Jope does the Triple

Jope played it cool and drafted Mesake the entire race and out sprinted him to the finish.

Jope Tikotani was favourite to win the Esquires Criterium II cycle races on Sunday and he did not disappoint. Tikotani had three wins. He was first in the 1km sprint and the 10k race. This gave him enough points to win the Wai Tui Cycles points as well. "Me and Mesake (Yalidole) both had the same amount of points coming into the last two races. I knew I had to win both to top the Wai Tui Cycles points." said Tikotani. " I decided to play it smart in the 10 kilometre race and stuck behind Mesake all the way. Then I gave it everything in the last lap"

There were two other races in the Esquires Criteriums. The Juniors race was won by Christopher Cakobau and the winner of the Womens race was Jessie Sansom.

These were the final races in the 1 Degree cycle race Series. "It's been a big success and we had overwhelming support from our sponsors" said Cycling Fiji President, Dom Sansom "Everyone trainned and raced had and for the first time we had children's races. Kids as young as seven were taking part and this is very encouraging for the future of the sport." said Sansom " We will have another series early in the new year.

Results Esquires Criterium II. Mens Sprint: 1. Jope Tikotani. 2. Mesake Yalidole, 3. Rusiate Matai. Womens Sprint: 1. Jessie Sansom 2. Jutta May. Juniorsz: 1. Christopher Cakobau, 2. Susan McGoon, 3. Jessie McGgoon. Mens 10km: 1. Jope Tikotani, 2. Rusiate Matai, 3.Mesake Yalidole.

Film Stars

Vinaka vakalevu to Stan for this short doco of our Taunovo Bay 50km cycle race. Fast edits, cool graphics and top class music... you should do this for a living Stan!

Esquires Crits II at 1 Degree Race Series

P R E S S - R E L E A S E

Under 18s line up for the start of the juniors race a the Esquires Criterium I. Esquires Criteriun II will feature six races and is on from 7am this Sunday at Vuya Road, Veiuto, Suva.




Vuya Road, Veiuto will see the final races in the 1 Degree Cycle race series this Sunday. The Esquires Coffee Houses Criterium II will see six races at one event. One men's and two women's races as well as junior and beginners and an open race. At the end of this series we will add up the points in the Wai Tui Cycles League and competitors will be able to redeem their points for goods at Wai Tui Cycles.

"The Wai Tui Cycles League was the idea of Cycling Fiji Vice President, Yee Wah Sing" said Cycling Fiji President, Dom Sansom "Points are awarded at each race, and you even get points just for finishing. You can use your points for buying parts and accessories, or even a bike, at Wai Tui Cycles. Each point is worth $1 so if you win 50 points you can make purchases at Wai Tui Cycles worth $50"

If you have never been in a bike race and would like to try this is your chance. The Esquires Criterium II races will have a beginners for all ages and genders and juniors races for under 18 years. "It not really competitive" said Mr Sansom " It's more like 'just have a go'. You just need a bike in good working order and if you don't have a helmet we'll lend you one. All you need to do is turn up, entry is free. Contact Dom Sansom on 99 22 123 or dom @cyclingfiji.org

Suvavou Cyclist wins big

P r e s s - R e l e a se




Cyclist Rusiate Matai, from Suvavou, crosses the finish at Taunovo Bay Resort in one hour and twenty three minutes.

The third race in the 1 Degree Cycle Race Series was a 50 kilometer road race from Suva to Taunovo Bay Resort.

Fighting against experienced cyclists Rusiate Matai beat Jope Tikotani in a sprint to win by just 20 seconds. "The guys made a small mistake and I though that this was my chance. My legs were still fresh and I sprinted for the line" Said a shy Matai.

Taunovo Bay Resort Operations Manager, Russell Thornley, presented Matai with the Taunovo Bay Resort Trophy at the awards ceremony on the beach during brunch. "Everyone here is impressed with these young lads" he said "We couldn't believe that they raced all the way from Suva in one hour and twenty minutes. That's about the same time that it takes on the bus".

