Organiser's race preview

Windy Point to Tekapo - how hard can it be?

Dampier Day for most

Finally, some real mountain weather

Jakub on record-setting pace

Ahead of the race preview from the organiser, we're releasing our [Bikes of Tour Te Waipounamu](https://dotwatcher.cc/feature/bikes-of-tour-te-waipounamu-2022) to give you an insight into the challenges riders are preparing to face next weekend. We'll be drip feeding the submissions as they come in so check back later in the week for some more riders' rigs. 

Bikes of Tour Te Waipounamu to whet your appetites

# The Route

The course for the second edition of the Tour Te Waipounamu has a few changes from the inaugural event. Through the Arthurs Pass region the route now avoids the hike-a-bike riddled Cass Saddle/ Harper River section due to access issues and now instead traverses the well-known single track of the Craigieburn Forest Park. This will speed up the central portion of the course allowing riders to arrive into the critical resupply point of Methven a number of hours earlier.

Further south, the crossing of the Hawkdun Range provides one of the last major hurdles. This year the route climbs even more steeply from the Otematata River on a slightly longer route, but crucially passes a number of huts and water sources that were absent on last year’s route. In a region renowned for scorching temperatures and howling winds, both these new assets will be very welcome.

Finally, before the route leaves the high country and drops to the Southland farmland, it will traverse the remote and barren Lammerlaw Range, balancing out some of the new, faster terrain up north. This 100km remote section with little water could bring some unwelcome surprises.

# The Riders

There are 45 riders lining up at Cape Farewell on 23 January. The field has four teams and 37 solo riders made up of 13 women and 32 men. With a 40-year age range and varied back stories, picking winners is no easy task.

In the women’s field __Ali Wilson__ of Wellington is an experienced adventure racer who was originally planning to race in a team, but sadly her partner can’t be here. Ali has designs on Georgia Whitla’s winning time from 2021. In contrast, __Emma Bateup__ at 22 years of age has little multi-day bikepacking or racing experience, but has been cranking out big numbers over the past year in preparation for the race. With a fast setup and speedy legs, the gap in experience will make for an interesting contrast. Also in the mix will be __Emma McCosh__ & __Debbie Chambers__ racing as Team Fittolive. Emma &amp; Debbie are vastly experienced adventure racers and have completed a number of bikepacking events over the years and could be the first women to Slope Point.

The men’s field has some intriguing match ups. __Steve Halligan__ is back again, looking to right the wrongs from his first attempt. With experience of the course and proven race history Steve will be hard to beat. 2019 Silk Road Mountain Race winner __Jakub Sliacan__ has to be a contender, based on his ability to navigate the notoriously difficult MIQ system and actually get into New Zealand. However, being confined for two weeks to an isolation hotel no doubt set his preparations back a tad. __Ian Davidson__ from the Kapiti Coast has a reputation as a hard charger who will go non-stop until the battery dies. His experience and skillset are well suited to the challenge the TTW presents. In the “dark horse” category would be __Grant Guise__ and __Bruce Hughes__. Grant is well known in the mountain running scene and has thrown himself into bikepacking preparations after being inspired by friends in the first running of the Tour. In contrast, Bruce Hughes has a long history of bikepacking and mountainbike stage racing events in his native South Africa and internationally. Unfortunately, his bike was stolen in the week before the start but he has managed to find a replacement.

Special mention has to go to __Rob Dawson__, maker of the feature length documentary South; The Tour Te Waipounamu Story. Rob is starting with the knowledge of the hardship he witnessed first-hand last year and realises that at 62 years old, the Tour Te Waipounamu will be a huge challenge. All the best Rob!

Brian Alder,
Race Creator

Forty-four riders have rolled down the track from the clifftop lookout at Cape Farewell at the start of the second running of the gruelling Tour Te Waipounamu (TTW).

It will be fascinating to see who sets the early pace as none of the first six finishers from last year were on the start line this morning.

All of the favoured riders mentioned in Race Organiser Brian Alder’s preview are in the front bunches in the draft-legal section to Collingwood (28ks) before they hit 4kms of sandy beach.

