It was thrilling and exciting on the streets of Taupo's CBD last night as the annual Lake Taupo Cycle Challenge Criterium got underway.
The event fostered plenty of enthusiasm in the build-up to today's main event, which got underway early this morning, with more than 6000 cyclists taking up a range of on and off-road challenges around the Lake Taupo district.
Seventeen youngsters who planned to ride in the Kids Heart Ride today took part in the event's first-ever Kids' Criterium, which led nicely into the more serious Criterium with elite female and male riders, racing the streets for prize money. The annual NZ Defence Force race, which has the Air Force and Navy take on NZ Army to cycle it out for bragging rights, saw NZ Army finish first overall and Air Force second.
The Women's Criterium was won by Sharlotte Lucas, with Ellesse Andrews second and Matilda Raynolds third.
Sam Gaze was first across the line in the men's Criterium with Luke Mudgway second and Alexander Ray third.