Stage 7

A nice flat mountain biking stage for the first half and then a sting in the tail for the second. A last chance for teams to stretch their legs as they head off on a broad circuit around the edge of Lake Ellesmere. The backroads and tracks are flat and fast, which will be a welcome relief to most teams. Part of the stage travels along the Little River Rail Trail, which also enjoys the kind of gradient made for the end of a race. However, the joy is short-lived as teams have one final climb to conquer; a 750m+ ascent over the southern end of the Banks Peninsular, that will ultimately lead them to a speedy descent down into Wainui (and maybe even a glimpse of the finish line across the bay).

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