The nation’s strongest and quickest cyclists took to the roads last Friday’s public holiday to participate in one of the Cook Island Triathlon Association’s flagship events, the BSP 100km cycle race.

This year five hardy cyclists took to the start line to tackle this difficult challenge.

The previous record was 2:43:47 hours and Cook Islands Triathlon president Roland Neururer gave the team a goal of finishing in any time as close as possible.

The course ran from Social Centre to Muri and back and was completed three times, and then a final shorter leg turning in at St. Joseph Road in Avarua to complete the 100km.

The start was hard and fast, with Neururer setting a quick speed of circa 36km/h into the headwind. 

Cycling as a group, each of the riders took turns at the front of the pack before dropping behind their team-mates for a period of recovery before hitting the front and taking the pace again. 

The headwind was brutal at times, and the riders soon experienced fatigue driving forward incessantly trying not to let their pace drop. 

The course was designed to make the most of the smooth tar seal, but that also meant that the riders had to change direction and turn in the road seven times which added precious seconds to their ticking time.

Ever conscious of the goal which Neururer had set the cyclists had to keep a careful eye on their pace and if they slowed a faster rider was instructed to take the lead. 

After a long afternoon in the saddle, Neururer, Mike Carr, Jason Moorfield, Jacob Pynenburg, and Alyce Nicholson crossed the 100km mark in a time of 2:49:53 hours setting a good time and an average speed on 35.3km/h over the course. Cook Islands Triathlon congratulated all the cyclists who took part, and thanked BSP for the sponsorship.

• CITAI