The rain couldn’t dampen the excitement at Finch Hatton, where more than 280 riders and hundreds of spectators turned out for the second Fox Superflow® event at the region’s fast-growing mountain bike trails.
Held over two days on June 29 and 30, the gravity enduro event brought over 600 people to the trails, with 281 riders tackling three fast-flowing race stages and 41 lining up for the Saturday afternoon pump track showdown.
Even with some wet weather thrown in, the world-class Finch Hatton Trails held up like a dream. Riders were full of praise for the fun, fast terrain, and the family-friendly atmosphere that added to the weekend buzz. Many made it a proper school holiday adventure, camping out and making the most of the great facilities. The local pub was packed each night, and the pump track came alive under lights for a Saturday night floodlit session.
The numbers tell a strong story. Around 25 per cent of riders came from Mackay, and another 22 hailed from Finch Hatton and surrounding areas, proof of the growing local riding community and just how successful the trail network has become. Riders travelled from across Queensland and interstate, including the Gold Coast, Brisbane, Townsville, Rockhampton, Far North Queensland and New South Wales, drawn in by the quality of the trails and the Superflow format.
It’s estimated the event pumped around $450,000 into the local visitor economy, generating more than 1,300 overnight stays worth roughly $340,000, according to Rocky Trail Entertainment and Tourism Research Australia.
On the track, the action was fast and fierce. Elite Men’s series leader Kai Pyyvaara from the Gold Coast extended his run at the top, clocking a lightning-fast 8:45.4. Brisbane’s Cameron Allonby was hot on his heels with 8:47.1, sliding into fourth overall in the series, while Blue Mountains rider David Ludenia rounded out the podium in 8:53.7.
Jess Hoskin topped the women’s field with a strong 9:50.8, but it was U15 standout Kirrily Gates from the Sunshine Coast who turned heads, finishing second overall in 10:07.3 and taking the win in her age group. Trinity Beach’s Mika Smith claimed third overall, and Cairns’ Rachael White landed on the Elite Women’s podium in third (and fourth overall). Local young gun Claire Weiss took the win in the U13 category.
With a mix of competitive racing and a laid-back vibe, the Fox Superflow® format continues to deliver. Timed stages and relaxed transitions make it a favourite among riders of all ages and abilities.
Backed by Mackay Regional Council, the event once again put Finch Hatton on the map as a top-tier mountain biking destination.
