Australia’s fab four lead world marathon champs charge August 6, 2010
This Sunday, the city of St. Wendel, in Germany will welcome 170 elite riders from over 30 nations for the 2010 UCI Mountain Bike Marathon World Championships.
The renowned 107km world championships course reaches 2556m in altitude and has been specifically designed to guarantee more thrills, fun and challenges with dirt roads cutting through fields and forests in the highland of the natural resort ‘Naturpark Saar-Hunsrüch’.
Beginning fast and fluently, the course quickly turns demanding through its single trails in the mid part up to the 90km mark, then proceeds in one big loop leading through the well wooded hill country at middle altitude.
Aussie contenders Adrian Jackson and Mike Blewitt who finished 58th and 96th respectively at the 2009 Mountain Bike Marathon World Championships in Austria will ride alongside teammate Matt Ligtermoet in the elite men’s world championship event. Ligtermoet, who finished 31st at the 2010 Australian Marathon National Championships, will be making his world championships debut.
Jodie Willett will be Australia’s sole female rider in the elite women’s event. Willett placed 31st at the 2008 world championships in Italy, but missed the 2009 world championships. Willet’s hectic lifestyle involves combining elite level mountain bike racing whilst studying for a commerce degree, owning a sports and remedial massage business, and raising her seven-year-old daughter.
The 2009 UCI Mountain Bike Marathon World Championships saw Belgium’s Roel Paulissen claim the men’s world title in a time of 4:34:36.8, ahead of Austria’s Alban Lakata and third place finisher Christop Sauser of Switzerland. Lakata and Sauser will both head to Germany hungry to become the 2010 world champion.
The remainder of the men’s entry list is exhausting, including favourites from Olympic cross country distance Christopher Soukup (AUT), Hector Leonard Paez Leon (COL), Jose Antonio Hermida (ESO), Thomas Dietsch (FRA), Massimo de Bertoli (ITA) and the strong Swiss troops consisting of Ralph Naf, Lukas Buchli and Andreas Kugler .
Reigning women‘s world champion Sabine Spitz of Germany will be in St. Wendel to defend her title on her own home turf. Last year Spitz finished with a time of 4:24:15.9 ahead of Swiss riders Esther Süss and Petre Henzi. Süss will also be in Germany to battle with Spitz to become the 2010 world champion.
2010 ACT Schools Mountain Bike Championships August 3, 2010
Canberra Off-Road Cyclists Club is hosting the 2010 ACT Schools cross-country Mountain Bike Championships at Mount Stromlo on Friday 27th August, with a track orientation and skills session Thursday 26th August.
The Championships are based on a four hour relay format for teams of 3 or 4 riders. Entry is available for years 7-8, 9-10 and 11-12 male, female and mixed teams. Schools from other states are invited to participate in the Championships, with all participants eligible to receive prizes.
Entry is $15 per rider for the Championships and $15 for the skill session; late entries from the 19th of August are $20 per rider.
For further information, go to www.corc.asn.au and select ‘Juniors’ then ‘Upcoming Junior Events’, or contact Terry Eveston at terry.eveston@ed.act.edu.au on (02) 6205 7635 or on 0415 706 644.
For those that like their bikes bigger and pointing down, there will be a schools only gravity event, including 4-cross and downhill tracks. This event is sponsored by CORC and is only available for students representing their school.
Insurance is provided through MTBA. A parent can be a delegate (supervising parent) for the school’s entry.
MTBA members at Tour de Timor - INSURANCE August 3, 2010
MTBA is able to arrange insurance for events outside Australian shores for our adventurous members. The cover includes $5,000,000 medical expense cover plus $50,000 death cover. Most importantly the cover will medi-evacuate seriously injured riders back to Australia if needed!
The insurance is only for the race - all other insurance cover needs to be obtained from also purchasing regular travel insurance from your travel agent. Having this cover means being able to contest events at a 100% level rather than always trying to keep yourself safe.
The small print:
We need a group - and the larger the group the less per member of the group will usually pay - to begin arranging the cover.
Offer to be part of the group expires on August 27th.
Participants in the cover must be full members of MTBA.
Indicative cost is $200 per person based on the minimum number of group participants being achieved
If you are contemplating attending Timor and want the security of medical cover then register your interest by sending an email to MTBA.
Graves leaves Italy with one hand on UCI World Cup trophy August 3, 2010
Four Cross
Reigning world champion Jared Graves appears to have sewn up back-to-back UCI World Cup titles, despite finishing fourth behind Swiss rider Roger Rinderknecht at the penultimate round in Val di Sole, Italy on the weekend.
Competing on the same track which hosted the 2008 world championships, Graves and Rinderknecht were joined by Tomas Slavik (RSP 4 Cross) and Michal Prokop (Agang Racing) in the men's final.
Graves shot out of the gate and hit the lead around the first corner and the small jumps on the second straight, however to everyone’s surprise the Queenslander dropped back to fourth coming out of the second corner.
The much anticipated video evidence showed afterwards that Rinderknecht and Graves had clashed, the Swiss rider’s elbow making contact with the Australian’s neck.
No official protest was entered and Rinderknecht took the win ahead of Slavik and Prokop, with Graves rolling in for fourth.
"He stepped over the line, I think,” Graves said after the race. “It's all part of racing, but that was pretty dodgy."
With just one round remaining in the series, (Windham, United States August 28-29), Graves (535 points) holds a convincing 135 point lead in the series ahead of Slavik's tally of 400.
In the women’s four cross final, Dutch rider Anneke Beerten (Suspension Center) claimed her second straight win of the season and holds a slim lead in the overall standings ahead of Austrian Anita Molcik.
Downhill
Five Australian riders were in action in the men’s downhill event with Michael Hannah the best of the bunch placing 12th with 3:25, behind eventual winner Marc Beaumont (3:17.85) of Great Britain.
Bryn Atkinson also snuck into the top 20, clocking the 18th fastest time of 3:27.55. Chris Kovarik (22nd – 3:28.71), Mitchell Delfs (23rd – 3:29.07) and Shaun O’Connor (32nd – 3:31.92) also showed promising form ahead of the 2010 world championships which commence in just four weeks time.
Great Britain’s Gee Atherton (3rd - 3:20.51) now holds a slender seven point lead over South African Greg Minnaar (2nd - 3:19.25) in the overall series standings, setting up a greatly anticipated showdown in Windham.
French rider Emmeline Ragot (3:59.75) took out the elite women’s race, however country woman Sabrina Jonnier (4:02.15) further extended her series lead after placing second.
Cross Country
In the men’s cross country, world champion Nino Schurter has snatched the World Cup lead and the Italian-stage victory away from French rider Julien Absalon in a thrilling sprint finish.
The Swiss star crossed the finish line four seconds ahead of Absalon and now holds a 936 to 910 point lead in the series standings.
The 6.3 kilometre course was dominated by a series of steep climbs which took their toll on the fields. In the men's race, only 88 of 190 starters finished on the same lap as the winner.
Joshua Carlson (129th , -2 laps) was the best of the Australian men followed by Adrian Jackson (134th, -2), Cal Britten (148th, -2), Andrew Blair (157th, -3) and James Peacock (171st, -3).
In the women’s elite race, Polish rider Maja Wloszczowska out sprinted Canada's Catharine Pendrel to secure her second World Cup victory of her career.
In Australian results, Jodie Willett finished 18 minutes behind Wloszczowska to placed 79th. Katherine O’Shea (-1 lap) finished in 82nd position followed by under 23 rider Therese Rhodes (-1 lap) in 84th place.
In the men’s junior event, Hanus James crossed the finish line in 59th position, 12 minutes behind Belgium winner Jens Schuermans.
The 2010 UCI World Cup decider will be staged in Windham, United States from August 28 to 29.
Australians at Champery - UCI World Cup July 27, 2010
Downhill Four Australian downhill riders have finished in the top 20 at the latest edition of the 2010 UCI World Cup in Champery, Switzerland over the weekend.
As the countdown to next month’s world championships (August 31 to September 5) in Canada continue, 2010 Australian champion Chris Kovarik was the highest placed Aussie placing ninth in the elite men’s downhill event.
