BU energises Rosso bike race with K25,000

CCEP PNG representatives, Villiwalaka Raolakona and Serah Moana (right) presenting the dummy cheque of K25,000 to Rosso Mountain Bike Race and Lae Festivals representative John Byrne (centre) and the event committees *(Image: Supplied)*

Coca-cola Europacific Partners Papua New Guinea [CCEP PNG] has backed the 2026 Rosso Mountain Bike Race and Lae Festival with a K25,000 gold sponsorship under its BU Energy Drink brand.

The sponsorship package was presented to the event’s organizing committee in Lae yesterday, ahead of the two-day event which cues off this weekend [June 20-21].

Event representative John Byrne acknowledged CCEP PNG's long-standing commitment to the community event, which is now into its fifth year.

"The Coca-Cola company has been supporting this initiative for the past five years, and this year they have supported us again," Byrne said. "We appreciate such a gesture from a company that prioritizes its community obligation."

Byrne revealed that rider participation has scaled up significantly this year, with a total of 1,700 cyclists registered to compete across the two days.

"We have increased participation to 1,700 riders; comprising 700 adults and 1,000 children. They will be racing in different heats with the finals set for Sunday," he said.

"On Sunday, we have children between the ages of seven and 12 having their separate races.

"The event has also been made conducive for people with special needs. We have created a very safe and healthy environment for them to take part in two separate events on Sunday."

CCEP PNG representative Serah Moana said the BU Energy brand naturally aligned with the core spirit of the competition.

"BU is synonymous with energy, endurance, and performance," Moana said. "We are proud to support not only the race but the festive program that runs parallel with it. It is a cornerstone cultural celebration delivered by the Lae City Authority, showcasing the richness and diversity of PNG’s traditions through music, dance, food, and community engagement."

As part of the gold sponsorship package, BU Energy Drink will run high-impact on-ground experiences, including branded activation zones and product sampling for athletes and spectators over the weekend.