Our Women's Podium is Complete

The Women's Race Heats Up!

The Podium Confirmed

We Have Our Men's Winner!

More Plots Twists Than A Good Novel

And they are off......

Women's Race Preview - Can Anyone Challenge Emma?

Men's Race Preview - A Captivating 4th Edition Awaits

Pie in hand, sitting outside the Lawrence Night ‘n Day on the last day of his inaugural 2021 race, four-time Tour Divide finisher Pete Maindonald was asked by ‘South’ video producer Rob Dawson how this race compared to the renowned North American race.

“It’s way, way harder from a riding perspective," Pete said in the video that’s now been viewed 37,000 times. "Tour Divide has other challenges but this is way, way harder … way, way harder."
![IMG 7695](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/5vIX06Fd8cuPJ4IpT7P8zG/ee9e6bce23566b4c2a2acfa2c6bc5bff/IMG_7695.JPG)
That line has been immortalised in the design of this year’s race t-shirt (above @ospreyimagery) and this week many of those at Slope Point who have now ridden both have commented that they concur with Pete.
![Hooch Sign @samisauri](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/2V41ciFOKi1JShfOhDerFT/e499ab5da9e3ebb31c2961ca71532b78/Hooch_Sign__samisauri.jpg)
This fourth edition of Tour Te Waipounamu will go down as the race of the newbies. Both men’s and women’s winners, Luke Hoetjes (above) and Eva Dethlefsen (below) went ‘way harder’ than many expected, especially when contesting just their second ever bikepacking events.
![SS TTW FINISHLINE DAY08 011](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/3HE269RHksI16YnqWkl8Xq/4e475a0a9d2cd42564f6ea1878e0e4be/SS_TTW_FINISHLINE_DAY08_011.jpg)
![Bullock Bow @ospreyimagery](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/1oIWoHjSVXAUoUfEc23TBJ/ab1fdf61c0c4b69d6e15a6a2fdb0ab15/Bullock_Bow__ospreyimagery.jpg)
‘Hooch’ (above, @ospreyimagery) applied the pressure from day one, powering down the island relentlessly while Eva rode a smart race, choosing to detour two kilometres off course to the 15-bunk Hurunui Hut when she knew appalling weather would affect her sleep outdoors. Extra rest early helped Eva to prevail in the final dash to the finish against the consistently strong, Peg Leyland (below, @highluxphoto).
![Peg Craigieburn @highluxphoto](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/dak5Q6FGpMslaAWG5oQDx/1a0aed2aeec7f29a37eedd7af37a0212/Peg_Craigieburn__highluxphoto.JPG)
![Justinas finish @Samisauri](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/1qWi8evq9wXGfk8Lmje4Xx/b3fddab80fe0bc05fc741ce369246fbc/Justinas_finish__Samisauri.jpg)
The most accomplished rider in the race, runner-up Justinas Leveika (above) went head-to-head with Hooch until cruelly suffering tyre issues. As Brian Alder noted, the Lithuanian brought out the best in the locals.
![GR501056 (2)](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/57aJcEzldBIcNF7LFhHMiW/b5ab500a938f6bc2fdec242bedc9f965/GR501056__2_.jpg)
Speaking of ‘hardness’ Justinas’ partner, Sami Sauri (above, @ospreyimagery) showed real grit, crossing the formidable Dampier Range at night in the rain after holding off mountain biking stalwarts along the challenging Hope Valley - South Hurunui Valley route.

Certainly, the weather gods conspired to serve up conditions that were ‘way way harder’ than riders would have preferred through the first half of the course. But this is a race through the high country.
![5 Gavin 8](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/5TKezlzLEIJPQrBnL4uejX/59b0dd2689a07dba32655feaf9448d79/5_Gavin_8.jpg)
(above, @ospreyimagery) All 40 remarkable finishers warrant a mention here, as do many of the record number of 29 athletes who withdrew – due to fatigue, injury, illness or mechanicals – or were disqualified.
![MW 04959](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/7zmYRlC5PTvi87UGvDXqru/a814a91797a17d97737dbbb4a9676e71/MW_04959.jpg)
Pulling out of this most demanding of events can be excruciating – a look that’s etched on the face of 2024 finisher Mike Norman, photographed by Mark Watson (@highluxphoto) shortly before he pulled the pin this time.
![IMG 7676](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/2gnrAk5xu0jj5osYOSrs3N/8e26bdb052a3e1795460289c4187d0f8/IMG_7676.jpeg)
As Brian reflected, it's the riders and their commitment that make Tour Te Waipounamu the special event it is. "And the landscape of Te Waipounamu ... its diversity, its rawness and its remote nature create a unique experience."
![MW 7905](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/5B0lMYaRzcAaCjjnaq7zwk/356fe7b358ef2e606a27acdf2d1a4e62/_MW_7905.jpg)
(Above, Doug Hilson, @highluxphoto) Over time, memories of outdoor adventures can fade but as Tour Te Waipounamu riders will attest, this extraordinary race seems to create memories that are filed away in a more secure folder in the mental photo library, making them harder to erase … way, way harder.

