The chance of back to back wins for Mike Northey, winner of last year's Contact Lake Taupo Cycle Challenge was lost on a tight sprint to the finish line in this years Holden Mens Classic Elite Race.
Michael Torckler just edged him out in a time of 3:46:37.38. Northey took second place in a time of 3:46:37.89, with only half a second between them both.
Torckler, from Waitara, is no stranger to the Cycle Challenge Classic having won the event in 2011. After the race Michael said, "It was a strong field and the wind proved a handicap. Mike and I broke away at the 60km mark which made for a tight duel over the final stages."
Recently crowned National Criterium Champion Northey took out honours at last nights Bodyfuel Men's Criterium Race.
Reta Trotman however, achieved the perfect double in Taupo, not only winning the Bodyfuel Women's Criterium Race last night but also taking out the OPI 100 km Women's Race in a time of 2:58:54.65, following a tense and close duel between her and second place getter Hannah Van Kampen. Kampen followed her across the line in a time of 2:59:04.16. Jenny Fay from Australia won the hill climb section of the event while Jenna Makgill took out the sprint.
Kay Brake, Event Director of Contact Lake Taupo Cycle is pleased with the way both of today's races panned out. "Despite blustery weather conditions a good field in both events and powerful finishes along Lake Terrace to the finish line in Tongariro Street showed why these are considered New Zealand's premier cycle races."
