At 2,300 metres of screaming descent, the Mito Q K2 is possibly the toughest one day cycle challenge in the Southern Hemisphere. It is also one of the most scenic and varied with the route travelling through sub tropical forest, pacific coastlines, rural farmland and the Pohutukawa coastline of the Hauraki Gulf. This year it started and finished in Thames and travelled anticlockwise via Tairua, Whitianga and Coromandel.

Under the tutorage and coaching of Michael Jones, and supported by wife Teresa Urlich-Grant with a strict nutrition programme, local cyclist Rodney Grant demonstrated his fantastic endurance and climbing ability to finish first in his age group and 5^th overall out of the open “non elite” category cyclists in a total time of only 5.31.57 at an average speed of approximately 35km/hr for the entire 192 km’s.  Some might argue that this is certainly elite.

Commenting on his day Rodney stated “the whole day went well, hitting my target weight the week before allowed me to “carb up” and be on the start line lean but heavy. I was able to manage my fluid and food intake well on the day which gave me an edge in the last 2 hours as we hit the head winds from Whangapoua home to Thames.  Thanks also to all the local riders who without knowing it help with motivation and training”

Congratulations Rodney on a very very impressive performance.