Tour of NZ charity cycle race riders stunned by scenery

The 120 riders who completed the Tour of New Zealand charity cycle race near Queenstown yesterday had "ridden through paradise", its founder says.

Peter Yarrell said the five-day, 450km ride down the South Island’s West Coast had followed the best roads in New Zealand.

The field, which featured riders from five countries and an age range of 15 to 69, was stunned by the scenery of South Westland and the Queenstown Lakes, Mr Yarrell said.

The eighth edition of the race, which has followed different routes in the North and South Islands over the years, started in Greymouth on Monday and finished with a 49km ride from Wānaka to the Crown Range summit.

It had been "smiled on by the gods", with fine weather on all but day 1.

The event’s ambassador, seven-time Tour de France rider Julian Dean, was equally effusive.

"I’ve ridden and raced in all parts of the world, but I believe the scenery on the West Coast, going through Haast and coming down into Wānaka is the best in the world."

The 50-year-old, who retired from professional racing in 2013, said the race was physically challenging for many of the riders, but a wonderful way to spend a week together.

"It’s really important for us all now to go home and share some of that joy."

Mr Yarrell said each rider raised funds for one of five charities, bringing in a total of about $300,000.

That brought the total raised since the event’s inception to more than $2.5 million.

It was solely run by volunteers, so every dollar went to charity, he said.

guy.williams@odt.co.nz