---

Top French Squad Joins Growing International Field for Mark Webber Challenge

News Release / 10.10.2011

Two more top international teams have signed up to compete in this December’s Swisse Mark Webber Tasmania Challenge after Renault confirmed French outfit Garmin will race for them in the multi-day wilderness adventure.

Hot on the heels of Pirelli’s team line-up announcement of Italian duo Marco Ponteri and Telemaco Murgia, event sponsor Renault has set out their stall by confirming two French teams, one in the three-day event and one in the full five-day challenge.

Garmin Team Manager Sébastien Camus said: “Being able to participate in this event has been a dream of ours for many years. We thank Renault Australia for finally turning this dream into reality.

“We can’t wait to arrive in Tasmania and challenge ourselves through its iconic landscape, meet the other competitors, event organisers and partners.”

The news demonstrates the growing global interest in the event, which returns after a three-year break and is set to receive significant coverage through an international television show and features in print and written media across the world.

Team Garmin has a history of endurance adventure races including ‘Dream Raid’ in New-Caledonia in 2008/2010, and more recently ‘Oxygen Challenge’, and ‘Red Bull Elements.

The 5-day and 3-day elite events in the Swisse Mark Webber Tasmania Challenge will see up to 100 competitive athletes compete in mountain-biking, kayaking and running through the beautiful Tasmanian wilderness.

A one-day Challenger Cup, involving six hours of mountain-biking, running and paddling within the Hobart area on the final day of the event, will be held to allow a wider range of competitive athletes to take part.

The event will also showcase the introduction of the new Renault Koleos SUV, which will be used as support vehicles for the event.

Chris Brown, Director of Marketing at Renault Australia, said: “We are delighted to have this elite team come to Australia to represent Renault in this year’s Mark Webber Tasmania Challenge. Given their experience in endurance adventure races, Renault stands a real chance to take out this year’s event.”

The Challenge provides an exciting experience for all competitors, from elite to beginner, with a course through nearly 350 km of Tasmania’s most stunning scenic locations. The event also raises funds for selected Australian charities.

[Places are still available for the Swisse Mark Webber Tasmania Challenge. Entry places for the five-day event cost AUD$10,000 and for the three-day event AUD$6,000. For more information please visit the race website: <a href="#" onClick="javascript:newsitewindow('http://www.markwebbertasmaniachallenge.com')" class="main">www.markwebbertasmaniachallenge.com</a> or go visit us on Facebook.