2018 Leading and Inspiring Teams

Leading Contenders

Below are just some of the leading contenders in the 2018 Pioneer, by no means is this list exhaustive, in fact expect the podium to be occupied at different times during the week and at the conclusion of the six-day race by teams not mentioned here, such is the depth of the field and the demands placed on teams throughout the week.

OPEN WOMEN

Big Watts
Amy Hollamby 39yrs, (Timaru) and Kate McIlroy, (Wellington)
Hollamby was due to ride with Linda Villumsen, but her withdrawal due to injury sees her pair up with another formidable athlete in former NZ triathlete and more recently Commonwealth games road cyclist Kate McIlroy. Hollamby knows the event well, having ridden with Haley Van Leeuwen to third in the women’s category in 2017.  McIlroy has done it all in sport, representing New Zealand on the athletics track (steeplechase), triathlon and more recently road cycling. Any nerves or inexperience on the mountain bike will be compensated by McIlroy’s toughness and huge competitive edge.

New World St Martins
Nina McVicar 30yrs, (Auckland) and Mary Gray 28yrs, (Christchurch)
One of the toughest riders in New Zealand, 2017 open women’s winner Nina McVicar returns with a new riding partner in Mary Gray, the 2018 Rotorua Winter Mountain Bike Series Champion and 2016 XTERRA Motatapu winner. McVicar knows the event well and will bring all of her tricks and experience to negotiating the week – on and off the bike, while Gray is an experienced endurance athlete and hails from Christchurch, so may well know the terrain in the Central Otago region.

Madison NZ
Erin Greene, 36yrs, Queenstown and Hannah Miller, 41yrs, Christchurch
Erin finished second with Ingrid Richter in 2017 and returns with well performed master’s rider Hannah Miller, who finished 3^rd overall at Macpac Motatapu in 2018 and won Master’s 2 at the 2018 Mountain Bike Nationals and brings extensive multi-day stage racing experience, especially from the UK. Another pairing to watch in a category that is going to be fascinating to watch throughout the week.

MIXED

Velo Channel
Jean Francois Bossler 41yrs (France) and Fanny Bourdon, 29yrs, (France)
One of the big international pairings and amongst the most credentialled riders to ever have ridden in New Zealand, underlined by their status as winners of the Cape EPIC mixed category. Jean Francois has finished 7 Cape Epics in total as well as many of the world’s most demanding multistage mountain bike races. Former UCI cross country rider Fanny has also ridden in many of the great races, including Alps Epic, Swiss Epic and of course Cape Epic. Surely the ones to beat.

New World
Mark Williams 45yrs, (Queenstown) & Kate Fluker, 31yrs, (Queenstown)
Legends of the mountain biking community and stars of this event (two times mixed category winners), Fluker and Williams will face their biggest challenge to their Pioneer supremacy but will be up for the fight as they chase a hat-trick of wins at The Pioneer. Earning a spot at Cape Epic, they rode through a number of mechanical issues to finish a hugely impressive fifth earlier this year. Home course advantage will count for plenty and they are renowned as the greatest ‘team’ in the event, sticking close together and complementing each other’s skill set brilliantly.

Team Garmin
Yolandi du Toit (South Africa) & Ben Melt (South Africa)
Team Garmin will be amongst the more experienced teams on the start line at The Pioneer. Riding together for the first time at the 2015 Bike Trans Alp, Yolandi and Ben have since ridden fulltime as a team, competing at five stage races, including another Bike Trans Alp, Glacier 360 in Iceland and in 2017 five African events in Namibia, Zambia, Botswana, Kenya and Mauritius. The Pioneer is the pairs only offshore event for 2018.

New World St Martins
Elina Ussher, 42yrs, (Nelson) & Flavio Vianna, 37yrs, (Christchurch - Brazil)
A legend in adventure and multisport racing, Elina Ussher is as tough as they come and will likely get stronger as the event goes on and others start to struggle. Ussher is a multiple winner of the Coast to Coast and Vianna a regular on the podium at many multisport and adventure races over the years. Look for this pair to be in the equation in the long haul with their adventure racing experience and strength. New World is the winner in the battle between this pair and Mark Williams and Kate Fluker!

MTBVL Adventures
Johnny Van Leeuwen, 37yrs, (Dunedin) & Haley Van Leeuwen, 37yrs, (Dunedin)
Haley is already a legend of mountain biking, having received the EPIC Legends Medal for completing the Pioneer, Cape Epic and Swiss Epic events. Haley rode the event in 2017 with Amy Hollamby (finished 3^rd overall women’s pair) but this year rides with husband Johnny, who she rode with in both the Cape Epic and Swiss Epic events.

