Epic prize money at Australian 100km MTB race

Organisers have announced a total prize pool of more than $40,000 including $15,000 cash for the 2005 edition of the Flight Centre Peppers Hidden Vale Cycle Epic, a 100km mountain bike race in southern Queensland on the weekend of September 3 and 4.

Epic promoters Peter Creagh and Tod Horton said the big prize pool is a deliberate strategy to entice elite riders to sign up.

"A significant enhancement to the 2005 Epic is the introduction of the Pro Teams Trophy," said Creagh. "Basically we're giving $2,000 to a team of riders who complete the 100km with the fastest combined time."

"Teams need to be a minimum of three riders, and maximum of four, with the fastest three times taking out the Trophy. This concept has been used successfully in other sports and while it's not new, it is new to mountain bike competitions."

Elite riders can win additional $400 cash for the first rider across the line at each stage checkpoint.

This year's edition has been expanded to two days with a Kids Mini and Minor Epics open to children aged 5 to 13 years of age on the Saturday.

The Peppers Hidden Vale Cycle Epic is one hour's drive from Brisbane, one and a half hours from the Gold Coast, and two hours from the Sunshine Coast and the main event will be held on Sunday 4 September 2005.

For more information see www.cycleepic.com.au