Race Preview

Day 3: What lies ahead?

Day 4: Part II Steve Halligan's on the move again!

Day 6: Ollie Whalley wins! 🎉🥇

Day 7: Part I Tony LeSueur clenches second 🥈

The DotWatchers' wrap up! (incl. Women's race round up)

The inaugural edition of the Tour Te Waipounamu starts 7am this Sunday, so we’ve taken some time to get to know the course and the ones to watch. The rider list is stacked with Tour Divide veterans and we predict a fast start from Cape Farewell.

The set route is masterminded by organiser Brian Alder, and runs for over 1,300km with 22,000m elevation gain crossing the South Island’s high country, the land between the Southern Alps and the plains. It’s an unforgiving landscape; often exposed, often dry and hot, sometimes wet and snowing, windy at high points, tussocks and a good helping of hike-a-bike. The weather system is predictably unpredictable and the [rider’s kit lists](https://dotwatcher.cc/feature/bikes-of-tour-te-waipounamu-2021) are comprehensive enough to cover all the possibilities from a storm to a dry spell.

Riders start from Cape Farewell, the South Island’s most northerly point, at 7am Sunday 14th and traverse south across the Kiwi high country to its most southerly point, Slope Point. The route can be divided into three; the first and final third are the fastest rolling whereas the middle third will be the most challenging with some remote sections and 30km of hike-a-bike. It is at the 390km mark, just before Boyle River, that the organiser recommends “if it’s all proving a bit hard, now is the time to pull the pin”.

The following 600km will be where the race is won. The Two Thumbs Range at the 750km mark has been tipped as the hardest section of the course, weather dependent. It includes Stag Saddle which is the highest point of both this race and the Te Araroa Trail, the trans-NZ hiking trail, at just shy of 2,000m and includes notable sections of hike-a-bike. Already one rider fell foul to its challenges on a [training ride](https://maprogress.com/2021/01/29/scouting-part-of-the-tour-te-waipounamu-a-training-ride-through-the-two-thumbs-range/) and the race hasn’t even begun.

### The Riders

The tight travel restrictions in New Zealand have done nothing to dampen the competition. It's now just a race of some of the best racers who call New Zealand home.

- [Steve Halligan](https://dotwatcher.cc/profile/Steve%20Halligan) is a firm favourite following his 4th place finishes at the Tour Divide 2017 and 2019 (notably with a rear derailleur blow out). His win at the inaugural Terra Australis and his Tour Divide successes prove him as a great racer over periods between two weeks and one month. While, his podium finishes over the past decade in domestic 10hr and 100km races prove his one-day racing power. However, the Tour Te Waipounamu sits in his blind spot of racing; the winner could finish in a little over 6 days and we shall see whether his multi-distance racing experiences complement each other or reveal a weakness in his arsenal.

- [Ollie Whalley](https://dotwatcher.cc/profile/Oliver%20Whalley) is widely known in the off-road ultra community for both his course record at the 2012 Tour Divide and a name that rolls off the tongue!  With a mountain biking pedigree, Ollie will be well suited to the more technical sections of the course. He’s dedicated more of his riding to MTB and cyclocross racing since his Tour Divide victory, but as this is very much a home race for him. We’ve picked him as a race favourite and potentially sparking a comeback.

- [Martin Strelka's](https://dotwatcher.cc/profile/Martin%20Strelka) victories at the French Divide and Bohemia Divide in 2019 arguable  make his ultra experience the most relevant to the Tour Te Waipounamu. A finish time of just under 8 days French Divide means he will likely know best how to pace a race he estimates will take him 5 days. However, both these races follow much less challenging terrain and a lack of remote off-road mountain experience could very well reveal itself, especially if the weather is to take a turn for the worse. We expect Martin to go well if the weather is favourable.

## Others
[__Tony LeSueur__ ](https://dotwatcher.cc/profile/Tony%20LeSueur) finished 5th at the 2019 Tour Divide and organiser [__Brian Alder__](https://dotwatcher.cc/profile/Brian%20Alder) is the only one who has ridden the entire course and also has a 5th place finish at the 2016 Tour Divide.

## Over to you, Cliff
Cliff Clermont will be bringing you regular updates throughout the race starting 7am Valentine's Day local time. Remember, if you'd like to commentate a race, all you have to do is get in touch.

