Capital Punishment comes to Canberra

Libertarians will be appalled to learn that Capital Punishment will be unleashed in Canberra this Saturday, March 15th. Of course, cyclists, mountain bikers, nature lovers and extreme sports fans will welcome the news with joy.

Capital Punishment may leave some bodies battered and bruised but rather than an excessive infliction of justice, it is in fact one of the nation’s best loved MTB Enduro events. In other words, it’s a chance for every mountain bike rider, right through from newbs to elites to test their skills, courage, strength and stamina against either a world class 50km or the 100km course.

With close to 1500 riders taking part, the field will launch themselves along the tricky but flowing single track of Kownen Forest, Sparrow Hill over Black Mountain, past the National Arboretum, and ultimately on to the challenging and internationally regarded course at Stromlo Forest Park.

Far from the growing popularity of mountain biking as a cool-looking way to sell mid-range SUVs, the sport has a strong and dynamic following in Australia. This weekend’s event will kick off the inaugural Maverick Marathon Series, a tournament of similar endurance-based MTB challenges brought together by like-minded race directors to continue to grow the sport of mountain biking in Australia.

Elite cyclist Anthony Shippard predicts a tough contest, with the sport now achieving higher standards across multiple disciplines than ever before.

“There is huge depth to the field – meaning the racing for 15th will be as tight as for 1st. Some riders will bring real cross country legs, speedy and punchy. Others will bring the miles – strong, diesel engines that just increase pace as the race goes on.”

Among the favourites, Shippard rates local identities Jenny Fay, Imogen Smith, Naomi Hansen and Eliza Kwan, and must himself be considered a solid podium chance among over a dozen other male contenders, including Dylan Cooper, Jason English, and Jarrod Hughes.

With fun, spills, and personal battles just to reach the finish line on offer right through from the front to the back of the field, the battle in Canberra this weekend will be very different from the sweatless, suited war that rages from Monday to Thursday.

See www.capitalpunishmentmtb.com for more.