Ali Wilson's pic of Brian's pre-race briefing last night:
https://www.instagram.com/p/CZBgQ3jrxiL/

Paradoxically, TTW is not about riding your bike fast. The course is so tough that last year’s mens winner, Olly Whalley managed an average moving speed of less than 11kph. Those at the tail of the field still managed about 9.5-11kph moving average but the difference was that Olly was on the move almost 86% of the time, while those who rolled down the grassy track to Slope Point four days later were on the move less than 60% of the time.

So those with leaderboard aspirations will want to keep stops and sleep time to a minimum. Sleep – of course – being a real balancing act.

It’s a fine, clear day in the top of the south. The forecast high of 23 degrees C will be kept down by a cooling sea breeze, which will be at the riders’ backs once they head inland up the Motueka and Baton valleys. Before then is the first real test of the race, the climb out of Takaka (54ks) and over the bush-clad 900m Rameka Track, including singletrack through regenerating native forest being restored by New Zealand bikepacking icons, the Kennett brothers.

TTW is held at this time of the year to maximise the chance of settled weather and it looks like riders have once again struck it lucky as the forecast for the first week is very favourable. 

Most of the pre-race rider chat has been about the challenging terrain but it is the notorious South Island high country weather that could have stopped riders in their tracks: a swollen south branch of the Hurunui River or bad weather in the 1600m+ Dampier, Two Thumb, or southern ranges. With this race, it’s important that riders know how to cross rivers and remote mountain passes … and when not to.

The flipside of still, clear weather at this time of year is high temperatures. Last year some riders wilted like over-cooked spinach in the searing Canterbury and Otago high country heat.

Let’s see how the race unfolds. It's a very open field this year and with New Zealand's COVID travel restrictions having kept most of the overseas riders at home, there will be locals eyeing up top-10 places who have not raced on this type of course before.

And they're off!

Slovakian rider Jakub Sliacan had opened up a handy lead late on the first day of Tour Te Waipounamu (TTW).

At 7.30pm, the 2019 Silk Road Race winner was turning out of the Mangles Valley and approaching Murchison (267kms) with a 25km lead over Bruce Hughes of Wellington, who had just negotiated the steep, rocky Porika Track descent to Lake Rotoroa.

About 10kms back was a cluster of riders ascending the picturesque 4WD track through Nelson Lakes beech forest, headed by Ian (Mojo) Davidson of Waikanae, and one of the pre-race favourites, Steve Halligan of Hanmer Springs. (Correction: there must have been an issue with Steve's tracker as he's now showing as second, midway between Jakub and Bruce.)

Halligan, the inaugural Terra Australis winner, is back to make amends after medical issues and a broken shoe HABing put paid to his chances last year.

The womens leader, Ali Wilson of Wellington was setting an impressive pace, approaching the Porika Track turnoff in the Howard Valley. The womens team of Debbie Chambers and Emma McCosh was a further 13kms back coming down the pylon track into the upper Buller Valley, with second placed individual woman, Emma Bateup of Nelson, 6kms back about to descend from the saddle through the plantation forest. (Update: we're getting reports that Emma is walking with a seized pedal bearing!)

Riders have enjoyed fine, hot weather and a stiff tail breeze for the afternoon ride inland. It’s been a relatively uneventful day for most, with the notable exception of Benjamin Carrell who destroyed his derailleur on the Rameka Track climb and had to limp into Motueka for repairs. Benjamin, who is now back on track, posted these sad broken bike photos on Instagram:

[https://www.instagram.com/p/CZDt04OJNC6/](https://www.instagram.com/p/CZDt04OJNC6/)

It will be interesting to see who, if any, of the lead riders will sleep on the first night. Even some of the mid-pack riders have chosen to post their sleeping gear to the Boyle River box pick-up point. (Riders are permitted to post supply boxes to Boyle River as it’s a freely available service provided by the outdoor centre. It’s widely used by Te Araroa Trail hikers faced with large distances between towns.)

Some have booked accommodation at Murchison while others will ride through the night, up and over Maruia Saddle (307kms), one of New Zealand’s most attractive gravel road climbs.

Check out this neat video of rider interviews shot at the Cape Farewell start by Steve Halligan’s partner, Mary Jo:

[https://www.facebook.com/maryjo.steve/videos/3813857732173718](https://www.facebook.com/maryjo.steve/videos/3813857732173718)


Hot pace in the Nelson heat

As hoped, the first night’s sleep – or lack thereof – has provided a good insight as to who has podium aspirations at the Tour Te Waipounamu (TTW).

