West Coast athlete Sharlotte Lucas continued her dominance of the iconic Golden Homes Le Race with her 6^th title and first back-to-back victory in the 100km classic today.

Lucas punched the air as she crossed the finish line in front of a festive crowd at the Akaroa Recreation Ground in a time of 2:54:31, almost a minute faster than her winning time from last year.

Lucas was in the leading bunch from the start of the gruelling 100km classic at Christchurch’s Cathedral Square and never looked back, eventually pulling away to win comfortably from Emily Sopers and Thea Taylor but not quite able to challenge the course record of 2.49:13, set by Kate McIlroy in 2019.

Pre-race contender, 30-year-old reigning UCI Esports World Champion, Kate McCarthy, was forced to withdraw soon after the start.

“It’s a great feeling – I love winning bike races and it’s pretty cool to have won this race six times.

“We had a fast group, with a good working bunch into a bit of a head wind for most of it, so wasn’t the fastest day.

“I’m starting to like the course more,” she laughed. “It’s so cool to start in the city and finish in Akaroa. Obviously it’s pretty hilly, but I can suffer over the climbs and I’m pretty good on the descents.”

The Hokitika 34-year-old previously won Le Race in 2013, 2015, 2017, 2023 and 2025, and has finished second on three occasions.

In the men’s race, 2024 runner-up Ollie Jones timed his run perfectly, attacking eventual runner-up Noah Hollamby during the descent to take his debut victory after “about 10” attempts in a fast 2:34:50.

“This has been on my list to tick off for a while now – I’ve been on the podium a number times so I’m stoked to cross the line first today.  

“Last time I probably attacked too hard too early and was failing towards the end. I felt really in control today, I attacked at the right times and that paid off.”

Race director Sheree Stevens was thrilled with the event which attracted riders of all levels from Canterbury, around New Zealand and overseas.

“Le Race is the only race like it in New Zealand and provides a real challenge for elite and recreational riders.

“This event has been the scene of many moments of personal triumph over 27 years and it was no different today.

“I congratulate all the winners and placegetters, those who were racing against themselves and also the people who’ve overcome a challenge just to get to the start line.”

Christchurch 16-year-old Noah Johnstone showed his potential finishing 10^th overall and winning the under-17 classification in 2:44:37 while Jeff Neumann celebrated his 23^rd year racing the event by winning the Masters 65-74 years classification.

More information: Race director Sheree Stevens 021 440 488.

Results

Men (overall)

OLLIE JONES                02:34:50

NOAH HOLLAMBY      02:35:36

JACK DRAGE                 02:36:28

Women (overall)

SHARLOTTE LUCAS       02:54:31

EMILY SOPERS            03:00:54

THEA TAYLOR               03:02:38 (also first in Masters 35-44 classification)

Full results

https://www.sportsplits.com/races/golden-homes-le-race-2026

Media release: Riders eye milestone victory in 25th anniversary of Golden Homes Le Race

New Zealand’s cycling community will be celebrating a special milestone on March 23 when hundreds of riders will line up for the 25th edition of the Golden Homes Le Race.

Since its inception in 1999, the classic 100km race from Christchurch to Akaroa has become part of Kiwi sporting folklore, featuring some of the biggest names in the sport, as well as some of the most eccentric weekend warriors.

Race organiser Sheree Stevens says she and her team may have some emotional and nostalgic moments when 550 riders line up in Cathedral Square to make their way across the Port Hills.

“Golden Homes Le Race is one of the iconic one-day races in the country and possibly the only road cycling event of its kind remaining along with the Lake Taupo Challenge, and we are extremely proud to celebrate this special milestone,” says Stevens.

The tough climbs over Dyers Pass, Gebbies Pass, the famous Hilltop and the Summit Road over the years have attracted some incredible fields, and the Hall of Fame includes a long list of world champions, Olympic medallists and Commonwealth Games winners like Brian Fowler, Hayden Roulston and Kate McIlroy.

Some of those competed in the heyday of their careers, while other young New Zealand talents used Le Race as a stepping stone to a professional career on the cycling world tour.

“Those names are a great reflection of the high regard Le Race is held in cycling circles,” says Stevens.

“It has been wonderful so see those same young kids we first met at the starting line in Cathedral Square later pop up on the podium in Europe or the US, and of course makes us incredibly proud,” says Stevens.