The downhill event returned to the Champery-leg of the World Cup for the first time since 2007.
Renowned as the steepest course on the international circuit, with sections approaching a 75 percent grade. The fourth series of the world cup gave riders a chance to check out the Alpine Village course which will play host to the World Championships in 2011.
The brutality of the course appeared to have little effect on Mitchell Delfs’ ride, dramatically improving his 81st place from Leogang last month to finish in 14th position, two spots ahead of 16th place finisher Shaun O’Connor who also improved on his previous world cup position. Bryn Atkinson just scraped into the top 20, placing 20th in the elite men’s downhill event.
Great Britain’s Gee Atherton and South Africa’s Greg Minnaar again proved themselves as the ones to beat in the men’s downhill, finishing first and second respectively. Atherton claimed his second win for the season to pull within 13 points of Minnaar in the overall series standings,
Cross Country The cross-country course has been slightly modified from the one used last year, with a short climb and sharp descent added in the first half of the circuit. Due to falling rain, the new conditions made the new track quite tricky for the riders.
In the men’s elite event, Andrew Blair finished in 116th position in front of Travis Frisby finishing 142nd, both claiming their best places for the series despite the challenging conditions, whilst Joshua Carlson crossed the finish line in 130th place and James Peacock in 149th.
Delighting local Swiss fans, Florian Vogel claimed his first victory for the series in the elite men’s cross-country event. Teammate and world champion Nino Schurter took third behind European champion Jaroslav Kulhavy.
In the women’s race, Katherine O’Shea finished in 89th position making her the highest placed Australian rider ahead of 98th position holder Jodie Willet.
Natalie Schneitter also gave the locals something to celebrate claiming what was possibly the biggest victory of her career in the elite women’s cross-country race, while her team mate Eva Lechner of Italy took over the series leader’s jersey from Canadian Catherine Pendrel. Willow Koeber from the United States took third position improving on her 13th position finish in Offenburg.
Hanus James represented Australia in the junior men’s cross-country finishing the race in 66th position.
Germany’s Julian Schelb impressively took out the junior title ahead of Belgium’s second place finisher Jeff Luyten. Julien Trarieux from France took third position in what was a remarkable display from the youngsters.
Just two rounds remain in the 2010 UCI World Cup series, the action heading to Val di Sole in Italy this weekend, followed by the finale in Windham, United States from August 28-29, where the riders will have their final hit-out prior to the world championships.
CORC announces that team entries for the 2010 Scott are now open and selling fast. July 22, 2010
CORC’s Scott 24 Hours of Adrenalin Australian MTB Championships – 9 & 10 October, Stromlo Forest Park, Canberra.
Old Faithful. Now in it 13th year, CORC’s Scott Australian 24 Hour MTB Championships, the largest of its type in the world, has affiliated with 24 Hours of Adrenalin so the great fun and participation event that everyone loves is still the same, still at Stromlo.
A World First. In 2010, for the first time in its 12 year history, the 24 Hours of Adrenalin World Solo Championships is leaving North America. CORC will host the event and it’s Australia’s turn to show the world what 24 hour mountain biking is all about - with a few world solo champions under our belts already, where else could it go? And it’s going to be BIG. How BIG? Already twice the size of the previous biggest world solo champs. Come and see the best freaks race hard for 24 hours – cheer the Aussies – including the 2006 World Solo Champion Craig Gordon and the 2009 World Solo Champion Jason English, or show your support for one of the 14 of nationalities currently entered, including the current British, Argentinian, and New Zealand champions!
Two Races. The World Champs and the Scott are two separate races. They will use the same start/finish areas, but out on the mountain, it will be two separate courses. The open nature of Stromlo allows solo and team riders to see each other for a lot of each lap – double the action!
What to look forward to:
Number of entrants – course congestion This year the Scott entries are capped at 450 team riders on-track, so that could mean between 1800 and 2500 team riders in total. This will provide a much less congested course than 2009, going back to the average rider track spacings of 2007 and 2008. Plenty of room to be able to dig in deep for a hot lap or trundle round as best you can.
Team marquees Stay out of the cold and buy a fully fitted team marquee (6x6m) conveniently located at transition on the crit track. Comes with tables, chairs, power, lighting and gas heating. Check it out at www.scott24hr.com.au.
Expo Area A great chance to check out all the latest bling, pick up a few bargains, or start on the Christmas shopping! The only area where trade is allowed at the Scott 24Hours of Adrenalin still has a few spots left, but is already looking like a great place to stock up on all those bike bits and pieces, as well as accessories.
Big screens & live results Watch all the action from out on course on the big screens at transition and solo pit row. Get live results on big screens, access via PC at the event & online
The usual stuff that the Scott always provides · Great camaraderie & vibe of 2500 mountain bikers hanging out together for 24 hours. · Product displays & bike bling · Hot food, coffee, pancakes, · Hot showers · Plenty of camping space & easy access to parking, · Dedicated radio broadcast · Loads of giveaways
Get your team together & be there in 2010 Event website: http://www.scott24hr.com.au/
Expression of Interest sought for supply of services to 2010-2011 National Season July 16, 2010
MTBA is seeking expressions of interest (EOI) from providers to supply the following services in the 2010 - 2011 National Season:
Technical Delegate
Timing and Results Service
First Response Medical Service
The documentation can be downloaded below. Please note the EOI closing dates.
2010-2011 National Series dates and venues - UPDATE1 (Baw Baw) July 7, 2010
The date for Round 2 (DH) of the 2010-2011 National Series has been changed to January 15-16 2011.
This was done to avoid a known date clash with a large 24hr race (also in Victoria) and the Newtons Nation, a multi-facetted gravity event to be hosted in Bathurst (NSW).
Mojo Events, the Newtons Nation promoters said, "Newton's Nation will once again welcome many thousands of revellers to the famous Mount Panorama motor racing circuit in Bathurst NSW and play host to three days and two nights of world class gravity and action sports, featuring competitors from across the globe – all to the tune of some of the best bands and DJ's in the country."
The make-up of the 2010 - 2011 National Series is now:
XCO1, XCC1, DH1 and 4X1: 5 - 7 November - Illinbah (Qld) XCO2 and XCC2: 20 - 21 November – You Yangs (Vic) XCO3, XCC3, DH2 and 4X2: 10 - 12 December – Hobart (Tas) DH3: 14 - 16 January – Mt Baw Baw (Vic) XCO4, XCC4 and DH4: 4 - 6 February – Mt Buller (Vic)
Further 4X rounds are being planed and will be released as soon as they are confirmed.
Key features of the 2010 - 2011 season include:
Increased prize money totaling in excess of $70,000 cash plus product
A "end of series" prize cheque for the series winner (for Elite, U23 and U19)
More targeted DH entry fee
Same great organisation and administration
High quality venues
MTBA looks forward to seeing you at Round 1 at Illinbah.
Champion duo lead formidable Aussie lineup for World Champs June 30, 2010
Wednesday, 30 June 2010
Reigning world four cross champions Jared Graves and Caroline Buchanan will lead a formidable 38-strong Australian team at the 2010 UCI World Mountain Bike Championships in Canada this August.
The championships, to be held from August 31 to September 5 in Mont-Sainte-Anne, Canada, will celebrate twenty years of international mountain biking.
Australia played host to the mountain bike world championships in 2009 and in what was Australia’s most successful campaign in history, Graves and Buchanan took advantage of the home course and raucous crowd in Canberra to secure the coveted rainbow jersey. A silver medal for Shaun O’Connor (junior men’s downhill) and bronze for Michael Hannah (men’s downhill) and Holly Baarspul (junior women’s downhill) capping off the nation’s impressive performance.
Graves will ride into the 2010 championships as the raging favourite, dominating the elite men’s four cross event over the past two years. The 27-year-old is on track for back-to-back UCI World Cup titles, securing three out of four possible wins and a 175 point lead over his closest rival, Tomas Slavik (CZE), at the half way point of the season.
Buchanan’s preparations will take a different path, balancing training between both her mountain bike and BMX commitments. The 19-year-old will represent Australia at the BMX World Championships in South Africa in July before making her way to Canada in August.
