A MOUNTAIN bike series is coming to Bathurst, and local riders say it’s a coup for the sport and the city.
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The inaugural Evocities MTB Series will wind its way though Bathurst, Orange, Dubbo, Albury, Wagga Wagga, Armidale and Tamworth from February to September next year.
The cities are all part of the Evocities promotion, which aims to convince unhappy Sydneysiders to move to a regional centre.
“It’s good promotion for inland centres because a lot of the races are out on the coast,” Bathurst mountain biker Greg Bell said of the series.
“I can’t see how it won’t attract people – it’s two hours from Sydney and so damn easy to get to.
“The beauty is you can just compete in one [leg]. I’d like to think I’d compete in all the legs, but I’ll definitely be competing in Bathurst and Orange.”
Mr Bell said the series will also be a great opportunity to show off Bathurst’s new mountain bike track off the Vale Road, which is nearing completion.
“The idea is to have the track ready, but it has to be ridden-in. You can’t have a fresh track,” he said.
Mr Bell said they plan to have the track completed within the next two months, which will allow its surface to be race-ready by the time the Evocities MTB Series leg makes its way to Bathurst on May 31, 2015.
Bathurst deputy mayor Ian North said around 400 riders are expected to compete in each leg of the series, but many more people will be visiting.
“You can really almost expect double the numbers – a lot of them bring family and friends to this type of event,” he said.
Cr North said this event, along with the Blayney to Bathurst, will further cement the city as a bike racing destination.
Once Bathurst’s new bike track is completed, Cr North said it will be the only track in Australia to offer riders seven disciplines – from velodrome to mountain biking.
“I can’t wait for the track to open up; that was my baby over eight years ago,” he said.
The first leg of the series will be held in the Kinross State Forest, near Orange, on February 15, 2015.
Fairfax Media, publisher of the Western Advocate, has come on board as naming rights sponsor for the series thanks to a contribution of $35,000.