Patrick Garceau of Arrowtown has ridden through the night to join front runners, Steve Halligan and Jakub Sliacan, who both rode to the crucial Boyle Village resupply box pick-up point (386kms) before grabbing a couple of hours’ sleep.

At 8am on day two, the trio were at about the 405km mark, heading up the formidable Hope Valley tramping route.

Bruce Hughes, who rode to the Lake Daniels reserve (353kms) before a short sleep, was about 10kms behind in fourth, about to leave the Lewis Pass highway. Ian (Mojo) Davidson was collecting his provisions at Boyle Village.

In the women's division, the impressive Ali Wilson rode through Murchison late last night and took a stop of less than three hours before hitting the road again. She had opened up a 45km gap on second placed Emma Bateup who made it to Murchison last night and is now about to take on the pleasant climb through the Maruia Saddle beech forest.

The dynamic women’s Fittolive team of Emma McCosh and Debbie Chambers was about midway between Ali and Emma.

Most major races have their iconic sections and for TTW it’s the middle third of the course between Windy Point (397kms) and Tekapo (823kms).

The first and final thirds of the route are similar to what many riders would have experienced on the likes of Kiwi Brevet and Great Southern Brevet respectively.

But those attempting TTW for the first time will be going into the unknown in the demanding middle third through unforgiving backcountry in the next couple of days. Of the front runners, only Steve Halligan knows the unforgettable HAB challenge that is in store.

It should make for fascinating dotwatching!

![dblissett-7582](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/2w5rwwY66bU9F09FvVuJyq/751a30fa4b51ca32c9d2ddbc470bb740/dblissett-7582.jpg)

Photo credit: Dominic Blissett


Into the unknown (for most)

What is it about the middle third of the Tour Te Waipounamu course that prompted last year’s women’s winner, Georgia Whitla to briefly consider leaving her bike behind at one point, and left former French Divide winner Martin Strelka declaring “I never want to see the Dampier Range again!”

Here is an outline of this unforgettable 426km section of the course that riders will tackle over the next few days.

The fun starts with a very swinging swingbridge crossing of the Boyle River – not easy with a fully laden bikepacking rig.

Then it’s into the beech forest tramping route up the Hope Valley. While there are sublime sections of backcountry singletrack riding, the leg is punctuated with tight creek guts, large spaghetti-like clumps of tree roots, rocks and other challenges; terrain that is straightforward for a hiker but a very different proposition with a loaded bike.

Many riders will have small handlebar rolls to reduce the effort required to lift the front of their bikes over obstacles.

Recently race organiser Brian Alder took a team of volunteers through the area to clear fallen trees and do other track maintenance. Brian reckons this section through to Lake Sumner may be an hour faster for riders this year.

Once at Lake Sumner, it's undulating 4WD tracks over and past Lake Mason, across the South Branch of the Hurunui River, through high country station land to the foot of the formidable Dampier Range.

This is Olly Manson about two-thirds of the way up the Damiper Range last year. That's Lake Mason in the distance. Olly covered just 60kms on a full day of racing.

![aaaa](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/1QHyvUD7rUI2yCJlYRgjfq/91cb3c9d82da1e5934d44303d01a1444/aaaa.jpg)

The 1000m climb starts with a relatively comfortable but steep push up the grassy lower slopes. Higher up there are larger tussocks to be negotiated, which then turns to thigh-high, sub-alpine shrubs. Progress through this dense vegetation is quicker carrying a bike than pushing it. Many riders will remove much of their gear and food from bike bags and load up a backpack. Some will hoist their bikes up and perch them on the top of their backpacks.

Riders face about 90 minutes at an elevation of between 1300m and 1600m cresting the range and sidling around the steep hillside through this tricky vegetation, struggling to follow a very faint track.

They can be a couple of metres either side of the track and not see it, and scrambling just a few metres back up the steep hillside through the dense bushes to rejoin the track is energy-sapping.

Eventually they are rewarded with a thrilling, steep singletrack descent of a ridgeline to Andersons Hut, and on down through Mount White Station tracks to the gravel road and them the main road to Arthur’s Pass at Mount White Bridge.