______

A big thank you to our photographers – Mark Watson, Anton McGeachen, Gavin Kaps and towards the end Sami Sauri – whose outstanding imagery elevated this year’s race coverage across all platforms.

Also thanks to the dozen landowners whose generosity and trust make this race possible, and to the large, enthusiastic team of race volunteers who attended to every detail.

Finally, thank you to organiser Brian Alder for his passion and tireless commitment to Tour Te Waipounamu, an event which is becoming firmly established among the half-dozen best bikepacking races of this type around the world.


Way Way Harder

The final riders in this 2026 edition of Tour Te Waipounamu have made their emotional trips out onto the barren Slope Point headland, and to rousing support (above).
![2fcfd525-2ca7-4230-a16e-8d75bacf0630](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/6Ch9a4PmyDEs8JW02x6lqs/a8728fe85d8c87cea1a0be7ed37154c7/2fcfd525-2ca7-4230-a16e-8d75bacf0630.JPG)
The first arrival since our last update was the young team of Jack and Francis: 22-year-old Jack Greenaway from Nelson and 26-year-old Francis Cassells from Kerikeri, who arrived at 3.12pm yesterday.

With a background in enduro and downhill riding, Jack has ridden Tour of Aotearoa and other significant rides but this was his first proper bikepacking race. Francis was only a little more experienced, having posted a highly creditable 45th placing at last year's Silk Road Mountain Race.
![6a669875-8279-4271-8d2e-cb4853517aff](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/7geerK213R2X365rbMlJw0/3afa11086ffec0c47a3abb69fe9e49a2/6a669875-8279-4271-8d2e-cb4853517aff.JPG)
Then at 8.14pm, in clearing weather, a beaming Emily St John arrived, with a Foveaux Strait sunset to top off her race memories.
![9957c1f2-d2c0-4d07-a848-e8ee24118cee](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/25853UCUTciTCULkdj5NkJ/fe85b048ed1fd58097b2ec81f5b6c3d6/9957c1f2-d2c0-4d07-a848-e8ee24118cee.JPG)
![eb9d85d6-7e92-4e22-b04c-b0ac814b56c3](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/YUuhdnyvoaWj97AH3blES/b1c2d44f2ad6b9a8c5962fa86050273d/eb9d85d6-7e92-4e22-b04c-b0ac814b56c3.JPG)
![d299e23e-d010-4fd7-8ac2-3a72233ce79c](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/1ffgtR4ys90XTDXuKzCPkQ/8bd03ed727f8c958e3b8594b4f8608e1/d299e23e-d010-4fd7-8ac2-3a72233ce79c.JPG)
And just over an hour later, a similarly thrilled Bahadır Güngör (above) arrived. Among the motivations for this experienced Swede, with Turkish parents, is the desire to increase the diversity of bikepacking.
![354183409 6285254218227446 4719511945415881965 n](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/4EZ7PRixUILcMqUTYHW2y/731a26007e796a327cf12f0642fd57ed/354183409_6285254218227446_4719511945415881965_n.jpeg)
"It always bothers me being one of the few non-European/western descent riders. If you can see yourself represented, you can see yourself doing it."
![8c515684-e077-4188-a7ef-6eb1d994af15](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/2cddlBhd26jaPeTFEOIUZN/b08aeeae03b42feac109aa02b757c3c6/8c515684-e077-4188-a7ef-6eb1d994af15.JPG)
A big cheer from the Dotwatcher.cc team for our next finisher (above). Christchurch-based Scottish contributor, Kirsten Cluley, out-raced the morning sun to the point at 5.37am, having clocked an impressive 25-hour stint in the saddle. Yeah Kirsten!
![cea01ad0-689c-47db-a12b-36113147af4d](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/3m22mcXJ4c8dZqyecq3Tb3/b697f0d4dbd4ffe2bfecc58ceab1cf35/cea01ad0-689c-47db-a12b-36113147af4d.JPG)
At 12.52pm, gutsy 60-year-old, Darryl Carpenter, enjoyed his arrival on the point. The Chief Executive of the Wellington Division of the Cancer Society, Darryl adds Tour Te Waipounamu to a lifetime of impressive adventures in the outdoors.
![a2614230-3cff-467a-acff-a310f59f9753](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/4FDiLGZUdf0w5QvNmBi4Ad/a99febbb4d2e912b695b64f7fb66488e/a2614230-3cff-467a-acff-a310f59f9753.jpg)
Finally at 3.24pm, 59-year-old Masterton businessman, Phil Sutherland (above and below), nursing sore feet and with tales of peanut butter mud through the Lammerlaws, arrived to a guard of honour at the point.
![9569ca52-56fd-48b0-a813-00346cd8c123](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/3UGGDugJzXwuSTmu6m6aAz/e3254513bfefe654301f982da65c6ef8/9569ca52-56fd-48b0-a813-00346cd8c123.jpg)
As Phil started rounding the Catlins coastline, our lantern route, Mark Chapple (below), fatigued and running out of time, sadly turned off course at Mount Teviot to drop down to Roxburgh.
![original-08F32BB6-CE70-41EB-A85D-FDEE3A863142](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/27RjLWEjFwfANCt2CWsSm9/e8e72b7ba15e8eac730d48116a4d21c3/original-08F32BB6-CE70-41EB-A85D-FDEE3A863142.jpeg)
Flying solo for much of the race, it was an incredibly courageous ride by the accomplished 61-year-old outdoorsman, who previously has ridden events to raise awareness of Huntingtons Disease, which affects his family.

