 Tour Of New Zealand(Click to enlarge) |
An ambitious eight day nationwide cycling event that starts from both ends of New Zealand next month has competitors flying in from around the world.
The Tour of New Zealand, held for the first time last year, begins simultaneously in Cape Reinga or Bluff on Saturday 20 April finishing about 700 kilometres or eight days later at the Beehive in Wellington. Teams or individuals have chosen to begin at the top of the North Island or at the bottom of the South Island.
Tour Director Peter Yarrell cannot wait for this year's event to get started, and says it is hard to believe almost a year has gone by since last year's tour.
"We have over 30 competitors flying in to ride the Tour from Australia, Hong Kong, Texas, the UK, Russia and Japan," he said. "They have chosen the route that fascinates them most, the North Island or South Island, and will be greeted in the South by the inimitable Mayor of Invercargill Tim Shadbolt, or in the north by the magnificent Guardian of Cape Reinga, the famous Lighthouse and a local Maori farewell."
Yarrell says the tour is a real celebration of not only cycling, but of New Zealand and all it has to offer. "Seven stages and seven hundred kilometres in seven days, culminating in the Beehive Grounds for a showdown 'ride off' where North verses South Island riders will compete for overall Tour Honours; it's a truly special and very unique event."
Schools have been invited to ride the Tour for a stage this year, simultaneously raising money for their school sports programmes. Students under supervision of a teacher or parent are able to ride as part of a relay to get their school colours to the finish line of a chosen stage.
Yarrell says he is 'rapt' with the support the event has received from sponsors which means $1000 worth of spot prizes will be distributed each day.
Daily stage riders can also join the Tour and experience all the fun of riding competitively or for a charity. Yarrell stresses it is a great opportunity for stage riders to join tour riders on routes seldom ridden on quiet country roads with stunning scenery.
Charities supported by Tour riders this year include the Heart Foundation, St Johns, Halberg Disability Trust and the Hikurangi Foundation for the 'Bikes in School' programme.
The 2012 Tour riders raised $75,000 for the charities it supported, and Yarrel was keen to see that figure broken this year.
