CYCLING

Celebrity and Elite Contact Lake Taupo Cycle Challenge

By The Business Studio

Taupō is bulging with bikes and buzzing with energy as the 39th annual Contact Lake Taupō Cycle Challenge gets underway with the new Celebrity Criterium – where the likes of motorsport legend Greg Murphy, ex All Black Frank Bunce and lightweight rowing fours team members Alistair Bond, James Hunter and James Lassche, have taken on local identities including Taupo Mayor, David Trewavas, in a fun Le Mans style celebrity criterium taking place in the main street of Taupo’s CBD.
 
Taken out by local celebs, Andrew Leiataua and Lana Searle on a tandem, it was great spectator action and led nicely into the more serious criterium, with the ever-popular NZ Defence Force race when the Army, Navy and Air Force cycle it out for bragging rights. Bragging rights: NZ Air Force.


Photo © Steve Knowles (SportzHub) 

Next up were the elite female and male riders racing the streets for prize money.
 
The women’s criterium was won by Michaela Drummond  with James Oram taking honours in the elite men’s race.
 

Photo © Steve Knowles (SportzHub) 

“We’re thrilled to have the Criterium back in town after a year hiatus. It’s a dynamic, lively start to the weekend and gave spectators a taste of some serious and not so serious cycling action,” says Kay Brake Event Director.
 
Around 18,000 cyclists and their supporters are in Taupo over event weekend creating a fabulous festive atmosphere in the town. While cyclists are participating in one of 18 road and mountain biking events, supporters are well looked after at the Event Village with live music, plenty of activities for children, New Zealand’s largest cycling expo and village stalls.   
 

Photo © Steve Knowles (SportzHub) 

“We’re expecting around 20,000 people at the main prize giving on Saturday and there’s always a great atmosphere,” says Kay.

This year’s main prize up for grabs is a brand new Holden Trax LTZ car – valued at more than $36,000.
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