World mountain bikers lavish praise on Rotorua

New Zealand's Vanessa Quin during the elite women's practice at the mountain bike world championships in Rotorua. Picture / Greg Bowker

The organisers of the world mountain bike championships in Rotorua are hailing the event as a success after about 40,000 spectators packed the courses at Mt Ngongotaha to watch the last three days of racing.

Spokesman Graeme Simpson said the championships, which ended yesterday, had a potential worldwide television audience of 200 million.

And those who tuned in would have seen an event that went "incredibly well" thanks to fine weather and the courses holding up to tough rides by 620 competitors.

Mr Simpson said overseas riders had lavished praise on the trails, including Norwegian Gunn-Rita Dahle Flessjaa, who is a three-time world champion, Olympic gold medallist and won the women's cross-country final.

Apart from boosting Rotorua's international mountain-biking reputation, special measures to prevent thieves targeting the expensive bikes had paid off. "Rotorua's suddenly become a crime-free zone. It's a real halo effect," Mr Simpson said.

Riders from 39 countries competed in the event, which also brought large numbers of crew and spectators from around the country and overseas.

Senior Sergeant Brent Crowe said the city had been busy for about 10 days but trouble was minimal.

A few disorder and alcohol-related arrests were made on Saturday night, but the most serious incident for police was reuniting two lost children with their parents at Mt Ngongotaha.