The Queenstown Bike Festival has cemented itself as the resort's main Easter sport event, leaving organisers overwhelmed by its growing success.
One year on since its birth, festival events attracted almost double the competitors and spectators they had last year.
Organiser Geoff Hunt said while summer figures show a 20% decrease in competitors for similar events around the country, the bike festival had held its own.
"It has exceeded standards."
The general response from everyone was it went absolutely fantastic.
"We and the competitors will be right into it again next year."
Statistics from the 10-day event show 80% of the competitors came from outside the Queenstown Lakes district, bringing about 1000 riders to the area.
The first event of the week, the Speight's Summit Super D, attracted 171 riders, which was 90 up on 2011's event.
Most riders came from Wellington, Christchurch and Nelson and Mr Hunt said Queenstown accommodation owners would have noticed the influx as visitors stayed a minimum of two nights each.
The Tour of Wakatipu, held last Saturday, brought in 700 riders, 75% of them from out of town.
Mr Hunt said the quality of the riders had also increased with five of the world's top 18 riders taking part in the Dirtmasters Downhill ride.
Three and a-half thousand spectators watched the Teva Slopestyle action last Thursday evening at the Ballarat St car park.
More than $10,000 was raised and will go towards Wakatipu netball, Curekids, Wakatipu Trails Trust, The Queenstown Mountain Bike Club and St John.
Mr Hunt said the sport reached a substantial international audience through the web.
