Who is racing Elite in Taupo next weekend?

Elites join thousands of casual cyclists for a ride around Lake Taupo ©RoadCycling.co.nz

Nov 18th, 11. While there are thousands of weekend warriors and fun riders racing next Saturday's solo or relay Lake Taupo Cycle Challenge, there are also two smaller elite races for NZ's best.

At 6:45am, when the alarms of many Challenge riders might be starting to go off, the peloton for the 160km Avanti Men's Classic race will be waved across the start line in Taupo.  

Fifteen minutes later the 100km OPI Women's Race will begin.

Elite riders may be the fastest riders, but they have a reputation for being slow with their entry forms. Below are the entries received to date, one day before online entries shut. 

Missing from the men's start list are 2010 winner Roman Van Uden (PureBlack Racing) and 2009 winner Patrick Bevin (Bissell Pro Cycling).

PureBlack did not respond to RoadCycling.co.nz's questions about whether they would be fielding a team.

Bevin, however, told RoadCycling.co.nz he had been looking forward to his hometown event but unfortunately fell sick after his great performance in the PowerNet Tour of Southland (stage win and 2nd overall). He made the tough decision to bring forward his end of season break.

Bevin's Bissell Pro Cycling teammate Jeremy Vennell has signed up, as have other strong Tour of Southland riders Chris Macic (4th overall), Nick Lovegrove (Subway Pro Cycling), Aaron Strong and Jeremy Yates.

In the women's race, defending champion Kate Chilcott has not entered, but five of the riders who made up last year's ten rider sprint are back again; Emma Crum, Corrine Smit, Karen Fulton, Kerri-anne Torckler and Melanie Burke. They are joined by top Kiwi International Serena Sheridan who did not race last year.

Late entries are available at the Great Lake Centre on Friday 25 Nov 10am – 10pm and on event day from 6am – 8am - so there may be more entries by the time the starter's flag drops early next Saturday morning.

Entries to date - 160km Avanti Men's Classic

Entries to date - OPI Women's Race