GIANT Odyssey
Giant Odyssey MTB Marathon – Final count down!
News Release / 22.04.2014
Over 4,000 mountain bike riders and spectators will descend on Forrest, Victoria this weekend for the Giant Odyssey mountain bike marathon.
The Giant Odyssey has a reputation for being one of the biggest, toughest and most respected mountain bike events in Australia. It is held on some of the best MTB single track in the country, centred on the mountain biking mecca of Forrest in the Great Otway National Park.
Four-time Odyssey winner Chris Jongewaard will be returning to defend his 2013 title.
“Forrest, beautiful scenery, sweet trails, good people, a well-run event... How could I not be enticed to come back?” said Jongewaard.
Jongewaard will be racing against some fierce competition including Shaun Lewis, Brett Anderson, cousins Sam and Scott Chancellor, Ben Mather and Ben Hogarth.
Another returning competitor is Jessica Douglas, who will be completing her eighth Odyssey.
“I have done every single Odyssey event in the 100km – elite women category since inception.
“I love the Otways. I love my home trails. I love the chance to improve on sections each year,” said Douglas.
The women’s event will also feature some big name riders with Nomi Hansen, Cristy Henderson, Jo Bennett, Terri Rhodes and Rishi Fox.
The Giant Odyssey consists of three races: 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 mountain biking.
Each race includes some of the best mountain bike single track in Australia providing challenging, scenic, fun and dirty courses.
At the Giant Odyssey this year there will also be a specific off road handcycle category and course. Off road handcycles are mountain bikes for people who have suffered some loss of function in their lower limbs due to disability or impairment. This is the first time handcycling has been completely integrated into a mainstream mountain biking event in Australia.
The Giant Odyssey is race number 2 in the Maverick Marathon Series, which brings together four of the best mountain biking events across Australia. On race day, the current Series leaders will be wearing the coveted yellow jerseys.
Starting and finishing at the Forrest Football Oval, with competitors looping back through the footy oval at least once during their event, the event has a great atmosphere for riders and spectators. A Forrest Festival and Bike Industry Expo will provide competitors and spectators with refreshments, live music, kids’ entertainment, bike repairs and a sponsor expo.
The event commences with the elite women’s start at 6.40am on Sunday27th April. This will be followed by the start for all other 100km riders at 7.00am. The 50km riders will commence at 8.15am and the 15km riders start at 2.30pm.
Last minute entries for the Giant Odyssey are still available at www.giantodyssey.com.au
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