Unique opportunity to ride with Olympic stars in SKINS Grand Prix on Saturday
A unique chance for recreational cyclists to rub shoulders and ride with New Zealand’s top professionals, including Tour de France podium winner and double Olympic medallist Hayden Roulston, the day before they do battle in the RaboPlus National Championships, is offered in the SKINS Grand Prix on Saturday.
The recreational ride is a new event being held on Saturday as part of the RaboPlus National Cycling Championships being hosted in Christchurch that start with the Time Trial on Friday 8 January and finish with the elite road race on Sunday 10th.
All riders in the SKIN’s Grand Prix recreational event ride in the same SKIN’s yellow and black cycle top that have been produced by cycle clothing company, and event associate sponsor, Tineli.
Entries are limited to 200 and it is billed as a ‘ride’ rather than a ‘race’ and offers the only opportunity to ride the same course the elite riders will compete on the following day. Many of New Zealand’s leading cyclists, including Hayden Roulston, will ride with recreational cyclists in the SKIN’s Grand Prix.
Recreational riders will complete four circuits of the course that covers a circuit of 15.6 kilometres, completing a total of 62 kilometres. It incorporates the climb (in the opposite direction) of the Cashmere Hills as used at the 1974 Christchurch Commonwealth Games
The elite race covers 186.6 kilometres and riders do 12 laps of the tough circuit.
Entries are still open for the SKIN’s Grand Prix. Riders can enter at http://www.elitenationals.co.nz
Ends
Editors notes
• Unique top all riders will wear – great photo opportunity! All riders in same tops going up Dyers Pass Road with Hayden Roulston in front.
• Race HQ for the road races will be at Pioneer Stadium on Lyttelton Street and the races will assemble here to roll out under neutral conditions onto the course on Rose Street.
Timetable
Saturday 9 January 2010
7.30am Road course set up
9.00am Road restrictions in force
9.30am 62km SKINS Grand Prix Presented by Tineli, Pioneer Stadium
11.25am Recreational Ride completion
12.00pm Elite Women 123km National Championship Road Race, Pioneer Stadium
4.00pm Medal presentations, Pioneer Stadium
4.30pm Roads returned to normal operation
Sunday 10 January 2010
8.00am Road course set up
9.30am Road restrictions in force
10.00am Elite Men / Under 23 Men 186km National Championship Road Race,
3.00pm Medal presentations, Pioneer Stadium
4.30pm Roads returned to normal operation
For more information
www. www.elitenationals.co.nz
www.skins.net
For more information please contact:
David Watt
Brandex Adventure Sports Ltd
03 373 8178
0272 260 099
www.skins.co.nz
John McKenzie
enthuse ltd
021 384 730
03 384 7338