Whakarewarewa Forest full of action this weekend

2019 GIANT Toa Enduro. Photos: Jared Graves and Bryan Regnier.

The 2020 GIANT Toa Enduro is almost here and the Whakarewarewa Forest will be buzzing this weekend.

Long and Short Course training gets underway on Saturday as amateur and pro-riders prepare themselves for a massive race day on Sunday.

A precursor to next week's Crankworx events, the Enduro is the best way to build the stoke and get amped for a big week on Mount Ngongotahā.

Enduro manager Craig Murray and his team have been out and about marking trails this week. He says the forest is full with riders from all over the world gearing up for the big race.

'This Enduro is part of the EWS Asia-Pacific Continental Enduro Series and is a sanctioned event which means riders can accumulate points to go towards their EWS Global Ranking. Some of the best riders in the world will be competing.

'The trail list was released earlier this week and we've seen a definite increase in riders checking out the trails and preparing for the weekend.”

Craig suggests the best vantage points to catch the action will be Hot X Buns, Mushroom Line and Tuteata.

'In past years Enduro events have attracted huge crowds and groups of hecklers that really bring a sense of excitement to the race. It would be awesome to see that atmosphere again this year.

'We want to encourage everyone to come along, make a lot of noise, catch some for the world's best riders and enjoy the good weather. We will have food and music at Lake Tikitapu Reserve so it will be a really relaxed vibe.”

More than 300 riders will be taking part in this weekend's race. During the course of the day racers will ride more than 30km and climb more than 1200 metre over a number of stages.

In the past five years Rotorua has hosted three Enduro World Series events and the Crankworx Rotorua team are keen to secure more events in the future.

The race will take place on Sunday between 8am and 3.30pm.

The public are welcome to come along, cheer on the locals and catch the fierce battles between pro-riders aiming for the top spot.

The race will start and finish at Lake Tikitapu.

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