From tracks to MTB trails
ON COURSE: Mountain bike riders Bernard Cossar-Smith and Brendon Skerke are riding in this year's Reef to Reef mountain bike race. A MOTORCYCLING superstar will trade in the engine for pedal power when he becomes the headline act at this month’s Reef to Reef mountain bike event.
Troy Bayliss, the three-time World Superbike Champion, is among a more than 500strong field of riders who have signed up for the second running of the stage race, which will take place across the Far North from August 8-11.
While not known for his mountain-biking prowess, Bayliss is no stranger to the discipline, which he said he would even have considered pursuing at an elite level if motorcycle racing had not paid dividends.
“The last four or five years I decided to get more into mountain biking,” he said.
“I had done a bit in the past and I really enjoyed it. I love riding on the road but as a motorbike rider, MTB is a better crossover for the concentration and better all round STAR COMPETITOR: Motorcycle racer Troy Bayliss. activity for my motorbike riding.
“Although I am not at my fittest at the moment, I still pedal all right and I am looking forward to getting to Cairns and on the trails.
“I love the single track and normally when I am going OK, I love hills.
“I am solid on the descents, but I do love the hills.
“This year I am just going to ride it solo and plan on coming up, having a good time and using it for a little bit of training.
“So, it is all about having some fun.”
Race director Nick Christopher said they had seen strong growth in the event with numbers well up on the 350 who competed in the inaugural race.
He said up to 600 people were likely to race the iconic Triple R event, which doubles as an individual race and the fourth stage.
“There is definite longevity in these events,” he said.
“We want to give people a reason to come back.”