LEG 1
And they are off!  The inaugural Tour Te Waipounamu is on.  The field is stacked top to bottom with hard women and men along with world class bikepacking racers and local legends of the game.  The field of eager riders left Cape Farewell at 7:00 AM NZDT sharp and the tempo was high from the start with speeds averaging well north of 30kph. The race is now 4 hours in and the leaders have just topped the first hurdle; Takaka Hill (80km), which included the the first section of singletrack.

[https://fb.watch/3E_QCgRHvv/](https://fb.watch/3E_QCgRHvv/)

On the descent of Takaka hill a number of riders got held up by the road works that the group had been warned about. As a result Martin Strelka, Ollie Whalley and Patrick Higgins look to have taken a 20 minute lead over Tony LeSueur and Steve Halligan, with approximately 6 others also managing to catch up with them. The  leaders are now well into the Motueka River road section, and starting into the Baton Road hill.

[https://www.instagram.com/p/CLP9tzgFSn3/](https://www.instagram.com/p/CLP9tzgFSn3/)

It was all fun and games until the 61km mark when the first  proper obstacle of the day presented itself in Rameka Hill and the historic Rameka Track.  In total more than 800 meters of climbing tested the riders training, pacing and enthusiasm.  The cream was beginning to form with Patrick Higgins, Ollie Whalley, Martin Strelka, Steve Halligan, Tony LeSueur and Stephen Butterworth as the riders emerged and formed the front of the race when it came off the Rameka and passed through Motueka.  By Tapawera at 160 km Ollie Whalley and Martin were separating themselves from the pack.

The 36 starters are spread out over 20km. The front group includes all the likely favourites; Steve Halligan, Martin Strelka, Ollie Whalley, Tony LeSueur, plus novice bikepacker Patrick Higgins. Another novice bikepacker but experienced mountaineer is Georgia Whitla who is leading the 7 person women's group. The three single speeders are all in the top 10 over the top of Takaka Hill.

LEG 2 
From Tapawera 160kms to Murchison it is 106kms with three key climbs of Station Creek, Porika Track and Braeburn Road.  Murchison will be an important refueling location for many but services will likely be closed by the time the leaders arrive later in the evening.

Day 1: Part I

21:00 local time (NZDT)

14 hours into it and all riders are still moving (some only just). Ollie Whalley has opened up a 15 km lead over Steve Halligan, Martin Strelka and Patrick Higgins, and has passed straight through Murchison (260km). Georgia Whitla (235km) is the leading female, in 6th overall. The next challenge for the leaders is the Maruia Saddle (305km), before heading across Lewis Pass and on to the start  of the first of the remote stages via Lake Sumner (at 395km).

We are getting reports of Steve Halligan's tracker updating irregularly, as well as Ollie Whalley and Martin Strelka's. 

Day 1: Part II

03:45 Kiwi Time (NZDT/GMT+13)

Martin Strelka and Patrick Higgins (km 365) have taken the lead after Ollie Whalley stopped for 3 hours.  Steve Halligan (350km) and Ollie Whalley (342km) are all moving. At this rate leaders will start on the Lake Sumner section before daylight. Tony LeSueur (330km) is stopped. Georgia Whitla  is 6th overall and first women at 270km and has just left Murchison. The rest of field is stationary between 200 and 270km.


Day 2: Part I

06:45 Kiwi Time (NZDT/GMT+13)

Martin Strelka (395km) has started into the challenging Hope River – Lake Sumner section. Steve Halligan and Ollie Whalley (380km) are at Boyle River resupply point. Patrick Higgins (375km) is close behind. These guys are setting themselves up for a quick passage through this section and should be past Waimakariri River (520km) and into the Cass Saddle section by nightfall. Weather could play a hand as unexpectedly rain is now being forecast later today and overnight. Martin Strelka reported a ripped tyre side wall and a damaged shoe overnight.

[https://www.instagram.com/p/CLRiWu4FSbl/](https://www.instagram.com/p/CLRiWu4FSbl/)

The rest of the field is beween 50 and 200km from Boyle River. Tony Lesueur (335km) in 5th and Georgia Whitla sits in 6th place and first female. The three single speeders occupy places 7th to 9th (325km).

Dulkara Martig is one of the most active riders on Instagram and worth a follow, if only for the views! She's also 3rd woman.

