Introducing World Champ Ambassador – Vandy!

Cross Country Mountain Bike World Champion Paul van der Ploeg announced as Warburton Bike Park Ambassador.

By Paul van der Ploeg

What time is it? #ItsWarbyTime

I’m beyond excited to come on board as an ambassador for the Warburton Bike Park. Like so many others, I’ve been watching this project come to life and I’ve looked forward to it for years. It feels pretty special to now be part of the journey as it continues to grow.

Mountain biking has shaped so much of my career and life from racing around the world to sharing the sport through media, events, and community. I’ve been living in Melbourne for nearly 20 years and to have trails so close to the city is a game changer. 

My wife and I fell in love with Warburton years ago, and in 2021 we went all in and bought a house here in anticipation of what this trail network could become.

The first 30km of trails launched midway through last year and gave riders an exciting taste of what’s to come. I’ve been lucky enough to sneak a peek at some of the new trails and I can confidently say it’s going to be on another level…

On April 4th, the park will officially open its next stage, with over double the amount of trail network currently available. This is a huge milestone for Warburton and for mountain biking in Australia.

Shuttles are coming! This will mean you can spend more time descending and less time and energy on the climbs. It’s roughly 750 vertical metres from the top shuttle point all the way back into Warby town. 

One of the most exciting parts of Warburton Bike Park is the diversity of landscape we’re so fortunate to have in the hills. The trails blend beautifully into the natural environment while also allowing rider progression. The end result is world-class riding for all levels.

And this is just the beginning, the project is set to build the biggest MTB trail network in Australian history with 160km of trails planned. Warburton is set to become a must-visit destination on a global scale. Stay tuned, the best is yet to come!