The Pioneer Mountain Bike Stage Race Press Release! All the info you need to know!!

12 June 2018

For immediate release from The Pioneer Mountain Bike Stage Race, for more visit www.thepioneer.co.nz

2018 PIONEER MOUNTAIN BIKE STAGE RACE SELLS OUT!

The allocation of entries for the 2018 Pioneer Mountain Bike Stage race has been exhausted, with race organisers putting up the FULL HOUSE signs today.

It is a remarkable show of support for the third edition of the event and follows a significant revamp of the race that takes riders through stunning parts of the Central Otago region, with the 2018 edition moving to a November window, with six days of amazing riding.

With over 300 teams signed up and ready to go, Race Director Bec Williams says organisers remain focused on delivering a stunning week in what is for many a life-changing experience, with riders setting off from Queenstown on November 25th.

“The response from the mountain bike community has just been amazing and reinforces not only the wonderful feedback we received from the first two editions of The Pioneer but endorses the changes and tough decisions we made to safeguard the long-term future of a remarkable event, one that is truly world class.

“The 2018 edition of The Pioneer is a mix of both point to point and clover leaf riding, starting and finishing in Queenstown, using fewer overnight locations which means the riders can actually settle into a location and not have to pack their bags and tents on a daily basis.

“It is also a much more user-friendly event for spectators, with family, friends and supporters of the event able to base themselves in one location for the week, and drive to spectator viewing areas or the event village on a daily basis and feel like they are part of the Pioneer spirit.”

What the event still promises amongst the changes is that riders will find stunning, character and welcome as they take on six spectacular days of riding, taking them over 430km and 15,500m of climbing in their teams of two.

While the event has warned for some weeks of this day, there will still be some who are left disappointed at missing out. For those still hopeful of riding in 2018, a first in first served wait list has been established, in the event of any teams withdrawing and opening room on the start line this November.

Williams says the key to further growing the event and attracting even more international and domestic visitors to the Central Otago region is to make every moment memorable.

“We have made the decision to put up the sold-out signs today with the experience of our riders first and foremost in our minds. There is no doubt that The Pioneer will grow in capacity and attract even more riders from here and overseas, but we will do that within our means, always protecting the things that make the event special to each and every rider on a very personal level.”

Following on from today’s news will be a rollout of further information, including the publication of the start list and the latest information on the course on within the next week, following another round of reconnaissance riding by the event team. This will include the posting of the latest stage maps and course overview on the event website www.thepioneer.co.nz

The 300 plus teams confirmed for the 2018 Pioneer sees representation from 21 countries, throughout Europe, Asia, the Middle East and Oceania, including:

United Arab Emirates, Afghanistan, Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Switzerland, Germany, Denmark, Spain, France, Great Britain, Hong Kong, Ireland, Malaysia, New Zealand, Philippines, Portugal, Singapore, United States, South Africa.

The Pioneer 2018 – MTB Stage Race Southern Alps, NZ November 25 – 30, 2018 430km of riding and 15,500m climbing

Stage information

Updated maps and course overview will be published within the next week at www.thepioneer.co.nz

Prologue

Coronet Peak

22km

1500m

Stage 1

Queenstown - Queenstown

66km

2878m

Stage 2

Alexandra - Alexandra

114km

2750m

Stage 3

Alexandra - Bannockburn

75km

2600m

Stage 4

Bannockburn - Bannockburn

83km

3100m

Stage 5

Bannockburn - Arrowtown

67km

2800m

Estimates of the type of riding throughout the Pioneer

36% - 4WD/Farm Track
35% - Cycle Trails / Single Track
15% - Gravel Road
14% - Sealed Road

Additional information can be found at www.thepioneer.co.nz

THE PIONEER, MTB STAGE RACE, SOUTHERN ALPS, NEW ZEALAND

The Pioneer came out of a simple idea. Ride beyond. The idea of creating a uniquely New Zealand event that took you through the parts of the country that few will ever get to enjoy. To ride to the remotest parts of the Southern Alps. To push yourself beyond your comfort zone. To get you far away from familiar trails and in to the unknown. And you do it all for six days straight in teams of two.

