Just a week out from New Zealand's premier and largest cycling event, the Contact Lake Taupo Cycle Challenge has won this year's event category at the Outdoors Awards.
The Outdoors New Zealand awards were presented on Thursday night in Rotorua.
"This prestigious award recognises the commitment and hard work that goes into delivering not only New Zealand's largest cycling event, but what is also the biggest annual event held in New Zealand's events capital, the picturesque Lake Taupo," said event director Kay Brake.
The judging criteria were best practice in outdoors safety, environmental friendliness and community engagement. Judges remarked that entries had been very strong, but Lake Taupo Cycle Challenge shone out as meeting all the criteria comprehensively.
"With online entries closing this coming Saturday (23 November ) for this year's Contact Lake Taupo Cycle Challenge we'd encourage everyone with a bike to get their entry in, and come along and experience everything that has gone toward earning this award. We've got 15 event categories on offer - both on road and mountain bike options - for all levels of cycling and fitness ability, so there's something here for everyone."