A convoy of vehicles supported the cyclists durning the race. Cycling Fiji President and Race director, Dom Sansom was very pleased with the support. "There were almost as many support vehicles as cyclists" he said "I'd like to thank everyone who got up early on a Sunday and helped with the race. In particular Taunovo Bay resort. It is a spectacular place to finish a cycling race and we were given an amazing brunch and full use of the resort facilities.

Results: Rusiate Matai 1.24.03, Jope Tikotani 1.24.25, Mesake Yalidole 1.27.01, Tomthy Fong 1.27.01, Bob Gillett 2.01.42

Cyclists gear up for Taunovo Bay Trophy.

P R E S S R E L E A S E

12 December 2008

Fiji Cyclists will do battle for the Taunovo Bay Resort Trophy this Sunday as part of the 1 Degree Cycle Race Series. Favourites for podium places are Jope Tikotani, Mesake Yalidole and Timothy Fong. "It's anyone's race" said Cycling Fiji President Dom Sansom. "Newcomer, Mesake Yalidole has made a fantastic start to the season, but the experienced cyclists are hot on his wheel and have been training hard. Fifty kilometres is no a very long distance for cyclists and I wouldn't like to try and pick a winner." "The top three placed riders will earn points in the Wai Tui Cycles Points table. These points will redeemable for goods at Wai Tui Cycles at the end of the series." he added

The race starts in Lami and ends at the Taunovo Bay Resort. The resort will have brunch for cyclists and officials and the winner will be presented with the Taunovo Bay Resort Trophy, made specially for the race. "We are very excited about the event and we believe this is the first time a Fiji Resort has been chosen as the finish of a cycle race." Said Taunovo bay Operations Manager. Russell Thornley. Our staff will be there to welcome the competitors and we're doing a slap-up brunch as we've hear cyclists can be pretty hungry after a long ride. We are setting up marquees and refreshments at the finish line and will provide the Taunovo Bay Resort bus to take the cyclists home after the awards ceremony.

Cyclist will leave Lami shortly after 6am on Sunday and the lead riders are expected to complete the 50 kilometres in under 90 minutes. Cycling Fiji thanks motorists for being aware of the cyclists and give the plenty of room. For more information on the race contact Dom Sansom of Cycling Fiji on 99 22 113 or dom@cyclingfiji.org.

The Taunovo Bay Cycle Race

P R E S S        R E L E A S E

01 December 2008

Taunovo Bay Resort will play host to cyclists and officials at the finish of the Suva to Pacific Harbour cycle race on Sunday 14 December. Announcing their sponsorship of the race Taunovo Bay Resort General Manager, Russell Thornly said that they are happy to be associated with Cycling Fiji. "Cycling is all positive. It keeps you fit and healthy and best of all it's fun. When we heard Cycling Fiji were looking for a venue to finish their race we contacted them straight away." he added. "We are very please to be a part of Cycling in Fiji and hope this will become an annual event. Taunovo Bay Resort have commissioned a local artisan to create a trophy specially for the event.

President of Cycling Fiji and Race Director, Dom Sansom, welcomed Taunovo Bay Resorts involvement. "We are probably the smallest cycling federation in the world and to have the backing of a World Class resort such as Taunovo bay is a real boost to the sport in Fiji. We hope this will be a permanent arrangement."

The Taunovo Bay Cycling Cup race will start in Suva and cyclists will race, non-stop, to the finish where they will be treated to bruch provided by the resort.

Esquires Crits at 1 Degree Race Series

Linoel Evans and Bryce Irving at the Crits

The next race on the 1 Degree race series should be the most exciting event for both cyclists and spectators. A Criterium (Crit) is a short fast circuit race. So, come and watch the thrills and Spills of the....
Esquires Criterium
Sunday 7 December, Vuya Road, Veiuto
Race 1 Men’s Sprint - 1 circuit
Race 2 Women’s Sprint - 1 circuit
Race 3 Juniors’ (u18) Open - 2 circuits
Race 4 Beginners’ Open - 2 circuits
Race 5 Women’s - 3 circuits
Race 6 Open 10 - circuits
FREE Registration: 7-7.15am. Spectators welcome.

Cyclists earn points in the Wai Tui Cycles points awards. Points (1pt = $1) are redeemable for parts and accessories the end of the series

Competitors and officials names all go into a draw to win a fab mobile phone from Vodafone.