GIANT Odyssey
Big Names Secured for Giant Odyssey Mountain Bike Marathon 2014
News Release / 10.04.2014
Some of Australia’s mountain biking best have signed up to compete at this year’s Giant Odyssey mountain bike marathon, in Forrest, Victoria on 27 April.
Last year’s winner Chris Jongewaard is coming out of retirement especially for the event, taking on the likes of Ben Mather, Brett Anderson, and the Chancellor cousins, Scott and Sam.
“I love the pure challenge involved in completing this tough event,” said Chris Jongewaard.
“My favourite sections of the course are Red Carpet and the top of Sledgehammer, the last uphill section of the race and it signifies the finish line is not too far around the corner.
“My advice to newcomers to the race is to estimate the time you predict it will take you to complete the event and ensure you have attempted that distance in training. This will ensure your body and mind has the confidence to live up to the challenge on race day.
“Most importantly, have as much fun as possible and remember to keep well hydrated.
“My aim this year is simply to go out and have some fun. Saying this, of course I would love to make it to the finish line first!” said Jongewaard.
Challenger Scott Chancellor says the Odyssey event always draws a strong field.
“The Odyssey is one of my favourite races on the calendar and I keep coming back for the awesome trails and atmosphere of the race,” said Chancellor.
“My cousin Sam and I always have good rivalry going and he has showed some good form at the recent XC national rounds. Hopefully I’ll be able to stick with him over the early climbs and see what happens.
“There will be all the usual guys gunning for a good place, also a few strong riders from Canberra are coming down for the race so for this year I’d be stoked to be around the top 5,” he said.
The field of females is also looking really strong with a number of top riders already signed up, including Jess Douglas, Terri Rhodes, Jo Bennett, Caroline Jackson, Naomi Hansen and Rebecca Locke.
“I have done every single Odyssey event in the 100km – elite women category - since inception, and I have had some great results and not so great,” said Jess Douglas, director of MTBSkills.
“I love the Otways. I love my home trails. I love the chance to improve on sections each year.
“It’s a big challenge and a great way to gauge fitness and what needs to be worked on,” she said.
First held in 2007, the Giant Odyssey 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.
Starting and finishing at the Forrest Football Oval, 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.
Course familiarisation sessions are available through MTBSkills on Saturday 5 April and Forrest MTB Club on Sunday 6 April. See the training and preparation page on the event website for details: www.giantodyssey.com.au
Entries are now open online, with all participants receiving the official event memorabilia t-shirt. For details visit www.giantodyssey.com.au
EVENT DETAILS:
Date: Sunday 27 April, 2014
Location: Forrest, Otway National Park, Victoria
Distances: 100km Giant Odyssey
Festival: Finish your quest with a feast at the bike, food and entertainment expo
Entries: Now open at www.giantodyssey.com.au
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