Skyline Sprint Warrior set for a comeback in 2014

After its popular inaugural outing earlier this year, organisers of the Skyline Sprint Warrior downhill mountain bike event have announced that the race will be back for the 2014 Rotorua Bike Festival.

The Skyline Sprint Warrior event will be held on Friday 21 February, 2014, as part of the second Rotorua Bike Festival which will run from February 14 to 23, 2014.

The first Skyline Sprint Warrior event in February this year was a sell-out, with more than 200 riders, including around 20 elite competitors, taking on a purpose-built 1.8km downhill trail through Skyline Rotorua’s site on Mt Ngongotaha. Riders and bikes travelled to the top of the mountain on a gondola, before tackling the downhill trail which finished with a spectacular jump at the base of the mountain.

The Skyline Sprint Warrior event is owned and organised by brothers Tak and Tu Mutu of Mountain Bike Rotorua and Multi-Day Adventures, and is run in conjunction with Skyline Rotorua and Descend Rotorua.

“Part of the success of the event is the unique opportunity it offers mountain bikers. The track is world-class and located in an area which can’t normally be accessed by riders, so that provides just some of the attraction,” says Tak Mutu.

“Next year we will be taking things up another level with Empire of Dirt coming on again as master trail builders and making improvements to the existing trail. Everyone who is participating or watching can expect an even bigger and better adrenaline rush!”

Mr Mutu says there is every chance that the 2014 race will also be a sell-out, with this year’s event providing very popular in New Zealand’s mountain biking community.

“We received some outstanding feedback from riders and our goal is to exceed those expectations next year.”

Skyline Rotorua General Manager, Bruce Thomasen, says Skyline is delighted to host the Skyline Sprint Warrior for its second year and is looking forward to being part of the Rotorua Bike Festival again.

“The Skyline Sprint Warrior was a real hit with riders and spectators alike and I expect it to be the same when next year’s event hits our slopes,” says Mr Thomasen.

“The views are spectacular and the ride presents a great challenge and thrill for mountain bikers. The fact that competitors have to catch a gondola to access the track sets this event apart from any other downhill race.

“It really is a unique experience and we’re looking forward to bringing mountain biking back to Mt Ngongotaha once again.”

Entries for the 2014 Skyline Sprint Warrior will open in August.