RaboDirect Relay

Start 9:00am Entry Fee  $99.00 per rider  Under 18 riders - $20 entry discount The 160km circuit of Lake Taupo is split into four legs of approximately 40km each. A relay team may have 2, 3 or 4 cyclists riding one or more consecutive 40km relay legs.

There are relay interchange points for each leg at Tihoi (B), Kuratau (C) & Motuoapa (D). The relay interchanges will have a covered area, bike racks and toilets.

Exact relay leg distances are:
Taupo to Tihoi                    38km
Tihoi to Kuratau                 34.5km
Kuratau to Motuoapa        39km
Motuoapa to Taupo           41.5km

Looking for training partners or relay team members? Click here to go through to Cycle Challenge's Facebook page where you can post what you are looking for.  

Transportation of riders & bikes is provided free of charge. Riders are transported to and from relay interchanges by bus, and bikes are transported to and from relay interchanges by truck.

NO ACCOMPANYING VEHICLES ARE NECESSARY OR ALLOWED.
Riders using such vehicles may be disqualified from the event.

Relay bikes for B, C & D legs should be taken to the bike loading area on Tongariro Domain when you come to reception on Friday, or Saturday morning. Bikes will be returned to Relay Bike Return area, Riverside Park.

Relay riders must report to Bus Loading on Ferry Road 30 minutes prior to bus departure. Relay buses will return from relay interchanges to Taupo CBD as they fill with riders.

A Welcome Guide will be posted to you in November with full details of bus timetables and bike loading times.

There will be three start groups - Fast, Medium & Recreational. You select the most suitable for your team.

All teams are issued with one timing WheelTag which is attached to your bike. All relay interchange points are timed only as the new rider exits, giving split times for each relay leg, and an overall team time. The timing WheelTag acts as your "baton". Hand the WheelTag to your next rider before they depart and you will get an accurate time for your team.

The 2 hour rule

Some teams may have a rider who has a mechanical breakdown or finds the ride physically more difficult than expected. To solve this problem we have the 'Two Hour Rule'. If a Relay rider has not sighted their previous rider by the following times:

Tihoi (interchange 2) 11.30 am
Kuratau (interchange 3) 1.20 pm
Motuoapa (interchange 4) 3.15 pm

the rider will be allowed to begin their leg. A new WheelTag will be issued and the final rider will then need to report to the finish marshals to have a finish time recorded.

Relay Challenges

Rotary Relay Challenge $1000 cash prize awarded to the oldest, fastest Rotary team of four and presented at Rotary breakfast on Sunday morning.

$1000 cash prize awarded to the oldest, fastest Rotary team of four and presented at Rotary breakfast on Sunday morning.

Secondary School Relay Challenge A national challenge open to all Secondary Schools in New Zealand. $1000 cash prize awarded to the youngest, fastest relay team of four students.

Intermediate School Relay Challenge A national challenge open to all Intermediate/Middle (Yr 7 & 8) Schools in New Zealand. $1000 cash prize awarded to the youngest, fastest relay team of four students.