29 Nov 2008

Latham rides to victory in Lake Taupo challenge

3:32 pm on 29 November 2008

Beijing Olympian Peter Latham has won the 160km Lake Taupo Cycle Challenge, edging out Gordon McCauley and Jeremy Yates in a frantic sprint.

Latham, who broke his back 18 months ago, finished the race in 3h 43min 27s.

The rider from Te Awamutu took nearly two minutes off his 2005 race record and crossed half a wheel ahead of MacCaule, who won the race last year.

Latham says it is an important win, as he is only now starting to feel like he is back to full fitness after his injury.

Earlier, Catherine Cheatley, who also competed at the Beijing Olympics for New Zealand, won the women's 40-minute criterium from Marina Dujnvak and Rachel Mercer.

The annual challenge attracted more than 10,500 participants.