Tathra mountain bike rider Charlie Todd says it took strategy, local knowledge and efficiency to win the Mitas 50km event, even though he rode on an E-Bike in Sunday's Tathra Beach and Bike Enduro.
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The 17-year-old says winning was no walk in the park, as he had only ridden the battery powered bike once before lining up on Sunday.
"I wasn't going to ride in the Enduro, because I am rehabbing a knee injury. But when the offer of an e-bike came up I took it," says Todd.
Todd was one of five e-bikers riders in the Mitas 50km event, with the other 145 entrants racing on unassisted bikes.
"For everyone who thinks riding an E--bike to victory is easy, they are very much mistaken," says Todd, who regularly races on the Australian MTB National Cup XC circuit.
"You have to remember I was manhandling an XL bike that weighs 20kg, at speeds of 25km over single track for over two hours. The bike I normally race weighs 9kg!"
"It was no walk in the park." he said.
Todd said he didn't know how long his bike's battery would last, so started out in the lowest power mode, conserving energy until the final 12kms, when he saw he still had some life - so gunned it in turbo
"I won by only relying on the bike's power when I needed it, and local trail knowledge; knowing where hills are, knowing the right lines to take, and knowing that by cycling a higher cadency I would conserve power.
"It's a different feeling crossing the finish line knowing you haven't done it all yourself, that you've won it with a motor.
"However, I've ridden the Enduro every year and never won an event outright, so that's sorta cool."
Of the four E-bike Mitas 50km racers. Two others made it home on their starting battery, one did a battery swap and one less fortunate rider fell short and rode the final 8km with no battery power.
Third place-getter Justin Roscoe was pleased to make it home on one battery, but echoed Todd's sentiments about it being no easy ride.
"The concentration factor on an e-bike is huge, as you are negotiating the track at faster speeds. There is no down time and it's a good work out for your upper body.
Event organiser Andrew Johnson says the inclusion of E-Bike in the Enduro this year was positive.
"We were really happy that many of those on E-bikes have now had the opportunity to enjoy the Enduro.
"To see Charlie win was a tribute to his bike skills.
"Most people thought it was unlikely that an E-bike would go the distance on one battery, but Charlie did his homework and rose to the challenge."