PORT to Port MTB, one of the country’s premiere mountain bike endurance races, arrives at Cooranbong on Saturday for Stage 3 of the mutli-stage event.
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Cooranbong Park will be the venue for both the start and finish of Stage 3 of the event through Awaba Mountain Bike Park.
Cams Wharf will host the start of Stage 4.
About 300 riders, plus their support crews, and event staff will arrive in Cooranbong on Saturday morning.
The four-day race, which has become a permanent fixture on mountain biking calendars after only three years, is the ultimate test of stamina, attracting professional and recreational riders from around Australia and the world, along with a strong local contingent.
Riders will gather at idyllic Nelson Bay Marina, Port Stephens, on Thursday, May 26, and conclude in Newcastle on Sunday, May 29, after traversing through the Hunter Valley (Friday, May 27) and Lake Macquarie Awaba (Saturday, May 28).
The hottest field of elite riders in the event’s history will compete including Cape to Cape MTB Champion Kyle Ward, Port to Port champion Andy Blair, 2014 World XCE champion Paul van der Ploeg, rising junior WA star Reece Tucknott , Port to Port’s 2015 runner-up Rebecca Locke, who placed third at the end of year Australian Mountain Bike Championships, Jenni King, who placed second at the same event, and New Zealand XC star Samara Sheppard.
Organisers say the Lake Macquarie stage will again be one of the most challenging of the event.
“Coming in at around 60km, this truly epic stage is expected to sort out the men from the boys (as well as the Cinderellas from the ugly sisters) as pretty much every kilometre throws up new challenges unique to the region,” they said.
Awaba Mountain Bike Park was “one of the best mountain bike trails in Australia”, they said.
“Once a couple of pinchy fireroad climbs have been navigated the course enters the phenomenal Awaba trails where for the next 12km riders will be lost in a single trail wonderland.
“It is here that competitors will experience a zen state often referred to as ‘flow’, as they fly in and out of the valleys and natural contours...”
The Hunter Mountain Bike Association and organisers have worked hard with trail maintenance and course preparation to create a world-class experience with amazing trails that will appeal to riders of all abilities.
