From 2 May to 9 May 2015, in the pristine Southern Forests of Western Australia, the inaugural 2 Oceans MTB Race will be held. Race organisers Chris Neal and Charles Biddle have built the 8-stage, 618 km race all around the rider experience and plan to attract everyone from international pros to local weekend warriors.
The race organisers believe completing an epic MTB adventure like this is hard enough for the riders so they have taken great care in making everything else easy. This includes a permanent base camp with luxury coaches transporting riders (and their bikes) to and from each of the stages. Other well-thought-out details include complimentary laundry service, bike cleaning and maintenance, permanent shower buildings and mouth-watering food.
Western Australia has plenty of talented riders, and the 2OceansMTB Race will draw more in.
The race is located in a renowned food and wine region and race organisers are keen to show this off to the world. Says event founder Chris Neal, ‘We want the food to be something you remember about the race—in a positive way.’
In the spirit of focusing on the rider, 2 Oceans will award equal prize money to males and females. Event co-founder Charles Biddle elaborates on the 2 Oceans philosophy, ‘By taking part in a challenge like this we think you are making the sport better and the world more interesting. You’re also challenging yourself to achieve something you’re not sure is possible. So we think you deserve the best treatment possible.’
Other rider perks include the Rider Lounge at the end of each stage, which will serve up tasty lunches, snacks and cold beer to triumphant competitors. Another treat will be the stunning towering forests of the region that will give weary riders something to focus on besides their burning legs. Back at base camp, racers and supporters will have the option to upgrade to more Luxury accommodation if their own tent won’t do.
Croc Trophy finisher and 2 Oceans race organiser Chris Neal expands, ‘You do something like the Croc Trophy and it’s great but you spend a lot of time crying. Sure, there might still be a few tears with these kinds of distances but we’re trying to provide racers with as many comforts as possible. We’re calling this the MTB stage race you will want to do more than once.’
The 2 Oceans MTB Race takes place from 2 to 9 May, 2015 and is hosted out of Fonty’s Pool Chalet and Caravan Park near Manjimup in Western Australia. Travel from Perth or Bunbury via luxury coach is available. Entries are now open and are strictly limited to 400 riders (60 of which are reserved for international teams).
Visit 2Oceansmtb.com to register.