Shimano Bike Buller Festival
Australia’s 1st Race on the Alpine Epic Trail at Mt Buller this Weekend
Press Release / 05.03.2019
The Shimano Bike Buller Festival kicks off this weekend, 9–10 March. A NEW and exciting 2-Day format will usher in the 11th edition of the mountain bike event at Mt Buller. More than 500 riders are expected to converge on the mountain to celebrate all things great about mountain biking.
Event formats will centre on Gravity Enduro, X-Country, Down Hill, Slopestyle, Kids and lots more. More than 200 riders are already locked-in for the downhill and enduro events. And the entry list reads like a who’s who of elite Australian enduro riders with Chris Panozzo, Ben McIlroy, Josh Carlson and James ‘Canbonball’ Hall competing.
“I’m stoked to be heading back down to the Buller Bike Park for Shimano Bike Buller! It’s always a good time amongst the snowgums with a bunch of frothers. Excited for a weekend of DH, Enduro and the return of the Delatite SUPER D!” said GIANT pro-team rider Josh Carlson.
New for 2019 will be Australia’s first race on the Alpine Epic Trail. The trail race kicks off 9AM Saturday morning and will take in a 46km point-to-point circuit crossing Mt Stirling. Riders will witness an incredible journey within magical alpine wilderness in the Australian Alps.
Another addition this year will be the Highline Slopestyle competition. Two massive jumps have been setup so freestyle mountain bikers can unleash their style and impress the judges in front of howling spectators.
A range of social activities including the pump-track and dual slalom races, MTB movies in the cinema, kids’ rides and the popular ‘Picnic in the Park’ food, wine and music festival, will be held in the Mirimbah Park at the base of Mt Buller. An extensive Bike Expo will be a key feature too.
“The weather forecast says 18 degrees and sunny with a few clouds so we’re expecting a big turn out, especially with the chairlifts running for one of only two weekends of the summer,” says Rapid Ascent General Manager, Sam Maffett.
An emphasis on gravity in 2019 will see the return of the Mt Buller Super-D, and the Gravity Gods title for the key gravity races: the ABOM downhill, Gravity Enduro (it’s round three of the Victorian Gravity Tour) and the Outlaw all-mountain trophy.
Entries are available online up until 30 minutes before each race start at www.ShimanoBikeBuller.com. Riders of all abilities and their families are encouraged to attend.
“The endure fraternity is really something else. They race hard and fast and they’re slightly crazy! But off the bike they create such a warm and friendly atmosphere and look after each other like kindred souls,” says Race Director, John Jacoby.
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