Cycle event record likely

The rubber will meet the road in record numbers this weekend when thousands of hardy cyclists line up for the Wattyl Lake Taupo Cycle Challenge on Saturday.

With more than 11,000 people already entered in the event, organisers were hopeful that this year's race would be the biggest yet, beating the record number of participants of 11,500 set in 2005.

Almost 450 Waikato riders will join more than 5750 other solo riders in the gruelling 156.5km BNZ solo race, while 110 Waikato relay teams (of up to four members) will also compete.

With solo entries and international entries (370 entries from 19 countries) at record levels, event director Keith Crate believed this year's event was set to be the biggest yet.

"Taupo is going to be booming.

"We're the biggest event in this town," he said.

The Wattyl Lake Taupo Cycle Challenge features 12 races, which, in addition to the solo challenge, include the Max Enduro – involving the more hardy riders circumnavigating the lake four times – and the Contact Huka MTB Challenge, which has mountain bikers completing a demanding 80km course just north of Taupo.

Thirty-three Heart Riders aged under 10, including Mr Crate's grandson Anthony, are also taking part.

The children, some of whom have heart conditions, will cycle the final 5km of the main race led by Taupo-raised Olympic silver medallist Bevan Docherty.

A Guinness Book record attempt for the longest parade of bikes is to take place on Saturday with 2400 bikes expected.

It's all a far cry from the first Lake Taupo Cycle Challenge held in 1977, when a group of 25, including 85-year-old race patron Walter de Bont, hopped on their bikes and cycled around the lake to raise money for IHC. More than 30 years later, the race is one of New Zealand's biggest sporting events, and the fifth biggest cycling event in the world.

Mr Crate, who has been at the race's helm for 15 years, said it had changed remarkably over the past 33 years, with electronic timing now used for all riders, an online entry system, and huge traffic safety measures put in place.

About 1000 local volunteers would be involved in managing the event this year.

A number of high-profile cyclists are set to participate in various events and races throughout Friday and Saturday, including Tour de France cyclists Julian Dean and Hayden Roulston, and world champion track cyclist Alison Shanks.

- © Fairfax NZ News