Corporate Teams chase $100,000 prize for charity

17 December 2013

For immediate release from the BDO Wellington to Auckland Cycle Challenge

$100,000 PRIZE LURES CORPORATE ENTRIES IN 7 DAY BIKE RIDE

The BDO Wellington to Auckland Cycle Challenge is offering a one hundred thousand dollar prize package for the winning corporate team to then donate to a charity of their choosing in one of the biggest prize offerings ever seen in an amateur and largely social event such as the iconic ride up the North Island, and already some big names from the business world are lining up to take on the event and each other.

In its 6th year in 2014, the BDO Cycle Challenge is the brainchild of former Commonwealth and Olympic cyclist Stephen Cox and his company Dynamo Events, with the route reminiscent of the famous Dulux races of yesterday, giving riders of all abilities and backgrounds the chance to ride a similar route to some of the greats in the days of the Dulux Tour.

And to add further spice to an already growing reputation, the BDO Cycle Challenge will next February see a Corporate Teams Challenge for the first time, with teams racing for the right to donate an amazing $100,000 prize made up of cash, product and services to a charity of their choosing.

Stephen Cox says the challenge is one he hopes many of the corporate businesses who have offices throughout the North Island will be prepared to take on. With MS the official charity partner of the event, this is a chance for the corporate teams to support MS by riding, but also benefit their own charity by winning the team category.

“The BDO Challenge is for everyone who has ridden a bike and would like a great experience similar to what we see with the professionals in the big tours around the world. Whether you are a first time rider or have been on the bike for years, this event caters for everyone.

“Now with the Corporate Team Challenge we are offering a huge incentive to businesses throughout the country and in particular throughout the North Island to motivate their staff, their customers and their partners to be involved. Like the event overall, the rules are very relaxed; we want teams on the start line and people to be a part of this great event.”

Already signed up for the Corporate Teams event are some of the heavyweights of the business community. BDO themselves will have two teams, one New Zealand based and one from their Australian office. But, being the event naming rights partners, BDO has stepped back from winning the $100,000 prize, leaving others to battle it out for their respective charities.

That leaves ASB, Westpac, Invacare NZ, AECOM New Zealand, Xero and Hynds Pipes as confirmed with strong interest from another half a dozen teams, including the likelihood of a team from the New Zealand Police taking part.

Nick Stanhope is amongst those riding for ASB and while admitting to a few nerves he sees a fantastic opportunity to network with staff, clients and customers throughout the training and event itself.

“The team at ASB are all looking forward to the race. As a bank we love competition and thrive on a good challenge. The BDO Challenge gives us a chance to connect with our regional teams and customers as it moves from Wellington to Auckland. The sport of cycling and the charity we are riding for are a perfect fit with our values of caring, ambition, integrity, and passion. We have a large team ready for what will be a great experience - although a little daunting.”

Stephen Cox is right when describing the rules as being ‘relaxed’, Corporate Teams must have a minimum of 3 riders per stage (maximum 6 per team) but those riders can change every day or indeed every stage if that was the preference. This means businesses can plan on having ‘local’ riders from branch offices take part on particular days, each knowing they are contributing to the overall team effort and the possibility of winning that $100,000 prize package.

It is not just the Corporate Team Challenge that is proving alluring to riders around the country though. Individual riders can enter now, with various options from riding only (no accommodation or meal package) to the ‘Full Monty’ that caters for all a cyclists needs throughout the week, from accommodation to transport to bag transfers to food.

Visit www.dynamoevents.co.nz for further information

Further information:
The Corporate Team Challenge prize includes a Ford car for a year, cash in a readymade bank account, accounting services, legal and advertising services and so much more!

Teams can be made up of employees, customers or invited guests of your organisation and are a great way to promote health and well being in the work place. Teams must have a minimum of 3 riders per stage and a maximum of 6 with riders able to change every stage if you wish or ride the whole week – it is up to you and the individual riders!

Event sponsor BDO is already in the Corporate Challenge and has challenged others and to take them on. Banks, accountants, legal firms, major retailers, government departments have all been issued with the BDO Corporate Challenge and with a prize of $100,000 in value to donate to your chosen charity, numbers are certain to be strong!

ENDS

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