Rotorua'S Connor Hamilton & kate hastings Hold on to win the series

Cruise up, race down was the mantra in the minds of riders of the final race in the Giant 2W Gravity Enduro season, held exclusively here in Rotorua. Over 350 riders descended from across the country onto Te Putake O Tawa to take on the world-class trails of Rotorua

Louis Hamilton push hard on the first 3 stages to take the provisional series lead before it unravelled

“It’s all about having fun within a competitive atmosphere” says Race Director Tim Farmer. “We prioritise a social and inclusive atmosphere for riders new to enduro along along with the challenge and competition expected by our top riders”.
The race concluded the three-event season held across the warmer months, bringing visitation to Rotorua throughout the year not only by riders, but their supporters and families too. Spirits were high after riders returned from their day out in the forest, full of stories of daring, camaraderie and good times. 

The Championship podium went to Rotorua’s Connor Hamilton and Kate Hastings took gold, with brother Louis Hamilton and Wellington’s Iley Nunns silver, and Tauranga’s Tyrone Laurent-Stokes and Rotorua’s Alexandra Clark in with bronze.
Drama was high on course, with damp trail conditions meaning those racing for medals were riding on the limit of not only their grit, but grip.

The non-profit event’s mission, set by owners Rotorua Mountain Bike Club, is to foster riders' skills of all levels and from all across New Zealand. The event awards the Mark Dunlop Scholarship and the Cole Walker Award - celebrating achievements and supporting your riders ambitions. 

The Mark Dunlop Scholarship is run by the Dunlop family in memory of a much loved member of the cycling community. A passionate rider, Mark fostered other riders' aspirations while chasing his own to compete overseas. Previous winners include first female Robin Goomes, who went on to ride Red Bull Formation, compete at Crankworx Innsbruck, and race in the Enduro World Series. Not only that, she became the first female athlete to land a backflip in competition.

This year’s Scholarship was awarded to Rotorua local, 18 year old Joe Millington. Already making waves in the sport nationally, recently winning his age groups at the 3Peaks and TransNZ Enduro events.

“It’s going to help so much with my overseas travel” said Millington, who wasn’t sure if he’d be able to make the whole overseas race season due to the expense. “With this scholarship I’ll for sure be able to. There aren’t heaps of races, but they’re spread out so you have to stay there for a long time”. Joe is the second Millington to receive the Dunlop Scholarship, after his brother Charlie in 2022.

The Cole Walker Award celebrates Walker’s advocacy for the 2W Enduro, providing a season entry for the fastest U15s in the final race. Previous winners include Poppy Lane, who just three years later, won silver for New Zealand at the UCI Cycling World Championships in Scotland last year, creating a complete New Zealand women’s junior competition.

This year’s Award went to Auckland’s Felix Lloyd and New Plymouth’s Addison Rutherford, her second win of the accolade. 
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Race 3 Results
Overall Mens

1. CONNOR HAMILTON 26:04.01
2. LOUIS HAMILTON 26:09.64
3. TYRONE LAURENT-STOKES 26:51.00

Overall Womens

1. KATE HASTINGS 32:48.99
2. ILEY NUNNS 33:44.74
3. ALEXANDRA CLARK 33:46.42

Full results here