Taupo Cycle Challenge 10,873 and counting

Nov 23rd, 09. A significant increase in solo and international riders has put the Wattyl Lake Taupo Cycle Challenge on track for one of its biggest events yet. Will you be there?

More than 10,000 cyclists have entered to race this year's event ©RoadCycling.co.nz

Thousands are riding the feature BNZ Solo and its 160kms around the lake, others are participating in the Linfox Tarmac Relay doing 40km or more of the Lake circumference.

Some, of the baggy short brigade, will head offroad for the Contact Huka MTB Challenge.

For 95 riders, their ride will already be underway by the time the Saturday morning alarm goes off for most.

This year 81 cyclists are tackling the lake twice, starting at 1.30am, while 14 incredible athletes are starting on Friday morning at 10.30am for a four time round the lake 640km effort!

Keith Crate, Event Director of Wattyl Lake Taupo Cycle Challenge, believes the event is on track to beat the 2005 record number of entries.

“The most entries we have ever had was 11,337 in 2005 – [this morning] we had reached 10,873 entries, which is already the second highest ever, and it’s still foreseeable that we could top the 2005 figure,” he said.

“International entries are the highest ever – we have 362 entries from 19 different countries. Currently, we have more international entries than those from Taupo – although, locals traditionally enter the event in the last week.".

The BNZ Solo riders looks to make up at least 5,677 of the total riders. This is the most solo riders the event has ever received.

Taupo Cycle Challenge by the numbers

(as at midday Monday 23rd November)

• 10,873 entries
• 5,677 solo entries
• 81 enduro riders
• 14 maxi enduro riders
• 77 riders in Avanti Classic race for Elite men
• 26 riders in the WorkOutZone Women’s Road Race for Elite women
• 362 international entrants from 19 countries

Add to these numbers

Online entries for the Wattyl Lake Taupo Cycle Challenge remain open until Tuesday with a $20 late fee. Riders can also enter at the Great Lake Centre on Friday between 10am and 10pm and 6am – 8am Saturday.

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