Prizes and Awards

Prizegiving will be held at the Event Village from 5:30pm

Thanks to our amazing family of event partners we have some awesome major spot prizes up for grabs. Here is a selection of what you could win.

Register for prizegiving

We love getting feedback and you’ve told us you’d like to see fewer re-draws for the major spot prizes at Prizegiving.

To minimise the number of redraws, we need you to register and let us know you’ll be at Prizegiving. By letting us know you’ll be there, you’ll be placed in the pool of rider names to be eligible for the major spot prizes.

2023 Major Spot Prizes

A 19 month lease of a Suzuki Vitara Hybrid JLX 2WD Auto valued at $19,500

Perfect for escaping to adventure, this suave-looking SUV combines hybrid efficiency with Suzuki's Boosterjet turbo engine to deliver deceptively smooth performance and amazingly  low emissions.  Along with all the clever comforts and street-smart technology for a quick getaway. The 19 month lease includes all registration and servicing costs.


T's & C's: Winner must be 25 years or older, hold a full driver's license and show proof of having comprehensive vehicle insurance of the prize (at their cost) prior to taking possession of the prize.

Lun Performance Carbon Wheelset valued at $2500

4 person Private charter on Levante premium boat for 4 persons valued at $2,400.00

A choice of any carbon wheelset (excludes Lún: MEGA range) from the LÚN PERFORMANCE WHEELS road and gravel range +$100 additional store credit towards any purchase. Experience the absolute pinnacle of what a carbon wheelset can achieve by selecting one of our amazing road or gravel wheelsets!


Terms & Conditions: Wheelset depth, brake type variant subject to stock availability at prize claim time, not eligible for special order.

Join Chris Jolly Outdoors onboard Levante, our premium boat, for a 3-hour charter on Lake Taupō for up to 4 people.  Cruise to see Ngātoroirangi and the Māori Rock Carvings and enjoy a delicious lunch onboard and do some fishing and clay target shooting.  

Ride Holidays – Supporting Local valued at $2000

Ride Holidays has been visiting the likes of Europe and North America for over 15 years. That’s also the same length of time that we’ve supported the Lake Taupo Cycle Challenge. It’s New Zealand’s best cycle event and we are very happy to be back again in 2023. Our prize includes entry (2024 Lake Taupo Cycle Challenge) for 2 people, 2 nights’ accommodation, dinner on the Saturday night at Taupō’s finest restaurant, $200.00 petrol vouchers and a complete set of Ride Holidays clothes. (jersey, bibs, cap, socks). Valued at $2000.00. See you in Taupo.

Win one of two prizes of Free Harraways breakfast for a year and a set of quality Harraways branded cycling kit, valued at $700 each

Bryony Botha (NZ track cycling medallist) and Harraways have formed a winning partnership. Harraways Oats are NZ’s favourite homegrown oats, milled in Dunedin since 1867. This superfood fuels Bryony each week against the world’s best. She has designed the cycling suit. The suit and a year’s free oats are worth grabbing.

Choice Hotels Accommodation Vouchers valued at up to $1000

Thanks to Choice Hotels, you could be the lucky winner of three x one-night accommodation vouchers to be enjoyed at any Ascend Hotel Collection, Clarion, Quality, Comfort or Econo Lodge property across New Zealand or Australia.

Terms and Conditions:

  • Two (2) people – standard room (double or twin share)

  • These vouchers are each for one (1) night’s accommodation, at any Choice hotel across Australia or New Zealand

  • Subject to occupancy levels, seasonality, and availability

  • Not available during school holidays, public holidays, public holiday weekends and special events

  • Valid at any Ascend Hotel Collection, Clarion, Quality, Comfort or Econo Lodge across Australia or New Zealand

  • Voucher is for accommodation only. Prize is not redeemable for cash or transferable to another person

  • Any booking cancellations or amendments require a minimum of one week’s notice

Valid for one year from date of issue  

Lakesider Prize

One lucky rider in the Lakesider will win a $500 gift card from Pascoes.

