Kona re-route keeps thrills in loop

RIDERS tackling one of Australia’s toughest mountain bike marathons will face an all new challenge next year.

The gruelling 100km Kona Odyssey will feature a new loop course, starting and finishing in the mountain bike mecca of Forrest.

With a view to re-invigorating the often sold-out event, organisers believe the loop course will make logistics easier for competitors by providing more single track than the Apollo Bay to Forrest course of past years.

‘‘The new format starting and finishing in the same place will make race day organisation much easier for competitors,’’ Rapid Ascent general manager Sam Maffett said.

‘‘ The change has also given us the opportunity to inject some fresh interest and challenge into the race.

‘‘ This new course does nothing but magnify all of those aspects and makes it a better ride for everyone.’’

The all-new start location and early course kilometres will give riders ample time to settle into their normal positions, but organisers warn the course has not been geared down.

‘‘There are still plenty of thigh-busting hills,’’ he said.

Entries have opened for the seventh Kona Odyssey on February 16.