That list of former Le Race competitors making headlines includes Christchurch rider Laurence Pithie who held the yellow leader’s jersey in the prestigious Paris-Nice only a week ago.

This year’s field for Le Race will include defending champions Sharlotte Lucas and Jonty Harris, as well as previous two-time winner Daniel Whitehouse and Australian-turned-Kiwi former pro rider Matilda Raynolds.

Stevens admits that her event has faced the same challenges as other sports events in recent years and Le Race was virtually on life support after the double cancellation in 2020 and 2022 due to the pandemic.

“Other events organisers may have pulled the pin, but this is such a special race and we just love our cycling community too much to let this amazing event die a quiet death. Not on my watch,” says Stevens, who adds that increased competition from other events, notably mountain-bike competitions has also challenged the viability of classic road race.

Stevens is grateful for the New Zealand community for reciprocating her commitment to Le Race by again signing up in large numbers for the gruelling climbs over the Port Hills.

“That’s what keeps us all coming back, their love for this special event. And the big smiles on everyone’s faces when they share their battle stories over a beer in Akaroa.”

For more information please contact Coen Lammers on 021-730239

Caption: Sharlotte Lucas on her way to win 2023 Golden Holmes Le Race.

Media Release: Young Christchurch rider Nate Pringle beats fast bunch to win Golden Homes Le Race

Young cycling talent Nate Pringle announced himself on the big stage after winning Golden Homes Le Race, getting close to the course record.

The 20-year-old finished just ahead of a chasing bunch to win the 25th anniversary of the 100km classic from Christchurch to Akaroa, one of the most gruelling one-day races in the country.

“We were riding in a group of about eight and I made my move on the final climb, because the last thing I wanted to do was a bunch sprint,” smiled the young Christchurch rider, after recording 2hrs 32min and 43 seconds, merry two minutes behind Michael Vick’s course record.

In the women’s race experienced Australian elite rider Matilda Raynolds was visibly shocked to win the classic race after a difficult start up the first major climb.

“I am more a diesel so need a bit of time to warm up, so that first climb straight after the start was just horrific and I was slowly dying on that first climb,” said the 36-year-old who managed to recover on the decent of Gebbies Pass to get away from her rivals.

“It just shows you to never give up, even when you think all is lost. I just stuck with it and to be honest I am a bit shocked that I ended up in front,” said Raynolds who moved to Christchurch last year and is enjoying her new surroundings.

“Every time when I thought about giving up, I would just look around and soak up these amazing backdrops all over this course. I really hate this race because it’s so bloody hard, but I don’t think you will find a race anywhere in the world with such incredible views. Raynolds finished in 2hrs 57min and 48min, nearly eight minutes ahead of second placed Annamarie Lipp and Emma Grant.

In the men’s race, Nate Pringle had little time to enjoy the views as a strong bunch of eight were climbing up the last steep parts on Summit Road, after missing his final water station.

“I was cramping all the way over those last climbs, but managed to squeeze out one burst and managed to drop the rest of the group,” said Pringle, who thanked the rest of his Oxford Edge team-mates so setting him up well for the final jump to the finish line.

Pringle is still a relative novice in cycling races, only switching to a bike in 2019 after years of rowing.

“I still have a lot to learn, so in early May a few of us will be heading over to Andorra to train and do some racing in Belgium to really learn how to race in a big bunch.”

In Europe, he will be hoping to emulate the feats of other previous winners of Le Race that include world champions and Commonwealth Games medallists like Hayden Roulston, Brian Fowler and Kate McIlroy.

“Le Race has been the jumping board for many young riders into a career on the international stage and professional circuit,” said race director Sheree Stevens.

“And we are proud that we have been the first big step for so many elite riders but also an iconic event for thousands of weekend warriors.”

Matilda Raynolds wins Golden Homes Le Race

Women’s leading classifications

1. Matilda Raynolds 2.57:48
2. Annamarie Lipp 3.05:29
3. Emma Grant 3.07:12
4. Julia Grant 3.15:36
5. Alia Wentz 3.15:52
6. Sami Donnelly 3.16:51
7. Sarah Jenkins 3.18:58
8. Finella Guttmann 3.19:26
9. Jessica Wood 3.21:05
10. Piper Karras 3.21:27