TASMANIA’S top mountain bikers, including high profile riders Rowena Fry and Ben Mather will compete at the first of 10 events in the Forestry Tasmania Mountain Bike Series, to be held at Turners Beach in Tasmania’s north west on Sunday.
The series will involve five cross country and five downhill events statewide on Sundays between now and the end of February, with the championship finals to be held at the Tolosa Mountain Bike Park in Glenorchy on Saturday and Sunday March 20 and 21.
The events are being run by the Launceston Mountain Bike Club and the Hobart Wheelers and Dirt Devils and are being sponsored by the Forestry Tasmania/Southern Cross Community Assist program.
Launceston Mountain Bike Club President Ian Smith said it was the sixth year the championships had been held.
The series attracts riders aged from 11-70 across 18 categories, catering for beginners through to national contenders including high profile riders like Rowena Fry, Ben Mather and Sid Taberlay when they can fit these events into their hectic racing schedules” he said.
“These events not only help raise the profile and participation in mountain biking in Tasmania, but also provide a pathway for juniors and elite riders to the national series.”
Mr Smith said the two clubs were proud of their reputation for providing high quality events that cater for people from all walks of life, including families, juniors, beginners, women and the elite.
“In the past 12 months the we have worked hard to bring new people to the sport and have achieved a 100 per cent increase in membership,” he said.
“We strive to create a friendly, fun and approachable environment at all of our events to encourage newcomers and beginners to participate.”
Mr Smith said the series had been significantly boosted through $10,000 in sponsorship and naming rights through the Pride of Tasmania category of the Community Assist program.
“Mountain biking is a healthy, fun, accessible and sustainable activity that often takes place in forests managed by Forestry Tasmania,” he said.
“We are excited about developing an even deeper relationship with Forestry Tasmania.
“The sponsorship will go a long way to develop the statewide series.
“We are also thrilled to be given assistance in working with the media to raise the profile of the sport.”
Forestry Tasmania Mountain Bike Series cross country events will be held on Sundays at:
- Turners Beach in the north west on October 18
- Clarence Mountain Bike Park in Clarence on November 15
- Ben Lomond on November 22
- Hollybank Adventure Forests in the north on December 6
- Kellevie in the south east on December 20
Forestry Tasmania Mountain Bike Series downhill events will also be held on Sundays at:
- Wyena, near Hollybank in the north on October 25
- Tolosa Mountain Bike Park in Glenorchy on November 15
- Hollybank Adventure Forests in the north on December 6
- Wyena on February 28
- Plus a venue and date to be announced
Tweet This Post
