Mountain biking world descends on Rotorua

Former world champion Vanessa Quin charges through the boardwalk section of the track for the world championships in Rotorua. Picture / Alan Gibson

Mountain bikers are flooding into Rotorua for the biggest event the tourist city has hosted - the world mountain bike championships.

More than 600 competitors from nearly 40 countries are competing in the six-day event, which begins on Tuesday at Mt Ngongotaha.

New Zealand has 72 riders, including former downhill world champions Vanessa Quin and Scarlett Hagen, and the country's highest world-ranked mountain biker, Kashi Leuchs.

Rotorua Mayor Kevin Winters says that in terms of spectator numbers, media presence and economic impact for his city, it dwarfs last year's British and Irish Lions rugby tour.

"We've been waiting with bated breath," he said this week. "It'll be the biggest event we've held so far."

More than 10,000 spectators a day are expected to watch the final rounds of the competition, which has an estimated worldwide television audience of 200 million.

And more than 100 overseas media representatives are registered to attend, garnering Rotorua unprecedented international exposure.

"This is huge in Europe and North America," Mr Winters said.

Officially known as the UCI Mountain Bike & Trials World Championships, the competition is the culmination of three years of planning by local organisers.

The weather has been on their side this week, drying out the four courses: downhill, cross-country, four-cross (where four riders ride abreast down a 500m course in less than a minute) and the trials course, which has obstacles.

"The courses are looking absolutely brilliant," said site director Dean Watson.

Mr Watson is also director for one of several related events in the Rotorua Bike Festival which coincides with the world champs.

The 70km Highlander mountain bike marathon happens today at Whakarewarewa Forest and up to 800 entries were expected by last night.

Other events in the bike festival, which began yesterday and also runs to August 27, include an exhibition of mountain bike photography at the Rotorua Arts Village Experience and a premiere of two mountain bike films at the Pig & Whistle pub.

Yesterday , local primary and intermediate school children had the chance to ride a section of one of the Mt Ngongotaha courses as part of the festival.

Tomorrow the Tough Guy & Gal Competition, an extreme off-road event, takes place.


Fast facts

* 620 competitors
* 39 countries
* 10,000 spectators expected on each of final three days
* 200 million potential worldwide television audience
* 200 local and international media covering event
* $10 million estimated injection to Rotorua economy

Location

* All courses are on Mt Ngongotaha
* The Event Village is located at Skyline Skyrides, home to the gondola and luge, on Fairy Springs Rd (State Highway 5)
* It has a "Bike Vegas" creche and a children- sized skills course.

How to get there

Bike: The organisers are encouraging spectators to ride bikes to the Event Village, where there is a bike lockup.

Free buses: Buses run from city to Event Village (see website for route and times). Ticket-holders also have free access to city buses.

Car: The spectator carpark is at Mountain Action, 1km north of the Event Village. Mountain Rd up Mt Ngongotaha is closed to private vehicles during the event.