Flight Centre Active Travel Cycle Epic
Another Record Looming for the Cycle Epic
News Release / 28.08.2013
Australia’s pioneer mountain bike marathon, the Flight Centre Cycle Epic, is set to break new participation records for the second consecutive year with the 2013 race buoyed by the appearance of cycling legend Robbie McEwen.
The 11th staging of the Epic at Spicers Hidden Vale in the Lockyer Valley, west of Brisbane, is being held on the weekend of September 14-15.
Race organisers are confident of bettering the record 1700 competitors who entered last year, confirming the event as the premier MTB race in south-east Queensland.
Epic organiser and track builder Hayden Brooks said more than 1400 people had already entered the 2013 event with registrations closing on Saturday, September 7.
Brooks said the Epic continued to gain support from both elite riders and enthusiastic recreational cyclists with 2012 national marathon champion and cross country series champion Andy Blair a confirmed starter.
The highlight of the Epic weekend is the 87km marathon on Sunday, September 15. The event, which has Flight Centre Active Travel as major sponsor, has been won over the years by some of the biggest names in Australian mountain biking.
“Shaun Lewis from the ACT is another confirmed entrant in the elite men’s marathon and he is keen for his first victory after three minor placings in previous Epics,” Brooks said.
“We also have a strong women’s field led by reigning champion and four time winner Jodie Willett.”
McEwen, the recently retired triple Tour de France green jersey winner, has recently taken to cyclo-cross racing and is working with Mr Brooks to design a course and put on a showcase CX event during the Epic weekend.
“It’s a great coup for this year’s event to have Robbie involved and it’s fantastic that he is bringing his family along for the weekends for a ride,” Brooks said.
The Epic weekend has multiple events and activities beyond the 87km marathon, including the 50km Pursuit, the 20km Spicers Chaser, Mini and Minor Epics for children, plus a 4.2km free Family Fun Ride.
“There’s now something for the whole family, where children can challenge their parents and even their grandparents,” said Brooks, who runs the event with his wife Fleur and Tod Horton.
“We are very focussed now on attracting families to the Epic and introducing people to the sport of mountain biking while having a great weekend at the Hidden Vale Adventure Park.”
Brooks said they have partnered with Scody who are designing and supplying the jerseys this year while PCS Coaching – www.pcscoaching.com.au – have tailored training plans for the 87km and 50km events.
The Flight Centre Cycle EPIC is on 14-15 September at Spicers Hidden Vale located at Grandchester, about 55 minutes’ drive from Brisbane.
For more information about the Epic or to register for the event go to: http://www.cycleepic.com.au/ or Facebook fb.com/hiddenvaleadventurepark
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