Watch a virtual ‘who’s who’ of international freeriders primed to show off their big tricks to thousands of spectators.

The 10-day Queenstown Bike Festival (22 March – 1 April 2013) features more than 25 events ranging from recreational rides, social events and the Tour de Wakatipu to the extreme downhill races and freestyle events that have attracted the sport’s big names to the lake and alpine resort.

Now accredited as a Freeride Mountain Bike World Tour Silver Event, the spectacular downtown Slopestyle (28 March) has attracted a virtual ‘who’s who’ of international freeriders all primed to show their big tricks off to thousands of spectators.  The line-up includes:

·       Cam McCaul (US) – Described as a living legend, 3rd place at Red Bull Joyride 2012

·       Kurt Sorge (Canada) – Made his place in mountain bike history this year by winning Red Bull Rampage 2012

·       Sam Pilgrim (Great Britain) – Five 1st place results in the 2012 season

·       Sam Dueck (Canada) – Hyper extended tricks and a crowd favourite from last year's event

·       Benny Phillips (Australia) – Winner of last year’s event and on the comeback from injury

·       Chad Kagy (US) – 2nd place finish at the 2011 Dew Tour first stop and bronze medallist at X Games in Big Air

·       Daiki Takahashi (Japan) – 1st Place Freeride Jam Japan

·       Conor MacFarlane (NZ) – 2nd Place Teva Slopestyle 2012

·       Kelly McGarry (NZ) – 5th Place Teva Slopestyle 2012

A new event, the Mega Avalanche (31 March), has also attracted international entries including French Commencal team riders Remy Absalon and Nicolas Quere, and World Cup downhiller and current female Canadian National Champion Casey Brown.  Based on the famous ‘Megavalanche’ in the French Alps, the race is expected to test even the world’s best downhillers as they hurtle down a course on Queenstown’s iconic Remarkables mountain range.

The Dirtmasters Downhill is back on 27 March and names to watch include local star and 2010 UCI Oceania Champion Reon Boe, and Christchurch’s Cameron Cole, 2011 National Downhill Champion and 7th overall in the 2011 World Cup.  Set to International Cycling Union (UCI) standards, the course down Bob’s Peak is not for the fainthearted – riders will have to contend with speed, drops, air and technical challenges but will be rewarded with panoramic lake and mountain views along the way.  Spectators can also get in on the action by enjoying the festive atmosphere at the downtown finish line and cheering on the competitors as they drop down the Brecon St stairs.

Destination Queenstown Chairman Mark Quickfall says that Queenstown has undergone a biking revolution in the past couple of years and the Bike Festival has proven to be a great drawcard for riders and spectators to visit and extend their stay over the Easter break. 

“With over 5,000 entrants and attendees at the 2012 festival bringing in an estimated NZ$2 million to the local economy, the Queenstown Bike Festival has become a key autumn event on our calendar.

“It doesn’t matter whether you’re a novice or advanced, like fat or skinny tyres, or like watching the pros test their skills – this is about celebrating all things biking and getting the chance to explore some of our spectacular alpine scenery.” 

With every genre of biking covered including 110km of cross country trails, heli-biking, gondola-accessed downhill trails, a jump park, and world-class road rides, Queenstown is gaining a reputation as a world-class biking destination for people of all ages and abilities.

For more information about Queenstown visit www.queenstownNZ.co.nz.  To view the Queenstown Bike Festival programme visit www.queenstownbikefestival.co.nz

Alison Carmichael-Rulten

Hi, I'm Alison Carmichael-Rulten the Publisher of Vacation Goddess, and I want to thank you for visiting Vacation Goddess – the one-stop shop for insider travel news, deals, 'Guest Goddes's stories, and of course our personal travel experiences. Plus, as we love to cruise we also try to find some amazing cruise deals for you too. From luxury, longer escapes right down to weekend breaks we know you love everything travel related. Here at Vacation Goddess, we hope you will find loads of inspiration and of course some amazing travel deals. We love a holiday at a great price and that's why we seek out what we call 'Champagne Experiences, on a Sparkling Wine Budget.' We constantly showcase a variety of special deals and offers and from time to time some very special competitions. Our recent 'Win a Trip to London' competition received over 24,00 entries. We invite you to visit us often, join our mailing list and please tell your friends