Cycling: Challenging races amid grandeur

Photo / Thinkstock

The Queenstown Bike Festival will focus on two major events this weekend with the annual Tour de Wakatipu attracting big numbers of elite and recreational riders and the inaugural Dirtmasters Downhill in Ben Lomond forest featuring world-class riders in action.

Around 620 people have registered for the Tour de Wakatipu which takes riders from Arrowtown to Chard Farm winery on the Kawarau River.

The event begins at Millbrook Resort with cyclists riding to the western end of the resort to the Wakatipu Trails Trust track, which leads to Speargrass Flat Rd and on to Slopehill Rd. The competitors then move on to Lower Shotover Rd to access a scenic single track alongside the Shotover River before crossing the restored Lower Shotover Bridge.

From the bridge the course follows a gravel road and 4WD track to the Shotover delta, before joining the river track and crossing the Kawarau River bridge. A one kilometre highway section accesses the private Kawarau River Rd on Coneburn Station leading to the finish line at Chard Farm.

The recreational ride covers 36km while elite and sports riders include an 8km loop of the Lake Hayes track to cover 45km. The event includes a junior division.

Queenstown rider Mark Williams has won both previous Tour de Wakatipu events and will defend his title again this year.

"I love this race because of the atmosphere and the scenery. It's definitely a great feeling of camaraderie out there and the rivalry is pretty friendly. However, there will be some strong competition in the elite section this year with some top-class riders competing."

A party will be held at the Chard Farm winery with entertainment and food stalls. The Wakatipu Trails Trust will man a beer tent to raise funds for the Queenstown Trail while $5 from every entry is donated to Cure Kids.

The Corona Dirtmasters Downhill in the Ben Lomond Forest is tomorrow and is set on a challenging 3km course.

Queenstown rider Oscar Tatom, who is now riding in the open men's category, says there should be some class competition.

"Spectators who want to see some good action should go up the hill to watch, it will be pretty exciting," he said.

Find out more:
queenstownbikefestival.com