Rapid Ascent have welcomed Giant Bicycles Australia as the new naming rights sponsor of the legendary Giant Odyssey Mountain Bike Marathon, now set for Sunday 27th April 2014 in Forrest, South-West Victoria.
“Giant Bicycles Australia is extremely proud to be partnering with Rapid Ascent as naming rights sponsor of the Giant Odyssey.” Said Ben Johnson, Brand Manager, Giant Bicycles Australia. “We have a long history of supporting local athletes and events at both elite and grass roots level which makes the Giant Odyssey Mountain Bike Marathon a great event for us to be involved with.” Johnson said.
First held in 2007 as the Otway Odyssey, the race is regarded as one of Australia’s most challenging and rewarding mountain bike marathons thanks to the mix of hills provided by the Otway Ranges, and the quality single track built around the mountain bike mecca of Forrest, Victoria.
The event offers three race options, the renowned 100km Giant Odyssey, the shorter yet still challenging 50km Giant Shorty, and the 15km Giant Pioneer designed for kids and new comers to the sport. Each race includes some of the best mountain bike single track in Australia providing challenging, scenic, fun and dirty courses.
“The essence of the Odyssey is a long day out in the big hills with epic single track and bombing descents!” said Adrian Jackson – 2011 Race Winner and 6-time Odyssey elite rider.
Winners are grinners: Adrian Jackson, 2010 winner. Photographer: Michael Currie
Starting and finishing at the Forrest Football Oval in Forrest, the 100km mountain bike marathon will use the same course as 2013 which saw the inclusion of a new looped race that brought fast flowing single track and some new lung-busting hills to the race. Previously held in February, the Giant Odyssey will take place on a new date in April 2014 after the CFA and other emergency services asked us to move the event out of peak fire season, and at a time more conducive to rider-friendly weather.
The quality of the riding and the superb scenery, combined with a massive bike expo with food stands, live music and entertainment at the finish line make this the ultimate mountain bike marathon in Australia.
Entries are now open online, with all participants receiving the official event memorabilia t-shirt.