SHIMANO Mountain Bike Grand Prix race striking roots in Botanic Garden
The Australian Botanic Garden, Mount Annan, will host Round 4 of the SHIMANO Mountain Bike Grand Prix on Saturday, 13 July. It will the third time that organiser Rocky Trail Entertainment hosts this four and seven hour race at Mount Annan and it is expected to attract more than 300 riders from all over the greater Sydney region and as far as Canberra, Newcastle and the North Coast.
The race track will feature the entire length of the 10-12 kilometre mountain bike trail network at Mount Annan and many of Australia’s top endurance athletes are expected at the start line at Mount Annan, including the talented local rider Daniel McDonald, who won last year’s four-hour elite category. With it’s close vicinity to both Sydney and Canberra, Mount Annan will attract “endurance and marathon racing royalty” like Brett Bellchambers, Ed McDonald, Mark Tupalski, Shane Taylor, Merryl King, current seven-hour elite series leaders Grant Webster and Sarah Neumann as well as the reigning State Cross-Country Champion Kyle Ward from Wollongong who will be challenging the four-hour series lead by Jorge Morris.
“Our series attracts also more and more hobby mountain bikers who enjoy a challenge and a fun day out with mates”, said organiser Martin Wisata of his racing crowd. “Together with our major sponsor SHIMANO Cycling our aim has always been not only hosting a professional racing series for elite and skilled endurance riders but especially to get more everyday mountain bikers hooked on racing by taking them to great racing locations and offering a positive and encouraging event atmosphere. The trail network at The Australian Botanic Garden, Mount Annan, is an ideal playground for our riders”, Wisata added. Continuously growing rider numbers throughout the series in 2013 confirm that the grassroots commitment is taking roots.
Race start for the 13 July SHIMANO MTB Grand Prix will be at 9am – spectators are welcome. The first prize ceremony for all four-hour racers is expected to be held at 2 pm and for full seven-hour categories at 5pm. Interested mountain bikers can still register online via www.rockytrailentertainment.com – a free kids race will be held around 11am.