The stakes in the New Zealand Singlespeed National Championships, 25-27 April, have just been raised, with organisers adding an automatic qualification to the heavily-oversubscribed World Championships for the fastest rider.

The rider who crosses the finish line first at the inaugural Pig & Whistle New Zealand Singlespeed Mountain Bike Championship in Rotorua on Anzac Weekend, will qualify for the World Championships in August.

“Over a thousand people from around the globe applied to enter the Worlds in Napa in California,” says Graeme Simpson, one of the New Zealand Singlespeed Championship team. “Only 400 made the final cut, but we were in touch with the organizers before entries opened and they’re keeping one place open for our first champion.”

“We’ve already had entries from singlespeeders all round New Zealand and from Australia and the United States keen to be here in a couple of months,” adds Event Director, Dean Watson.

And not only will the winner win that fantastic opportunity to ride the World Champs, but there’s still the tattoo, “…a Singlespeed tradition we’re not messing with,” says Simpson.

“Both the first man and first woman will receive a fantastic tattoo, designed by a local artist, Bryony Edwards. No tattoo, no title.”

The design incorporates bike chain rings and fern leaves with a distinctive blend of New Zealand and Pacific imagery.

“It’s all black, as well, which will be instantly recognizable anywhere,” Simpson adds. “Globus Gallery are Rotorua-based and are our official tattoo supplier. Their work is world-class.”

Online entry for the local event is available through Rotorua’s own biking web site www.riderotorua.com.

The stakes in the New Zealand Singlespeed National Championships, 25-27 April, have just been raised, with organisers adding an automatic qualification to the heavily-oversubscribed World Championships for the fastest rider.

The rider who crosses the finish line first at the inaugural Pig & Whistle New Zealand Singlespeed Mountain Bike Championship in Rotorua on Anzac Weekend, will qualify for the World Championships in August.

“Over a thousand people from around the globe applied to enter the Worlds in Napa in California,” says Graeme Simpson, one of the New Zealand Singlespeed Championship team. “Only 400 made the final cut, but we were in touch with the organizers before entries opened and they’re keeping one place open for our first champion.”

“We’ve already had entries from singlespeeders all round New Zealand and from Australia and the United States keen to be here in a couple of months,” adds Event Director, Dean Watson.

And not only will the winner win that fantastic opportunity to ride the World Champs, but there’s still the tattoo, “…a Singlespeed tradition we’re not messing with,” says Simpson.

“Both the first man and first woman will receive a fantastic tattoo, designed by a local artist, Bryony Edwards. No tattoo, no title.”

The design incorporates bike chain rings and fern leaves with a distinctive blend of New Zealand and Pacific imagery.

“It’s all black, as well, which will be instantly recognizable anywhere,” Simpson adds. “Globus Gallery are Rotorua-based and are our official tattoo supplier. Their work is world-class.”

Online entry for the local event is available through Rotorua’s own biking web site www.riderotorua.com.