Organisers are haling the success of the revived Lake Dunstan Cycle Challenge after 91 cyclists took part on Saturday.

The annual race around Lake Dunstan looked to have done its final dash late last year after it was announced last minute race director Bill Godsall was stepping down and the Cromwell Summer Series was put on hold.

However the Central Otago Wakatipu Cycling club stepped up to run the road race and on Saturday race director said it was an “incredible success’’.

Central cyclists performed well including Jimmy Williamson who won the male masters 35- 44 category, club president Andy Gillies, Pete Scarlet (third and fifth respectively in male masters 45 - 54, both of Alexandra) and Andrew Widdup from Cromwell came sixth in the

same category.

Male masters aged 45-54 podium was Alexandra’s Andy Gillies (third), Invercargill’s Luke Macpherson (first) and Dunedin’s Justin Stott (third). PHOTO: COWCC Facebook

Alexandra’s Chris Galbraith placed third in the female masters aged 35 - 44,  

Cromwell’s Stewart Eggleton earned second in male masters 65+, and Central youngsters Chris Nevill came in 11th and Eddie Adams 12th equal in the under 23 group. 

COWCC president and race director Andy Gillies said they were truly happy with the event.

“We had next to no time to get it up and running, so we’re pleased. 

“No problems with riders, no crashes… traffic management did a brilliant job.

“A few drivers needed to have a little bit more patience, there are lots of places to overtake… [they] need to bide their time [in a few places].”

The fastest finisher in under 23 men’s was Dunedin’s James Gardner in two hours and 46 seconds. Second place was Queenstown’s Eli Tregidga and third was Timaru’s James Wilson. 

In the women's under 23 category Timaru’s Charlotte Clarke placed first in a time of 2 hours, four mins and 44 seconds. Second went to Georgia Waghorn and third to Summer Karras (both from Christchurch).

The map of the race. PHOTO: COWCC Strava

The cycle challenge took in a 90km sealed road circuit around Lake Dunstan from Cromwell, via Northburn, Tarras, Luggate and back via the Wānaka Rd.

The event set out to cover costs and Andy said they had done so, with the final washup still to come. 

“Anything we made will be invested back into the growth of cycling in our region."

Following Saturday's event many riders completed a Hawea Flat circuit gravel race on Sunday.

COWCC currently has 55 registered riders from Alexandra, Cromwell, Queenstown and Wānaka and caters for all abilities from beginners to youngsters and elite riders.

The club races alternate weekends until late April and this season has introduced Thursday night track racing in Cromwell. 

COWCC racing. PHOTO: Supplied 

Next up is Thursday night track racing in Cromwell (January 16) and then a race from Hawea to Makarora return on January 26. 

Read more: New organisers for Lake Dunstan Cycle Challenge.

Read more: Cromwell Summer series on hold, running events on rise.

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