[https://www.instagram.com/p/CLR4WRDgNZa](https://www.instagram.com/p/CLR4WRDgNZa/)

Day 2: Part II

05:00 Kiwi time (NZDT/GMT+13)

Absolutely incredible efforts were executed by all the riders on day 1.  We can only imagine the depth of excitement of participating in this unique event and how much fuel it would have provided on day 1.  The entire field looks to complete LEG 2 into Murchison by noon on day 2.  Meanwhile Patrick Higgins, Martin Strelka, Steve Hallligan and Ollie Whalley have clearly shown their intentions.  With levels of strength, fitness, preparations and the mental fortitude that we all can respect they have pressed through the night with little to zero sleep.  This has produced an approximately 80km lead over the front of the "best of the rest" local single-speed legends and the lead woman Georgia Whitle.  

LEG 3

At 119km Murchison to Boyle River, this leg is relatively straightforward with the climb over Maruia Saddle, followed by small rollers, kickers then generally flat into Springs Junction.  LEG 3 is finished off by taking the tar seal over Lewis Pass to Boyle River.   To quote Race Director Brian Alder "Leg 3 is the calm before the storm. With resupply options in Murchison, Springs Junction and Boyle River it’s time to prepare for what’s to come. If it’s all proving a bit hard, now is the time to pull the pin."  Riders must not have burnt their matches through these first three legs.  Resupply points and timing them correctly will be critical as LEG 4 is the "Queen Leg" of the event due to the terrain and it's remoteness.

The leaders have reached Boyle Village in the early morning hours.  Just 24 hours after the start LEG 3 has been completed by the front of the race.  Absolutely smashing it!  This by no means should diminish the speed and strength of the riders behind as they too are riding exceptionally well.  The field is simply stacked with the hardest of the hard and a read through of their CVs would confirm the same.  

Boyle Village was designated as a resupply point by the organizer.  Supplies were permitted to have been posted to Boyle Village prior to the start.  This resupply will be wisely have been utilized by many of the racers.  A bit of regrouping at the front with Patrick Higgins and Martin Strelka arriving into Boyle just prior to Ollie Whalley and then Steve Halligan.

By 0530 local time Patrick and Martin had already begun the infamous LEG 4 with the other contenders not far behind.  As the morning worked its way to midday LEG 4 began to show its teeth.  As promised the section along the north bank of the Hope River has slowed the pace significantly as the terrain becomes very demanding.   At around 5kph for the front runners with the initial 30kms over to Lake Sumner taking on the order of 6 hours to complete!  And we have not even gotten to the crux of LEG 4 "The HAB over the Dampier Range".  Pūpū Harakeke (Hedley Wilton) and Tony LeSueur along with a commanding performance by women's leader Georgia Whitla are following the leaders by approximately 4 to 5 hours of very hard yards.

Meanwhile, midday finds Geof Blance a Tour Divide legend, with multiple top finishes in the event [in addition to racing it on a single speed and a tandem], is cruising along mid-pack.  By my assessment he is "getting the TTW done".  Race Director Brian Alder has refueled at Boyle Village and is likely considering his probable progress into the night and his resulting bivy location.  About 20 riders will have completed LEG 3 by this afternoon

Day 2: Part III

As Day 2 draws ever close to nightfall Martin Stralka has begun to draw clear of Seve Halligan and Ollie Whalley on the feared HAB up and over the Dampier Range.  Patrick Higgins plows forward in fourth position 15kms back of the podium places.  Meanwhile a further 20km behind is Tony LeSueur who has a tail of seven or so riders behind him working their way around Lake Sumner, the last of which is Brian Alder who is illustrating his fitness and expertise at these sort of adventures by riding well forward in the event.  Hedley Wilton is amongst the "tail of seven" in what appears to be a pod of single speeders who are absolutely crushing the Tour Te Waipounamu!  Kudos to those nutters.  It will be interesting to see whom of these seven attempt the Dampier Range HAB without a proper track or trail to follow through the darkness of night.

The hard yards within LEG 4 are clear as the gaps appear to narrow. It is best not to measure the gaps in kilometers anymore but rather in hours.

The back of the field is riding well and will manage a second straight 200km day.  This is nothing to shake a stick at. However LEG 4 will be Day 3's brekkie for them and it may be tough to digest.