Two-time world downhill champion Samuel Hill (2006 and 2007) will also don the green and gold, the 24-year-old joining five teammates in the men’s elite downhill competition, including O’Connor who makes the transition to the open competition.
Four cross rider Randall Huntington will be Australia’s oldest competitor, turning 40 during the championships, joining Graves to take on the world in the elite men’s four cross competition at the ripe age of 39. At the other end of the scale, Troy Brosnan will compete in the junior men’s downhill aged just 17.
Mountain Bike Australia (MTBA) high performance manager Chris Clarke, said he was confident the squad will deliver some great results.
“This is a very competitive team across the board, led by our two reigning world champions Caroline Buchanan and Jared Graves,” Clarke said.
“We have a good mix of riders who have the experience and know what it takes to compete, and win, on the world stage, and those who will benefit greatly from the experience of these leaders and the international competition.”
MTBA President Russ Baker congratulated the members of the Australian mountain bike team.
"On behalf of the MTBA Management Committee, I congratulate all riders selected to represent Australia at the 2010 UCI Mountain Bike and Trials World Championships,” Baker said.
“To be selected to represent your country is a great honour, and we will all be eagerly watching your achievements."
2010 UCI World Mountain Bike Championships - Australian Team
Cross Country
Cross Country (XCO) – Elite Men Andrew Blair (NSW) Lachlan Norris (VIC) Ben Henderson (ACT) Daniel McConnell (VIC) Cross Country (XCO) - Under 23 Men Cal Britten (VIC) Paul van der Ploeg (VIC)
Cross Country (XCO) - Junior Men Kyle Ward (NSW) Mitchell Codner (NSW) Trenton Day (NSW) Cameron Ivory (NSW) Cross Country (XCO) – Elite Women Rowena Fry (TAS) Heather Logie (ACT) Kate Potter (NSW Katherine O’Shea (VIC)
Cross Country (XCO) - Under 23 Women Gracie Elvin (ACT) Therese Rhodes (SA) Rebecca Henderson (ACT)
Four Cross 4-Cross (4X) – Elite Men Richard Levinson (QLD) David Habicht (VIC) Jared Graves (QLD) Randall Huntington (QLD
Downhill (DHI) – Elite Men Shaun O'Connor (NSW) Bryn Atkinson (NSW) Mitchell Delfs (WA) Michael Hannah (QLD ) Samuel Hill (WA) Chris Kovarik (QLD)
Downhill (DHI) - Junior Men Troy Brosnan (SA) Ayden Wyber (VIC) Phillip Piazza (NSW) Antony Moore (QLD) Downhill (DHI) - Junior Women Holly Baarspul (WA) Emily Hockey (SA)
Bicycle Trials
Trials 26" – Elite Men Joe Brewer (VIC) Andrew Dickey (VIC ) Nathan Mummery (VIC)
The final date for appeals has been extended to COB (EST) Monday 5th July. Appeals can only be considered in accordance with the process and procedure given in Section A (General Selection Eligibility Criteria and Appeals Guide), Clause 8.
For further information (media only), please contact:
2011 Australian MTB Marathon Championships - Hosting EOI June 26, 2010
The 2011 MTBA Australian MTB Marathon Championships will be one of the selection events for an Australian team for the 2011 UCI World MTB Marathon Championships to be staged in Montebelluna Italy, 26th June 2011.
Hosting information and the Expression of Interest is available for download below.
Further information can be obtained from the MTBA office.
Graves rolls out third World Cup victory in Austria June 21, 2010
Monday, 21 June 2010
Reigning world four cross champion Jared Graves (Yeti Fox Shox) has taken out his third win of the 2010 UCI Mountain Bike World Cup season in Leogang, Austria on the weekend, to further extend his lead in the men's four cross (4X) standings.
The 27-year-old Queenslander continued his march towards back-to-back World Cup titles, defeating RSP 4 Cross trio of Tomas Slavik (CZE), Michal Marosi (CZE) and Joost Wichman (NED) in the final.
In cold and wet conditions, the men's competition came down to those riders who could remain upright, with many of the top guns crashing out in the earlier rounds after slipping and sliding in the muddy conditions.
However in the final, Graves got out in front immediately with his usual fast gate, and maintained control all the way to the finish line.
Wichman made attempts to close in on the Australian; however some bad line choices cost the Dutch rider, who slipped back to fourth position.
"I knew things were gonna get crazy," said Graves. "Those RSP guys, they gang up on me.
“It's wild racing in the mud. Always a ton of fun. Anything can happen, so I had a great time today. I think this (type of course) is what we need more of. I loved it from the first time I saw it. Big lines, big gaps; you can really make some time."
Graves' third win now puts him 175 points ahead of Slavik in the overall standings, with Wichman 190 points behind in third.
In other Australian results, Queenslander Richard Levinson placed 16th whilst Victorian David Habicht finished 29th overall.
Australia’s sole female representative, Queenslander Sarsha Huntington placed third in the small final, to finish seventh overall in the women’s four cross. Defending 2009 women's champion Anneke Beerten of the Netherlands took out the final, to claim her first World Cup victory of the year.
The men’s downhill event was also greeted by the same wet and muddy conditions which had deteriorated the course significantly, leaving big holes and ruts full of water.
After qualifying second fastest, South African Greg Minnaar (Santa Cruz Syndicate) withstood the difficult conditions to clock the fastest time in the final (4:05.65), pipping Great Britain’s Gee Atherton (Commencal) by just three quarters of a second.
National champion Chris Kovarik (Chain Reaction Cycles/Intense) was the best of the Australians, stopping the clock in 4:18.36 to place 18th, followed by Shaun O’Connor (27th – 4:20.68), Michael Hannah (46th – 4:25.70), Troy Brosnan (50th – 4:26.99), Joshua Button (61st – 4:30.10) and Bryn Atkinson (63rd – 4:30.53).
As the countdown continues to August’s 2010 UCI World Mountain Bike Championships in Canada, three rounds remain in the 2010 UCI World Cup:
July 24 – 25 Champery, Switzerland Cross Country, Downhill July 31 – Aug 1 Val di Sole, Italy Cross Country, Downhill, Four Cross Aug 29 – 29 Windham, USA Cross Country, Downhill, Four Cross
For further information (media only), please contact:
Michelle Cook - Jump Media and Marketing 0430 177 668 michelle@jumpmedia.com.au
Adelaide to host Australian Championships for next two years June 17, 2010
Thursday, 17 June 2010
Mountain Bike Australia and Events South Australia are pleased to announce that the MTBA Australian MTB Championships will return to Adelaide but will move to February for the next two years.
Following a very successful competition staged at Eagle Mountain Bike Park in January, the nation’s best mountain bike riders will vie for the national title from February 22 – 27 in 2011 and from February 21 – 26 in 2012.
Mountain Bike Australia Executive Officer Tony Scott said the change in date was due to a number of reasons, all of which will benefit the mountain bike community.
“Eagle Park is a fantastic mountain biking venue and we’re looking forward to holding our national titles in Adelaide for the next two years,” said Scott.
“For a number of reasons, we have decided to move the event from January to February in 2011 and 2012.
“Last season the national championships were held in the middle of the Jayco Australian MTB Series, however the move to February will allow the national championships to be a fitting finale to the summer season.
“This later date will also provide a more suitable preparation for those riders going on to compete on the international circuit at the conclusion of the Australian season.”
Events South Australia General Manager Hitaf Rasheed said the return of the event to Eagle Park will reinforce Adelaide’s reputation as the home of cycling.
“The 2010 MTBA Australian MTB Championships was a great success, attracting over 700 riders and 4,000 spectators to the event at Adelaide’s Eagle Park,” said Rasheed.
“We look forward to hosting the national championships in 2011 and 2012. South Australia has a wonderful calendar of brilliant sporting, arts and cultural festivals and events such as this helps to cement our reputation as Australia’s home of cycling.”
South Australian Minister for Recreation and Sport, Michael Wright, said the newly improved tracks and facilities at Eagle Park will be ready for more riders and spectators in 2011.
“The new 4X track was opened for the championships in 2010 and there was great interest in this exciting form of racing that had never been seen at this level before in South Australia.”
