Team CPNZ - Endurance Sports Podcast

We are back with our next podcast in the Whaka 100 2026 series.

We sit down with Amelie Mackay, one of the elites currently making waves in the New Zealand MTB scene.

Amelie has raced on the world cup circuit and is fresh back from competing in Korea at the XCO MTB World Cup. Last year, she came second in the 100km elite category, and this year she's lining up to go one better - aiming to etch her name alongside the who's who of NZ mountain biking from the past 19 years.

TEAMCPNZ MEDIA
Richard Greer – @ric.greer
https://www.teamcp.co.nz
@teamcpnz
https://www.facebook.com/teamcpnz

WHAKA 100
https://www.whaka100.co.nz/

Today in the podcast we are joined by Ric van Wachem, TeamCPNZ athlete based in Adelaide, Australia who recently returned from tackling the Tour Divide which traverses the backroads of America completely self supported. This was Ric’s third crack at the event and the goal was to complete the full 4,345km with 61,000 metres of climbing. Let’s just think about that for a moment - backroads, self-supported, no peloton, and more vert and distance than the Tour de France. Ric shares his story. From the background to his build-up, why he lined up again, and how his adventure unfolded.
This is a story of perseverance and pushing the envelope.

TeamCPNZ are back to our Whaka 100 2026 podcast series.This episode is a good one.
Richard sits down with Andrew Robinson from Tough Yarns and Allegra Battiato to talk about their Whaka100 MTB Marathon® adventure, and it's a story with a twist.
Last year, Allegra was entered in the Whaka 50. Then, two days out from race day, Andrew , one of the event Ambassadors, talked her into moving up to the 100km.
No hesitation, no easing in. Just: go big. Tough Yarns is built on doing hard things and having honest conversations about them, and that's exactly what this episode is. We get into the decision, the doubt, the training that wasn't quite there, and what it actually took to get Allegra from the start line to the finish of one of the toughest days on two wheels.
If you've ever had someone talk you into something bigger than you planned for, you'll want to hear this one.

TEAMCPNZ MEDIA
Richard Greer – @ric.greer
https://www.teamcp.co.nz
@teamcpnz
https://www.facebook.com/teamcpnz

WHAKA 100
https://www.whaka100.co.nz/

Welcome back to the TeamCPNZ podcast, and what a way to kick off the 2026 season.

I'm your host Richard Greer, and in this episode I sit down with Thomas Falconer , a man with some very serious unfinished business at the Whaka100.Thomas came up against the time cuts last year and it clearly lit a fire.
We talk about what went wrong, what's changed, and exactly how he's preparing to make sure this year goes very differently.
I pre-recorded this one yesterday and honestly , of all the interviews I've done over the years, this one was a genuine highlight. The conversation went places I wasn't expecting.
Oh, and stay tuned, because at some point we get into why I may or may not be bringing our pet lambs up to the event this year. Yes, really. You'll want to hear that one for yourself.Let's get into it.

TEAMCPNZ MEDIA
Richard Greer – @ric.greer
https://www.teamcp.co.nz
@teamcpnz
https://www.facebook.com/teamcpnz

WHAKA 100
https://www.whaka100.co.nz/

TEAMCPNZ QUICK CONNECT – ‘STAY INFORMED AND STAY CONNECTED’
Our next TeamCPNZ Community Connect Podcast is a little different—and one we're really excited to share.
This episode, we sit down with Mark from the Alternative Voluntary Collective (AVC), a passionate group of mountain bikers based in Christchurch's Port Hills who have turned their love of riding into something much bigger. What started as maintaining local trails that needed a bit of TLC has grown into designing, building and improving new trails for the whole community to enjoy.
So why are we chatting with Mark?
As we gear up for our TeamCPNZ July Tour de France Challenge, kicking off on 1 July, we wanted this year's challenge to be about more than just chasing kilometres and vertical metres. We wanted to give something back.
This year, proceeds from the challenge will help support the incredible work the AVC does to build and maintain the Port Hills trail network—creating lasting infrastructure that benefits thousands of runners, walkers and riders every year.
Our TeamCPNZ community stretches across New Zealand, Australia and around the globe, but chances are that one day you'll find yourself exploring the Christchurch Port Hills. When you do, you'll know you played a small part in helping create and maintain the trails beneath your feet (or tyres).
Join us for a great conversation with Mark as he shares the story behind the AVC, the work that goes into building world-class trails, and how our community can help make a lasting impact.
🚴 The TeamCPNZ July Tour de France Challenge starts 1 July!
Find out more and sign up here:
https://www.teamcp.co.nz/whats-on/teamcpnz-july-tdf-challenge/
And the AVC : @Alternative_Vollie Collective
Ride. Climb. Challenge yourself. And help build the trails of tomorrow.

CPNZ MEDIA
Richard Greer – @ric.greer
https://www.teamcp.co.nz
@teamcpnz
https://www.facebook.com/teamcpnz