Tourism NT Stage 4 | Lasseters Stage 5

Press Release / 19.08.2017

Energy levels were high heading into tonight's Tourism NT Stage 4 22km Night Race which did not disappoint with another incredible race on the Red Centre trails.

After riders tested their mettle across the same course this morning in the individual time trial Stage 3, it was on-like-Donkey-Kong tonight with a mass start night race with all riders lighting the way with lights mounted to helmets and handlebars.

This stage is always a popular favourite amongst riders as it provides the unique opportunity to race wheel to wheel on flowing single track under the incredible desert night sky. Enthusiasm at the finish line was akin to a rock concert with local bike shop owner Ben Gooley commenting, "This shouldn't be legal it's that much fun!"

After weaving through the desert like a river of light, first to return and cross the line was current race leader Ben Henderson in 54 minutes, 46 seconds. Not far behind was Chris Hanson (56:27), and Shane Roberts rode into third with 56:38.

Heading in with the target on her back, Imogen Smith said she lost her nerve tonight and just didn't have it in the mind or in the legs to hold on to Kim Willocks who won the stage in 1:04:17. Zoe Cuthbert rode in second 1:04:34 whilst Imogen rode into third with 1:06:14.

After 4 stages of racing the overall leaders in General Classification are:

1. Ben Henderson 3:43:10
2. Chris Hanson 3:46:26
3. Ben Gooley 3:52:06
4. Shane Roberts 3:53:30
5. James Downing 3:55:05

1. Imogen Smith 4:24:35
2. Kim Willocks 4:25:46
3. Zoe Cuthbert 4:33:36
4. Sam Stevens 4:55:15
5. Nicole Edwards 4:56:09

---

Lasseters Stage 5

It was another perfect Alice Springs day for riders today in the Lasseters Stage 5, 47km Cross Country Race. Warm, but not as hot as Day 1, and a very light breeze drifting across the desert.

Ben Henderson maintained his stranglehold as event leader coming in 30 seconds ahead of Chris Hanson in 1:55:29 to Hanson's 1:55.59, which sees him maintain the lead heading into the last day tomorrow. After riding together for most of the race, with a few kms to go Ben made the break and came home as the stronger rider. Ben Gooley finished in third with a time of 2:00:10.

Brisbane's Imogen Smith won by four and a half minutes (2:14:34) over Kim Willocks (2:19:01), both showing they're the strongest riders here and have a comfortable grip on the event. Zoe Cuthbert rode into third in 2:21:39.

After 5 stages of racing, and heading into the final stage tomorrow - the overall leaders in General Classification are:

1. Ben Henderson  5:38:19
2. Chris Hanson  5:42:15
3. Ben Gooley  5:52:17
4. Shane Roberts  5:56:39
5. James Downing  6:01:17

1. Imogen Smith  6:38:50
2. Kim Willocks  6:44:37
3. Zoe Cuthbert  6:55:16
4. Sam Stevens  7:28:03
5. Tara Sutherland  7:32:38

See All Stories On This Race