New Era For Iconic Lake Taupo Cycle Challenge

For immediate release
July 2, 2010

New Era For Iconic Lake Taupo Cycle Challenge

A new principal partner and new events herald the start of a new era for the popular Lake Taupo Cycle Challenge, which is expected to again attract over 10,000 riders from around New Zealand and the world.

New Zealand’s leading electricity and gas company – Contact Energy – is the new principal partner of the Contact Lake Taupo Cycle Challenge which will take place on Saturday 27 November 2010.

“Our partnership with the Cycle Challenge reflects our company’s values and long standing support of community events,” Contact’s Managing Director David Baldwin said.

“The Lake Taupo Cycle Challenge brings significant benefits to the people of Taupo and the region and we’re proud to support an iconic event that’s so important to the local community,” Mr Baldwin said.

Lake Taupo Cycle Challenge Trust Chairman Doug Simmons said the exciting partnership with Contact Energy coincided with the launch of a new brand and new events.

“This year we have introduced two new challenges as part of our commitment to cater for riders of all different abilities and deliver a safe, value-for-money event – in addition, every rider in each of our twelve events will receive a complementary hydration backpack as part of their entry fee, courtesy of Lake Taupo Cycle Challenge and Contact,” said Mr Simmons.

“We have two new events – endurance riders are already training for the 1280km Extreme Enduro and we expect the new Contact Huka Mountain Bike relay to be as popular as its solo counterpart.

“This year Cycle Challenge will also bid farewell to Keith Crate, who has resigned after 16 years as Event Director – we thank him for his unwavering passion for and commitment to Cycle Challenge,” continued Mr Simmons.

Participants from around New Zealand and the world are expected to travel to the central North Island town of Taupo to participate in the individual, team, road and off-road challenges which are based around a 160 kilometre circumnavigation of Lake Taupo.

“The Contact Lake Taupo Cycle Challenge includes a challenging but achievable 160 kilometre solo ride for individual cyclists – alternatively, teams of two, three or four can participate in the popular team event, the Linfox Tarmac Relay which is an achievable goal for new or less experienced riders,” said Mr Simmons.

“Mountain bikers will delight in the addition of the relay to the popular Contact Huka Mountain Bike Challenge – the 80km solo trail is broken into two legs almost all of which is on Taupo’s famous single trails.”

In total there are 12 different events aimed at participants of varying abilities and fitness levels

“Once again, we expect our elite races to be popular – the Avanti Men’s Classic attracts some of New Zealand’s top male riders and following its successful introduction late year, the WorkoutZone Women’s Road Race has been extended to a 100km race which starts and finishes in Taupo,” said Mr Simmons, who also acts as Race Director.

“As always, it’s a busy time of year in Taupo so we encourage participants to book their accommodation early – there is an excellent range of motels and backpackers in Taupo or the Cycle Challenge organisers are able to assist with access to private and holiday homes,” said Mr Simmons.

Heart Children NZ, the official charity of the Cycle Challenge, will ask riders to wear their ‘heart on their sleeve’ and set up a personalised fundraising page when they enter the event. Heart Children aims to raise $200,000 through rider sponsorship; funds which will provide life-long support to children and their families living with the daily challenges of a heart condition.

“The event has a unique community feel as it is owned and operated by the Taupo Moana Rotary Club and is supported by over 1000 local volunteers,” concluded Mr Simmons.

Riders are encouraged to enter before October 1 to take advantage of the Earlybird fees and to be in to win a fantastic Taupo prize pack valued at $500.

For more information and to see the new look Cycle Challenge website, go to www.cyclechallenge.com

Entry prices for 2010 Contact Lake Taupo Cycle Challenge before October 1
• Solo - $95 before October 1; $96 after October 1
• Tandem – $95 before October 1; $96 after October 1
• Linfox Tarmac Relay – $97 per team member before October 1; $99 after October 1
• Enduro - $95 before October 1; $96 after October 1
• Maxi Enduro - $95 before October 1; $96 after October 1
• Extreme Enduro - $95 before October 1; $96 after October 1
• Contact Huka Solo Challenge - $95 before October 1: $96 after October 1
• Contact Huka Relay - $85 before October 1; $87 after October 1
• Contact Huka XL Race – $100 before October 1; $103 after October 1
• Avanti Men’s Classic Race - $100 before October 1; $103 after October 1
• Workout Zone Women’s Road Race – $85 before October 1; $87 after October 1
• Heart Children NZ Heart Ride – $21 before October 1: $22 after October 1

A $20 entry fee discount is offered to all riders aged under 18 years, except in the Heart Rider and Race categories.

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