2W Gravity Enduro - Rotorua, New Zealand

Feb 20, 2013
by John Colthorpe  
The Giant 2W Gravity Enduro a four-stage hybrid race, with both downhill and cross country elements, was the final event in the inaugural Rotorua Bike Festival. It was fitting 20-year-old Shaw, who has grown up on the vast Whakarewarewa Forest trail network, was able to negotiate the 18.7km distance in the fastest overall time, clocking 38mins 55secs and finishing 16secs clear of Nelson Enduro specialist Jamie Nicoll.

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Nearly 300 riders from New Zealand, Australia and the United States entered the Enduro, a format similar to car rallying in which riders have 5hrs to get around and ride the four timed stages. As the stunning Rotorua summer continued, with blue skies and hot sunshine, the event neatly captured the imagination of weekend warriors and serious athletes alike.

Action from the inaugural Giant 2W Gravity Enduro on Feb 17 2013 in Rotorua. Photo by Jamie Troughton Dscribe Journalism www.facebook.com jtpix www.dscribe.co.nz info dscribe.co.nz
Nelsons Chaci Melrose hauls round the first corner of the final stage on 'The Corridoor' overlooking Rotorua.

One of those serious athletes was former Olympic cross country star Rosara Joseph, who showed she'd wasted no time getting used to her new discipline by winning the women's overall title. She finished in 43mins 19secs, ahead of Auckland 21-year-old Sasha Smith and former world cup downhiller Jenna Makgill. Joseph, who turns 31 this week, will link up with the Yeti team to ride the Enduro circuit in the United States this year, although she admits she's still getting her head around the concept.

Action from the inaugural Giant 2W Gravity Enduro on Feb 17 2013 in Rotorua. Photo by Jamie Troughton Dscribe Journalism www.facebook.com jtpix www.dscribe.co.nz info dscribe.co.nz
Rosara Joseph rides along a boardwalk on the course route heading into the forest.

'Nicoll' said 'the tracks were super-cool and I had a good group to ride with and I found it physically really challenging." Nicoll just managed to see off the threat of Aucklander Byron Scott to finish second in the men's race, although he took out the 23-39 division. The Nelson rider has been plying the Enduro circuit for several seasons and came prepared for Rotorua's introduction to the format.

Action from the inaugural Giant 2W Gravity Enduro on Feb 17 2013 in Rotorua. Photo by Jamie Troughton Dscribe Journalism www.facebook.com jtpix www.dscribe.co.nz info dscribe.co.nz
Nick Lambert shows some skills on his route down 'Be Rude Not To.'

Organiser Neil Gellatly of Dare to Sweat Events was delighted with the weather, the turnout and the spirit of the competitors and has vowed next year's race will be even better. "It's really captured the imagination of people and is probably the most relevant event for all those riders who like coming out and spending a day in the forest with their mates," Gellatly said. "Adding the competitive element to the camaraderie gives it the perfect mix."

Action from the inaugural Giant 2W Gravity Enduro on Feb 17 2013 in Rotorua. Photo by Jamie Troughton Dscribe Journalism www.facebook.com jtpix www.dscribe.co.nz info dscribe.co.nz
Racers Rosara Joseph and Sasha Smith with their cheques.

For full results, check the 2W Gravity Enduro website at www.2w.co.nz

A gallery of images can be seen at JTPix

Author Info:
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Member since Mar 14, 2011
39 articles

22 Comments
  • 9 0
 that trail... it looks so dry... I haven't seen something that beautiful in months... bloody British weather.
  • 3 2
 dude shuttup your soooo lucky to be up there, despite the rain! Haha im working my ass off just so I can come up in june
  • 2 0
 I havnt seen the uk that dry in years lol @casums, i would save your money and go somewhere else, theres some good places over here but we got nothing on other places in europe
  • 10 0
 Maybe casums is planning a visit to British Columbia. It'd be funny if he ended up in the UK looking for Whistler.
  • 5 0
 Everything's dry here, gotta love NZ summers Smile
  • 2 0
 roger that bro!!
  • 3 1
 here in nelson we havnt seen rain scince before xmas so our trails are insainly dry Big Grin
  • 2 0
 HA! maybe I should lay of the liquor
  • 1 0
 Rotorua trails are sick. Saving up for another visit soon.
  • 3 0
 Once again, New Zealand is on the home page of PB! Gotta love the clean green New Zealand scenery. MTB tracks are always in good places there. I would love to ride the trails in Rotorua. They look amazing!! There's a nice little set of tracks in a place called Eskdale in Hawke's Bay where I used to live. Awesome place, nice summers and a lot of the time, nice dry stracks though some can get really dusty and your bike is dirty in a heartbeat haha.
  • 1 0
 +1 Pan Pac Eskdale park. These tracks can also get muddy there esp. at the base. My full respect to the guys that helped built the Ninja track. Such a shame that whole section is going to get logged in the next couple of years or so.
  • 1 0
 Spent a week in January riding the Rotorua trails, absolutely amazing. The Kiwi's really have it sussed, leaving us Aussies to shame.If you get a chance to get there grab it with both hands. You won't be disappointed.
  • 3 0
 Ok, call me ignorant or just a total derp but why is the dude at 1:35 have a helmet on his head and on his pack?
  • 1 0
 I miss those trails SO BAD. Spend a year riding Rotorua, beautiful, well kept trails. Be Rude Not To, Dragons Tail and Mad if You Don't are all super groovy.
  • 1 0
 I was really gutted that I couldn't make it to this one. The trails in rotorua are truly awesome. Oh well I'll get it next time.
  • 2 0
 I can't wait to get over there again ! For good this time !
  • 1 0
 you aint going til i say so! LOL
  • 2 0
 Pmsl I'm going without the wife , just don't tell her !!
  • 1 0
 what timing system are they using? seems like a sweet idea for local races.
  • 2 0
 I did this race, the system used was a chip that was attached to your finger. You placed it in a start box to start the timing, at the end of the ride you had to stop and place it in another box. As soon as we got over the finish line in town we were given a print out of all the data including place, position times etc. One of the best run events i have been in.
  • 1 0
 That kind of event has such an amazing atmosphere, that's what we need in Italy, not just xc and dh racing!
  • 1 0
 Too bad there are not such events round where I live.







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