Singletrack/MTB
Gravel/All-road
Dirt-road Touring
Fat-bike
Luke Hoetjes was the first to finish the 2026 Tour Te Waipounamu, completing the 1,330-kilometer route in 4 days, 13 hours, and 20 minutes, setting a new course record. Find a detailed recap from Eileen Schwab with photos from Gavin Kaps here…
Words by Eileen Schwab, photos by Gavin Kaps, Sami Sauri, and Mark Watson
At 8:20 p.m. on Thursday, Luke Hoetjes rolled down to a wind-battered Slope Point in New Zealand to win the 2026 edition of Tour Te Waipounamu, setting a phenomenal new course record of 4 days, 13 hours, and 20 minutes for the 1,330-kilometer backcountry epic. The 41-year-old father of three and surveyor from the South Island’s West Coast, who battled with Justinas Leveika for the win, was, remarkably, taking on only his second bikepacking event.
Luke, known as “Hooch,” put on a show from day one, and the drama didn’t let up. A leading pack of five, including Justinas Leveika, Joe Nation, Rufus Wenlock, and Jim Ashley, stuck close on day one, but throughout the course, the group splintered behind him. He and Justinas had a nail-biting duel that saw them neck-and-neck through the middle of the course, but he ultimately arrived at the finish well clear of his pursuers after Justinas suffered mechanical issues that took him on a detour. His new record shaved over five hours off Joe Nation’s winning 2024 time.
Hooch is no stranger to impressive athletic achievements. He was an accomplished triathlete, representing New Zealand in short-course and Olympic distance events until age 23. But, faced with the decision to pursue it as a career or continue with his studies as a surveyor at Otago University, he chose the career. It was the last time he’d wear lycra until he lined up for the Tour Te Waipounamu. He’s a racer at heart, though, and has done some adventure races and multi-sport events, but “nothing major,” he says. Mostly, he heads out with his mates on what they call “mega trips.” These adventures on the West Coast involve mountain bikes, boats, and hiking, and even have a few rules: no lycra, a cold swim every day, every pub you pass requires a beer, and more. Luke says he’s worried that he broke so many of the rules during the Tour Te Waipounamu that he won’t be let back in.
While dot-watching Tour Te Waipounamu in 2024, he met race director Brian Alder and asked what it takes to enter the event. Brian suggested a good finish in another local event, The Great Southern Brevet, would help. Luke tore through the course in 2025 (a particularly tough edition) and was the first home by a significant margin. Those in the local bikepacking scene took note, but he likely came as a surprise to Justinas Leveika.
Of the event, Luke says his best moment was cresting Stag Saddle at sunset, the hard-earned and breathtaking high point of the route, with Justinas, and feeling proud to be sharing his country with him. Although he knew Joe Nation and Rufus Wenlock, Luke admits to having no idea who Justinas was, and it was only through riding together that it slowly emerged that he was the real deal. The two of them ordered pizza from Stag Saddle for their arrival in Tekapo, scoffing four pizzas between them as they bedded down on the warm concrete verandah of the community centre.
Riding a hardtail with flat pedals and homemade bags, he was asked about his aero arm sleeves and compression socks. “I’m not sure they’re real aero. I got them off AliExpress,” he replied. His training was jammed into early mornings around work and family, but getting a smart trainer really helped him log more training hours while still being available for his family.
Asked whether he’ll be eyeing up his next race, he says probably not. The time to do the Tour Te Waipounamu tour was a big commitment and took a lot of time away from being a dad. Regardless, his impressive new record will be a hard one to beat. Congratulations on an incredible ride, Hooch!
Head over to the Tour Te Waipounamu’s Instagram page for more updates and photos from the event.
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