll have earned it!

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