Day 2: Part IV

One key point about the course is the extent of the private land. The sections marked red on the route are private and passing through these requires riders to be considerate and respectful of the livestock and owners, a point which has been drilled into the riders by the organiser. One mishap, such as not closing a gate, on private land could jeopardise any future editions of the race. Many of these sections are no-camping zones, totalling 207km in distance and approximately 24 hours to pass through, these restrictions on stopping times could potentially define the race. Land ownership also makes this race the only time the course can be ridden in its entirety and, for all but the organiser, it’s new territory.

Martin Strelka, Ollie Whalley and Steve Halligan are currently leading the field across the Dampier Range which is a private stretch of 72km, 40km (≈4hrs) of which are a no camping zone. This section with significant hike a bike is slow enough in the daylight but will take longer in darkness. Regardless of how long this section takes, once the riders enter this zone, they are disallowed from stopping and effectively commit to finishing that leg in one go. We will likely see many riders stopping near Lake Sumner as the succeeding 21km is a no camping zone, followed by a 12km hike (≈6hr)...

At least 6 riders have taken the opportunity to camp at Deep Creek Hut (452km), a private hut with permission to camp nearby and use the long drop dunny. This means they will wake up to tackle the 12km hike tomorrow. It looks like only 5 riders will have made it over the Dampier range before day 3 and could prove to be a defining point for establishing the first 5 riders.

Night 2: a note on the private land

06:00 Kiwi time (NZDT/GMT+13)

It's clear that several riders including the troop of "Monkeys", Patrick Higgins, Liam C, Brian Alder and Georgia Whitla likely made use of the very remote Deep Creek hut for a bit of rest last night.  It sits at the base of the longest and most feared HAB.  Brian Alder, having arrived after the others, has yet to leave its relatively comfy confines, but I'm certain he is sorting his kit as I type.  It's interesting to see Hedley Wilton surge ahead of the troop up the Dampier Range HAB.  He doesn't appear to be monkeying about!

Out front in the lead it's Martin Strelka likely preparing to set off following a nice rest at Andrews Shelter near Mt White Bridge and the SH73.  He has approximately 2 hours on Ollie Whalley and Steve Halligan who appear to be riding together even if just for the moment.

[https://www.instagram.com/p/CLU0_NEFHgl/](https://www.instagram.com/p/CLU0_NEFHgl/)

Spirits appear to be high and Ollie Whalley was even spotted smiling...
[https://www.instagram.com/p/CLU8tCFF5mS/](https://www.instagram.com/p/CLU8tCFF5mS/)

Near the back of the field Steven MacLeod, Chris & Bob, Brian Anderson, Nathan Mawkes, Chris Byrch and Rachel Berry all seem to have set themselves up nicely for their trek across LEG 4.  With a bit of rest and the resupply at Boyle Village they will certainly have a belly full of anticipation and maybe a sprinkle of trepidation.

[https://www.facebook.com/m.strelka/posts/10222624432193209](https://www.facebook.com/m.strelka/posts/10222624432193209)

Day 3: Part I

All but one of the racers have crossed the Boyle River which has been described as the last of the easy riding and it was as this point the organiser recommended: "If it's all proving a bit hard, now is the time to pull the pin".

From Boyle River riders tackle the first of the real high country with no camping zones, hike a bike and some serious technical riding this is the biggest remote section of the course. The next sighting of civilisation will be the main road SH73 and we expect riders to be considering scratching once they reach here. It's not even halfway (525km) and the riders will be starting to really feel the effects of the physical demands from the 6hours of HAB and singletrack at a time the fatigue kicks in. For most of the midpack it will be on their third and forth days of riding, which can be the most popular time people scratch. After another 100km of riding the racers will reach Methven which is within half a day's public transport to Christchurch and may be too tempting for some riders.

However, Brian Alder, the organiser, has said that once riders reach Methven the hardest sections are over even though it's not even halfway.

The inaugural Tour Te Waipounamu is the brain child of Brian Alder, a veteran of the sport and a lifelong mountaineer. With experience from the Tour Divide, Highland Trail, Colorado Trail Race and Kyrgystan; Brian's event has been tipped as the hardest bikepacking race in New Zealand.
With a competitive domestic line up, including a former Tour Divide record holder and seven race veterans, a French Divide and Bohemia Divide winner, we are massively excited to kick off our 2021 race coverage with what will surely be a cracking race.

The MAProgress page has been made password protected at the request of the organiser due to the extent of private land.

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