CYCLING

Niue to sponsor Lake Taupo Cycle Challenge

By Wright Communications

The Contact Lake Taupo Cycle Challenge is getting a Pacific flavour with the small island country of Niue joining the event as a sponsor.

Niue Tourism has signed a three-year sponsorship deal with the event that will help promote the island nicknamed the “Rock of Polynesia” to cycle-mad Kiwis.

As part of the deal, Niue Tourism is sponsoring a major spot prize where the winner can win a trip for two to participate in the Niue Bike Rally in June 2016.

The Niue Bike Rally includes the Rally of the Rock, 5 x 8km speed stages through the centre of the island at one minute intervals, and Round the Rock, a 60km flat-out speed race around the island.

Niue Tourism Marketing Manager Jo Kennedy says the sponsorship is an important part of the strategy to showcase Niue as a Pacific Island tourist destination for New Zealanders.

“The partnership between the Contact Lake Taupo Cycle Challenge and Niue Island is a natural fit as our visitors and the event’s participants share a sense of adventure, achievement and general comradeship,” she says.
“Niue is thrilled to be welcomed into the LTCC family and we look forward to a strong relationship over the coming years.”

Kay Brake, Event Director for the Contact Lake Taupo Cycle Challenge, welcomes the addition of Niue Tourism to its family of sponsors.

“The Contact Lake Taupo Cycle Challenge is the biggest cycling event in New Zealand and we appreciate the support of all our sponsors and volunteers who help make it happen.  We are pleased to have Niue Tourism on board.”

The challenge began in 1977 with just 26 participants, but has since grown into NZ’s largest cycling event.

The event will take place on Saturday 28 November 2015.  Last year it attracted 7400 cyclists across 20 different event categories, cheered on by over 12,000 spectators and supporters.
The Cycle Challenge is owned and organised by the Rotary Club of Taupo Moana and involves over 800 local volunteers, belonging to 29 groups who provide much-needed support to the participants throughout the weekend.

It is well known for its 160km Bike Barn Solo, a one lap circumnavigation of Lake Taupo, but also offers a range of road and mountain bike options for individuals and teams, catering to all levels of cycling and fitness abilities. 

The lucky winner of the spot prize will get the chance to experience the unique delights of Niue, which has a population of 1500 and is a three and a half hour flight from Auckland.

The prize pack includes:
·        Return airfares for 2 flying Air New Zealand from Auckland, Wellington or Christchurch to Niue.

·        Airport transfers on Niue.

·        Seven nights twin share or double accommodation in an Ocean Room at the Scenic Matavai Resort Niue.

·        Tropical Continental Breakfast Daily.

·        Mountain Bike hire for the duration of the stay [x 2].

·        Entry into Rally of the Rock and Round the Rock events [x 2].



L-R LTCC Sponsorship and Communications Director
Hayden Dickason, Niue Tourism Marketing Manager
Jo Kennedy, and LTCC Event Director Kay Brake.

About Niue:
·        Is in the heart of Polynesia between Samoa, Tonga and the Cook Islands, and is a three-and-a-half hour flight from Auckland.

·        It is a 259sq km pristine coral atoll.

·        The population is less than 1500.

·        The currency is the New Zealand dollar.

·        It is an untouched, tropical, picturesque adventure playground.


www.niueisland.com

http://www.scenichotels.co.nz/hotels/scenic-matavai-resort-niue

http://www.cyclechallenge.com/