Local riders Terra-fied

Local Wangaratta racers Rob Sullivan and Phil Emslie have teamed up to tackle the Terra Australis Great Southern Land Mountain Bike Epic. The seven day, 556km epic race through Victoria's High Country has attracted a field of riders from all over Australia including some of Australia's elite men and women.

Sullivan and Emslie, riding as Team Rock and Road, have kicked off a vigorous training program in order to get themselves as fit and well prepared as they can be before the March 29th start date. "Fortunately we have access to some of the best off-road trails in the country and being able to get out there and ride some of the stages before the event is a huge bonus," said Emslie.

Sullivan, who is the proprietor of Rock and Road Cycles in Wangaratta and a passionate local rider, said, "I have always wanted to do one of these multi-day races and we were also looking for something to do to celebrate Phil's 50th birthday. It is great that an event of this magnitude is being hosted in North East Victoria. Events such as this in Europe and North America attract large international fields and being able to ride alongside elite riders will be a huge buzz. Our mountains will provide a great backdrop and a huge challenge for this race."

"I have been out and ridden a few of the stages and the course will be challenging but definitely achievable," said Sullivan.

The Terra Australis Great Southern Land Mountain Bike Epic will start in Falls Creek on Sunday, March 29 and conclude in Wangaratta on Saturday, April 4 with other stage finishes en route in Dinner Plain, Bright and Beechworth.

For more information, visit www.finishlineevents.com.au.