Champion mountain bike rider Ben Mather says Tasmania will well and truly be put on the world map when it hosts part of a world series next year.
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Derby, in the state’s North East, will host a round of the Mountain Bikes Enduro World Series in April 2017.
It is expected to bring about 2000 participants, support crew and spectators to the area.
Mr Mather, who grew up in the area, said the Blue Derby trails rivaled other world mountain bike hot spots such as Colorado in the United States.
“Just seeing the infrastructure developed out at Derby validates all the effort put in,” he said.
“As a local mountain biker there’s no bigger coup than bringing the Enduro World Series here.
“It’s one of the biggest growing disciplines and to bring it to not only Australia but Tasmania is one of the biggest events we’ve ever seen.”
Mr Mather said the event validated all the effort that had been put in by many parties over the years to develop mountain biking in Tasmania.
“It truly puts us on the world stage,” he said.
The series is expected to bring about 60 journalists to the state, giving Tasmania huge exposure.
“The cohort of journalists that come along with the series will broadcast this to the world,” Mr Mather said.
Premier Will Hodgman has described the event as the Formula 1 of mountain bikes, and said it will go far to helping the government achieve its goal of 1.5 million visitors to the state by 2020.
Mr Hodgman, who looks after the tourism portfolio, expects it to generate thousands of bed nights from St Helens through Derby and the North-East and into Launceston.
Acting Opposition Leader Michelle O’Byrne also backed the event and said she shared the government’s enthusiasm.
“This is a world-class event and will really put the state on the map when it comes to mountain biking,” she said.
“It will create a real buzz in the North of the state but will be great for the economy across the state as visitors explore different regions.”
“There’s no reason Tasmania can’t be one of the leading mountain biking destinations in the world.”
The Enduro World Series includes riders from more than 30 countries, with events held in Europe, North America and South America.
