Nannup to become one of four stages in Cape to Cape mountain bike event

Nannup’s place on the mountain bike map is set to be cemented as it becomes one of the four stages in one of Australia’s largest races for the first time. The Cape to Cape MBT, which started in the South West in 2008, has become one of the country’s biggest events, and will take the venture into Nannup for a new biking experience at the Tank 7 Mountain Bike Park. Race director and owner of Event Matrix — who now run the event — Bill Hayes said the trails at the park were “quite amazing” and marked the perfect place for an expansion. About 20km of the 48km will be at Tank 7, with solo and paired riders to go through four stages from Cape Leeuwin, Nannup, Margaret River and Cape Naturaliste from October 17-20. “We decided as a new owner and as a new day we’d venture east of the coastline, and bring in a total new day being Nannup and predominantly in Tank 7,” Mr Hayes said. “With the State Government funding that’s gone into Tank 7 and the local government support of that, this is a great thing for everyone to showcase what is the biggest mountain bike race in Australia in that region (Nannup).” Mr Hayes said the team was working with the Shire of Nannup to build on their already bursting events calendar. “We are just another addition to what they already do very successfully,” he said. “We’re going to have quite a lot of local activations, food and beverage — we want to make it accessible for everyone. “Hopefully what happens is the locals come down, and have a look, and grab a coffee, and find out what mountain biking is all about.” The Nannup stage will be held on day two, which falls on October 18. “We expect sort of 800-plus participants. But not only that, it brings partners, friends, families, spectators as well.” The boost in numbers mountain biking is seeing is partly due to the South West’s forests area, Mr Hayes said. “Also, from a safety point of view, parents look at mountain biking as an ability to get the kids off the roads, and the State Government is definitely supporting that,” he said. “There’s been so much money spent over the last five years on mountain bike parks because they see the value in this interaction. “The good thing with a mountain bike rider, you can be at all levels. They have different trails for different levels, so mum and dad and the kids can all go and have an enjoyable day out.” The course designer for Nannup this year is Tony Tucknott. “He’s known as ‘Mr Mountain Bike’ in WA so he’s come on board specifically for Nannup, because he loves the area so much,” Mr Hayes said. “He’s designed a challenging but accessible course. (That) is the best way to describe day two.”