“Local riders and visitors test their own skills on the tracks and trails at Eagle Mountain Bike Park throughout the year. The chance to come back in February to watch the best in the nation flaunt their skills and enviable courage on these same tracks is an experience not to be missed.”
-ENDS-
For further information (media only), please contact:
Michelle Cook - Jump Media and Marketing 0430 177 668 michelle@jumpmedia.com.au
Huge prizepool for the ‘Digicel Tour de Timor’ June 7, 2010
His Excellency, the President of Timor-Leste, Dr José Ramos Horta announced an increase in the prize pool of the ‘Digicel Tour de Timor’ today, coinciding with entries opening online for the 2010 Event, to be held 13 – 17 Sep 2010.
The President commented “I am delighted to invite riders, both new and returning, to experience the world's toughest bike race, in Asia's newest nation”.
With prize-money of US$80,000 up for grabs including $15,000 for individual male and female winners, the 5 day ‘Digicel Tour de Timor’ is one of the richest mountain bike races in the world. The race is also an amazing adventure, covering high mountain roads and visiting historic towns including Balibo.
Last year’s tour was an incredible success and race winner, the Australian rider, Neil Van der Ploeg will be back again to defend his title. Neil commented that “Win or lose, I think I’d be crazy to miss out on the 2010 TDT, I’m already pumped”.
Race Director, Dave White noted that the new course this year was going to be tough, hot and a whole lot of fun. Mountain bikes are compulsory for this race and the course has some great new tracks including a special surprise for the last days ride back into Dili.
For further information visit the tour website: www.tourdetimor.com
Best regards Dave White Race Director (+670 736 8935)
Dili Marathon Digicel Tour de Timor MONT 24 Hr
Graves notches up second World Cup victory - UCI World Cup June 7, 2010
Media Release Monday, 7 June 2010
Reigning world four cross champion Jared Graves has recorded his second World Cup victory of the year at Fort William in the Scottish Highlands, further strengthening his lead at the top of the 2010 UCI Mountain Bike World Cup standings.
As the countdown continues to August’s 2010 UCI World Mountain Bike Championships in Canada, the 27-year-old Queenslander lived up to his reputation as the world No 1 comfortably defeating Joost Wichman (NED), Michal Prokop (CZE) and Romain Saladini (FRA) in Saturday’s final.
In uncharacteristically warm and dry conditions, the course was dusty and loose, causing numerous washouts in the corners. A new rock garden through the middle section of the course added a new element of difficulty.
The final saw Graves once again shoot to the front out of the gate, closely followed by Prokop, who managed to squeeze in ahead of Wichman before the first corner.
However, Wichman fought back, with an impressive inside pass on the third corner to take the second spot behind a disappearing Graves, who continued to extend his lead.
Graves easily held on to secure his third consecutive win on the Fort William course, while Wichman managed to hold off Prokop for second.
"The corners were getting bad," admitted Graves, "so I was pretty much worried the whole way down.
“I'm so happy to get the win. It was a sketchy start (to the final). I was banging elbows with Joost, and I thought we might both go down. He certainly kept me honest today."
On track for back-to-back UCI World Cup titles, Graves now has a commanding lead in the series standings with 350 points, followed by Wichman (225 points) and Slavik (150 points) in third.
Australia’s sole female representative, Sarsha Huntington (QLD) placed fourth in the small final, to finish eighth overall in the women’s four cross.
On Sunday, the downhill riders faced one of the longest and toughest courses on the World Cup circuit. The 2.8 km course takes riders down Aonach Mor, the ninth highest peak in the United Kingdom, with a descent of 555 metres.
Great Britain’s Gee Atherton impressed in front of his home crowd, flying across the finish line in 4:35.70 to take the win. Kiwi Cameron Cole (4:36.18) and South African Greg Minnaar (4:36.18) filled the minor places on the podium.
Queenslander Michael Hannah (4:37.75) was the best of the Aussies with the fifth fastest time of the day, with Shaun O’Connor (8th - 4:41.54) and Bryn Atkinson (16th – 4:43.45) also finishing in the top twenty.
South Australian young gun Troy Brosnan was the fastest junior in the field, clocking 4:53.79 to place 57th overall.
The downhill and four cross action now heads to Leogang in Austria for the sixth leg of the 2010 UCI Mountain Bike World Cup from June 19 to 20.
For further information (media only), please contact:
CAPE TO CAPE MTB REGISTRATIONS NOW OPEN! June 4, 2010
Cape to Cape MTB have made some great changes to their online Registration System, all in the name of "user friendliness". We will now be using the popular Register Now system to accept online registrations. The Register Now system has been utilised in previous Cape to Cape MTB events, and this year we will move to a newly created Register Now system that has been developed in conjunction with MTBA. The new system can be accessed by simply clicking here, or by through the Cape to Cape website.
All registrations processed through the old system have been recorded and will be transferred over to the new Register Now system. Those who had registered using the previous system will be sent an email to confirm their registration has been processed. If for any reason you do not receive a confirmation email by June 18, please contact Cape to Cape MTB Administration on 1300 137 149 or email registration@capetocapemtb.com.
If you have any questions or difficulties using the new Register Now system please call 1300 137 149 or email registration@capetocapemtb.com.
Riders can also register by printing off the hardcopy registration form (also available on the registration page of the Cape to Cape MTB website) and faxing the completed form to (03) 9696 4655.
Grab a Partner - Try the Team Relay Option!
Not sure whether you are up for the whole ride? Why not take up our new Team Relay entry option and tag team each stage with a friend? In 2010 we have launched a new Team Relay option, where teams of two riders can complete each stage of the event. On each day, a rider change over point will be located at around the half way point of the stage, where the second rider of the team will be able to tag in and take over the riding. There will be special prizes for this entry category too so now there is really no excuse for not grabbing a partner and joining in the race!
If you wish to enquire about submitting a corporate or sponsored team please contact us at registration@capetocapemtb.com.
Lots of exciting event updates will be coming over the next few weeks, with details of evening functions, accommodation and more! Stay tuned...
After the huge success of the inaugural 2009 Dwellingup 100, TriEvents and the Perth Mountain Bike Club are proud to announce that the 2010 Dwellingup 100 MTB Classic will be held on Saturday 18 September.
The charming country town of Dwellingup is located just over an hours drive south of Perth. Set among pristine jarrah forest and water catchment areas, Dwellingup offers nature at its absolute best - Nature and an awesome Mountain Bike challenge !!!
The Dwellingup Mountain Bike Classic provides three different distances that cater for riders of all ages and abilities. You can participate as an individual, or as part of a team.
The Dwellingup 100 is one hundred kilometres of single track, fire trail, a bit of bitumen as well as some sections of the Munda Biddi Trail and the challenging Turner Hill circuit. If you're looking for a real challenge, we think we've got just what you're looking for.
The Dwellingup 40 features forty kilometres of undulating track through the picturesque Nanga District of Dwellingup. It's certainly no stroll through the bush - the course provided many of the roadies, Triathletes and recreational mountain bikers who participated last year with a whole new experience.
D14 - Juniors and Novices have no reason to miss out on the Dwellingup experience, the 14km course takes in many of the terrific features the area has to offer, providing a fun experience for the entry level riders.
For all event details and online entry go to www.dwellingup100.com.au phone 08 9204 1899 or email info@trievents.com.au
The 2009 event sold out before the close off date, so don't be disappointed, get your entries in early.
Australia’s world champion primed to bounce back at Fort William June 3, 2010
World four cross champion Jared Graves will look to maintain his reign as the world No 1 and consolidate his position on top of the UCI World Cup standings, when he hits the Fort William dirt in the Scottish Highlands this weekend.
The Queenslander suffered a shock loss to Czech rider Michal Marosi in the last round of the UCI World Cup in Maribor, Slovenia but the 27-year-old remains confident of defending his 2009 World Cup title.
“My training has been really good, so I feel as confident as ever for the win this weekend,” said Graves, who holds a comfortable 65 point lead in the series with four races to go.
“My biggest rivals I think will be Czech riders Tomas Slavik and Joost Wichman, they are the biggest threats for the overall points so far.”
