This year it was 18 year old rugby player, Mikka, who came out of nowhere to blitz everyone in the Marist Sports Club Spin Bike annual challenge, held on Saturday Night in the Marist clubrooms. He managed to secure the quickest speed on the night of 96.9km/hr in a burst of speed more akin to the likes of Mark Cavendish in a Tour de France stage sprint. Although there was some debate about the accuracy of the speedo from the closet UCI commissaires amongst the Bike Manawatu supporters, it was the same setting for all riders claimed the event organiser, Matthijs van Wagtendonk. In one feat of physical toughness another rugby contestant, Leyton, chose to remove his shoes and the only thing covering his feet were his socks. Now those who ride will know just how uncomfortable that can be, but surprisingly he managed to reach just over 83km/hr, which was one of the better times on the night.
In what was a reasonable size crowd at the clubrooms, Steve Challies, acting as the MC, really had his work cut out for him as he attempted to entice rugby and netball players to have a crack. Like previous years the majority of contestants were supporters from Bike Manawatu rather than Marist club members. While there was an obvious reluctance by many to acc
ept the challenge, the Te Kawau Rugby club saw the event as an opportunity to entertain their home crowd and as a result, an invitation has been extended by the Te Kawau Rugby Club.
Beating all-comers in the female category was Janneke van Wagtendonk, who really showed her strength to take the open and vet title with a top end speed of 72.9km/hr. The junior female category was won by Emma Kendall and the junior boys category was won by Josh Kendall.