A unique chance for recreational cyclists to rub shoulders and ride with New Zealand's top professionals, including Tour de France podium winner and double Olympic medallist Hayden Roulston, the day before they do battle in the RaboPlus National Championships, is offered in the SKINS Grand Prix on Saturday.
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| Hayden Roulston (Photo: www.skins.net) |
The recreational ride is a new event being held on Saturday as part of the RaboPlus National Cycling Championships being hosted in Christchurch that start with the Time Trial on Friday 8 January and finish with the elite road race on Sunday 10th.
All riders in the SKIN's Grand Prix recreational event ride in the same SKIN's yellow and black cycle top that have been produced by cycle clothing company, and event associate sponsor, Tineli.
Entries are limited to 200 and it is billed as a 'ride' rather than a 'race' and offers the only opportunity to ride the same course the elite riders will compete on the following day. Many of New Zealand's leading cyclists, including Hayden Roulston, will ride with recreational cyclists in the SKINS Grand Prix.
Recreational riders will complete four circuits of the course that covers a circuit of 15.6 kilometres, completing a total of 62 kilometres. It incorporates the climb (in the opposite direction) of the Cashmere Hills as used at the 1974 Christchurch Commonwealth Games
The elite race covers 186.6 kilometres and riders do 12 laps of the tough circuit.
Entries are still open for the SKIN's Grand Prix. Riders can enter at www.elitenationals.co.nz.
