Before dropping into the stages to shoot the action from the days practice, we spent 30 minutes at the top of Stage 4 to check out some of the bikes. Here are some of the machines that will be pushed to the limits when racing starts tomorrow.

Fabien Barel looks fit and ready to rock on his Canyon Strive CF
Fabien Barel looks fit and ready to rock on his Canyon Strive CF
Anneke Beerten is loving her new Specialized Enduro
Anneke Beerten is loving her new Specialized Enduro
Giant All Mountain Cartel rider and Aussie shredder Michael Ronning on his Giant Reign
Giant All Mountain Cartel rider and Aussie shredder Michael Ronning on his Giant Reign
Dan Wolfe was looking sharp on his Vitus Sommet Pro
Dan Wolfe was looking sharp on his Vitus Sommet Pro
Fellow Irish rocket and Cube Action Team rider Greg Callaghan was pulling some big lines on his Cube Stereo
Fellow Irish rocket and Cube Action Team rider Greg Callaghan was pulling some big lines on his Cube Stereo
Wideopen /  Nukeproof rider Mark Scott was charging hard on his Mega AM
Wideopen / Nukeproof rider Mark Scott was charging hard on his Mega AM
Despite a broken finger - home favourite Jamie Nicoll was not holding back on his Polygon Collosus N9
Despite a broken finger – home favourite Jamie Nicoll was not holding back on his Polygon Collosus N9
Fellow Kiwi Raewyn Morrison is hoping for a good result on her Giant Reign
Fellow Kiwi Raewyn Morrison is hoping for a good result on her Giant Reign
ENDURO Magazines very own Rachael Gurney is stoked to be here racing
ENDURO Magazines very own Rachael Gurney is stoked to be here racing
Tracy Moseley is sticking with the big wheels for the fast trails of Rotorua on her Trek Remedy 29er
Tracy Moseley is sticking with the big wheels for the fast trails of Rotorua on her Trek Remedy 29er
EWS legend Will Johnson on his Specialized Enduro
EWS legend Will Johnson on his Specialized Enduro
German missile Max Schumann on his Carver ICB
German missile Max Schumann on his Carver ICB
Nico Lau, will he take the win this weekend? He looks damn fast on his Cube Stereo
Nico Lau, will he take the win this weekend? He looks damn fast on his Di2 XTR Cube Stereo
Trek Factory team rider and NZ legend Justin Leov has also chosen the Remedy 29er
Trek Factory team rider and NZ legend Justin Leov has also chosen the Remedy 29er
Jerome Clementz looked relaxed and so smooth on his Cannondale Jekyll
Jerome Clementz looked relaxed and so smooth on his Cannondale Jekyll
The king of enduro, Enrico Guala was checking out the stages on a Giant Reign rental bike
The king of enduro, Enrico Guala was checking out the stages on a Giant Reign rental bike
Pauline Diffenthaler on her Cannondale Jekyll, looking cool in the new Alpinestars gear
Pauline Diffenthaler on her Cannondale Jekyll, looking cool in the new Alpinestars gear
UK rider Adam Wight had travelled round the globe to take part in the race on his Giant Reign
UK rider Adam Wight had travelled round the globe to take part in the race on his Giant Reign
Anne Caro Chausson, it is sure to be another battle this year with Tracy. Her Ibis HD3 looks fast standing still
Anne Caro Chausson, ready for another battle this year. Her Ibis HD3 looks fast standing still
Tom Moore on another Giant, certainly the most popular bike at the event
Tom Moore on another Giant, certainly the most popular bike at the event
Robert Havill was good to get amongst it on his PYGA.
Robert Havill was good to get amongst it on his PYGA.
Carl Edmondson was representing on his Nukeproof
Carl Edmondson was representing on his Nukeproof

Words and photos: Trev Worsey


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