Christchurch’s Armstrong Motor Group Festival of Cycling continues to grow, both in size and prestige with two of New Zealand’s top mountain bikers among the latest to sign up.
Scheduled this year for December 4th and 5th, the sixth annual Armstrong Motor Group Festival of Cycling promises to be bigger and better than ever. As well as the hugely popular Harbour Ride and the world class City Criterium, the 2010 event will include mountain biking and BMX to become New Zealand’s only true celebration of all things cycling.
Following a successful pilot in the 2009 Festival, this year’s 30k mountain bike option will cater for riders of all age and ability. Scheduled for Saturday December 4th the off road option will start at McCormack’s Bay Reserve in Redcliffs and heads onto the historic and scenic trails of the Ports Hills.
Experienced riders will take on the toughest, trickiest tracks, while a more sedate but no less spectacular course caters for off road rookies and even cyclo-cross riders. And in keeping with the Festival appeal, five dollars from every mountainbike entry goes back to trail maintenance on the very tracks participants will ride.
Word gets around fast in the cycling community and two of New Zealand’s top mountain bikers are among the first to enter. New Zealand champion Nic Leary has just arrived home from representing New Zealand on the mountain bike world cup circuit and was quick to sign up for the Armstrong Motor Group mountain bike.
The Rotorua rider won the women’s category in last year’s pilot event and went on to have the best year of her career, winning the national title, claiming second place at the prestigious Merida Karapoti Classic, winning the Oceania title and then representing New Zealand at the world championships.
Rotorua could be the centre of attention in Christchurch on December 4th, with Leary’s partner, former New Zealand mountain bike rep Mark Leishman, the first elite male to sign up. Leishman has been one of New Zealand’s most consistent riders in the past decade, claiming several national titles, representing New Zealand at the world championships, and winning the prestigious Merida Karapoti Classic in 2009.
Armstrong Motor Group Festival of Cycling organisers are excited about the new mountain bike course, which will take a scenic tour along the Port Hills using iconic trials such as the Rapaki Track, Bridal Track, Witch Hill, Castle Rock, Britten and Greenwood Reserves and Captain Thomas Track.
“The concept of the Armstrong Motor Group Festival of Cycling has always been to develop a true celebration of cycling for Christchurch,” says event organizer Simon Hollander.
“We piloted the mountain bike idea in 2009 and got great feedback, so we’ve worked hard to establish a course that is as scenic and challenging as the Harbour Ride. It’s an iconic route, but there are also some great sections across private land that riders don’t have access to at any other time except the Festival. So there’s a lot for mountain bikers of all age and ability to look forward to.”
The 30k mountain bike event is just one of several options at the Armstrong Motor Group Festival of Cycling. Other events on day one include the 80k Harbour Ride and Long Bays Classic around the iconic Lyttelton harbour bays. The day then closes with the Kids’ Mini-Bays for kids aged five to 15.
Day two heads from McCormack’s Bay into town for the Armstrong Motor Group City Criterium around the Oxford Terrace café strip. The exciting closed circuit course is New Zealand’s number one criterium event and racing will feature Kiwi Olympic stars such as Tour de France rider Hayden Roulston, but will also include public events such as the newcomers crits, kids’ races, BMX displays and the Celebrity Tandem Charity ride.
Entries for the Armstrong Motor Group Festival of Cycling are now open. For more details, see www.festivalofcycling.co.nz