Disappointingly, the challenging HAB section over Cass Saddle is out this year because of landowner access. Instead, riders will wind their way around the popular Craigieburn MTB trails on their way to Lake Lyndon Road and Methven for resupply.

After a stint across the Canterbury Plains, the riders face 57kms of mainly gravel road from Arundel up the Rangitata River to Mesopotamia Station. The predominant wind whistles down this valley although the forecast suggests that once again this year, the riders might avoid the worst of this.

The remote Mesopotamia Station marks the start of the most demanding section of the route. Riders wind their way up through deer paddocks to a high terrace before dropping down to the start of the steep Bullock Bow Saddle track. On parts of this 800vm climb riders will extend their arms to push their bikes ahead of them, lock the brakes on, take a couple of steps … rince and repeat ... as Pete Maindonald demonstrated last year.

![ffff](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/3CY4KaRD9jJVkjZBuD1vSy/667f2cbd51e2a76c1fffb6c314288e48/ffff.jpg)

The twisty, singletrack descent to Royal Hut is one of the highlights of the route.

![cccc](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/1H2HVAUezTTkBMBgHxRPqF/8139c9770a2bf5505c3dbdd7e4bf1f10/cccc.jpg)

Riders then push and carry their bikes up a side valley to 1925m Stag Saddle, the high point of the course. This is just a poled route with no clear track in places and most riders will scramble up this with a mix of pushing and carrying. Mark Watson captured this stunning image of his partner Hana Black about two-thirds of the way up to the saddle last year.

![Hana on Stag Saddle](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/2H8h230jbAm2mBkXlBMjrI/5215dbbeed69c1b3f0ae38af5dbd85b8/Hana_on_Stag_Saddle.jpg)

![eeee](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/InjX5mziORoVzbarQklVi/53fe59b3a4f37a9281cc5c8d9b87d951/eeee.jpg)

Then it’s down the stunning 7km scenic singletrack of Snake Ridge to Rex Simpson Hut and the 4WD track to Camp Stream Hut. Just when riders think the worst is behind them, a matagouri-strewn, rocky singletrack takes them to the foot of a steep, utterly demoralising track up to the Tekapo Skifield Access Road. This track is too narrow for both human feet and a bike, so carrying is the best option.

From there it’s the popular Richmond MTB Trail, with views across Lake Tekapo to the Southern Alps in the distance, before descending to the gravel road to Lake Tekapo township 15kms beyond.

With the surreal feeling of cruising into a bustling tourist town after the previous days’ scrambling around in the back of beyond, many riders will hit the reset button, raid the supermarket shelves and cafes, and get some much-needed rest.

Slope Point is still 500 undulating kilometres away but the riders will be relieved that the worst of the route is behind them and they will know that - barring a catastrophe - they will make that windswept, barren southern extremity.

A year on from TTW 2021, riders say that everything they tackle on two wheels feels achievable because they made it from Windy Point to Tekapo.


Pacesetters Jakub Sliacan and Steve Halligan have been virtually inseparable on a hot second day in the high country at Tour Te Waipounamu.

The formidable bikepacking racers have appeared at home in equally formidable terrain as they powered up the rough Hope Valley tramping route and over to Lakes Sumner and Mason, before taking on one of the most challenging elements of the race, the 1600m Dampier Range crossing.

No camping is permitted on Mt White Station after Anderson Hut (468kms) on the southern side of the Dampier, so the pair will likely push on to Andrews Stream Shelter (524kms) tonight and probably well beyond.

At 7.15pm, they were hammering it down the station’s valley tracks with Jakub just 5kms ahead of Steve, and Bruce Hughes, who was descending the bottom of the steep ridgeline singletrack to Anderson Hut, a further 5kms back.

The Wellingtonian might be the only other rider to get over the Dampier today unless Ian Davidson and Patrick Garceau, who were approaching the foot of the range, go against race organiser Brian Alder’s advice and take on the big crossing in the dark. It could be tempting on what looks like a mild, fine evening. (Update: at 8pm they were setting off on the climb.)

