Top Bike is a fun day on two wheels, and it’s been a mainstay on the Central Otago primary school sports calendar for more than 20 years.  

The founder of the day, Invercargill’s Bruce Ross was appointed a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit (MNZM) in the 2025 King's Birthday Honours, in recognition of his outstanding services to cycling.

King's Birthday Honours: Dai Henwood, Tim Southee and Jude Dobson among those recognised

This year's Top Bike event, held in April, saw 420 pupils in years 5 to 8 from primary schools in Central Otago, Queenstown and Wānaka enjoy a mountain bike team time trial, a challenging skills course and a grass track race.

Bruce Ross. PHOTO: Cycling Southland Facebook

For close to fifty years, Bruce has been a leading figure in cycling as a volunteer and in leadership roles.

He started on the organising committee for the Tour of Southland and served as Tour Director from 1985-2020. Bruce’s leadership helped elevate the Tour to one of New Zealand’s premier international cycle races showcasing the South to audiences around the world.

Beyond the Tour, Bruce’s passion for growing the sport has seen him serve as a development officer for Cycling Southland, working with schools in Central Otago and Southland. 

His enthusiasm for introducing young people to cycling, encouraging safe riding practices, and developing talent at the grassroots level has left a lasting impact.

He told The Central App that since Top Bike started about 20 years ago, 17 youngsters from Central Lakes who had participated in Top Bike had gone on to represent New Zealand in forms of cycling. 

One of those was Wānaka’s Ellesse Andrews, four time Olympic medallist, also made a MNZM in this year’s King’s Birthday Honours for services to cycling.  

He played a key role in the establishment of New Zealand’s first covered velodrome in Invercargill, where local Olympian Nicole Shields honed her skills and was introduced to track cycling.

Bruce has received a Cycling New Zealand Long Service Award, a Service to Southland Sport Award and Southland Administrator of the Year, as well as the Cycling New Zealand Malayan Cup for his services to the sport in 2006.

Read more: Olympian Nicole Shields on her bike for good

Find out more about Central's bike trails here: Cycling l Walking

Have a story to share?

Contact [email protected]