Mountain biking: Top NZ riders tackle forest trail

Sam Gaze, competing in the Whakarewarewa Forest, is tipped as the favourite in the men's division of Saturday's NZO Whaka 100. Photo: Alan Ofsoski

It's one of the most challenging and demanding races on the mountain bike calendar and has attracted more than 200 riders from around the country.

Saturday's NZO Whaka 100 - a 100km endurance race on the world-class mountain bike trail network in the Whakarewarewa Forest, south of Rotorua - is close to a sell-out with an additional 200 riders entered for the shorter course categories which include a 15km loop for beginners.

For two of New Zealand's top riders, Commonwealth Games silver medallist Sam Gaze and Olympian Karen Hanlen, it will be the start of a busy summer season.

"To me, the Whaka 100 is the pinnacle of racing in Rotorua," said Gaze, the young rider from Te Awamutu who has risen rapidly through the rankings in the last two years.

"It mixes really well with my training and the build-up to the domestic and international season."

Like a lot of mountain bikers from outside the city, Rotorua is a second home for Gaze.

"It's great to train and race here and the trails are just awesome.

"The Whaka 100 course really uses what they have on offer and the organisers always do a great job setting up and running the event."

Gaze has good memories of the last time he raced in Rotorua.

In February, he won the National Mountain Bike Cross-Country championships at the Rotorua Bike Festival, edging out fellow Kiwi representative and 2012 UCI Junior World Champion Anton Cooper, from Christchurch, in a dramatic photo finish.

Cooper returned the favour at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow in July, winning gold with Gaze in second place.

The two will go head-to-head in the New Zealand national series early in 2015, then at the National Championships, in Rotorua on Saturday, February 14.

"They're the major goal for the domestic season," Gaze said. "I'll do my best to have a relaxed and enjoyable summer of racing in New Zealand.

"It's a long season for the group of us that race in Europe, so the more often the pressure is off, the better."

Gaze has had great support from Rotorua bike shop, Cyclezone. He'll be in store during registration for the Whaka 100 to show off his silver medal and talk to fellow racers.

Whakatane's Hanlen is tackling the Whaka 100 for the first time.

"It's a perfect opportunity to get in some long miles while enjoying the amazing trails and representing my sponsors, Specialized New Zealand," she said.

"The Rotorua trails flow so well and test all levels of ability. I really need to get across more often than I do."