Leading up to the start of the 1,330-kilometer Tour Te Waipounamu race in New Zealand tomorrow, Ride Productions NZ has been posting video profiles of several riders. Find interviews with Eszter Horanyi, Mark Watson, Steve Halligan, and others here…

The Tour Te Waipounamu is a bikepacking race following the length of New Zealand’s South Island, Te Waipounamu o Aotearoa “that land between the mountains and plains.” The third annual 1,330-kilometer race starts Saturday (tomorrow) with nearly 60 riders participating and is set to be the most competitive edition yet. Leading up to race, Ride Productions NZ has posted several video profiles of riders who are taking part in this challenging event. Find several below, and be sure to follow the race live here.

Eszter Horanyi spends her time split between the USA and New Zealand. She’s a self declared “outdoor human” and is happy as long as she is outside. In terms of preparation, she lines up for TTW#3 hot off her last bikepacking event 11 years ago:

Rufus Wenlock is a first-time TTW rider from Christchurch and maybe the only rider in the race who has built his own custom frame, which he hopes will take him to Slope Point in one piece. Here is a brief glimpse into his background:

Mark Watson is one of only four riders to finish both of the previous editions of the Tour Te Waipounamu and be on the start line for TTW#3. Here is a brief profile of Mark and the chance to put a face behind the name:

Joe Nation is a relative newcomer to Ultra Cycling events but has already laid down a noticeable marker in some tough races including a third-place finish in his first Tour Divide outing in 2023. If everything goes well, expect Joe to be at the sharp end of the race. But this is the TTW, and that means, you need all the gods on most days to be on your side. But what is Joe’s main concern going in to this race?

Steve Halligan is one of only four riders to finish both of the previous editions of the Tour Te Waipounamu and be on the start line for TTW#3. Here is a brief profile of Steve:

Find more rider profiles over at the Ride Productions NZ YouTube channel.

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