The Port to Port MTB race will be returning to the Newcastle region in 2015, running from Thursday 28 – Sunday 31 May. After theFollowing on from the success of the inaugural event held earlier this year, which saw 300 recreational and professional riders participate, Port to Port MTB is quickly reaching the heights of sister event, Cape to Cape MTB in Western Australia, the largest event of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere.
Event Director Chris Heverin said he was thrilled to launch the 2015 Port to Port MTB.
“We were delighted by the positive response from those who participated earlier this year in our inaugural event. With exciting new course alignments that will include a special stage at Awaba National Forest and a Sundown Shootout for the elite riders in the Hunter Valley on the Friday, an update to the timing system and an even better rider experience, we look forward to welcoming everyone back to Newcastle and the Hunter with your Lycra slapped on, support team by your side and sporting your best game face,” he said.
NSW Deputy Premier and Minister for Tourism and Major Events Andrew Stoner said he looks forward to welcoming participants from around the country and the world to Newcastle and The Hunter in NSW for the second Port to Port MTB.
“This year’s Port to Port MTB was very well received, delivering a significant economic benefit to the local community. The NSW Government is proud to have secured the event from 2014 to 2016 through our tourism and major events agency, Destination NSW”.
“The event showcases this magnificent region of NSW to an international audience, with competitors traversing idyllic beaches, picturesque wine country, and forest trails over four action-packed days of competition,” Mr Stoner said.
The Port to Port MTB begins at the tranquil Nelson Bay Marina, where riders are greeted by four days of exciting singletrack, fire trails, testing hill climbs and steep descents through Cessnock, the Hunter Valley, Lake Macquarie and Newcastle Region.
One of the features of the 2015 event will be the Crowne Plaza Sundown Shootout in the picturesque Hunter Valley Property. This exclusive event will be a fast-paced mountain bike spectacular, consisting of a 2km time trial for the top one hundred riders that starts in the newly built Lovedale Brewery and winds around the iconic golf course. For riders not competing in the Crowne Plaza Sundown Shootout, this will be the best chance to enjoy the hospitality and witness Australia’s best Mountain Bike riders up-close in action.
It remains to be seen what amendments to the 2014 course will be made. Many riders were quite vocal about too much bike path, the devestating result of being forced to ride in the surf and deep sand for bikes, and of course the local backlash for people who were clearly not aware that their local infrastructure was going to be used for a mountain bike race.
Registrations for the 2015 Port to Port MTB are now open. Visit our website at www.porttoportmtb.com for more information on the event.