And That's It For 2026

With footage from all over the course, Rob Dawson's excellent feature-length documentary on the 2024 edition of Tour Te Waipounamu, Fronting Up, provided compelling insights into the riders' race experience.

<https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9BMgnG3rn-0>

But the doco, which has been viewed almost 35,000 times online, didn't touch on a unique aspect of Tour Te Waipounamu, the post-race recovery period at Slope Point Accommodation, just a couple of kilometres back from the headland.
![sign---website](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/2IjrLXrkSLykZ6Ov5wxxW8/49d070c666e13db1a1991fa7938a2ef0/sign---website.jpg)
Rob and race organiser, Brian Alder quite rightly felt the recovering riders' experiences in this sanctuary should remain private to those who took part.

Dubbed the ICU (Intensive Care Unit), it's run by a handful of former Tour Te Waipounamu riders who team up to cater for the exhausted and, sometimes, injured athletes' every need. Some helpers, like Tony and Karen Le Sueur, were also present 1335kms away at Cape Farewell assisting before the start.

But it's not just about recuperation. This is a place where riders chat and unpack their most remarkable of journeys the length of the island. Deep friendships, based on an incredible shared experience, are formed.

As riders sleep, eat and recover, they move from being patients to caregivers, assisting the more recent arrivals.
![fe822de3-7272-4d4e-8883-871e1a302949](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/6zVCeimrae4FfabOo1kcc9/4ad0c95fcf153074090513539c3d6810/fe822de3-7272-4d4e-8883-871e1a302949.JPG)
It’s now more than three days since Justinas Leveika rode out onto the point to claim second place in the men's race. Given he and partner Sami Sauri fly home to Europe in just three days’ time, they could be off exploring some of the region's great bike routes. Instead they were busy cooking pancakes and serving coffee this morning (above).

It was a full house last night, with 35 people in the accommodation rooms or outside in tents.
![slope-point-backpackers-001](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/6o2WlOZz6I8Fs7MMEBt1JE/63dbab7971a50c60304fdc732b5339bf/slope-point-backpackers-001.jpg)
In the past, some riders have found it hard to draw themselves away from Slope Point. Tour Te Waipounamu is an all-consuming experience and hopping out of the race bubble means returning to an outside world that - initially at least - can struggle to offer the same appeal.

