Nerang Mountain Biking Trails opened ahead of GC2018

The Gold Coast mountain biking community is already putting five kilometres of new and upgraded trails in Nerang National Park to the test as part of a $3.2 million Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games (GC2018) project.

The new trails and venue for the GC2018 mountain biking competition were officially opened today (Tuesday) by Minister for the Environment and National Parks, Dr Steven Miles and City of Gold Coast Deputy Mayor Donna Gates.

Treasurer and Acting Minister for the Commonwealth Games Curtis Pitt said the new mountain bike trails were a first for south east Queensland.

“Built and upgraded for competition at the 2018 Commonwealth Games, these are the first international standard mountain bike trails in the region and it’s a Games investment that local riders are already training on,” Mr Pitt said.

“The Nerang Mountain Bike Trails are another good example of legacy infrastructure built for the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games and as Minister for Sport I’m pleased they will continue to be used by the community and for professional competition meets after the Games”.

A diversity of track styles, including fast flow trails and slow-speed steep and technical trails are included in the $3.2 million GC2018 project, funded by Queensland Government, the Australian Government and the City of Gold Coast.

Dr Miles said the project also included the upgrade of the Cycle Centre to provide improved facilities for competitors and spectators, and ensure the venue is accessible to people with disabilities.

“I am thrilled international attention will be on Nerang National Park when the Games kick off next year,” Dr Miles said.

“The three loops of the competition track on national park will provide exciting challenges and experiences for the growing number of mountain bike enthusiasts – both in the lead up to the Commonwealth Games and for a long time after the event.” 

Australian company Dirt Art teamed up with Gold Coast track builder and former mountain bike racer Nathan Rennie to complete the cross country mountain bike course, which will start and finish at the Gold Coast Cycle Centre during the Games. 

Federal Minister for Sport Greg Hunt acknowledged the opening of the bike trails as another step towards the hosting of the 2018 Commonwealth Games. 

“The Nerang bike trails will allow the community to use this facility in the lead up to the 2018 Commonwealth Games. The bike trails will be a draw-card to encourage tourists and the local community to get active outdoors and explore the Nerang National Park,” Minister Hunt said.

“Mountain biking is great for both elite athletes and beginners to build their balance, endurance and precision to navigate a cross country course filled with natural challenges and obstacles.”

This is one of a number of projects the Australian Government has funded as part of its $156 million investment in the 2018 Commonwealth Games.

City of Gold Coast Deputy Mayor Donna Gates said the new trails and cycle centre upgrades would offer fantastic opportunities to grow the sport of mountain biking.

“We have the 2017 national championships coming, and the thrill of seeing mountain biking at the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games,’’ she said.

“These upgrades provide an ongoing legacy for the wider community including road cycling clubs and additional users of the clubhouse such as Kokoda Challenge, yoga, Pilates and meditation groups.”

In July 2016, Toowoomba-based company FKG Group completed an upgrade at the Gold Coast Cycle Centre which included improvements to the clubhouse, car parking facilities and visitor access, a new amenities block and a new spectator viewing platform that overlooks the existing outdoor velodrome and criterium track.

The Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games will run from 4 - 15 April 2018.

For more information on the Games visit www.gc2018.com.

GoPro video of tracks:

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/t9qhihgjicy1uwt/AAASutOUAEo4hrdG7WuLuCKda?dl=0

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