The path of a Pioneer - The Pioneer Course 2019

Words: Mike Blewitt                                                                           Photos: Tim Bardsley-Smith

In 2019 the 4th edition of the Nutri-Grain Pioneer will take place in the rugged mountains of New Zealand’s South Island. This year, the event runs from 1-6 December. It’s a 6-day mountain bike stage race, with a prologue followed by 5 stages. Raced in pairs, the event sits in the global Epic Series, partnering with the Swiss Epic and the Cape Epic. As it’s a short trip across the ditch to New Zealand, The Pioneer is the best way to knock off a world-standard stage race, and the ideal next step if you have conquered Cape to Cape, Port to Port, Reef to Reef… or all three.
 
The 2018 event saw an all new stage plan with a move to Queenstown and Central Otago. In 2019 there are subtle changes but at its core The Pioneer takes riders through familiar terrain of the Queenstown Lakes and Central Otago regions, starting and ending in Queenstown with race villages hosted in Queenstown, Alexandra and Bannockburn.

The date change – one week later starting December 1st, has meant that the event now has access to some great trials previously off limits because of lambing.
 
New Course Manager James Williamson brings his considerable expertise to the event, as the 2017 race winner with Scott Lyttle, but also as a local Central Otago resident and one who knows the many amazing trails of the region.

“My brief was to lift an already stunning event to new levels, combining the challenge of one of the world’s toughest mountain bike stage races with the incredible trails and vistas provided throughout the Central Otago region. This is my backyard so I have taken special pride in helping to deliver a course that will ensure a memorable week for all. For those returning to ride again, expect the best edition yet of The Pioneer, for those attending for the first time, be ready for an event that will give you memories and friendships to last a lifetime after a week riding some of the world’s best trails.”

Course details
 
Prologue – 26km | 650m

Moke Lake
 
This is a Queenstown local’s favourite, using the best singletrack in the area. A fast start on some flowing tracks along the shores of Moke Lake and Lake Dispute then takes you to a well-bermed, twisty descent on the Phoenix track and into the singletrack mecca of 7 Mile where some pinchy climbs and tight forested trails will test your bike handling at race pace. A singletrack climb back to the finish will then let you know where you and your team mate stand.

Stage 1 – 76km | 2285m

Moke Lake – Arrowtown
 
Another new stage for the 2019 event, this point to point ride tackles some the Queenstown basin’s amazing cycle trail network, backcountry trails and the epic single-track on Coronet Peak.
 
After an easy start you ride the Moonlight Trail in the opposite direction from last year. This will test and stretch the field, as will the descent. From Arthurs Point, the course hits the banks of the mighty Shotover River for more singletrack to the Queenstown cycle trail and then climb to the Coronet Peak ski field. The last 25km of the stage is nearly all singletrack and including the famous Rude Rock downhill before rolling along the Coronet water race trail and then dropping down a newly improved Bush Creek Track and into Arrowtown and onto a coach to Alexandra.

Stage 2 – 112km | 2570m

Alexandra 

The Queen stage of the race will remain similar to last year. This is a true mountain bikers’ day with some of the best rocky, dry, dusty singletrack in the country. The start uses the iconic Otago Central Rail Trail before heading for the thyme flanked hills behind the Alexandra clock. There is an incredible network of singletrack here and after a loop you exit the hills back into the township before shooting along the Clutha River cycle trail down the picturesque Roxburgh Gorge and up the Sphinx rock trail – it’s a singletrack climb that takes you to plenty more at Flat Top Hill.
 
Farm trails follow until The Fraser weir road climb takes you to the top of the Clyde enduro trail. This 3km flowing trail is a blast and drops you into the final part of the stage, a short section of the Rail trail and through the airport and boot hill trail network.

Stage 3 – 80km | 2175m

Alexandra – Bannockburn

This route wasn’t possible in 2018 due to flooding,and it starts with the ever-popular Alexandra-Clyde Millennium track which winds alongside the Clutha River and brings you out right underneath the massive Clyde Dam. The first major climb of the day is up the Fraser Dam road until you’re halfway up the Old Man hill range, and head into Hawksburn station. Next up is The Cairnmuir climb with early steep pinches but it opens out to a steady ridge line climb that links up with the D.O.C trail along the tops. The descent off of the Cairnmuir ridge will be the first real taste of what backcountry riding in New Zealand is all about, with obstacles everywhere. Once down, a short steady climb leads you back to your new home for the next two nights in the Bannockburn race village.

Stage 4 – 69km | 2730m

Bannockburn – Bannockburn
 
This is the same as 2018, and while it is the shortest of the main stages the majority of this stage is on backcountry farm tracks and has some of the biggest climbs of the race, but also the biggest views. Starting on the Hawksburn Road then down the pylon access 4WD track, the second monstrous loop includes the climbs of Carricktown and Mt Difficulty. The first ascent of Carricktown is nearly one hour long for the fastest riders gaining close to 1000m over 9km. Mt Difficulty is actually easier, and the descent from here back down to the Bannockburn valley is as fast as they get and makes the final kilometres through the historic Bannockburn sluicing’s track nice and enjoyable.

Stage 5 – 70km | 2130m

Bannockburn – Queenstown
 
The West side of the Kawarau Gorge awaits, in an all-new final stage. Remote backcountry trails take you through an isolated area open only for the race to pass through. This is no parade, it will be a hard stage to finish the event. The first climb over Duffers Saddle is the highest public road pass in the country, although it’s the realm of 4WD enthusiasts and mountain bikers. The descent into the Nevis valley presents a wall of mountains in front of you with no signs of civilisation. The next section is tough ups and downs on rugged trails through several river valleys and will require all of the energy you have saved up until this point of the race. The final stretch will include the Queenstown Cycle Trail into Queenstown.

The Pioneer is no walk in the park, but the event team have delivered what looks to be another challenging route, which will leave you ready to take full advantage of the post-event services like massage, recovery zones, excellent catering and of course your own tent or camper van.

Entries are still available – find a buddy and enter online.

Find entry details and more information about The Pioneer HERE