*Editor's self-indulgent footnote:* Arriving at the Slope Point finish in the inaugural 2021 race right on dark, I assumed it would mean another night in the tent. But Pete Maindonald, who was returning from the point, said he'd grab me a room at the place he'd booked, Slope Point Accommodation just up the road.
![original-406FBDF9-9543-4BE9-AE02-5A53D6E02F42](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/1ZfGs57QVHk0XXRHxXsYhs/87a927dbfa71b7cee3136e8618699782/original-406FBDF9-9543-4BE9-AE02-5A53D6E02F42.jpeg)
Rolling up at 10.30pm, with just a stone-cold pie left in a bike bag, host Justine Parker (above) pulled out a slab of bacon, toast bread and carrot cake, without any mention of extra payment. (I gladly transferred double the room rate.)

Pete and I relived our adventures for a couple of hours and the next morning I reluctantly rode off to Invercargill for my flight home knowing friends were about to finish.

As I left, the lovely Justine said that if this Tour Te Waipounamu race caught on, they'd like to play a greater role.

For the third successive edition now riders will head home from Slope Point with memories of the post-race experience every bit as fond and vivid as of the race itself.


A Unique Part of the Race

There's been another elaborate, no-expense-spared podium ceremony at Slope Point, this one in host Justine Parker's shearing shed (photo @antonmcgeachen), following the arrival of the third-placed woman Brit, Jade Saskia Simpson-Field at 10.28am (below).
![8178caad-8ad2-4fe5-a4a2-37b35edd7104](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/7zi1eja4hnwBvsu2pKh6F3/610726eaaae647c0bd91bcdf2864bb25/8178caad-8ad2-4fe5-a4a2-37b35edd7104.JPG)
Celebrating the achievements of the first three women on a bale of hay in a shed out of the Southland rain seems fitting in an event with no finish line gantry. The riders wouldn't want it any other way.
![img 20240326 093008-2](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/4lJCxOUHSJ6sAc5KELzqN2/4af5b7a161f70aea2e2b9c17db6cef8d/img_20240326_093008-2.jpg)
It was an impressive ride for third by Jade, who had previously cycle toured for 14 months thorough Europe, Central Asia and New Zealand. A former Highland Trail 550 finisher, Jade loves a hike-a-bike, and chose to enter this race as a competitive break from her current more relaxed stint bikepacking and trail riding around New Zealand.

There has been a flurry of other recent arrivals at Slope Point since our last post.

First was Canadian Zoe Painter, sadly disqualified for camping on private property. Zoe arrived, chuffed nevertheless, at 10.25 last night (below).
![7dca6046-1217-4a3d-b853-28056e76733e](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/65jHQpPtzpjFcGT0Y1QXJU/ade9d8bee398a4a4c0290c310e18ca0c/7dca6046-1217-4a3d-b853-28056e76733e.JPG)
![fd26f992-bd62-45b1-af3d-e01ad3b6a208](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/4YzakOXsbIuN0vSrJcxqNb/8e70efed0ffcfce20c7d790404105661/fd26f992-bd62-45b1-af3d-e01ad3b6a208.JPG)
Then at 4.09am it was another returnee, Grant Day (above), who achieved both his goals of going quicker - by 14 hours! - and finishing in less than 8 days. Like many of those at the finish, Grant is nursing trench foot.
![42ab6515-a9c1-4bd5-bdf8-e9da5c04b56f](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/6wvlX40wOM9ZZkTtRwbyid/d8d6ef725dfad2c90ee8d9fbd214a0bc/42ab6515-a9c1-4bd5-bdf8-e9da5c04b56f.JPG)
Just in time for daylight at 7.09am was Steve Scott (above) who was sadly knocked out of the inaugural race when he broke a finger on the rail of Boundary Creek Bridge before Tekapo.
![Rob Brown Boundary Creek](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/4BTnvMWLte1YEwxlVeM5s8/f52029f462e37ed3115c69800d1f5832/Rob_Brown_Boundary_Creek.JPEG)
In a remarkable coincidence, the bridge also claimed Steve's friend and fellow member of the small Governors Bay Volunteer Fire Brigade, Rob Brown (above) in training for the first race.