![Olly Manson on Dampier Range 2021](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/2we9wD2Zc27XKFkmOyFfZc/84c755224af0594998f64fb504477700/Olly_Manson_on__Dampier_Range_2021.jpg)

Sleep deprivation won’t be an issue for Patrick, an experienced adventure racer who rode right through the first night before catching 2.5hrs’ sleep mid-morning at Half Hope Hut (406kms).

Among a cluster of following riders were the remarkable four leading women. Ali Wilson was in 11th place overall, but Emma Bateup and the women’s Fittolive team of Emma McCosh and Debbie Chambers had closed to within 6kms as they rounded the top of Lake Sumner. That made it four women in the first 16 places.

Race organiser Brian Alder was with Grant Guise, Scott Ardern and Rob Brown in seventh equal place, tackling the short, steep climb to Lake Mason.

It’s great to see Rob (pictured below) riding strongly as his journey to the start has been tougher than most. Just over a year ago he was recording a GPX file of the Stag Saddle section of TTW for his friend Brian when, just before midnight on the gravel road approach to Tekapo, he clipped a raised part of a bridge surface and flew over the handrail.

![Rob Brown Mesopotamia Station](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/6CT7RcjuIt5cYsyyV9yBtC/0adf295a95eb0195ff11be9a3aa690e9/Rob_Brown_Mesopotamia_Station.jpg)

Rob landed head-first in the rocky creekbed five metres below and was choppered to Christchurch Hospital with a bruised and compressed spine. Three months’ enforced rest counted Rob out of last year’s race and his recovery has been slow and difficult, with recurring neck pain and headaches.

Just a couple of months ago, Rob was in so much discomfort on long rides that he considered pulling the pin on bikepacking racing but the former British paratrooper is made of tough stuff. He clocked up over 1000kms in the saddle over the holiday break alone to get in good shape for TTW and has learnt to deal with the neck pain. He reckons that in a few days’ time the neck won’t be his biggest issue.

Rob expects to be near the pointy end of races but says he’ll be happy just to make Slope Point knowing he’s lucky to be on two wheels, rather the four of a wheelchair.

Unfortunately, today saw the first withdrawals from the race.

TTW returnee and Tour Divide veteran Pete Maindonald was choppered off the course with a heart condition. Scans suggest it is not too serious. 

Brian Anderson has had to pull out with a recurrence of issues from a broken leg in 2020 which also dogged him in last year’s TTW. 

Emma Louise Hadley suffered concussion on a tumble descending the Rameka Track on Day One and is unable to push on.

We are hearing that Kevin Moginie of Geraldine is pulling out with gastro issues.


Things are hotting up

The dark hours produced more drama on the second night of Tour Te Waipounamu with the three leaders riding long to extend their advantage on the field, while another trio of plucky riders will have some epic stories to tell after traversing the mighty Dampier Range at night.

Upfront, at 7am, Steve Halligan and Jakub Sliacan had just completed the popular Hog's Back MTB track and had rejoined the tarseal at Castle Hill Village (568kms). 

Steve rode until just after midnight before grabbing three hours’ rest near Flock Hill, while Jakub stopped for four hours a little further along the track adjacent to the top of the Craigieburn cutting.

In third place, just 13kms back on the Dracophyllum Track, Bruce Hughes was continuing to impress, having stopped for just three hours at Mount White Bridge.

Meanwhile 65kms back on Mount White Station, Patrick Garceau was descending the farm 4WD tracks having made it over the formidable Dampier Range to Andersons Hut with Ian Davidson at midnight. At 7am, Ian’s dot was still perched on the derelict old hut.

![Brendan Pheasant Mt White Station 2021](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/2wX2l0HzWXmO6K9Kl9y74C/1162adc51a859ade80cd4899a3056af6/Brendan_Pheasant_Mt_White_Station_2021.jpg)

While Ian and Patrick would have completed the tricky sidle around the top and steep descent under lights, Grant Guise spent the whole night on the hill. He set off from Deep Creek at 9.30pm for a nine-hour traipse up and over the big range – a section that takes five hours in daylight. It appears that Grant had only the briefest of rests near the top. At 7am, he had just left Andersons Hut, to move into fifth place.

Eight people, including the leading women, camped at the only permissible camping spot before the Dampier, outside Deep Creek Hut, and were now trudging up the hill.

