Legends dinner at Elite Road Nationals in Napier

The Elite Road National Championships in Napier will finish with the Legends of Cycling Dinner featuring triple winner of the Tour de France's green jersey, Robbie McEwen and New Zealand's most successful professional cyclist Julian Dean.

Held in Auckland in January this year the Legends of Cycling Dinner was very well received with the voice of cycling Phil Liggett, saying it was “something long over for New Zealand that exceeded everyone’s expectations.”

“It was an initiative long overdue in New Zealand cycling,” Phil said. “It brought the sport and pastime together to celebrate its achievements. So many great Kiwi riders have passed into history unnoticed; it was an outstanding night that celebrated all things cycling.”

This year’s dinner featured Phil, one of the greatest cyclists of all time American Greg LeMond, and Dean, in a night that was the highest profile gathering of world famous cycling identities ever seen in this country.

Organiser of the event, John McKenzie from enthuse media & events, says he’s looking forward to running the event in Napier saying will be a great way to cap off the New Zealand elite road racing championships.

“Napier have been really enthusiastic and supportive about the event and having it on the last night of the elite national road championships makes good sense,” he says. “It will once again be a real celebration of all things cycling and Robbie is really looking forward to coming and being part of it.”  
The evening, being held at Church Road Winery on Sunday 8 January, will again feature impressive audio visual presentations with McKenzie promising a few surprises.

“We worked really hard to provide something unique that was not only entertaining but inspiring as well,” he says. “Julian was just fantastic at this year’s legends dinner in Auckland so to have him back for Napier is great. Robbie’s track record speakers for itself and he is proving to be good television commentator as well so the banter and storytelling on the night will be great.” 

McEwen says he is looking forward to experiencing the region that includes great scenery, rides and wineries. “The legends dinner will celebrate cycling and will be a fantastic way to cap off a week of racing where New Zealand’s elite riders all go head to head for national titles,” McEwen said.

“It will be my first visit to the Hawkes Bay region after having visited Wellington, Auckland and Taupo previously. I can’t wait to take it all in and enjoy the riding and socialising.”