Alison Shanks latest Taupo attraction

Nov 25th, 09. Hot off the heals of her great performance in Melbourne, World Champion Alison Shanks is the latest superstar to sign up for this weekend's Wattyl Lake Taupo Cycle Challenge.

Shanks won't be wearing her rainbow rings, but the World Champion will be racing in Taupo ©Shane Goss/www.licoricegallery.com

"I am indeed heading up to Taupo. Avanti are one of the major supporters of the event and being an Avanti sponsored rider I wanted to also show my support to the event," Shanks told RoadCycling.co.nz.

Shanks has just arrived back from a very successful meet at the UCI Track World Cup in Melbourne where her two medal performances, gold and silver, helped New Zealand come home with four golds, a silver and a bronze.

"It was a great trip with the team. Fantasic results and a wicked way to kick off the new season," she said.

Shanks is putting aside her track bike in favour of her road bike this weekend. Having the World Champion competing in Friday night's women's Elite Street Race adds another drawcard to the already spectator friendly event.

As well as the Friday event, Shanks is also riding the full 160km BNZ Solo.

"I have done Taupo once before with [partner] Craig before I was a "real cyclist" so it will be great to go back and ride it again with the Avanti crew, although after just coming off a track campaign 160km is going to feel like a marathon compared to a 3km pursuit!!" she said.

"I haven't done the criterium before but I've heard there is a new course this year and it will be great for spectators downtown on a Friday night."

Watch Alison Shanks in The Elite Street Race (20mins+2laps) starting in the centre of Taupo town at 6pm on Friday. The Elite Men's race, featuring Julian Dean,  will follow for 30mins+2laps.

Other articles on this great weekend of cycling

• Photos: Meshy Holt and the other winners of the WorkoutZone road race
• Photos: Patrick Bevan's win at the Avanti Classic
• RoadCycling.co.nz's ride around the lake
• Local lad wins Avanti Classic
• NZ Road Champion wins WorkoutZone Road Race
• Results: Avanti Classic
• Results: WorkoutZone Women's Road Race
• Photos of the Taupo Elite Street racing
• Bici Vida hunt down the win
• Battle for the Taupo Streets - women
• Results: Taupo Street Race
• When once just isn't enough
• Top tips for tackling Taupo
• Start list for the Elite races
• Small field, big names in Elite Women's race
• Alison Shanks latest Taupo attraction
• Defending champion skips Taupo
• Julian Dean adds to Taupo weekend
• Taupo Cycle Challenge 10,783 and counting
• Street battle looming in Taupo
• Greg Henderson's tips for one day racing