Sadly Rob Brown, who we wrote about last night, has had to succumb to unbearable neck and back pain. It would have been tough for him leaving the Deep Creek Hut group, some of whom are good friends, and riding out the South Hurunui valley this morning. Rob says the vigorous HABing through the Hope Valley exacerbated his year-long neck condition.


Leading trio extend their advantage

Many years from now, unfortunate children will be bored rigid as their ageing grandparents recount, in excessive detail, their story of today: the day they hauled fully-loaded bikes over the remote Dampier Range.

Today was Dampier Day for much of the Tour Te Waipounamu field. By about midnight, 26 riders are likely to have scaled the 1600m range, and dragged and hoisted their bikes through and over the dense, sub-alpine shrubs along the expansive tops. Those poor grandkids.

No photos seem to exist of the Dampier at its worst as riders are preoccupied wrestling their rigs through the vegetation. Nice place for a hike; no place for a bike.

One of the frontrunners, Steve Halligan (below), who crested the Dampier yesterday, described it as "beautiful and brutal in the hot, midday sun".

![Steve Halligan Mt White Pic by Dominic Blissett](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/kkTsfE8ssbhNRNtEPqxnl/620bdff9cfb3611354d9a3ca8ace6d6f/Steve_Halligan_Mt_White_Pic_by_Dominic_Blissett.jpg)

Steve continued his compelling duel with Jakub Sliacan on Day Three. By 7.30pm Jakub enjoyed a 3km lead over Steve, approaching the top of the relentlessly steep Bullock Bow Saddle (766km).

After the thrilling descent to Royal Hut, one of the most demanding sections of the course awaits: the scramble up to the race highpoint, 1925m Stag Saddle. It will be interesting to see if Steve repeats his impressive feat of last year of taking on the gruelling climb and Snake Ridge descent in the dark.

Third placed Bruce Hughes continues to match the leading duo’s pace. He was just 16kms back heading up through the deer paddocks on Mesopotamia Station.

About 115kms away, across the Canterbury plains, fourth placed Patrick Garceau had reached Methven, while Ian Davidson and Grant Guise were closing in on the crucial resupply town.

The next cluster back, around Craigieburn, includes the remarkable Emma Bateup. The 22 year old put in a huge shift last night, with just three hours sleep at the base of the Dampier, to catch and eventually overhaul the former womens’ leader, Ali Wilson.

By 7.30pm, Emma had extended the gap to 17kms but it will be interesting to see if she needs a longer stop tonight.

The first team, Fittolive, the womens duo of Emma McCosh and Debbie Chambers, were less than 30kms back, having just passed Cass (533kms).

One of the attractive aspects of bikepacking is the great people you meet. Very different characters, from all walks of life, united by a passion for getting out there on two wheels (and staying out there for a while).

Even among the country’s most competitive bikepacking racers, there seems to be an absence of the Type A personalities prevalent in some other cycling disciplines.

This year’s TTW has attracted plenty of those damn good people, and right up there amongst them is Christchurch sport and recreation consultant, Richard Lindsay (below).

![Richard Lindsay OGR](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/5aBbilbT6KXpcnqY6IfVM1/d2c6ba32c4ca6580df376e504e5936f8/Richard_Lindsay_OGR.jpg)

Those who watched ‘South’, Rob Dawson’s excellent documentary on TTW 2021, will recall Richard as ‘The Dotwatcher’.

This year the veteran of the likes of Tour of Aotearoa, Great Southern Brevet, Kahurangi 500 and Kiwi Brevet (including a second lap this year with his plucky wife Anna) has stepped away from the computer screen to take on the epic challenge.

Richard is a dedicated family man, running a busy consultancy, and he and Anna recently sold their Waipara vineyard and moved house a couple of weeks ago. As he says, TTW feel like a great holiday … albeit an adventurous one.

Currently in 26th place at 7.30pm, Richard was doing the hard yards in the final cluster of the day to scale the Dampier. It will be close to midnight before he sees Andersons Hut.

Richard’s philosophy is to “just chip away”. As tough as they come, he’s very focused on pedalling out to Slope Point in a few days’ time.

Richard knows the only difference between an ordeal and an adventure is attitude. With his positive demeanour and good humour, he’ll be great company along the way.

