Riders dash down mountain

The Skyline Sprint Warrior is set to provide plenty of action for spectators at Skyline Rotorua today.

From the thrills and spills of the Skyline Sprint Warrior to races for the young ones, there's still plenty of action left in the final few days of the Rotorua Bike Festival.

This afternoon's Skyline Sprint Warrior will see mountain bikers screaming down the slopes of Mt Ngongotaha on a purpose-built track. It's a spectator experience not to be missed with all the boxes ticked - speed, big jumps and top level mountain biking.

Skyline Rotorua is offering special $10 gondola passes so spectators can travel to the top of the site for the best view.

Skyline Rotorua activities department manager Dean Johnson said the trail was easily accessible and he encouraged people to join in the festival-type atmosphere.

"Heading up the gondola and walking down the trails running beside the Sprint Warrior race track is a great option to find the perfect viewing spot."

Event co-owner and organiser Tak Mutu said it was an event not to be missed.

"It is going to be the place to be, with some fantastic talent on display."

Racing begins about 4.30pm.

Junior riders will kick it off with momentum building to the division for elite riders later in the afternoon.

Prizegiving will be held around 7.30pm. Entertainment will be provided by Rotorua band Strangely Arousing.

Tomorrow, the focus turns to the Giant 2W Gravity Enduro in and around the Whakarewarewa Forest - starting and finishing on Eat Streat.

Also running tomorrow is the LIKEaBIKE Kiddie Cross - a short course, off-road circuit race for children between the ages of 2 and 7, including a balance bike race for the littlies.

The racing, held at the Rotorua Youth Centre Reserve on the corner of Te Ngae Rd and Fenton St, starts at 10.30am with registrations open from 10am.

The festival wraps up on Sunday with a range of events including the Telecom Inner City Criterium - street racing in the heart of the city with a circuit starting and finishing outside the Novotel Hotel.

The criterium will take place between 2.30pm and 5pm with a short course criterium for kids aged between 2 and 7, which starts and finishes at Eat Streat.

Registration is at 1.15pm with racing at 1.50pm.

Also on Sunday is the MTB Adventure Quest, as well as Pimp Your Bike and the Waipa Bike Fair.

For details visit www.rotoruabikefestival.com.