At night, with a single bright bike headlight, the bridge deck appears to be a single level but, as the fire engine headlights (below) show, there are two levels. Rob, like Steve three weeks later, clipped a raised edge, only he flew over the bridge rail and sustained back and neck injuries that still give him grief today.
![Bounday Creek Bridge](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/1RGbfklcuDobpXxFR1CyvM/7f6cacc26359d7aa404419223a9c8fdd/Bounday_Creek_Bridge.JPEG)
![420d616d-1f9e-41d0-b9b9-df74951c8c26](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/32DCBfKPfm8eMuQqQBSkeo/d082e7b21060bcdd865e8ae36dcef76e/420d616d-1f9e-41d0-b9b9-df74951c8c26.JPG)
We almost had a rare photo finish between our next riders, Jason Mouat (9.01am, above) and the colourful Martin Grethe (9.02am, below) before 'Scouse Racing' rode into the wrong sheep paddock. Another returnee, Martin slashed almost six hours off his 2024 time.
![IMG 8322](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/4UXKl7oLbaF4K3YvodwkdG/27099597b1b3dcae39c265ab4850e9e9/IMG_8322.JPG)
![8350cddd-c85d-4548-8146-4e4570d5059e](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/7D2pJx8U5CikbPIuUZBn5z/7be5aa2ccbdbef55528ae485a7acbddc/8350cddd-c85d-4548-8146-4e4570d5059e.JPG)
![a3eba0e6-1e9a-454b-8409-82101c57d10c](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/6wNjG09s9D5NXdjV1Us2U6/aaa5e53a9190b8ea86b8ac81430a9637/a3eba0e6-1e9a-454b-8409-82101c57d10c.JPG)
At 10.21am, just before Jade, Dunedin-residing Frenchman, Christophe Pinel (above) rode out to the distinctive maritime warning light, continuing his record of never DNFing a big event.
![9698c280-ea77-4006-af2b-02d3374ded64](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/3d8syBYPsqSC90CmAphnCa/4ede603e2bba0e0e85ec950e03b4ce46/9698c280-ea77-4006-af2b-02d3374ded64.JPG)
At 11.02am, Christchurch women, Fleur Pawsey and Kim Hendrie (above) completed their impressive rides ... albeit in not-so-impressive weather.

*Most of the images in this post were shot by Anton McGeachen (@antonmcgeachen) who has captured some great shots having followed the race from the Cape Farewell start.*


It will be the busiest night yet at Slope Point Accommodation with 35 riders booked in for rehydration, refuelling and some much-needed rest and recovery.

They include our latest arrivals on a damp Southland day, a couple of Tour Te Waipounamu returnees.

Zurich-based Austrian, Daniel Gona (top, @antonmcgeachen), who finished at 2.40pm, was back “because I am a mountain person, loved Tour Te Waipounamu 2024 and I want to try going fast(ish).”

Daniel certainly succeeded, cutting more than 16 hours off his previous time.
![Anton-119](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/4gErByIEYPUGXKfPJY6CUh/edfde5c90a59764804d71ebb53a90bac/Anton-119.jpg)
Also quicker this year was our next finisher, Bryce Lorcet (above, @antonmcgeachen), who arrived six minutes later. The popular owner of Cyclewerks cycle business in Paraparaumu, who rode the 2022 race, paused momentarily when asked pre-race for his strategy. “Smile?”

![54420f3f-d572-4551-84cd-b57b8ab58438](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/EEtUbXr8xTSgOLKZC77gj/598ce750c0bfbb7cbfa91f6df97f0012/54420f3f-d572-4551-84cd-b57b8ab58438.JPG)
Fifty-two year old Hamiltonian, Layton Aplin (above at Mesopotamia Station and below on the point) was next out on the spit at 6.51pm. “These adventures create lifelong memories.”
![3329b2c5-75e4-4cdb-9547-159379e72f99](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/2coL71KKvB1RwKqlY6dGh4/fa1697b023f37fd2c46b0b595aea2cc4/3329b2c5-75e4-4cdb-9547-159379e72f99.JPG)

