AusLeisure

With additional trail construction and maintenance now underway for the re-opening of the Cardrona Bike Park on 4th April, a new downhill mountain biking event confirmed to take place on Sunday 19th April.

Cardrona and Highlands Motorsport Park are collaborating to bring mountain bike racing into the motorsport arena, the last day of the Bike Park season (19th April) will see Cardrona host The Cardrona Mega Avalanche, a downhill mountain biking event that mixes gravity assisted excitement with endurance levels of fitness.

Mega Avalanche originated 20 years ago in Alpe D’Huez in the French Alps which receives around 1700 participants from over 20 countries. This is the first year for the Cardrona Mega Avalanche but due to the universal popularity of enduro racing and downhill mountain biking, it is expected that the race will become a rite of passage for enthusiasts from around New Zealand and the world.

Race to the Sky spectators will be able to watch the start of the Mega Avalanche race on big screens in the village.

True to Mega Avalanche form, the race starts with a sprint to get to the front of the pack before entering the narrower sections of the course. The course is 14 kilometres long down 1,300 vertical metres and includes a mix of open trails, twisty single tracks, steep descents and narrow technical switchbacks.

The spectacular finish line in the Cardrona Village sees riders enter into the awards arena where $5,000 worth of cash and spot prizes will be up for grabs. Sponsors of the Mega Avalanche include Outside Sports, Altitude Brewing, Smith, Fox, Mons Royale, Race Face and Highlands Motorsport Park.

The Cardrona Bike Park will close on 19th April, before the winter season’s Opening Day of 13th June.

New trails that are currently under construction will offer a considerably larger amount of beginner’s terrain to suit recreational mountain bikers and families. 

For more information go to www.cardrona.com

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