KEY STATS

6 DAYS OF RACING – Lose yourself in mountain bike nirvana, November 25 - 30, 2018
Queenstown to Queenstown course
430km of riding and 15,500m climbing
Team racing – all riders in teams of two

OVERVIEW

The Pioneer is an awe inspiring six-day mountain bike stage race through and around New Zealand’s pristine Southern Alps. Linking together amazing riding over farm tracks, NZ Cycle Trails, double track and single-track riding in a very special part of the world where soaring mountain peaks, crystal-clear blue lakes, and golden high country await. If you’re looking for a mountain bike race to get you inspired again, this is it!

WHAT TO EXPECT

Find Stunning – A rare chance to journey through a pristine and untouched part of New Zealand – riding through the some of the most awe-inspiring scenery on earth.
Find Character – An epic challenge that will push you to the edge and have you digging deep.
Find Welcome – Discover New Zealand’s legendary warm kiwi hospitality…with a super-friendly race vibe to enjoy at the end of each day. You’ll have earned it!

For further information and interviews, contact:

Andrew Dewhurst Media Manager The Pioneer 021 535501

About IRONMAN

A Wanda Sports Holdings company, IRONMAN operates a global portfolio of events that includes the IRONMAN® Triathlon Series, the IRONMAN® 70.3® Triathlon Series, 5150™ Triathlon Series, the Rock n’ Roll Marathon Series®, Iron Girl®, IRONKIDS®, International Triathlon Union World Triathlon Series races, road cycling events including the UCI Velothon® Series, mountain bike races including the Absa Cape Epic®, premier marathons including the Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon, and other multisport races. IRONMAN’s events, together with all other Wanda Sports Holdings events, provide more than a million participants annually the benefits of endurance sports through the company’s vast offerings. The iconic IRONMAN® Series of events is the largest participation sports platform in the world. Since the inception of the IRONMAN® brand in 1978, athletes have proven that ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE® by crossing finish lines at the world’s most challenging endurance races. Beginning as a single race, IRONMAN has grown to become a global sensation with more than 200 events across 50 countries. For more information, visit www.ironman.com.

About Wanda Sports Holdings

Wanda Sports Holdings is the world’s leading sports business entity, founded to capture the opportunities in the global sports industry and to contribute to the prosperous international sports landscape – in three key areas: 1) Spectator Sports (media and marketing business), 2) Participation Sports (active lifestyle business), 3) Services (digital, production and service business). Wanda Sports Holding incorporates the international sports marketing company Infront Sports & Media, the iconic endurance brand IRONMAN, and Wanda Sports China. The headquarters are in Guangzhou, China.

A summary of trail use is as follows:

(Note that the timeframe the individual trails are used will be relatively short 2 – 4hrs average. What is shown are the Race Start & Cut-off times)

Sunday 25th November

Prologue, Coronet Peak

0800 – 1430

Trails used: Enduro Track, Rude Rock, Pack Track n Sack, Zoot

Monday 26th November

Stage 1, Queenstown

0700 – 1500

Trails used: Queenstown Trail (Frankton Arm through to new Shotover River track to Arthurs Point), Moonlight Track, Moke Lake – Lake Dispute Track, Phoenix, 7 Mile (Up Track, Kachoong, Cool Runnings, Mulholland Drive mid station up* & Gravitron), Build on Beer*, Arawata Track, Hammy’s Lower Half*, Thunder Goat.

Friday 30th November

0700 – 1800

Trails used: Queenstown Trail (Gibbston Valley to Queenstown Gardens)

The Pioneer is excited to showcase the best of Queenstown mountain biking, including trails that owe their existence to the commitment and investment of the QMTBC. We also apologise for any inconvenience caused on race days.