Racing

Race Report: Endura Linger and Die Enduro. Alexandra, New Zealand

22.10.2014
by

The Endura Linger and Die enduro marks the end of winter in southern NZ. With sunshine, 5 stages, 13km downhill and hero dirt instead of the usual dust this year, what more could you want to kick off the new season down under? A nice new bike?

The Endura Linger and Die enduro marks the end of winter in southern NZ. With sunshine, 5 stages, 13km downhill and hero dirt instead of the usual dust this year, what more could you want to kick off the new season down under? A nice new bike? Kashi Leuchs on stage 1.
Half of stage 1 was also used in the downhill held on the previous day. So lots of enduro bikes were seen in the downhill as riders tried out the new ‘countdown’ track. Sean MacCarroll - smooth and fast both days. But are those pants really ‘enduro specific’?
Half of stage 1 was also used in the downhill held on the previous day. So lots of enduro bikes were seen in the downhill as riders tried out the new ‘countdown’ track. Sean MacCarroll – smooth and fast both days. But are those pants really ‘enduro specific’?
Jimmy Pollard could hardly walk after big smash in the DH the day before. However that didn’t seem to affect his riding too much as he loosened up with an equal 3rd on stage 1. Like they say; ‘you don’t know you’re alive unless you’ve got bruises’!
Jimmy Pollard could hardly walk after big smash in the DH the day before. However that didn’t seem to affect his riding too much as he loosened up with an equal 3rd on stage 1. Like they say; ‘you don’t know you’re alive unless you’ve got bruises’!
Alexandra used to be famous for having no berms and no traffic lights, but the trail pixies have had a busy winter and things have changed. It’s still 100km to the nearest traffic light though! Stage 1 now has open rocky swoopy corners up top and trees, berms and gaps down lower. Something for everyone.

Alexandra used to be famous for having no berms and no traffic lights, but the trail pixies have had a busy winter and things have changed. It’s still 100km to the nearest traffic light though! Stage 1 now has open rocky swoopy corners up top and trees, berms and gaps down lower. Something for everyone.
Young Ben Friel absolutely flying down stage 1 on his way to winning the U17 category in a time good enough for 14th overall. Remember the name and get ready to get off the track if he starts behind you!
Young Ben Friel absolutely flying down stage 1 on his way to winning the U17 category in a time good enough for 14th overall. Remember the name and get ready to get off the track if he starts behind you!
Mary Jowett, winner of the women’s M2 class, joins the masses throwing themselves off lemming rock near the start of stage 2
Mary Jowett, winner of the women’s M2 class, joins the masses throwing themselves off lemming rock near the start of stage 2
Leigh Halkett, bracing for the G out at the the bottom of lemming rock. After that it was just 2.8km of speedy single track down to the café at Shaky Bridge. That was a handy spot to have a breather and maybe a coffee before the long liason up to stage 3, the TT track. Lots of corners to drop your knee into up there, then a pinchy little climb to find out who has the power and the mandatory rocky section to finish. Then there were two more little climbs hidden in stage 4 that were just long enough to leave riders on the brink of an lactic explosion as they dropped back into the off camber technical sections lower down.
Leigh Halkett, bracing for the G out at the the bottom of lemming rock. After that it was just 2.8km of speedy single track down to the café at Shaky Bridge. That was a handy spot to have a breather and maybe a coffee before the long liason up to stage 3, the TT track. Lots of corners to drop your knee into up there, then a pinchy little climb to find out who has the power and the mandatory rocky section to finish. Then there were two more little climbs hidden in stage 4 that were just long enough to leave riders on the brink of an lactic explosion as they dropped back into the off camber technical sections lower down.
Local boy and dark horse racer, Sam Sole getting stuck into stage 2. No one who has witnessed his fully committed ‘must make this bike go .. FASTER’ riding style would have been surprised that he won this stage and finished 2nd overall. Watching Sam ride sometimes makes you feel sorry for the track!
Local boy and dark horse racer, Sam Sole getting stuck into stage 2. No one who has witnessed his fully committed ‘must make this bike go .. FASTER’ riding style would have been surprised that he won this stage and finished 2nd overall. Watching Sam ride sometimes makes you feel sorry for the track!
Jarrah Healy, 1st place Master 1 men. Probably could have won a medal for stylin’ and definitely should have won a medal for jumping well and truly over everything in his path.

