Editorial: Rotorua's chance to shine

Photo / Clint Trahan, crankworx

There was much excitement in the Rotorua Daily Post newsroom yesterday as word came through that Rotorua would host the Crankworx mountain bike festival for the next three years. And none of us were mountain bikers.

It's a fantastic result not just for the mountain biking fraternity - which is, of course, huge in this city - but Rotorua as a whole. It's estimated there will be 750 competitors in town next March, but that doesn't account for the thousands more supporters, spectators, sponsors and international media.

We spoke to deputy mayor Dave Donaldson, part of the Rotorua contingent in Whistler, shortly after the big announcement was made. He was clearly buzzing with excitement, as were our online readers.

Within hours of posting the news on our website yesterday it had been shared almost 1000 times on Facebook - around Rotorua, New Zealand and the world.

Not only are the world's best riders going to be in town, there will be a music festival and plenty of other events to keep everyone entertained.

Last month, we had the news Rotorua had missed out on hosting three rounds of the Mountain Bike World Cup. By all accounts, securing Crankworx more than makes up for disappointment.

Some questioned the timing and need for the Government to invest $225,000 in Skyline's Gravity Park.

But by bringing it up to international standard, we are able to host events like this. Rotorua's accommodation providers, restaurants, bars, shops and tourist attractions will all feel the spin-offs, and those of us who live here can enjoy the hype and fancy skills of some of the world's best athletes.

Efforts to secure the festival have been going on for months and with just seven months till it arrives, the work will now continue.

Let's get behind it and put on a Crankworx they'll never forget.