N- Duro back where it belongs
World No 3 passionate about keeping the event in Rotorua
by Peter Thornton pete_ thornton8@ hotmail. com The N- duro 24 mountainbike race is returning to Rotorua next weekend after a four- year break.
It was an event that was always really appealing for keen mountainbikers — 16km laps that weren’t too crowded, so much more relaxing than other races, especially night laps.
Rawiri Bhana, from N- duro, has jump- started the event, helped by Megan Dimozantos, a proud Rotorua resident and one of the world’s best 24- hour solo racers, ranked third in the world.
‘‘ Twenty- four- hour racing has been close to my heart for a long time,’’ 31- year- old Dimozantos said. ‘‘ When I heard Ra was bringing back the 24 hours of N- duro I knew I wanted to be involved and help make this an amazing event for other riders — people who like real mountainbiking.’’
Dimozantos is so passionate about the event that she volunteered to help set the course. Her history with N- Duro goes back to 2008.
‘‘ I’d been riding 24- hour races for a couple of years. My desire to thrust myself into this world of craziness truly bloomed when I won that event — and qualified for my first world championships.
‘‘ I got a coach, travelled to Canada and came seventh in the world. Now, five years later I’m ranked third in the world for 24- hour solo mountainbiking.’’
She said her progression to the top of her sport began with ‘‘ that encouraging win all those years ago at 24 hours of N- Duro’’.
‘‘ It was a real shame to see the event disappear off the calendar — 24- hour racing thrives in other parts of the world, with an extensive following.