![40c4646b-782c-4523-a5f1-17b8029441f3](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/6PBWU7hG0CfNzEkpyucsUq/1ffeb78df35851f3f9d9610fae9d04a0/40c4646b-782c-4523-a5f1-17b8029441f3.JPG)
Then at 8.42pm it was the turn of Wellington couple, Angus Watson and Grace Seeley (Ganga and Marmalade), (pictured above on the steep Bullock Bow Saddle and below a few minutes ago), who have ridden the Colorado Trail, and the Hope 1000 and Transpyrenees in Europe together.
![e7436577-0ce5-462c-96ef-4da0184c1749](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/7hiUpyyiRrYvfXwGH7xxQR/e9ff07fcbfd2efb7e8f0e0b3af856098/e7436577-0ce5-462c-96ef-4da0184c1749.JPG)

Zoe Painter, who was disqualified after camping on private land, will be next to arrive. Brit Megan Young, who she had been riding with and was also disqualified, hopped off her bike at Clinton, 90kms from the finish.


Busy Night Ahead at the ICU

Every event has a Tail-end Charlie, that rider at the back of the field.  With both the Tour Te Waipounamu men’s and women’s winners decided, attention can be diverted to those that are still battling it out on the course and particularly the rider at the very back.  Will they make it to Slope Point and the finish before the cut-off point at 7am on Wednesday 4 February 2026, ten days after the start?![Mark Chapple (Chappie)](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/7z6uyLF41Faw4DRRFU9x2e/63a9333dbbe48f10cb591e67f4aa3a52/20260130_140858_resized.jpg)

Right now, that person is Mark Chapple (Mark Chappie).  On Sunday morning with three full days left to ride, he left Tekapo (828km) with 507km left to complete.  He’s averaged 118km per day since the start a week ago and will need to pick up his pace or go longer into the night to make it in time.  That may be limited by having no spare batteries or charger for his front light!

He’s confident of finishing but not sure when and by his own admission, “I’m not fast!”

A key difference between the first and second halves of this race is that the lower South Island part of the route has more resupply and accommodation options.  While that helps with logistics, it can add to the mental battle within the rider, with the backdrop of extreme tiredness.  Add to this the fact that the Tail-end Charlie is now riding on their own, a solitary position to be in.![20260130 171000 resized](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/5dspkhvi6TjGVSCVEWIrn4/6f419ad2484f1c34bf2f0a3daba1c674/20260130_171000_resized.jpg)  

The next resupply for Mark is Otematata where there will be a hot meal and a bed available at the local hotel.  It is tempting to stop but that is only 112km down the road from Tekapo leaving 395km to the finish.  There’s not enough time to get the job done by Wednesday morning so what is required is a mental shift.  Resupply at Otematata and get going again riding into the evening.  Easy to say but, with an exhausted body, hard to do.

Today will be critical for ‘Chappie’ if he is to finish on time.  Yesterday would have been one of his toughest from Royal Hut, over Stag Saddle, the highest point on the route, and then a long and not easy haul to Tekapo.

The ride to Otematata is more straight forward with a relatively flat but bumpy ride then climbing through Black Forest Station and popping out onto Benmore Dam with a 5km ride down to the township.  Leaving Otematata you're straight into a 500-metre climb and riding on private land so that means no camping for 24km.  Can he make it by Wednesday?  We can only watch the dot and urge him on!![Mark heads towards the steep climb up Bullock Bow Saddle (in the background)](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/13BRO7HTbWnMpnJyFuxkoC/2b3bfba1c980aec223407fd63ed0126b/20260130_171710_resized.jpg)


Tail-end Charlie – Will he make it to Slope Point in time?

*Photos: @samisauri*

A gallant Peg Leyland, the pace-setter for much of the epic women's race, was clearly delighted to make it out on to Slope Point at 10.59am to secure second place.

