Rotorua Bike Fest: Winner impressed with quality of event

Overall winner Justin Leov clocks out of the race start on Eat Streat with a big smile. Photo/Supplied

Although the Rotorua Bike Festival came to an end at the weekend, the Giant 2W Gravity Enduro event is still fresh in many riders' memories.

A thrilling course was set by race director Neil Gellatly on Saturday, with 450 riders taking part.

The event started and finished on Eat Streat and riders were given six hours to complete six race stages.

In a stacked men's field there was close racing from the top 10 overall riders.

Justin Leov (Christchurch), a Trek Racing rider in the Enduro World Series, outclassed the field to finish with a total time of 35m 06s.

Kawerau's Matt Walker finished just 26s behind him, with 35m 32s, and Ben Robson (Rotorua) finished third in 36m 04s.

As well as taking the prize money for overall winner Leov also won cash for five out of six race stages. Leov heads overseas in April to compete for Trek at the Enduro World Series.

"Of all the New Zealand events I've done this is the best," he said after the race.

"Well organised, great trails - I'll definitely be back."

In the women's field, there were plenty of top riders from different mountain bike disciplines fighting for honours.

Continuing her good recent form, Wellington's Rosara Joseph recorded the fastest overall time with 40m 35s, winning four out of six race stages.

Meanwhile, Meg Bichard (Nelson) finished in 41m 13s and Jenna Makgill (Auckland) finished third in a time of 42m 10s.

Race director Gellatly said it was a great day of riding.

"It's just great to come out and see everyone enjoying the riding and the camaraderie of the event. It really is the spirit of the riders and volunteers out on the course that make it such a great day," he added.