Pascoes the Jewellers stock the largest range of jewellery and watches in New Zealand and together with over a hundred years of jewellery experience and dedicated excellence to customer service, Pascoes the Jewellers continues to be the leading name in jewellery in New Zealand.

Spot Prizes T & C's

Major spot prizes for the Lake Taupo Cycle Challenge are drawn at Main Prize Giving held in the Event Village on Saturday evening. You must be present at Prize Giving to claim the prize. Minor spot prizes are drawn and collected at Registration on Friday.

To be eligible for the major spot prizes you must …

  • Register as per above that you will be attending prizegiving

  • Be present in person at Main Prize Giving

  • Indicate your presence on the domain within 15 seconds of your number being drawn

  • Provide identification if requested

There will be a re-draw for any prize not claimed after 30 seconds.

Prizes can not be transferred or exchanged for cash.

Round the Lake Male and Female Fastest Time Prize

Winspace T1500 Aero Frameset (UCI Approved) +$200 store credit towards any wheelset or groupset - Value $3000.00

The Winspace T1500 is for the professional racer or the cycling enthusiast who wants to get where they're going...fast. Designed from the ground up with speed in mind and brought to fruition the perfect blend of aerodynamics, stiffness, lightweight, and comfort. 

Terms & Conditions: Frameset sizing, colour, brake variant subject to stock availability at prize claim time. In stock items only, not available for special orders. This prize is not applicable to anyone riding an e-bike.
NB. Times are mat to mat, not first across the line.

Shimano Gravel Grind Male and Female Fastest Time Prize

Shimano 105 D12 Groupset - Value $3017.00 each

Huka Steamer Male and Female Fastest Time Prize

The Merchant of Taupo Gift Hamper


The fastest male and female riders in the Huka Steamer will take home a fantastic basket of goodies from The Merchant of Taupo.
NB. Times are mat to mat, not first across the line.

SHIMANO 105 R7000 Series will empower more riders than ever before to embrace the sport of road cycling. It will become the supportive groupset that beginner riders choose to help them train for, and ride in more serious races.
By combining trickle down technology with a greater accessibility, SHIMANO 105 will continue to motivate and inspire more riders than ever to go after greater challenges.
NB. Times are mat to mat, not first across the line.

Awards

Dan Dunne Awards

The Dan Dunne Award is for that special person who rides the Cycle Challenge ‘against the odds’. It is awarded annually to a cyclist who overcomes hardship and adversity to complete the Cycle Challenge. Dan Dunne completed the Lake Taupo Cycle Challenge in 1996 after struggling for some time with life-threatening cancer. Dan and his family became friends and active supporters of the Cycle Challenge and after Dan’s death his family dedicated a trophy to his memory. We are proud to be part of this annual award, and hope that we live up to Dan’s memory each year as we choose a worthy recipient. Nominations for the Dan Dunne Award can be made using the form below and handed in to the Information marquee on Event Day before 1pm.

Nomination forms are also available from the Information marquee on Event Day.

Matthew Dryden Memorial Cup

Awarded to the most promising young cyclist, this cup is in memory of promising young cyclist Matthew Dryden who died tragically in 2005 aged 14 years.

Fred Ogle Award

This award is for a ‘Good Samaritan’ act during the event. The award is in memory of Northland cyclist Fred Ogle who was killed in 2008. Fred was a regular entrant.

Nomination forms are available from the Information marquee on Event Day and must be submitted before 4pm.

Debbie Jaine Award

The Debbie Jaine Award is awarded to the first Taupo female in the Huka Challenge.

Debbie was an active member of the Taupo Mountain Bike Club for many years and helped build a lot of the tracks that we ride now and which are part of the Huka Challenge. She was one of the original cyclists that rode around the lake with Walter DeBont, spending most of the day doing it. 25 years later she cycled around again, completing the challenge after undergoing treatment for breast cancer. Sadly Debbie lost her battle with cancer in July 2009.