Over 300 mountain bike riders descended on the brand-new Finch Hatton MTB trails for a weekend of racing and camaraderie at the Rocky Trail Entertainment (RTE) Fox Superflow® presented by Stan’s. Despite some damp weather, the trails held up remarkably well, and the event was a resounding success, exceeding expectations with a strong showing from local riders and a positive economic impact on the Mackay region.
The event attracted a diverse range of riders, with some “big hitters” battling it out for top honours. National Champion Jess Hoskin from the Sunshine Coast dominated the Elite Women’s category, finishing a full 30 seconds ahead of the competition. National Champion and former World Cup racer Cameron Allonby from Brisbane was the fastest man at Finch Hatton MTB, showcasing his experience and power.
Adding to the excitement, Under-17 racers impressed everyone with their speed and talent. Oliver Bradey from the Sunshine Coast even placed an impressive third overall, highlighting the depth of upcoming talent in Australian mountain biking.
One of the most significant aspects of the event was the overwhelming participation from Mackay’s mountain bike and business community. Local suppliers and caterers brought the event to life and over 80 local riders took to the course, showcasing the growing enthusiasm for the sport in the region.
Mayor Greg Williamson commented on the event’s success, highlighting the positive impact it has had on Mackay’s reputation as a mountain bike destination.
“I’m told that we’ve got one of the best airflow tracks in Australia and it was exciting to see so many people keen to come to Mackay because they heard so much about the Finch Hatton MTB trails,” said Williamson.
“This inaugural Finch Hatton event attracted more than 300 riders and all bar around 70 of them were from outside of Mackay, with three coming from as far as Canberra to ride.
“The Rocky Trail organisers say the feedback in the mountain biking community in Australia is - everyone can't wait to get here to ride,” Williamson added.
Juliane Wisata, owner of Rocky Trail Entertainment, echoed the Mayor’s sentiments and emphasized the event’s contribution to the local economy.
“It’s fantastic to see that the local riders participated and came out in force,” Wisata said.
“This groundswell of biking activity in the local community is pivotal to the success of a MTB Destination.”
Rocky Trail’s initial estimates suggest the event injected over $400,000 into the Mackay and regional visitor economy, with riders traveling from as far as Canberra, Sydney, Townsville, Rockhampton, Cairns and throughout South East Queensland. The influx of visitors not only participated in the race but also enjoyed Mackay’s hospitality and explored the surrounding area.
Over the past decade the business has established itself as one of the major private mountain bike event promoters in the country.
Recognising that Nature Based Tourism (NBT) has become a Supersector in Australia with huge growth potential, the group also offers destination development services specialised in nature- and trail-based tourism (TBT) with their new Rocky Trail Destination (RTD) business.
From dominating champs to rising stars, the Rocky Trail Entertainment (RTE) Fox Superflow® was a roaring success, fuelling excitement and over $400,000 into the local economy. Photo credit: Rocky Trail Entertainment
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