These images by Sami Sauri convey just how much Tour Te Waipounamu asks of and means to an athlete.
![SS TTW FINISHLINE DAY08 014](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/1qt5aikZnv1IQPN3Mmlh7v/0fb728ca9fbb839146a669f9abc70749/SS_TTW_FINISHLINE_DAY08_014.jpg)![SS TTW FINISHLINE DAY08 022](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/1U1LRXeJpRtXQIifui3iKk/150133a94a335fd0878630c84d9c6ab8/SS_TTW_FINISHLINE_DAY08_022.jpg)![SS TTW FINISHLINE DAY08 021](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/4s9RiZjVQ8Qi5eG0NnNFm0/709791e1f8d18a3ec896e181e23f2f78/SS_TTW_FINISHLINE_DAY08_021.jpg)![SS TTW FINISHLINE DAY08 015](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/7CznqTGUEQFChyUWknbaVz/1b1882ad32478cc16ee84ba5c381ec79/SS_TTW_FINISHLINE_DAY08_015.jpg)![SS TTW FINISHLINE DAY08 018](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/7hqpttKnT2dVGuYqTru4ea/66b40c6932f38c3bf91799bf18d5396f/SS_TTW_FINISHLINE_DAY08_018.jpg)![SS TTW FINISHLINE DAY08 019](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/531XxuzNv3JWmEJy11XkHV/23d0583e2d77a3ba3ac152ff3d5c2d36/SS_TTW_FINISHLINE_DAY08_019.jpg)Our women’s race winner Eva Dethlefsen has been very much in her element for the past week: “I just loved being in the mountains on my bike," she said after catching her breath.
![SS TTW FINISHLINE DAY08 005](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/15HsfgJ8pfxba7ylfgpje4/f4b1eba40ece7ac69e45ada2b9c09fda/SS_TTW_FINISHLINE_DAY08_005.jpg)Pre-race, the Queenstown DOC ranger noted that “Most of my life revolves around adventures in the outdoors, I like to move fast and efficient through the mountains and I can look after myself in the backcountry.
![SS TTW FINISHLINE DAY08 009](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/49MixbOd631JJHZIwZp0N2/736b87a07bd4030f446c9d6cf7f336d8/SS_TTW_FINISHLINE_DAY08_009.jpg)“’Normal People’ think the stuff I get up to for fun is crazy and Tour Te Waipounamu seems like a place where a lot of crazy people gather!”
![SS TTW FINISHLINE DAY08 010](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/6OIzCkFTdCIv1HXFmD3MZj/17e4b78420e089d6ab2a14d884ebc5fd/SS_TTW_FINISHLINE_DAY08_010.jpg)Eva loved the downhills, especially on her Canyon full suspension bike, and enjoyed sliding down the Dampier Range in the wet. She wasn’t so happy on the Canterbury Plains.
![SS TTW FINISHLINE DAY08 011](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/3HE269RHksI16YnqWkl8Xq/4e475a0a9d2cd42564f6ea1878e0e4be/SS_TTW_FINISHLINE_DAY08_011.jpg)Her strategy was to treat the first five days like day rides. Detouring a couple of kilometres to Hurunui Hut above Lake Sumner in appalling weather on the second night kept her bike and gear dry and she got a good sleep.
![SS TTW FINISHLINE DAY08 012](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/BwCh7ufJdSmydE4jfKb5U/b2ad00b9db8ae838ae531675d4913e45/SS_TTW_FINISHLINE_DAY08_012.jpg)“The early sleep really paid off. After that I preferred to camp away from other people to get a better sleep and only slept a few hours the last few nights.” Ultimately the race was won with minimal sleep in the final 36 hours dash to the finish against Peg.”

Eva was naturally thrilled with her win, especially with no previous multi-day bikepacking event experience. She was the first women home in the Central Otago Reset Brevet last year, her only other event, but doesn’t consider that ‘bikepacking’ having covered the course in 30 hours without sleep.


And Peg Bags Second

*More photos to come*

After seven days of racing, it appears that about half an hour's sleep has decided an enthrallingly tight women's race.

Eva Dethlefsen of Queenstown stopped for about 90 minutes just after crossing the Pomahaka River around 1am, handing the lead to Peg Leyland of Pukerua Bay. But a slightly longer two-hour stop for Peg on Slopedown Road in Southland, 27kms later, enabled Eva to slip by at 5.45am to reclaim the lead.![8daa4d3b-e4e0-437f-8d36-e11606b507d0](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/6vJbtWIXdW85A7ZeOBXUiZ/4be6451adfcd5e4133289e677ef47c76/8daa4d3b-e4e0-437f-8d36-e11606b507d0.JPG)Eva stayed strong, maintaining a gap of about 15kms through the Eastern Southland farm roads and around the Catlins Coast to the finish at 10.04am.

These have been hugely impressive rides by both athletes: the veteran mountain biker Peg, racing Tour Te Waipounamu for the first time, partly to celebrate turning 50; and the 34-year-old former enduro rider, Eva, now enjoying longer stints in the saddle.

