2nd Wildside MTB - NE

Tasmania, Australia, February 1-4, 2003

2002 Results Stage List Preview Start List Past winners

The Stages

Prologue - February 1: Cradle Valley Airstrip ITT, 800m
Stage 1 - February 1: Cradle, 16 km
Stage 2 - February 1: Que River, 23 km
Stage 3 - February 2: Stirling Valley, 12 km
Stage 4 - February 2: Montezuma Falls, 28 km
Stage 5 - February 3: Spray Tunnel ITT, 5 km
Stage 6 - February 3: Granville Harbour, 22 km
Stage 7 - February 4: Hells Gates, 36 km

Preview

Australia's best cross country mountain bikers will line up for this year's Wildside MTB with a field of 260 riders, set for February 1-4 on Tasmania's west coast. Amongst them will be the current junior world champion, Trent Lowe of Victoria, Olympian Paul Rowney and Rob Eva who have both won three national elite titles. Current elite national champion Sid Taberlay of Hobart, and current leader of the national series Peter Hatten from NSW will also take up the challenge.

Wildside MTB is the only four day stage mountain bike event in Australia. Riders cover over 200 km as they travel from Cradle Mountain to Strahan. The seven competition stages and seven cruising stages promise a spectacular journey that will challenge the skill and endurance of all competitors.

In launching the 2003 event, Director of Events Tasmania, Paul Sproule said Wildside MTB, after the inaugural event last year, had developed a national profile and experienced growth that most events take several years to develop.

"Wildside MTB was established with one aim - to be a world-class mountain bike event utilising Tasmania's abundant and unique natural environment. In a very short space of time they are well on the road to achieving their aim with an exciting future," said Mr Sproule.

"Wildside MTB is an outstanding example of a regional event delivering real benefits to local communities and the state. This year they have attracted over 150 interstate riders, including support crews, for the four day event. In addition to the direct economic impact, the event is establishing Tasmania, and particularly the west coast as a world class mountain biking destination."

The organisers capped the entries to 250 for this year's event, and that was reached in early December 2002. "We could have had well over 300 riders, but we are keen to manage the growth of the event so that the quality and the experience for riders is maintained," said Race Director, Nic Deka.

Start list

Coming!

Past winners

Individual Men's Open
 
2002 Mark Leis (Tas)
 
Individual Men's Under 23
 
2002 Sid Taberlay (Tas)
 
Individual Men's Masters

2002 Damian Grundy (Vic)

Individual WoMen's Open
 
2002 Mary Grigson (Act)