Whakataetae o te Ahi ka Ao is an 88 km long climbing race that starts in Christchurch and finishes in the charming town of Akaroa. The race is a true test of climbing abilities, with two challenging climbs to tackle along the way.
At just 4 km into the race, the riders will face their first test of the day - the climb up Gibraltar Rock. This winding road gets steeper as it approaches the summit, challenging the riders...
Read moreWhakataetae o te Ahi ka Ao is an 88 km long climbing race that starts in Christchurch and finishes in the charming town of Akaroa. The race is a true test of climbing abilities, with two challenging climbs to tackle along the way.
At just 4 km into the race, the riders will face their first test of the day - the climb up Gibraltar Rock. This winding road gets steeper as it approaches the summit, challenging the riders' endurance and climbing abilities. However, once at the top, the riders will be rewarded with stunning views of the surrounding landscape and the Christchurch coastline. From Gibraltar Rock, the riders will head west towards Charteris Bay, a small town that offers stunning views of Quail Island. The route then continues towards Purau, another charming town located in the heart of the Banks Peninsula. Here, the riders will face a challenging climb up Waipuna Saddle that will test their climbing abilities even further. The climb up Mount Sinclair will follow soon after, adding more difficulty to an already grueling race. After a challenging ascent, the riders will enjoy a short break during the downhill section as they make their way towards Akaroa. However, the final push towards the finish line will be challenging with several hills that will test the riders' endurance and hill-climbing abilities.
Along the route, the riders will be treated to stunning views of the Banks Peninsula and the Christchurch coastline, with their rugged cliffs and sparkling waters. The towns and cities along the way will offer the riders a glimpse of rural New Zealand, with their charming architecture and friendly locals. The terrain on this course is mostly hilly, with several challenging climbs and descents. The roads are a mix of paved and gravel, with some sections being quite technical and demanding. The climbs along the route will favor the climbers in the peloton with their steep and winding roads that require excellent climbing abilities and endurance.
To win this race, a rider would need to be an all-round climber with excellent climbing abilities, endurance, and technical skills to handle the challenging terrain. However, a rider with a good kick might also have a chance, as the final push towards Akaroa contains several hill sections that could force a small breakaway group.
