The Black Pearl MTB Quad Crown Series

Newcastle and Lake Macquarie have become the epicentre for Mountain Bike (MTB) stage racing over the past decade in Australia and the roots of major mountain biking events extend well into the decades before that.

MTB stage racing is set to return to Newcastle and Lake Macquarie courtesy of the Quad Crown Series.

Stage 1 will traverse the foothills of the Watagans followed by a loop of Awaba MTB park. Be prepared for a course like you haven’t seen before, a course where locals will be scratching their heads thinking “why does it feel like I’ve never been here before?” It will have punishing climbs, rugged moto single track, virgin forest trails, as well as Awaba essentials. With a reputation for hosting the Queen Stage in past stage races in the region, this course has a lot to live up to.

Stage 2 returns to the coast just south of Newcastle, this course will incorporate the amazing trail networks of Whitebridge, Redhead, Fernleigh and Glenrock into one fantastic stage that will start and finish at the aptly named Royal Crown Hotel in Dudley.