Quad Crown to kick off on the Sunshine Coast
If you're hungry to get out and test yourself in mountain bike events this year - The Quad Crown MTB Series kicks off on the Sunshine Coast this June!
The Quad Crown is Australia’s newest mountain bike series – mixing the best trails and stunning scenery with the top quality local hospitality, in four locations in eastern Australia. Each of the four events will run over selected weekends from winter 2022.
The first event will land on the Sunshine Coast, kicking off on June 10 – 12. You'll have plenty time to prepare, and Queensland's winter has some of Australia's best riding conditions.
New South Wales’ Sapphire Coast is next in early August (5-7), then East Gippsland (VIC, September 9-11) with the series rounding out in Davenport (TAS) across the weekend of November 18-20.
Who is the Quad Crown for?
This event series is about having fun and finding your own challenge. It is designed for the weekend warrior seeking the challenges of stage racing combined with getting to ride on great trails somewhere you may not have visited before.
How does the Quad Crown work?
You can choose your preferred combination of destinations and courses. Each of the four events boasts a crowned winner with prize money for elite riders and podium glory for age group competitors. But you can make the weekend whatever you want it to be with flexibile options. And you can be certain a Quad Crown King and Queen will be crowned.
Every event follows the same format. There's a prologue and welcome event on Friday afternoons, allowing time to get into town. Stage 1 on Saturday kicks off with a 50km+ cross-country route in the morning, backed-up by an afternoon sprint stage that will be around 30km in length. It's a big day! In the evening there is a rider function with presentations. The third and final stage on Sunday is a 45km+ loop course with final presentations and post-event refreshments to celebrate the weekend’s wins and swap war stories.
READ: AMB rides the Sunshine Coast
Registrations for Sunshine Coast start at just $170. A full weekend pass early bird special is now available at $330 + GST and includes all 4 courses, timing chip, race plate, Park and Forest fees, insurance, and a rider gift.
What are the Quad Crown stages at the Sunshine Coast?
Prologue – Sugarbag (Approx 6km / 70m elevation)
Friday afternoon will see riders warm up for a big weekend ahead with a blast around the wonderful trail of tight technical loops at Sugarbag, Caloundra. A short 5-6km track will get the legs ticking over and test out the bike and riding skills. For those pushing the limits, this stage provide a chance to start in the elite wave as the Top 100 push for priority seeding.
Stage 1 – Parklands (Approx 38km / 850m elevation).
A 15 minute drive from the Sunshine Coast lies a treasure trove of extensive network of mountain bike trails located within the Parklands Conservation Park. Over 30km of twisty singletrack through dense forest, numerous stream crossings, rocky climbs, steep switchbacks and flowing cross-tracks through lush green undergrowth will be put together for the first stage of Quad Crown MTB. Riders can expect to enjoy some of the finest singletrack in the region mixed with some fire trail climbs and technical descents.
Highlights will include Road Rage, Rock N Roll, Red Dog and Roo Valley, all set amongst the lush local rainforest. As soon as riders finish the stage they will make the transit across to the start/finish for Stage 2 and get themselves ready for the afternoon stage.
Stage 2 – Mapleton Falls (Approx 35km / 580m elevation).
The stunning Mapleton Falls National Park will form the backdrop to Stage 2. It will see riders need to back up from an overdose of singletrack in the morning and find their climbing legs for the afternoon! Starting and finishing on the banks of Cooloolabin Dam, this stage may begin with a festival atmosphere but will soon get serious as riders face a tough climb to the heights of Mapleton Falls National Park.
A loop through the park utilising some of the best trails will bring stunning views back across the dam before a fun descent that will leave all riders with a smile on their face as they hit the finish line where an ice-cold beer or two awaits.
Stage 3 – Ewen Maddock Dam (Approx 55km / 690m elevation).
The longest stage of the Quad Crown MTB Sunshine Coast event but probably the quickest as riders face a testing early climb out toward Tunnel Ridge and the old Rails Trail at Dularcha National Park before descending back toward the dam and the quick flowing single track of Ferny Forest and then the testing trails at Boneyards.
This combination of singletrack in the middle to end of this stage will offer a great test for all riders before they hit the flats and it is head down for the finish line and presentations at Mooloolah Valley Country Club.
Our take
Wow – short stage races are popular and the Quad Crown Series adds 4 more events in great areas. The Friday kick off sounds fun, but if you're serious about a result you'll need to be packing some form to bounce back from Stage 1 and into Stage 2 on Saturday. That's a demanding day on the pedals!
If you're just there for the experience, then this makes for a super efficient way to ride more trails and test yourself. Why laze around for the afternoon when you can rail more singletrack?
Get more details on the Quad Crown website.
