Ryan Coppola takes out top title at 2023 Top End Gran Fondo
The Top End’s fastest cyclist says the sport is a great way to connect with the community and embrace the Territory’s competitive spirit. See pictures from the event.
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Ryan Coppola pumped his fist and cheered with the crowd as his bike sailed over the Top End Gran Fondo finish line in first place.
Finishing the 145km stretch in just three hours and 41 minutes with an average speed of 39.1km per hour, Mr Coppola said he loved the competition and community cycling brought with it.
“It’s a really enjoyable sport, there are some tough times but it’s really about the enjoyment, the fulfilment that you get at the end – not to mention the frenzy while you’re doing it,” he said.
“I’ve just come off the back of doing some Ironmans so that’s why I’ve been doing some longer distances.
“This is really the first bike race since I’ve been back into cycling and I’m hoping to join a few more club races, both on the bike and in triathlons as well.”
The 12th annual race kicked off at 6am, with other riders competing in the 110km, 52km, and family tracks leaving soon after.
“We spent a lot of time on Tiger Brennan Dr, had a lot of assistance from the police escorts managing the traffic, which was really, really good,” Mr Coppola said of the 145km trail.
“Then we went down to the Territory Wildlife Park, came back via Channel Island, then back up Tiger Brennan.”
Mr Coppola said the Top End’s biggest cycling event was a great way to get re-acquainted with the NT after moving from Queensland two and a half weeks ago.
“It’s a unique event here, nice and popular. It’s definitely worth coming out and getting back on the roads again, really nice way to come back to the Territory,” he said.
Long-time cyclist Sam Creek took out the title for fastest competitor in the 110km race.
He finished in three hours and four minutes with an average speed of 35.8km per hour.
Starting at 6.15am, Sam and his fellow cyclists left from Darwin Waterfront and did a lap through Palmerston, the Territory Wildlife Park, and back again.
“One of the biggest challenges was all the traffic lights,” he said.
“I’m pretty relieved to be home, it was really tough conditions.
“It just seemed like there was a headwind whichever direction we’re heading in.”
Cyclists of all ages and abilities took a run at the Fondo, including the Bush Bashers who only stepped up to the challenge a day earlier.
Wayne Smith said the team of five regularly went mountain biking together and decided to take on the 52km race over coffee on Saturday.
“Someone made a comment and we came,” he said.
Mr Smith said the team already had the brightly coloured team shirts and were only too happy to sport them on the big day.
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