Top NZ Cyclists Arriving in Taupo for Cycle Challenge

An elite group of NZ riders will be ‘Facing the Challenge’ in Taupo on Saturday for the 35th annual Contact Lake Taupo Cycle Challenge.

The field in the 160km Avanti Men’s Classic is looking competitive with riders including International Triathlete Bevan Docherty who placed 2nd at the ITU World Cup last weekend, eight riders from the Pure Black Racing Team including last year’s winner Roman Van Uden, Stuart Houltham (ex Taupo) who has won the Contact Huka XL mountain bike event in previous years but this year is tackling the road race, Aaron Strong (Auckland) - a regular high performer in the event and other regular Cycle Challenge riders Jeremy Vennel and Jeremy Yates (from Hawke’s Bay) and Karl Murray (Auckland).

The OPI Women’s Road Race is also shaping up to be a good battle with riders Emma Crum (Auckland), Rachel Southee (Palmerston North), Kerri-Anne Torckler  (Hawkes Bay) and Serena Sheridan (also from Hawkes Bay and a previous winner of the event) lining up on Saturday 26th.

Back this year for the Contact Huka XL MTB race are last year’s winners Mikey Northcott (Tokoroa) and Annika Smail (Rotorua).  This year the Contact Huka XL has received record entries which should make for a hotly contested ride.

A selection of the elite riders will also race in the BodyFuel Street Criterium races on Friday 25th November (6pm) around the streets of Taupo as part of the BikeFest Lake Taupo programme. 

Up to 9,000 riders are expected to ride the 35th Contact Lake Taupo Cycle Challenge this Saturday in the less competitive events including the 160km solo ride, the RaboDirect Relay and the Contact Huka MTB 80km solo and relay events.  Over 100 riders (a record number) have entered the Enduro events this year. 

Event Director Kay Brake says it is shaping up to be another great Cycle Challenge and it is not too late to enter.  “It’s not too late to ‘Face the Challenge’ for 2011.  We will be accepting late entries at Event Reception at the Great Lake Centre from 10am-10pm on Friday 25th November and from 6am–8am on Saturday 26th November.”

Over 1,000 local community volunteers will be there on the day assisting with the event which is owned and operated by the Taupo Moana Rotary Club.