Oceania Champion Brent Rees ready for Cape to Cape return

When Brent Rees lined up for his first Cape to Cape in 2019, he was only two years into the sport. Things are very different five years on as he enters as one of the leading contenders and the newly crowned Oceania Mountain Bike Marathon champion.

The 26-year-old is one of the leading contenders in the solo men's category that also includes reigning Australian Cross-country Champion Cam Ivory, four-time Olympian Dan McConnell and his 2019 pairs partner Reece Tucknott.

"I'm honestly not too sure what to expect with the solo racing, it is a stacked field and anything can happen over a stage race! Like everyone, I’ve been playing the balancing act of training, work and life.

"I'm really excited for the solo racing as it opens everyone up to be far more exposed!"

His win in Dwellingup to claim the Oceania title last month had been a big target and confirms the strong form heading in to Cape to Cape.

"I was really pleased to have claimed the Oceania title over at Dwellingup. It had been on my radar for a few months, and I was stoked to have everything fall into place to get the win! It was such an awesome event and really enjoyed the trails and vast variety of racing over the 100km.

Rees credits his only previous Cape to Cape experience and win on the opening stage as one that helped boost his early career and build him in to the rider he is today.

"My favourite memory from C2C 2019 would have to be the opening stage win at Cape Leeuwin. I was quite new into the elite ranks of MTBing in Aus.

"It was epic race, and I had a blast racing the teams format with Reece Tucknott. We had a really good time and were able to put up a good battle for the overall win with some podiums and stage wins.

"I think it definitely gave me some confidence moving forward and I'm really proud of everything that's followed. It will be fun to get back and hopefully add some more C2C wins to my list.

Like most competitors, Rees relishes more than just the riding at Cape to Cape with the event experience front of mind.

"It's hard to say what I'm looking forward to the most, but I would have to say the simplicity of hanging out with friends and racing new trails."