Sailing champ to swap boats for bikes | Cape to Cape MTB

Dual Olympic and World Champion sailor Matt Wearn will ride the 2025 Cape to Cape MTB, Australia’s largest mountain bike stage race, October 16-19.

Wearn one of Australia’s most successful Olympic athletes and one of only two Western Australian athletes to win individual Olympic gold medals at consecutive Olympic Games will swap his ILCA 7 dingy and the water for two wheels and the mountain bike trails of Western Australia’s South West.

The 29-year-old who dominated the ILCA 7 (laser class) in both Tokyo and Paris is taking a year away from competitive sailing and using the break to explore other passions.

With mountain biking high on his list and the chance to ride Cape to Cape MTB a bucket list item for him.

“I have always enjoyed mountain biking but have had to take it easy due to injury risk towards my Olympic campaign,” he said.

“Now that I am having a break from campaigning I can enjoy getting back out on the trails and the Cape to Cape has been an event that has been on my bucket list for quite some time.”

Now in its 17th edition Cape to Cape MTB attracts 1000 people to the South West of Western Australia every year. Elite riders, mountain bike enthusiasts and recreational riders all come to ride on world class trails and experience four days of epic mountain biking.

“The Cape to Cape accesses some of the best trails in Australia so I am really looking forward to racing along them over the 4 days. I am expecting it to be a tough event physically but that is also exciting to me,” Wearn said.

“I can’t wait to push the limits and give it a good crack.”

Starting at Cape Leeuwin lighthouse and finishing four days later at Cape Naturaliste, the course makes its way through National Parks, forest, farm lands, mountain bike parks, stopping in Nannup and Margaret River on the way.

“The South West region is amazing, and I think my wife and I will take the opportunity to spend a few extra days before the race to enjoy everything it has to offer.

“I am lucky enough to travel the world with my campaigning, but nothing compares to what Margaret River and the surrounding areas has.”

Cape to Cape MTB Director Bill Hayes said, “We are delighted to have Matt joining us for Cape to Cape MTB 2025, Australia’s largest mountain bike stage race.

“[It is an] event for everyone from elite and recreational riders to enthusiasts and it is great to have an Olympic Champion from outside cycling who has a strong passion for mountain biking participating this year.

“He is a competitor, and we know he will be setting his own goals for the week and ticking something off his bucket list as well as inspiring the other participants over the four days.”