Tupalski and Mullens lead Cape to Cape

The eighth Cape to Cape got underway today, under a clear blue sky at Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse in the South West of Western Australia. Over it’s eight years, the Cape to Cape has grown into Australia’s largest mountain bike stage race – and with about 1200 riders taking part again in 2015, it’s bigger than many international stage races too.

As Perth is the most isolated capital city in the world, and Margaret River is a good 3hr drive away – what draws people over? It’s fair to say that the conditions and event quality today answered many of those questions. The 42km stage held about 900m of climbing – but it was a tough and hard-fought 42km for all those that took it on.

But it wasn’t without reward, with immense views over the surrounding National Park and farmlands at the top of each steep, loose climb.

Setting 1200 riders off isn’t a task to be taken lightly, and the top riders were gridded, with room for the best men and women on the front rows. Our start was pretty leisurely behind the lead out vehicle, before we hooked left into a gravel road climb, which Paul van der Ploeg lead, with his foot out for effect.

After a short, and ill-fated, two man break went away, a few surges continued and defending champion Mark Tuplaski took the lead. Due to the dry conditions and dust – it was pretty hard to make out what was happening.

Rohin Adams shows the effort of the day once across the line.

The course took in plentiful steep climbs and descents early on, testing the mettle of all riders. Heart break hill is appropriately named, but did give rewards with the Green Hill road descent.

The route traced the coast line from south to north, including a stint on Deepdene Beach, which was gratefully hardpacked – although still a torturous ride through the dunes on and off it, with a drone above capturing the agony as riders trudged, ran or just dragged their bikes away from shore.

By race’s end, Mark Tupalski had confirmed his lead with the stage win, ahead of John Gregg and Craig Cooke. Kyle Ward pipped Reece Tucknott for 4th.

The men’s Elite podium after Stage 1

In the women’s, Peta Mullens beat Imogen Smith for the win, so will wear the pink jersey for tomorrow’s 57k from Hamelin Bay to Xanadu Winery.

Full, and accurate, results are available online.

All that was left was for riders to take a dip in the bay, get a chocolate milk, or a burger, or some hot chips and even a salad! Riders were cast around the finish, many still looking like they had taken a tumble on the stage, even if it was only because of the dust settling into their sweat.

We’ll bring you an update from Stage 2 tomorrow.

Women’s elite podium

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