Monday, 3 May 2021, 6:13 am
A former winner and first timer claimed victory
in the 36th running of New Zealand’s longest running
mountain bike event.
Established in 1986, the
Gazley Skoda Karapoti Classic is, in fact, the longest
running mountain bike race in the Southern Hemisphere. Based
in Upper Hutt’s rugged Akatarawa Ranges near Wellington,
this annual gathering has become the cultural hub of New
Zealand mountain biking.
This year more than 600
riders took to the start line, and while covid-19 keeps
internationals riders away the women’s race was won by a
former African champion and Olympian for
Namibia.
Michelle Vorster lives now in Auckland and