OPEN MEN

Willbike – MortgageME
James Williamson 29yrs (Alexandra) and Scott Lyttle 34yrs (Kiwi based in Boulder USA)
The defending champions return under a new team name but with more experience and knowledge of a multi-day stage race on the dirt. Both are former road cyclists (Williamson is a former NZ Road Champion), but both are clearly at home on the mountain bikes as well. Given their experience in the event and as a pairing, they will be tough to beat and start with the favourites tag. They will look to bring their road endurance to the fore on some of the sealed road and hard packed trail sections of the event.

ONYA BIKE
Tim Rush 28yrs, (Oamaru) & Michael Vink 27yrs, (Christchurch)
The biggest danger to Lyttle and Williamson must surely be lurking in the ONYA BIKE team, with recently crowned 2018 Tour of Southland winner Michael Vink pairing up with well performed road and mountain bike rider Tim Rush. Tim has ridden the event before with brother Kris and will be wiser for it. A former pro road cyclist, Rush has won many events or been on the podium on the road and on the mountain bike.  Michael is a decorated road cyclist, perhaps the most decorated to have taken on the Pioneer in its three-year history and comes to The Pioneer on the back of winning the prestigious Tour of Southland in 2018. Vink’s record includes: Memorial Van Coningsloo (2013), Tour of Southland (2018), New Zealand Cycle Classic (2014), National Road Race Championships (2012), National Time Trial Championships (2015), Under-23 National Road Race Championships (2011, 2012), Under-23 National Time Trial Championships (2010, 2012, 2013)

PERSKINDOL-ANS-R3
Ken Cheng & Kevin Yim (Hong Kong China)
One of the international teams riding in The Pioneer, Ken Cheng is looking to secure an elusive Epic Legend Medal given to riders to complete the Swiss Epic, Cape Epic and Pioneer mountain bike stage races. Cheng was the first Chinese rider to completed Absa Cape Epic in 2014 (going on to ride in 2016 and 2018) and took the Cape Epic amabubesi in 2018. Cheng rode the Swiss Epic this year, leaving The Pioneer as the only event to conquer to receive his Epic Legend Medal.  Ken and Kevin are riding in part to promote the event in China, and to encourage and inspire more Chinese to take up mountain biking.

MASTERS MEN

Vital All in One
Cameron Brown, 46yrs, Auckland & Andrew Smith, 42yrs, Auckland
The legendary IRONMAN champion turns his attention to mountain biking. No one will question his fitness and endurance, but can the 12 x IRONMAN NZ champion manage the technical aspects of the race alongside mate and riding partner Andrew Smith?  Brown suggests this is more about ‘training’ and enjoying the week, but the competitive juices will flow once the race starts.

INSPIRING STORIES

The following is a sample of some of the many inspiring stories or elite combinations that we have riding the 2018 Pioneer. This again is not exhaustive, every team lining up deserves to be recognized here. But the following selection is a snap shot of those riding the event, and food for thought in regards stories and daily coverage.

MIXED

As Good As Pros
Rowan Aspros 53 yrs, and Patrick Aspros 54 yrs (Christchurch)
TESTING A 35 YEAR MARRIAGE ON A SIX-DAY BIKE RIDE
Rowan rode the 4 day event last time out and this year pairs up with husband Patrick, who last time rode with his son. So, a pair that is keeping it in the family and has some experience of the event, with Patrick saying; ‘this will be a good test of our 35-year marriage!’

Mr and Mrs Smith
Rachel Leong, 30yrs, (Australia) and Dan Smith, 31yrs, (Australia)
WILL THEY MAKE IT TO THE ALTAR STILL TALKING…
This pair of love birds are getting married a week after The Pioneer, their goal is to make it out alive and still engaged! They have some experience in events such as Reef to Reef and WA Cape on numerous occasions.

Scrambled Legs
Katie Taine 28yrs, (Timaru) & David Ward, 55yrs, (Waimate)
ARTHRITIS NO BARRIER AS TIMARU WOMAN TAKES ON PIONEER
Katie Taine is inspired to take on events like The Pioneer despite the chronic pain she endures as a result of her Rheumatoid Arthritis. Katie has been facing huge challenges just to train and make it to the start line, let alone contemplate the six days of riding and the 15124m of climbing facing competitors. Showing that such an illness need not put an end to physical activity, an amazing story of courage and determination in this year’s Pioneer.             

