Right: Karak, the official mascot for the Melbourne Commonwealth Games, Australia’s mountain bike champion Chris Jongewaard and Commonwealth Games Minister Justin Madden officially unveiled the Lysterfield Park mountain bike track last Saturday.LYSTERFIELD Park is almost ready for the world’s gaze.
On Saturday Commonwealth Games Minister, Justin Madden, officially opened the new Lysterfield State Mountain Bike Course including the competition course for the Melbourne Commonwealth Games.
Mr Madden said the $3 million course included 10 kilometres of new and upgraded mountain bike and adjacent trails and would be another worldclass venue for Victoria’s elite and grassroots athletes.
“Lysterfield Park is now ready for the final stages of preparations to host the Commonwealth Games mountain bike competition.
“After the games, the course will be Victoria’s home for mountain bike competitions at state, national and international levels,” he said.
The trail upgrade included the construction of competition support buildings and the planting of 25,000 trees.
Mr Madden said mountain biking was an immensely popular sport and all of the 13,000 free tickets available in the games ticket ballot had been snapped up.
“The world’s spotlight won’t just be on central Melbourne. Lysterfield Park will also be on show and highlight the diverse nature of Victoria,” Mr Madden said.
About 50 athletes from 15 nations are expected to compete in the event on 23 March and Australia’s mountain bike champion Chris Jongewaard has already roadtested the competition track.
“It’s an awesome course. Some of the sections are really tough and it will be an exciting race to watch next year,” Mr Jongewaard said.
Ferntree Gully MP Anne Eckstein and Narre Warren North MP Luke Donnellan attended the official unveiling.
Mr Donnellan said the elite course had been designed to minimise the environmental impact on the park and constructed to ensure longterm environmental sustainability.
“This course is a beautiful ride in a beautiful setting and will be enjoyed by generations to come.
“Lysterfield Park now offers something for cycling enthusiasts of all ages and abilities,” he said.