The women's race has been compelling since yesterday morning when Eva overtook a sleeping Peg Leyland, who had an 8.5 hour break in Oturehua. With that long rest, many predicted Peg would come home stronger but the pair have been powering along at similar speeds through the quiet backroads of Otago and Southland.

Justinas' tyre issues might have robbed us of the chance of a grandstand finish in the men's race but not so the women's contest.

Kim Hendrie has a 10km advantage over another Christchurch rider, Fleur Pawsey in the race for the final podium spot after both Megan Young of Britain and Zoe Painter of Canada were sadly disqualified for camping on private land.![img 9541](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/1ije1Mp0eu9U8Gn6Gp4xgR/c04bd9c7773113ed379dbdc206265e3e/img_9541.jpg)Shortly before Eva's arrival, 40 year old Belgian bike mechanic, Maarten Vanhaverbeke, who met Brian at the finish of the Silk Road Mountain Race, (above) finished at 9.45am (below).![56f137b0-38da-4e57-bb2b-95d34b9093ac](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/dlHpMx1VEKLPwOM1wRX9G/3dbb2769ef926d8b44789242b54084c0/56f137b0-38da-4e57-bb2b-95d34b9093ac.JPG)


Eva Clinches a Dramatic Win

While most eyes have been on the captivating battle for the women's title, there have been some fresh arrivals at Slope Point.

The isolation of bikepacking through some of the most remote corners of our wilderness often appeals to quieter personality types but also gregarious extroverts, like these guys (above).

Queenstown mates, Adam Carlson and Tom Baker - Team Big Mouth Strikes Again - have once again laughed, chatted and grinned their way down the length of the island.![att.8cWnc9ERViT5lWKBF3lBAnyE8uerdvn8JbcDhrEBhks](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/5EPTTImumIEWaGs8Bi3Utk/49365225f79488a36dc196ff7de063e8/att.8cWnc9ERViT5lWKBF3lBAnyE8uerdvn8JbcDhrEBhks.JPG)They promised Brian they'd take Tour Te Waipounamu more seriously this year and with their arrival at 4.57am, having not slept since Otureha, duly chopped a mighty 20 hours of their previous time. This (above, a short time ago) is a rare photo of them silent.![16409d4f-cd1e-4daa-85be-1bca1d79f9ea](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/1qPeBPtcT0eKwE202cZ8IK/0e9e0a442ccbbdd363f875a46bde83d3/16409d4f-cd1e-4daa-85be-1bca1d79f9ea.JPG)Then 40 minutes later, 32 year old Wellingtonian, Jacob Wahry (Babesquatch) rolled in, having pulled an overnighter.![4e5f4321-56a3-4794-b795-5c81389ef008](//images.ctfassets.net/6hyijb95boju/1eXfH8QQ45XgwJGBzy7M2p/bef06d5b6b1d07e2cf97035ab4bd0c23/4e5f4321-56a3-4794-b795-5c81389ef008.JPG)There's almost a full house at Slope Point Accommodation this morning as they await the arrival of the first woman, Eva Dethlefsen, who is rounding the Catlins Coast after an eventful overnight duel with Pey Leyland.


And Still They Roll In...

It's all on for the closest female finish in the Tour Te Waipounamu.  After 1225kms spread over a week of riding, there are just six kilometres between Eva Dethlefsen and Peg Leyland.  At 1am in the morning and still 110 kms to ride, who will prevail?

Peg has held the lead for much of the week but today through the Lammerlaw Range, Eva whittled it down to less than 5kms.  She eventually took the lead before the quick decent down and along to Lawrence, one of the riders' favourite resupply towns. 

Initially it looked as though Eva had gained some real momentum and with neither staying in town for long, Peg is not letting go.  Is it a case of snooze and you lose?


It's a pre-dawn duel - snooze and you lose!

Andrew Trevelyan

Benjamin Carrell

Emma Bateup

Joe Nation

New Zealand mountain bikepacking race through the South Island high country, over many an exposed pass and high country station through Te Waipounamu's many valleys and changing climate.

Tour Te Waipounamu 2026 Tracking and Commentary

A race the length of New Zealand's South Island (Te Waipounamu) mainly through the scenic high country.

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Tour Te Waipounamu 2026

Last Year's WinnerJoe Nation

Last Year's Female WinnerEmma Bateup

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