John McIntyre has swapped V8 power for pedal power as he gets set to launch the Abel Tasman Cycle Challenge next weekend.
The New Zealand V8 Championship regular and former Bathurst 1000 competitor believes his days racing behind the wheel have set him up well for the challenges he faces in organising a cycling event.
“It takes a lot to run any motorsport campaign,” John says. “You have to look after people like sponsors, your race crew and have the media and fan interaction, and on top of that you have to perform on the track.
“It’s quite similar here, you have lots of different areas to look after and organise to make sure you pull off a successful event.”
The 158km full course, the 84km half and 50km ‘Nifty Fifties’ event means there is something for everyone, and John hopes the event would eventually become the region’s most participated-in event with more than 2000 riders.
Olympic gold medallist rower Hamish Bond will ride in the event, fresh off his exploits in the Tour of Southland, while Nelson’s Tour de France hero George Bennett will also saddle up.
John says he is expecting 600 entrants for the debut edition of the challenge which will start and finish at Saxton Field.
“The people who do it the first year become ambassadors for the event, they will spread the message and hopefully help us grow it each year.”
The race starts four metres above sea level but climbs to 231m at its highest point.
The 158km ride is split into four stages.
Stage one a 35km effort between Saxton Field and Upper Moutere. Stage two a 40km ride from Upper Moutere to the Motueka River. Stage three is 33km between Motueka and Riwaka, taking in Kaiteriteri Beach, and the last stage in 50km between Riwaka and Saxton Fields.
The racing starts at 6.30am on Saturday, December 3.
