It’s almost that time of year again! With hundreds of riders currently descending on Margaret River in Western Australia, the 2019 Cape to Cape is set to kick off on Thursday the 17th of October, and it promises to be an absolute ripper! As one of Australia’s most-loved mountain bike stage races, the 2019 Cape to Cape will see both pairs and solo competitors tackling over 200km of racing over four days, which will take in sublime private trails, vineyard visits, and brewery finishes. Doesn’t sound too shabby eh?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rs4Dqhvn_qY
For Australia’s fastest marathon racer, Brendan ‘Trekky’ Johnston, the Cape to Cape is a firm favourite on his busy racing calendar. This year’s event however, has become just that little bit more exciting after he received a very special race bike from Giant. The bike itself is a 2020 Giant Anthem Advanced Pro 29, but this one has a unique paint job that you won’t see anywhere else in the world…
The reason for this stunning surprise? Quite incredibly, 2019 marks 10 years since Trekky was diagnosed with cancer. That might be hard to believe for some folks who have only known him as one of the most formidable mountain bikers in the country, and it certainly makes his current form all the more impressive given everything he’s been through. This custom Anthem race bike then, is Giant’s gift to Trekky for the 2019 Cape to Cape (and beyond!) to mark that very special milestone.
Here’s the word from Giant Bicycles Australia;
“To commemorate 4-time XCM National Champion Brendan Johnston being cancer free for 10 years we’ve created this special, one-of-a-kind Anthem Advanced Pro 29 for him to be on in time for this year’s Cape to Cape MTB event in Western Australia! While Brendan currently enjoys great health and maintains a hectic but healthy lifestyle of juggling a small business, racing and family, 10 years ago things looked quite different.
As a Junior Brendan was informed that he had a paratesticular lump that needed to be removed, what followed was a series of operations and months of treatment that took its toll on Brendan and his family. All this occurred while Brendan was 2 weeks out from the UCI MTB World Championships in Canberra, he made it to the start line but didn’t go as well as he’d wanted. All things considered, making it to the start line was an achievement in itself. Brendan went on to overcome cancer and become the incredible athlete & humble human being that he is today.
Brendan will race this special bike throughout the Cape to Cape MTB event in which he’ll be paired with fellow Giant team rider Jon Odams. The pair will be looking to take out the triple crown of wins having won Port to Port & Reef to Reef earlier this year. Be sure to follow Brendan, Jon and the Cape to Cape event this week as it makes its way through the beautiful Margaret River region of Western Australia.” – Giant Bicycles Australia.
Looking to stay up to date with all the racing action in this year’s event? Then be sure to stay tuned to the Flow Instagram and Facebook channels for plenty of behind-the-scenes action and excitement from the 2019 Cape to Cape!
Mo’ Flow Please!
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