Epic times for Port to Port
Port to Port returns to the Hunter on May 23-26 with some exciting new innovations.
BIG GUN: Australia's king of mountain biking Brendan Johnston, is fired up and ready to defend his Epic Series Oceania title, starting with the Port to Port.
This year sees the introduction of pairs racing, and qualification for the gruelling Absa Cape Epic in South Africa.
The first event of the four-race Epic Series Oceania, Port to Port has developed into one of Australia's premier MTB stage races over the last five years.
Featuring four days of awesome trails that includes single track, thrilling descents and testing hill climbs through state forests, wine country, national parks and mountain bike parks in Newcastle and the Hunter, the event draws premier MTB riders from around Australia.
Fresh from his tilt at the 2019 Cape Epic earlier this year, Australia's king of mountain biking, Brendan Johnston, is fired up and ready to defend his Epic Series Oceania title, starting with the Port to Port. He is hoping the experience of racing the world's toughest mountain bike event will be the edge he and GIANT Shimano teammate Jon Odams need to hold off all challenges this year.
"It is awesome to have the four-race Epic Series Oceania and to have the link to the Cape Epic is really cool," Jon said. "Cape Epic is the pinnacle and anyone who is serious about the Epic Series over here should be targeting Cape Epic as a bit of a life goal."
Brendan said the introduction of the pairs racing for the Epic Series Oceania is a welcome move and a wonderful concept that will make for exciting and challenging racing.
"Pairs racing brings a whole lot of new elements and the good thing is that no team has a super dominant combination, so it is going to level the field which adds to the excitement and the pressure," Brendan said. "I am really looking forward to it and the cool thing is that you could take the same team over to Cape Epic that you have ridden with in the Epic Series Oceania, which is a great connection.
"The Epic Series is where mountain biking is at in Australia and I think it will be exciting, close racing. The events were really close last year, especially Port to Port and Cape to Cape that were decided by a matter of seconds which is incredible over four days. We want to see it keep building."
Lake Macquarie Mayor Cr Kay Fraser is excited to see Port to Port back again this year.
"It's always a very thrilling four days of racing. We are blessed with a magnificent natural playground, so it is wonderful to see two stages held in Lake Macquarie. Our City is renowned for its active lifestyle and love for getting outdoors. Port to Port is a great fit for our community and I encourage anyone interested in taking a look to head out to one of the four courses located across the Hunter."
