Dakin looks to retain title his festival title
Top cyclist Sam Dakin will return to defend his elite men’s sprint title at the Cambridge Cycling Festival on Anzac Day.
Formerly from Auckland, Dakin, now a member of the Waikato/Bay of Plenty regional performance hub cycling squad, he will be keen to build on his successful track season.
Event spokeswoman Penny Thompson said it was too early to know which athletes from the New Zealand elite squads would be taking part this year.
‘‘We are hoping to see some of our Commonwealth Games medallists competing with their track bikes on the Victoria Street circuit,’’ Thompson said.
‘‘Confirmed for the event is Rushlee Buchanan, Sam Gaze, Eliesse Andrews and members of the Junior Elite Track Team, other top riders have yet to confirm their participation.’’
The 13-race event won the 2017 Brian Perry Regional Sports Award for Innovation in Sport and Recreation, linking the com- munity with the world-class cyclists who live and train in Cambridge.
The inaugural event last year attracted good support from Cambridge cyclists as they competed in the open grades for men and women.
‘‘We have added more events to encourage others to participate this year in the Battle of the Businesses,’’ said Thompson.
‘‘The four-lap circuit is open to business teams of three and is proving very popular with entries rolling in.
‘‘It’s up to team members if they want to be serious about wearing lycra or costumes, and there is a prize for the best cheer team.’’
Children were encouraged to take part individually or as part of a school team with individual categories available in the Kids Community Races.
‘‘We start with the under 5s who will compete on the specially marked out hot dog course and an extended course for those older children.’’
Borrowing an idea from the Tour de France, children will have the opportunity to write encouraging chalk messages on the roads for the elite riders.
Thompson said the event would be streamed live on Facebook and a large screen would show the action down town in Cambridge.