Pioneer 2018 course revealed!
The Pioneer is back - and it has a brand new route and format for 2018.
The Pioneer hit the international mountain bike stage race scene in 2016 with a demanding course that commanded epic views as it lead riders down the main alpine mountain chain of New Zealand's South Island, from Christchurch to Queenstown.
In 2016, the course was raw, and the race service was polished. Friendships were forged not only on the trail but in the communal tent after each stage, as riders swapped war stories from that day or from adventures past.
This year, the 2017 route made some key changes, with the first stage in the Christchurch Adventure Park treating riders not only to climbs that left legs searing, but wicked descents on the machine built trails – which have since been lost in wild fires.
The rest of the course remained very similar, and the race was a true testament to the grit and determination required to succeed, or even finish, such demanding events.
On the evening before the final stage of The Pioneer this year, I sat down with Cape Epic founder Kevin Vermaak. With Ironman now owning both The Cape Epic and The Pioneer (and The Swiss Epic, Port to Port, Cape to Cape and Wine to Whales) I was eager to find out about the master plan, for a global series of stage races.
The Pioneer needed a bit of a revamp, and the crew postponed the 2018 race from February to November, in time to rejig the race to make it a better experience for all. And now, they have announced the new route.
Running over 6 days starting on 25th November 2018, The Pioneer will be based out of Queenstown, before moving onto Alexandra and then Bannockburn.
After a 22km prologue at Coronet Peak there are five longer stages to follow, heading south-east to Alexandra and the Clutha River, before returning to the finish line back in Queenstown.
Race Director Bec Williams said the planning behind the changes are to make sure the event is sustainable, and more enjoyable. But not easier.
“Today we provide the mountain bike community with an overview of the 2018 Pioneer, providing information that will allow riders to make decisions about entering the event, and understanding just what it is they are taking on.
“Riders can look forward to a course that will boast plenty of singletrack and will deliver a grand tour of the most stunning backdrops you could ask for. Riders will be sent deep into remote back country New Zealand, where they will really discover what it means to be a Pioneer.”
Many of the trails cross private land and can only be ridden while racing The Pioneer, making the race a once in a lifetime opportunity to gain access to unique New Zealand riding. Big climbs, big views, and big challenges await those who sign up for The Pioneer in 2018.
Williams said the decision to reduce the duration of the event by one day and start and finish in Queenstown will generate further appeal to riders and supporters.
“Having the one start and finish location obviously makes the event easier from a logistics point of view for organisers and riders alike. Travel can now be booked in and out of Queenstown, supporters can base themselves there throughout The Pioneer, and it will be easier for our suppliers and contractors to support the race.
“But it was vital that any of those decisions did not compromise the quality of the riding or the Pioneer experience, and we have done that with a course that will again challenge every rider, provide breathtaking views along the way and see us hosted in some amazing Central Otago towns.”
Host towns for The Pioneer in 2018
Queenstown will host the start and finish, while Alexandra will host riders for two nights, and Bannockburn will take riders for two nights before the event finishes at Arrowtown.
Terrain will vary each day, but includes a mix of local trails, farm track, NZ Cycle Trails and singletrack – so you need to be prepared to really see what you’re made of. The course isn’t overly technical, and as it’s well-marked your map reading ability isn’t being tested. Just your legs, lungs, and trail reading skills.
With aid stations and check points, even though the route will be remote, it won’t be dangerous for riders. The check points tend to appear on the horizon at exactly the right time, and this element of the event won’t change from the first two years.
One of the great changes is race finishes in host towns, bringing riders straight to the post-event comforts that make mountain bike stage races a holiday. Local hospitality will also be on offer at the event village, ensuring each stage is unique and enjoyable. To cap it all off riders will finish back in Queenstown, an amazing place to celebrate an incredible achievement.
Get to the Cape Epic
This year riders at The Pioneer had the chance to secure entry to the unofficial world championship of mountain bike stage racing in South Africa – the Cape Epic, with five age group winners (5), five age group runners up (5) and five lottery winners securing a place at the Absa Cape Epic for 2019. In a race that sells out in under a minute, being able to secure a position is a big deal!
Two is company
The Pioneer is a pairs format, so this might leave you looking for a team mate. The event website allows the uploading of profiles to find a Pioneer team mate, and organisers also host a ‘find a teammate’ Facebook group. But have a good long think about who you can spend a week with, at your best and worst.
The stage breakdown for The Pioneer in 2018
The Pioneer 2018
November 25 – 30, 2018
430km of riding and 15,500m climbing
Prologue: Coronet Peak
Own Accommodation
22km – 1500m
Our take: Ouch. That's a lot of vertical in 22km. Gear low!
Stage 1: Queenstown – Queenstown
Stay: Alexandra after a transfer
66km – 2878m
Our take: More ouch. We'd like to see details of this but expect steep climbs and descents to fit that in.
Stage 2 : Alexandra – Alexandra
Stay: Alexandra
114km – 2750m
Our take: Finally a day to stretch the legs! This stage should take in some NZ Cycle Trail and have some higher speeds than the first two days.
This day will use some of the sweet trails we rode in Alexandra, or even parts of the Otago Central Rail Trail.Stage 3: Alexandra – Bannockburn
Stay: Bannockburn
75km – 2600m
Our take: More climbing again, and a transfer day so a true point to point.
Stage 4: Bannockburn – Bannockburn
Stay: Bannockburn
83km – 3100m
Our take: The Queen stage, this one will hurt, with over 3000m of climbing in barely over 80km.
Stage 5: Bannockburn – Arrowtown
Stay: Own Accommodation
67km – 2800m
Our take: Seriously? Another day for the climbers?
With trails like Rude Rock in the prologue, Grade 3 and 4 trails on Stage 1, plenty of sweet singletrack above Alexandra and of course the cycle trails in Central Otago – this new route gets the big thumbs up from us!
Estimates of the type of riding throughout the Pioneer
36% – 4WD/Farm Track
35% – Cycle Trails / Single Track
15% – Gravel Road
14% – Sealed Road
What to expect
Big climbs, to be honest. This looks like it will be a truly hard experience on the bike, with the event services off the bike there to put you back together again. If you've wanted a huge mountain bike stage race experience and not found it yet – this looks to be epic.
Need more details? Hit the website!