A big fan of the course at Fort William, Graves will be targeting a three-peat when action gets underway on Friday night.
“(The course) suits me pretty good. I’ve won here the past two years, so looking to make it three in a row. The new rock garden that went in last year was pretty wild!”
As the countdown continues to August’s UCI World Mountain Bike Championships in Mont-Saint Anne in Canada, Graves said his training and preparations have stepped up a gear since last year.
“So far so good this year. I feel I’ve been able to keep on top of my training better than last year, so hopefully that translates into more wins. It’s still a fairly long time to world champs though.”
Australian championships four cross silver medallist Sarsha Huntington (QLD) will be Australia’s sole female representative this weekend.
Another Australian rider demanding plenty of attention this year is 16-year-old downhill star Troy Brosnan.
As expected, the Adelaide young gun currently sits on top of the junior downhill World Cup standings.
This weekend, Brosnan will be amongst fifteen Australian downhill riders who will test themselves against the world’s best and charge down the face of Fort William’s Aonach Mor, the ninth highest mountain in the United Kingdom.
With a descent of 555m, the 2.8km course is one of the longest and toughest on the world circuit.
Dual world champion Sam Hill (WA) who was the fastest Australian in Maribor last round, is expected to be in the mix along with Bryn Atkinson (ACT), Mitchell Delfs (WA) and Michael Hannah (QLD).
Reigning world champion Steve Peat, the most successful downhill competitor ever, will start as favourite in front of his home crowd.
UCI World Mountain Bike Cup Fort William, UK June 5-6
Four Cross (third round) – Australian competitors
Jared Graves (QLD) Yeti Fox Shox Factory Race Team Richard Levinson (QLD) Graeme Mudd (NSW) David Habicht (VIC) Sarsha Huntington (QLD)
Downhill (second round) – Australian competitors
Samuel Hill (WA) Monster Energy / Specialized / Mad Catz Bryn Atkinson (ACT) Mitchell Delfs (WA) Michael Hannah (QLD) GT Bicycles Joshua Button (NSW) Kona Shaun O’Connor (NSW) Kenda-Playbiker Troy Brosnan (SA) Monster Energy / Specialized / Mad Catz Chris Kovarik (QLD) Chain Reaction Cycles/Intense Rhys Willemse (QLD) Ancillotti Doganaccia Racing Team Will Rischbieth (SA) Laurie Dinham (SA) Suspension Center Benjamin Ayling (QLD) Rhys Atkinson (NSW) Graeme Mudd (NSW) Daniel Lavis (NSW)
For further information (media only), please contact:
Michelle Cook – MTBA Media 03 9500 0122, 0430 177 668 or michelle@jumpmedia.com.au
One Epic Mountain Bike Journey - 2010 Terra Australis May 28, 2010
The 2010 Terra Australis once again provided some amazing stories, none more so than Ben Rennie and Adam Webb who decided to donate a week of their time for a good cause. They used Terra as a vehicle to raise money for STREAT, a social enterprise that provides a pathway for disengaged youth. As noble as their efforts were the true character of these guys was on show every single day of the event. They had done 6 hours (collectively) on mountain bikes before the event yet managed to spend 62 hours in the saddle and completed all bar the truly epic stage 4 circumnavigation of Mt Buffalo. Their story was amazing, others were just truly inspiring. Mel Behrens rode the entire race with her teammate Jacqui Kennett. What made her effort so amazing is she did it with only one eye. Her determination to show her children that anything is possible, even something as challenging as Terra Australis inspired everyone who heard her story.
Terra Australis is a special event. The camaraderie that develops throughout the week cannot be described. Mateship is a strong Australian characteristic and as one competitor commented post the 2010 Terra Australis “nothing galvanises a group of people like a shared, tough journey”. ‘Terra’ is tough but with the right preparation it is achievable.
Australia’s international mountain bike epic, the Terra Australis is on
again in 2011. The event promises to be just as epic, just as
challenging and just as rewarding as the first two instalments. The
race will traverse 570km through Victoria’s High Country starting at
the alpine resort of Falls Creek. The event is a race for some but a
personal journey for many.
If you are looking for a challenge, something to share with a mate then Terra is it. Go to www.terraaustralismtbepic.com to find out more about the Terra Australis.
Entries are open Terra Australis Great Southern Land Mountain Bike Epic Sunday March 20th – Saturday March 26th 2011
For more information in regards to Terra Australis please contact, Clayton Neil Director - Finish Line Events Pty Ltd +61 3 5728 2789 clayton@finishlineevents.com.au www.terraaustralismtbepic.com
Singapore Youth Olympic Games nominees May 27, 2010
Cycling Australia is pleased to announce the four riders who have been listed in the long team for nomination to the Australian Olympic Committee for the 2010 Youth Olympic Games being staged in Singapore from 14 to 26 August.
The Games will bring together approximately 3,600 of the world's talented young athletes aged between 14 and 18. The AOC will select the final team.
Cycling at the Singapore 2010 Youth Olympic Games includes a BMX, MTB and road race as well as a road time trial.
Each team will include three junior men and one junior woman with the three men all contesting the road race plus one other event. The junior woman will compete in all three disciplines. Medals will be awarded based on the combined points tally of each team.
The following riders have been listed in the long team for nomination:
Michael Baker (Torrens, ACT 08.05.1992) (MTB cross country and road race) Jay McCarthy (Maryborough, QLD 08.09.1992) (time trial and road race) Matthew Dunsworth (Boronia, VIC 14.04.1992) (BMX and road race) Kirsten Dellar (Carlisle, WA 29.10.1992) (BMX, MTB cross country and road time trial)
Jay McCarthy, who won the U19 road race and was second in the time trial at the Australian Championships was this week selected in the Australian team for the Junior Road World Championships being staged in Italy in early August.
Matthew Dunsworth and Kirsten Dellar are both reigning Junior Australian BMX Champions and have been selected in the Australian team for July's BMX World Championships in South Africa.
Meantime the versatile Michael Baker, who was the 2009 junior MTB cross country Australian Champion has this year added a road focus to his cycling. He was fifth at this year's MTB nationals in January and earlier this month finished fourth at the U19 road nationals.
___________________________________________________________ For further information (media only) please contact:
Frances Cordaro Manager, Media and Olympic Education, Australian Olympic Committee Tel: + 61 2 9336 0248 Email: Frances.Cordaro@Olympics.com.au
World Cup report - Offenburg May 24, 2010
Dual Olympic champion Julien Absalon of France has taken out the men’s elite cross country race at the UCI Mountain Bike World Cup in Offenburg overnight, to defeat major rival and current world champion Nino Schurter of Switzerland by a convincing 49 second margin.
In front of 20,000 raucous spectators, Absalon claimed his fourth victory at the annual Offenburg event to cement his position on top of the UCI World Cup standings, crossing the finish line in 1:53:26.
Absalon and Schurter controlled the race from the outset but on the third lap, Schurter slipped at the entrance of ‘Wolfsdrop’ and the Frenchman made the most of the opportunity to break away.
Three riders battled for the remaining place on the podium. Christoph Sauser (SUI), Florian Vogel (SUI) and Jaroslav Kulhavy (CZE) remained tight until lap six when Kulhavy managed to open up a gap to finish in third position only 19 seconds behind Schurter.
Lachlan Norris (65th) was the best-placed Australian rider, finishing 12 minutes behind Abslaon, followed by Dan McConnell (105th) and Andrew Blair (129th) who were a further two laps adrift.
After three rounds, Absalon (570 pts) holds a 44 point lead in the UCI World Cup standings, followed by Schurter (526 pts) and Spain’s José Antonio Hermida Ramos (470 pts).
In the women’s elite race, Canada’s Catharine Pendrel held off her Luna Pro teammate Georgia Gould from the United States, to secure victory by 28 seconds.
Katherine O’Shea (61st) was the best placed of the Aussie women finishing 16.23 minutes behind Pendrel, with Rebecca Henderson (78th) and Joanne Wall (86th) one lap behind.
Pendrel (520 pts) currently leads the UCI World Cup standings, followed by Koerber (480 pts) and Italian Eva Lechner (455 pts).