Jarrah Healy, 1st place Master 1 men. Probably could have won a medal for stylin’ and definitely should have won a medal for jumping well and truly over everything in his path.
The start of stage 4 is one of Alexandras’ original bike trails and in its day it has probably encouraged plenty of original MTB riders to try some other sport. The loose and rocky stuff didn’t seem to worry Harriet Latchem, on her way to 2nd overall in women’s open.
The start of stage 4 is one of Alexandras’ original bike trails and in its day it has probably encouraged plenty of original MTB riders to try some other sport. The loose and rocky stuff didn’t seem to worry Harriet Latchem, on her way to 2nd overall in women’s open.
Riding like he stole his shirt from the 1980s, winning the best dressed man prize and taking 2nd place in the mens masters 1, big Ben Shayler did it all.
Riding like he stole his shirt from the 1980s, winning the best dressed man prize and taking 2nd place in the mens masters 1, big Ben Shayler did it all.
Stage 5 started on a trail called ‘On the rocks’ and that should tell you more or less what to expect. Probably the days’ most technical track, it also seemed to produce the days biggest time gaps, as tired riders tackled the tricky sections with variable efficiency.
Stage 5 started on a trail called ‘On the rocks’ and that should tell you more or less what to expect. Probably the days’ most technical track, it also seemed to produce the days biggest time gaps, as tired riders tackled the tricky sections with variable efficiency.
Some locals know this track as ‘testicular destruction’, which might tell you something about its history. That shouldn’t have worried every rider though. Running upside down 13 for luck, Hannah Thorne, 1st place M1 woman.
Some locals know this track as ‘testicular destruction’, which might tell you something about its history. That shouldn’t have worried every rider though. Running upside down 13 for luck, Hannah Thorne, 1st place M1 woman.
Just back from racing the EWS events in Colorado and Whistler as preparation for the Linger and Die enduro, Raewyn Morrison was fastest woman of the day.
Just back from racing the EWS events in Colorado and Whistler as preparation for the Linger and Die enduro, Raewyn Morrison was fastest woman of the day.
Jimmy Pollard has been riding these tracks since he was a grom and it sort of shows. He is also training hard, bloody fit and very fast on his new bike. On top of that, he is widely respected as a pretty good sort. Not really a surprise then that he won the open men’s category, even with a melon sized haematoma on his backside! Jimmys’ time was 28:53, 28 seconds ahead of Sam Sole. Jarrah Healy in third was the first non-local, just ahead of a bunch of other fast guys, all within just a few seconds of each other.
Jimmy Pollard has been riding these tracks since he was a grom and it sort of shows. He is also training hard, bloody fit and very fast on his new bike. On top of that, he is widely respected as a pretty good sort. Not really a surprise then that he won the open men’s category, even with a melon sized haematoma on his backside! Jimmys’ time was 28:53, 28 seconds ahead of Sam Sole. Jarrah Healy in third was the first non-local, just ahead of a bunch of other fast guys, all within just a few seconds of each other.
This might be the secret of how to go quicker, it only weighs about 0.8 grams and it seemed to work pretty well!
This might be the secret of how to go quicker, it only weighs about 0.8 grams and it seemed to work pretty well!
Halfway there on stage 2, so still halfway to go. If you like the look of this, keep an eye out for other Alexandra events.
Halfway there on stage 2, so still halfway to go. If you like the look of this, keep an eye out for other Alexandra events.
Thanks to the sponsors, the land owners and especially to ‘Flaming Phil’ Oliver, who organised the race, dug the tracks, marked the tracks, MC’d the event and somehow also found time to race! In fact he burgled himself a prize for winning the M3 mens category in a pretty respectable time. That man deserved his beer!
Thanks to the sponsors, the land owners and especially to ‘Flaming Phil’ Oliver, who organised the race, dug the tracks, marked the tracks, MC’d the event and somehow also found time to race! In fact he burgled himself a prize for winning the M3 mens category in a pretty respectable time. That man deserved his beer!

The full results are available at www.linger-and-die.co.nz.

Words & Pictures: www.linger-and-die.co.nz

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