*Photographer Dominic Blissett is out on the course taking discrete photos of the riders. You can follow Dom @_blissfield_*


Has the highest hurdle on the Tour Te Waipounamu route – the energy-sapping scramble up to 1925m Stag Saddle – proved decisive?

Race leader Jakub Sliacan chose to take on the tough HAB section last night, making it down Snake Ridge under lights to the historic Camp Stream Hut (790kms) at midnight.

Meanwhile Steve Halligan, who he has been battling it out with upfront for the last three days, chose to rest at Royal Hut (774kms) at the foot of the climb.

There had been just 15 minutes between the pair when they entered Mesopotamia Station to start the most iconic section of the course, the three-climb route across the Two Thumb Range that separates the upper Rangitata Valley from Lake Tekapo.

By the top of the second of those climbs, the brutally steep push up to 1692m Bullock Bow Saddle, the Slovakian (not a Swede as previously noted, he just currently lives there) had stretched the lead to over an hour.

![Dampier by Mark Watson](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/kAU81hCnv7PGNyMzS1lvL/e19a42ca2b1d18f3163fe7344cf961c7/Dampier_by_Mark_Watson.jpg)

Arriving at Royal Hut at 8pm, he pushed on, cresting Stag Saddle at 9.45pm, about the time Steve arrived at the hut for some rest. Steve was up and away at 4.30pm this morning, an hour before Jakub surfaced from Camp Stream Hut.

Incredibly, Bruce Hughes, who opened the first deer gate at Mesopotamia Station almost three hours after Steve, was in second place at 7am this morning. He made it to Royal Hut just before midnight, curiously choosing to camp out a couple of hundred metres before the old musterers hut. (Did he not want to disturb Steve and any others sleeping in the hut or did he spot Steve's bike and choose not to inform him that he had bridged the gap?).

Bruce set off on the trudge up to Stag Saddle at 4am, half an hour before Steve.

The distance between Jakub and his pursuers is a mere 15kms but once he has negotiated the tricky little section up to the Tekapo Skifield access road and traversed the scenic Richmond Trail, he’ll gun it to the resupply town, Lake Tekapo. From there, inevitably he will stretch the gap further across the pan-flat Mackenzie Basin beyond.

Slope Point is still 500 gruelling kilometres away, and the race is far from over, but maybe this edition of TTW is now Jakub’s to lose.

![Dampier Carry by Mark Watson](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/cMTIAKyNzwdIdTKNKOqIN/208d77988c7240cd007b40fccb67809d/Dampier_Carry_by_Mark_Watson.jpg)

The remarkable performances in this year's race aren’t limited to the leading trio. Patrick Garceau is now a clear fourth after riding through the night to the foot of Bullock Bow Saddle (762kms). Will he grab some rest at Felt Hut or Royal Hut or can he push on?

Then it's Grant Guise and Ian Davidson who have made the turn at Arundel (691kms) and at 7am were heading up the Rangitata Valley.

![Pic by Mark Watson3](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/5SizuwUg6mRMYL1Mp82Txo/abaf6e98c6197e6f21f7de6a4279f11c/Pic_by_Mark_Watson3.jpg)

Just 20kms further back, Emma Bateup has gapped some of the hardest men in New Zealand bikepacking (who are having great races!) to strengthen her grip on the women’s race.

![Dampier Descent by Mark Watson2](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/46PsTgtIANGPVQ9B8Tt5tF/44847b1a55bba12821d37d414aed2eac/Dampier_Descent_by_Mark_Watson2.jpg)

Twenty-two kilometres behind, second woman, Ali Wilson was climbing out of Rakaia Gorge (617kms) with accomplished adventurer Mark Watson. They will both be looking forward to breakfast and resupply in Methven (633kms).

Last night Mark kindly sent through the pics we’ve used in in this morning’s post.

![Dampier Descent by Mark Watson](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/PDX0HDEbPPnjAyHV1SVFu/e9d1782477389b3f77591f2e96fcc4f4/Dampier_Descent_by_Mark_Watson.jpg)

Jakub surges ahead

Andrew Trevelyan

Cliff Clermont

Back for its second edition, New Zealand's roughest race traversing the Southern Island from North to South.

DotWatcher.cc

Tour Te Waipounamu

Total Racers

Distance — Elevation

Terrain

Winner

Website

Covered By:

Key Events

Leaderboard

Events Feed