On Saturday, Dutch rider Michiel Van Der Heijden won the junior men and Pauline Ferrand Prevot of France took out the junior women’s race..
Mitchell Codner was the sole Aussie in action on Saturday finishing 68th, 18 minutes after Van Der Heijden.
The next round of the UCI Mountain Bike World Cup will see the downhill and four cross riders in action at Fort William in Great Britain from June 5 to 6.
The cross country riders have a small break before returning at Champery in Switzerland on the weekend of July 24 to 25.
UCI World Cup #3 - Maribor May 17, 2010
Australian four cross riders Jared Graves and Sarsha Huntington have collected silver medals at the third round of the UCI Mountain Bike World Cup in Maribor, Slovakia over the weekend.
Extremely muddy and sloppy conditions led to an upset in the women’s four cross final on Saturday, with Great Britain’s Fionn Griffiths (Norco World Team) taking the win.
Huntington was joined by fellow Australian and world champion Caroline Buchanan (Commencal) in the women’s final, however things didn’t go according to plan for Buchanan on her international debut in the rainbow jersey.
Colliding with Griffiths, Buchanan went down midrace, before defending World Cup champion Anneke Beerten (NED) also crashed into the Canberra rider, giving Griffiths a clear run to the finish line. The upsets continued in the men’s final, Czech rider Michal Marosi defeating world champion Jared Graves (Yeti Fox Shox).
Riders were sliding and crashing in every preliminary round, however defending Maribor champion Joost Wichman (NED) and Tomas Slavik (CZE) managed to make it through to join Graves and Marosi in the final.
Marosi had only won one heat prior to final, after barely qualifying for the event at 59th out of 64 starters. He stuck to Graves' wheel out of the gate, and was ready to pounce when a crash by Slavik forced the Australian to hesitate at one of the corners. Once in front, Marosi held on to take the win.
In the men’s downhill on Sunday, South Africa’s Greg Minnaar broke a streak of bad luck in Maribor, to become the first World Cup Downhill leader in the 2010 series.
Minnaar decided to ride cautiously in the upper technical section, but powered through the lower third to beat British riders Gee Atherton (0.25sec) and Brendan Fairclough (1.82).
Dual world champion Sam Hill (Monster Energy/Specialized/Mad Catz) was the fastest Australian finishing fifth, 4.68 seconds slower than Minnaar. Bryn Atkinson (12th - 7.31), Mitchell Delfs (15th – 7.78) and Michael Hannah (30th 12.21) were the other Australian riders in the top 30.
South Australian Troy Brosnan (Monster Energy/Specialized/Mad Catz) was the highest placed junior in the race, placing 48th overall just under 20 seconds behind Minnaar.
2008 world champion Rachel Atherton from Great Britain was too strong in the women’s race. Proving that a year away from racing has not affected her skills, she became the first downhill leader in the 2010 World Cup series.
The cross country riders return to the fore this coming weekend (May 22 & 23) for the fourth round of the UCI World Cup in Offenburg, Germany.
More than 20,000 spectators are expected to witness the world’s best cross country riders tackle the demanding 5.1km track, with its hair raising drops and difficult climbs.
FINAL RESULTS - MTB World Cup Downhill #1 & Four Cross #2 Maribor, Slovenia - May 15-16 2010
Women’s Four Cross Final 1 Fionn Griffiths (GBr) Norco World Team 2 Sarsha Huntington (Aus) 3 Anneke Beerten (Ned) Suspension Center 4 Caroline Buchanan (Aus) Commencal
Men’s Four Cross Final 1 Michal Marosi (Cze) RSP 4 Cross Racing Team 2 Jared Graves (Aus) Yeti Fox Shox Factory Race Team 3 Joost Wichman (Ned) RSP 4 Cross Racing Team 4 Tomas Slavik (Cze) RSP 4 Cross Racing Team
Women’s Downhill 1 Rachel Atherton (GBr) Commencal 0:04:03.420 2 Sabrina Jonnier (Fra) Team Maxxis-Rocky Mountain 0:00:09.730 3 Floriane Pugin (Fra) Scott 11 0:00:12.910 4 Myriam Nicole (Fra) Commencal Superiders 0:00:15.500 5 Petra Bernhard (Aut) RC Alpine Commencal Austria 0:00:18.970 6 Mio Suemasa (Jpn) FFC 0:00:19.420 7 Claire Buchar (Can) Chain Reaction Cycles/Intense 0:00:20.590 8 Tracy Moseley (GBr) Trek World Racing 0:00:20.690 9 Emilie Siegenthaler (Swi) Scott 11 0:00:21.760 10 Emmeline Ragot (Fra) Suspension Center 0:00:23.570
Men’s Downhill 1 Greg Minnaar (RSA) Santa Cruz Syndicate 0:03:23.42 2 Gee Atherton (GBr) Commencal 0:00:00.25 3 Brendan Fairclough (GBr) Monster Energy / Specialized / Mad Catz 0:00:01.82 4 Fabien Pedemanaud (Fra) Scott 11 0:00:02.42 5 Samuel Hill (Aus) Monster Energy / Specialized / Mad Catz 0:00:04.68 6 Steve Smith (Can) MS Evil Racing 0:00:05.11 7 Aaron Gwin (USA) Yeti Fox Shox Factory Race Team 0:00:05.28 8 Joseph Smith (GBr) Kona 0:00:06.93 9 Cameron Cole (NZl) Team Maxxis-Rocky Mountain 0:00:07.23 9 Justin Leov (NZl) Trek World Racing
Aussie world champs line up in World Cup May 14, 2010
Media Release Friday, 14 May 2010
Australia’s three world champions headline seventeen Aussies in action on the dirt in Maribor, Slovakia this weekend (May 15-16), for the third round of the 2010 UCI Mountain Bike World Cup.
2009 world four cross (4X) champions Jared Graves (QLD) and Caroline Buchanan (ACT), and dual downhill world champion Sam Hill (WA) lead the charge, in what will be a major test ahead of the world championships in Canada (August 21 – September 5) later this year.
Buchanan will have the opportunity to race in the coveted rainbow jersey of world champion for the first time on the international stage.
The 19-year-old arrives in Maribor in ominous form after a sensational domestic series on the mountain bike, and encouraging results on the world BMX circuit which sees her currently sitting in second position on the BMX World Cup standings.
“I can’t wait to ride in the UCI Stripes and on my new Commencal bike,” said Buchanan.
“I’m feeling pretty confident after some great World Cup BMX results, however all of the girls on the World Cup circuit are the best out there and all have a chance at winning the gold.”
“I believe that the training and preparations on my BMX bike have taken my skills to the next level and I am really excited to see where I am at on the mountain bike scene.”
Buchanan returns to Maribor to defend her gold medal and recent small changes to the course should suit the Canberra local.
“Last year the muddy conditions didn’t suit me but Jill and Anneke had a crash in the final and I took the win. I have heard that this year there are some changes to the course that I think will suit me.”
Buchanan hasn’t competed in a 4X event since taking out the national title in Adelaide in January, her hectic mountain bike and BMX commitments a fine balance.
Along with fellow 4X rider Jared Graves, Buchanan was this week named in the Australian team to contest the UCI World BMX Championships in South Africa in July.
Although Buchanan is one of Australia’s best hopes for a BMX gold medal at the 2012 London Olympics, her sights are still firmly set on defending her world 4X title later this year.
“So far 2010 has been very successful already, no major injuries, winning the Australian 4X national title and having great results on the BMX.
“I am training harder than ever before with my sights set firmly on 2012 London Olympics.
“Defending my world title is a major goal of mine this year. I believe that I am stronger than last year I’m feeling more confident than ever.”
Graves (Yeti Fox Shox Factory Race Team) will look to cement his position on top of the World Cup table in the men’s race this weekend. The 27-year-old opened his 2010 campaign with a convincing win under lights in Houffalize, Belgium two weeks ago, picking up where he left off after claiming the World Cup victory last year.
And the battle in the thrilling men’s downhill will be wide open, Australian riders in with a credible chance of a podium finish.
