This year’s Foster round of the Gippsland MTB Club Championship is going to be extra special as it will held in conjunction to the official opening to the Foster Mountain Bike Track. After a few years of hard work from local enthusiasts and the well needed support from Parks Victoria and Bendigo Community Bank, an official track in Foster is finally becoming a reality. The day will kick off at 10am where the public can get a chance to explore the new track and afternoon race goers can get a feel for what is going to be a tough 3 hour race. As an added bonus, Wonthaggi Cross Over Cycles will be on hand with a range of Demo 2013 Giant Mountain Bikes to ride and also be on hand to answer any questions you may have about the bikes. Followed by the morning ride will be a free BBQ lunch supplied by the Gippsland MTB with the grand opening and then the race kicks off at 1pm.

The race track is approximately 6.2km long with the terrain ranging from tight and technical to areas that are open and flowing. Although the area is undulating, the only major climb would be a maximum of 200m. The unique part of the track is we can receive a large amount of rain without the area getting boggy or cutting up too badly. The average lap time for last year’s event was around the 25 minute mark with the leaders completing 9 laps for the day but with a few improvements and changes to the track, it will be interesting to see what the times will get down to this year.

So whether you wish to race or just come and spectate the race and enjoy a morning ride, this day is one you shouldn’t miss.

Date:	Saturday, 23rd February 2013
Where:	Foster – Cement Hill Click here for Google Map
Requirments:	Helmet Bike
When:	Day Registration Opens: 11:00 Race Start: 13:00
Cost:	$30 Adult Entry ($25 if pre-register online before the event) $20 Junior & Team Member Entry ($15 if pre-register online before the event) $20 Day License if don’t hold an MTBA Competition License Click here to pre-register online
Entries:	Solo: Male, Female & Junior Teams: Pairs, Triples & Quads
Questions:	events@gippslandmtb.com.au

Foster Kids Ride

We will also be running a small 30 minute Kids Ride at Foster for the up and coming mountain bikes who want to come and try out what the bigger kids are doing. This will be over a relatively easy short course located near the timing & transition point of the main race. The ride will last for 30 minutes and will start about 30 minutes after the main race kicks off.

This ride is targeted at kids aged up to 12 however would not be suitable for kids under 6. Cost of this will be $5 entry plus a $5 participation permit if they are not an MTBA member. You can either pre-register online here for this event or on the day at the event registration tent.