MASTERS (BOTH RIDERS 40 YEARS PLUS)

Blublokes
Tim Beere 45yrs, (Hamilton) and Grant Shackleton, 53yrs, (Hamilton)
WAIKATO PAIR RIDE IN THE NAME OF PROSTATE CANCER
Tim was diagnosed at age 42 with prostate cancer and is now 45 and ready to take on The Pioneer. Team Blublokes are riding The Pioneer to raise awareness around the importance of screening for early detection of this insidious disease which kills 600 mean in NZ each year. Blublokes are also riding to also raise money for research into better diagnosis tools, treatment options and treatment outcomes.
www.blublokes.co.nz

Dempsey Wood Riding for Tomorrow
Rob Dowd, 53yrs, (Dunedin) & Paul Evans (Dunedin)
&
Dempsey Wood Dans le noir
Robert Fitzsimons, 50yrs, (Auckland) & Scott Garrett, 46yrs, (Auckland)
DEMPSEY WOOD TEAMS RIDING FOR A MATE WITH RARE DEGENERATIVE DISEASE
Two Dempsey Wood teams are riding for Mark Taylor, a Senior Estimator for Dempsey Wood Civil, living with a degenerative disease causing blindness and leaving him barely able to walk.  Rob and Paul are supporting Mark’s fundraising efforts with a target of $100,000 to fund research by the Neurological Foundation of New Zealand.

2 Beers
Timothy Rodwell 48yrs (Australia) & Andrew Stephenson, 46yrs (Australia)
PROSTATE CANCER NO MATCH FOR AUSSIE PIONEER RIDER
Timothy beat Prostate cancer last year to make it to the start line at The Pioneer, his presence on the event a testament to his fighting spirit and determination to return to full fitness and take on all that life can throw at him.

OPEN WOMEN

Cable Logging Geraldine
Kylie Burrows 45yrs, (Cairns Australia) & Sarah Kaehler, 41yrs, (Australia)
NO MORE HITCH HICKERS AS AUSSIE SAYS: ‘BUGGER OFF CANCER’, TO RETURN TO PIONEER
Kylie Burrows rode the Pioneer in 2017 and then found out a month later that she had Stage 3 (very aggressive) Breast Cancer.  In her words Kylie was not going to be beaten and has returned to compete again in 2018, with a few less ‘free loaders’ on board.

“In 2018 I won't be carrying any hitchhikers in my system, bugger off Cancer!” 

Kylie has also ridden the Croc Trophy and Swiss Epic, as well as both previous editions of The Pioneer, riding with Sarah to victory in the Masters women’s category in 2017. Such an inspiring story and incredible to welcome Kylie and Sarah back again in 2018.

GRAND MASTERS (BOTH RIDERS 50 YEARS PLUS)

LSPB
Jep Gonzales Farres 50yrs (Spain) and Marcel Farres Dasquens, 50yers, (Spain)
The Pioneer marks the end of the dream for this team, riding their bikes on five continents. They have ridden the Cape Epic, Mongolia Bike Challenge, Titan Desert and others on their cycling journey. They will be on eof the teams you want to sit next to at dinner in the event village, imagine the stories they will have to share as they add yet more through the Central Otago trails on The Pioneer.

Back From Broke
Arend Merrie, 51yrs (Auckland), and Graham Morton, 51yrs, (Auckland)
Arend broke his neck in September 2017 and has been out of the collar for a few months now and has since eased back into his bike riding and training. Arend’s big goal is to complete the Pioneer, getting to the start line is incredible in itself. Graham meanwhile brings a little humour to the team, saying he ‘once had beautiful flowing locks, then got married and is now bald!’

Jetmaster
Lyndon Smith 46yrs, (Blenheim) & James Anderson, 52yrs, (Auckland)
Lyndon and James are first and foremost family men with a shared interest in climbing mountains on bikes. When The Pioneer combined this interest into a race, a natural attraction was created. Lyndon and James wanted each metre climbed to count for more than just personal satisfaction. A cause was selected - Autism New Zealand, a non-profit charity supporting people and families living with Autism.  With the blessing of Autism NZ and support from the team sponsor Jetmaster Fires, (www.jetmaster.co.nz), they want to raise money for this worthy organisation. For every metre climbed by Lyndon and James over the course of the event, you can nominate how much you want to donate to Autism New Zealand. https://give.everydayhero.com/nz/cycling-for-autismnz

Founding Riders – those to have competed in all three (including this year) Pioneer events.

Mike Blewitt, Australia, MarathonMTB.com
Reuben Brand, Christchurch, Team Blue Dog
Mike Holland, Christchurch, Team Blue Dog
Loan Burger, South Africa (Auckland), A Jafa and a Saffa
Kylie Burrows, Australia, Cable Logging Geraldine
Kate Fluker, Queenstown, New World
Mark Williams, Queenstown, New World
Erin Greene, Queenstown, Madison New Zealand
Nina McVicar, Auckland, New World St Martins
Peter O’Sullivan, Australia, Crankit Cycles Specialized
Andrew Percival, Australia, Cycling UNCUT II
Mike Sangster, Alexandra, Specialised Structures
Gianluca Valsenti, Wellington, Rivet Racing
Johnny Van Leeuwen, Dunedin, Mtbvl Adventures
Kent Wilson, Napier, The Hub Cycle Centre/Napier Painting Contractors