Dual world champion Sam Hill, world championships bronze medallist Michael Hannah and 2010 national champion Chris Kovarik will all be in the mix for the medals, but the trio will face strong opposition from reigning world champion Steve Peet (GBR) and silver medallist Greg Minnaar (RSA).
For further information please visit the UCI website.
Downhill – Australian riders Sam Hill Michael Hannah Chris Kovarik Mitchell Delfs Joshua Button Bryn Atkinson Will Rischbieth Shaun O’Connor Rhys Atkinson Deon Baker James Shepherd Daniel Lavis Marcus Fairbanks Troy Brosnan
Four Cross – Australian riders Jared Graves Caroline Buchanan Sarsha Huntington
For further information (media only), please contact:
Michelle Cook – MTBA Media 03 9500 0122, 0430 177 668 or email
Federal Government responds to Crawford Report May 12, 2010
THE HON KATE ELLIS MP MINISTER FOR SPORT
MEDIA RELEASE Tuesday, 11 May 2010
$325 MILLION BOOST TO SPORT & GETTING MORE AUSTRALIANS ACTIVE
The Rudd Government will boost the number of Australians participating in sport and drive Australia’s continued sporting success through the delivery of $324.8 million ongoing funding.
‘Australian Sport: The Pathway to Success’ is backed by $195.2 million in new funding – the biggest funding injection to sport in our nation’s history.
The Rudd Government will invest a record $1.2 billion in sport over the next four years, building on our $300 million boost to community sporting facilities in 2009, the single largest investment in community sporting infrastructure that this country has ever seen.
Australia has always been at the forefront of innovation and doing things differently to ensure our competitive edge when it comes to sport.
What has become clear is that our approach to sport has stagnated over the last decade resulting in stunted participation rates, skyrocketing obesity numbers and an emerging decline in our international sporting performances.
The Rudd Government is forging a new way forward for Australian Sport.
‘Australian Sport: The Pathway to Success’ delivers on the Rudd Government’s commitment to boost funding to both community and elite sport.
For the first time, it also delivers significant investment to the all-important development pathway - the vital link connecting grassroots and high performance sport.
The Australian Government’s whole-of-sport approach focuses on delivering in three key areas: - Increasing the number of Australians participating in sport - Strengthening sporting pathways - Striving for success
Specific initiatives under these three areas include:
Delivering the first Sport and Education Strategy to bring a new focus on the delivery of quality sport in schools and boost the number of our children participating in sport
Requiring National Sporting Organisations (NSOs) to have an increased focus on participation outcomes as part of their funding agreements with the Australian Sports Commission (ASC) and boosting funding opportunities for NSOs to grow grassroots participation through direct grants to community clubs
Delivering a National Sport and Active Recreation Policy Framework that will for the first time enable a co-ordinated, whole-of-sport approach to sport from Commonwealth and State and Territory Governments
Additional coaching and officiating training opportunities for up to 45,000 community coaches and officials, and subsidise the costs associated with training for 5,000 new community coaches and officials Investing in the development pathway by doubling the Local Sporting Champion program to support 8,000 junior athletes to participate in competition; and boosting opportunities for up and coming athletes to compete in domestic competition
Doubling our talent identification program to support 10,000 aspiring Australian athletes and employ more talent scouts
Requiring Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) Scholarship-holders to volunteer at local community sporting clubs or junior sport programs
Boosting funding to identify, attract, develop and retain our high performance coaches including support for incentive packages and professional development.
Expanding funding support to our high performance athletes to support their training and participation in international competition
Re-aligning our high performances institutions and academies in a landmark partnership with State and Territories that will deliver a more cohesive system for sporting excellence
The Rudd Government will also deliver a $324.8 million investment into the ASC funding base to create a secure platform to plan beyond Budget cycles.
In particular, this will assist in better preparation for major events such as the Olympic and the Paralympic Games.
This significant suite of reforms represents the largest reform of Australian sport in three decades.
It will boost the number of Australian participating in sport, especially our children, while positioning Australia to continue to shine on the international stage.
In recognition of the significant leadership role played by the ASC, Australia’s peak national sport agency will be tasked with implementing ‘Australian Sport: The Pathway to Success’ and distributing funding.
The Rudd Government’s vision for sport not only brings a new strategic focus, but also helps equip our community to tackle the health and ageing challenges we face in the 21st century.
Australian Sport: The Pathway to Success is attached and available at: http://www.health.gov.au/internet/main/publishing.nsf/Content/pathway-to-success
Press Release from Dalby Forest - UCI WC#1 April 20, 2010
From Dalby Forest
19.4.2010
The latest information on the volcanic eruption means we expect the flight disruption to continue for the foreseeable future. The prevailing winds continue to drive the ash cloud over the UK and at present no flights will be coming into any UK airports in the immediate future.
The UCI has confirmed that the event will go ahead as planned and all Teams are encouraged to make every effort to get to Dalby Forest in time for Official training on Friday. There are already Teams from far afield including Australia and Canada that have arrived in Yorkshire, with the UCI Commissaire President travelling overland from Germany to ensure the event goes ahead. The LOC has been in touch with all service providers to the event who have changed their travel plans to ensure timing, TV and other infrastructure goes ahead as planned.
We therefore recommend that all teams now make arrangements to get to Calais to sail to Dover. Please do not try to make plans to sail into Hull or Newcastle as we know those routes are completely sold out.
The latest information is that P&O Ferries will be able to carry up to 300 passengers per departure on the Calais to Dover route only. P&O operate up to 12 sailings per day on this route and this arrangement will be in place from today (Monday 19 April) until Tuesday 27 April at 1800 hours. PLEASE NOTE THIS IS FOR FOOT AND VEHICLE PASSENGERS
We assume that most Teams will travel to the port in their Team vehicles and will therefore then drive themselves from Dover to Dalby. However, if you are travelling as a foot passenger and require transport from Calais to Dalby, we can arrange for you to be met by a representative of the Local Organising Commitee (LOC) and a bus will be provided, at a cost to the LOC, to bring the team to your hotel in Yorkshire. Please note that we can not provide a bus as and when each Team arrives due to the ad hoc nature of arrivals. Instead you will need to wait at the ferry port until an adequate number of persons requiring transport are in place.
We are pleased to confirm that we have an arrangement in place with P & O Ferries to ensure that your travel requirements are prioritised. Please contact the numbers below to place your bookings.
It is essential that the revised travel arrangements for your team are communicated to the LOC travel crisis centre on the following numbers/email:
Thank you and we look forward to seeing you in Dalby Forest.
Gold Logie triumph’s with Mather in marathon challenge April 19, 2010
Media Release Sunday, 18 April 2010
On a course that many described as the toughest in Australia, a touch of luck and some impressive technical riding has seen Tasmania’s Ben Mather and Canberra’s Heather Logie reign supreme at the 2010 Nemisis Australian Mountain Bike Marathon Championships in Avoca today.
A last minute entry into the event, Mather made a bold move to go out hard from the outset and looked too strong for the remainder of the field in the early stages of the race.
Winning the King of the Mountain on the first climb and extending his lead to over three minutes at the half way point, Mather looked to have the race sewn up.
A first time rider on the course, the 28-year-old looked to his road cycling experience to put him ahead of the pack.
“I went out from the gun up the first hill and took the King of the Mountain. I didn’t realise I had the form but I thought I would just keep going and see how it panned out,” Mather said.
“I hadn’t been here before to have a look at the course. But listening to a few of the guys, they knew it was harder than a lot of the other courses, so I thought I was in for a tough one.
“They also mentioned that there was a lot of gravel road. I tend to go alright on the gravel tracks, so I went out hard knowing that whatever time I could get up on them on the road makes it harder for them to bring back in the hills.”
But as predicted the hills became a sticking point for Mather. The Tasmanian resorting to foot in sections of the final 40km, providing the chance for Sydney’s Peter Hatton to take the lead.
After pushing out to a three minute lead and approaching on 90km over an agonizing four hours, a cruel twist of fate saw Hatton suffer a flat tyre on the final decent costing him the victory.
Fighting all the way, Mather recovered to finish the eventual winner in a time of 4 hours 40 minutes and 58 seconds . Hatton held on to finish second (4:44:09) ahead of 2006 world 24hr solo champion Craig Gordon (4:44:25).
“(Peter Hatton) caught me at the 60km mark and by the last feed station he had put about two or three minutes into me,” Mather said.
“I got lucky, Peter got a flat tyre coming down the last big decent.
“He probably deserved to win but that is the luck of the draw with mountain biking. I have had my fair share of bad luck, so it’s great to have a little bit of good luck my way.”
In the women’s event, after working out to a considerable lead in the first half of the race, Logie held off a mid-race challenge from Sydney’s Jenny Fay to take out the national championship in 5 hours 53 minutes and 41 seconds. Queensland’s Jodie Willett fought on to finish second (5:57:23), with Fay the eventual third place getter (6:13:08).
Defying her expectations and an aching body, an impressive display of technical skill helped an ecstatic Logie to victory.
“This was one of the toughest 100km races I have ever done,” the 31-year-old said.
“It started getting steep and sketchy and all I could think was that there was a lot more of the same to come and I needed to save something. It didn’t feel like there was much in the legs and I was in the suffer box for a while there.
“I had Jenny Fay making me work really hard during the middle stages of the race. She was incredibly strong, really impressive on the hills and motoring on. For a while there I thought it was hers to be honest.
“I am so excited with myself because I think today it was a bit of technical skill that bridge the gap which for me is unheard of. There was a section of single track where I dropped her and I didn’t see her again.”
The event doubled as the 2010 Nemisis Marathon Challenge, a mass participation event that saw over 600 riders take on the 93km, 45km, 33km and 15km course options.
Each of the riders wore rainbow shoelaces on their shoes, helmets and wrists in memory of former world 24-hour solo champion James Williamson who passed away in South Africa last month and in support of his chosen charity Zaidee’s Rainbow Foundation which promotes organ and tissue donation awareness.
- ENDS -
For further information (media only), please contact:
Taryn Kirby – Jump Media and Marketing 03 9500 0122 or 0433 665 055 taryn@jumpmedia.com.au
Selection criteria for 2010 UCI World MTB Marathon Championships - St Wendell Germany April 17, 2010
The selection criteria applicable for athletes intending on representing Australia at the 2010 UCI World MTB Marathon Championships being hosted in St-Wendel, Germany on August 8th 2010 is now available below.
Battle on for National Mountain Bike Marathon reign April 15, 2010
Media Alert Thursday, 16 April 2010
Australia’s best endurance mountain bike riders will battle it out on the Pyrenees Mountain Range in Avoca, central Victoria, this Sunday 18 April in attempt to claim national reign at the 2010 Nemisis MTBA Australian MTB Marathon Championships.
Coming off wins in the nation’s most grueling solo mountain bike race, the Australian solo 24hr mountain bike championships in Canberra over the Easter weekend, world champion Jason English from Port Macquarie and Victorian Jessica Douglas will go head to head against reigning national marathon champions Murray Spink and Tory Thomas in the elite men’s and women’s events.
Not to be outdone, 2010 Otway Odyssey 100km winner Adrian Jackson and 2007 world 24hr solo champion Craig Gordon will also complete the 90km crusade which starts and finishes at Mount Avoca.
The event doubles as the 2010 Nemisis Marathon Challenge, a mass participation event that will see over 600 riders take on the 90km, 45km, 33km and 15km course options.
For more information, visit www.bighillevents.com.au/Avoca.
Event details:
What: 2010 Nemisis MTBA Australian MTB Marathon Championships Date: Sunday, 18 April 2010 Where: Start & Finish - Mount Avoca, Moates Lane Time: 8:00am women’s 90km race start 8:30am men’s 90km race start 1:00pm expected finish time for Elite men
For further information (media only), please contact:
Taryn Kirby – Jump Media and Marketing 03 9500 0122 or 0433 665 055 taryn@jumpmedia.com.au
2010 Australian Solo 24hr MTB Championships - OzDirtCast April 15, 2010
From the crew at Ozdirtcast:
We’ve been staying up late out in the forest with those crazy 24 hr Enduro kids to see what its all about.. We followed from race start lunchtime Saturday, all through the night to race end at lunchtime the next day – we were absolutely shagged but they just kept on riding. What we found was a whole new side to Mountain Biking that’s just got to be tried for yourself.
Check out Ozdirtcast's video footage from the Solo 24hr last month. Either below or by going to OzDirtCast's website.
MTBA invites tenders for website renewal April 13, 2010
The current MTBA website (the one you are reading now) has been in service now for about 5 years. A lot has changed since being commissioned so the MTBA Committee has agreed to a refresh.
MTBA is now calling for cutting-edge, highly qualified web designers to tender for the work.
The scope of the works to tender is available for download below. Responses to the document are due to MTBA no later than May 12th 2010
Australian Junior XCO Team Nominations towards the 2010 MTB & Trials World Championships April 13, 2010
MTBA is pleased to announce the 4 athletes nominated to the team for Junior Cross Country in preparation for the 2010 UCI Mountain Bike and Trials World Championships being staged in Mont st Anne, Canada from 31 August to 5 September.
Cross Country (XCO) / Junior Men
Mitchell Codner (NSW, 5/7/1992)
Trenton Day (NSW, 28/4/1992)
Cameron Ivory (NSW, 26/4/1992)
Kyle Ward (NSW, 22/2/1992)
All nominations have been made as per the Selection Criteria. Appeals against non-selection must be lodged (by email) with MTBA by 5.30pm (EST) 19 April 2010, and will be considered during that week.
Under the XCO selection criteria Section B1 3.2 and 5.2, there is an opportunity for additional athletes to be included in the Junior XCO team, subject to submitted results from international competition, up to the final application date of 21 June 2010.
National Series on SBS April 9, 2010
Miss the highlights of the final round of the 2009-2010 National MTB Series at Canberra?
English and Douglas triumph in national 24-hour endurance test April 4, 2010
World champion Jason English from Port Macquarie and Victorian Jessica Douglas have claimed back-to-back victories at Australia’s most gruelling solo mountain bike race, the Australian Solo 24hr Mountain Bike Championship in Canberra today.
As a mark of respect to one of Australia’s most successful mountain bike riders James Williamson, who tragically passed away in South Africa while participating in the Cape Epic on March 23 a minute’s silence was observed after the race briefing before the riders, who wore black armbands, completed a slow roll out lap in honour of their friend and fellow rider.
A Canberra local, Williamson, 26, was a national solo 24hr champion, world solo 24hr champion and was the editor of the Australian Enduro mountain bike magazine.
One of the major Australian qualifying events for the 2010 World Solo 24hr Championship to be staged in Canberra in October, 173 competitors assembled on the start line at Majura Pines.
The nine kilometre course is renowned for being hilly and technical, with riders amassing more than 400 kilometres over the 24 hours.
Men’s Race
Completing 46 laps, English claimed his third national 24 hour crown in a row.
“Its fantastic to win three in a row,” said English after the race. “It’s awesome. Its my tenth win in a row in a 24 hour event.”
As expected, the men's race was wide open in the opening couple of hours. John Blankenstein made a charge however this was quickly chased down by underdog singlespeeder Brett Bellchambers who looked very strong for the first six hours.
On lap three, English gained the lead again, and then consolidated that lead on lap 13, opening up his first real gap.
“The only move I made was to try and catch Brett down,” continued English. “So that happened eventually in a bit of traffic and he fell back into the main group. I had a bit of a lead, so I capitalised on that and expanded on my lead during the early hours of the night.”
English held on out the front of the field, however positions in the chase group changed hand on a number of occasions throughout the night.
With three hours to go Andrew Fellows put his foot on the gas producing a swift 30:02 on lap 40. English counter attacked immediately, responding with an extremely fast 27:30 taking nearly seven minutes off his fastest lap time.
“It was probably a very silly thing do with those kays in my legs. I think I was going to suffer afterwards. I was a dribbling mess by the end of that fast lap.”
At the end of time, Fellows finished in second position, one lap behind English, followed by Scott Chancellor in third, both men completing 45 laps each.
English will now turn his attention to the world championships on home soil in Canberra in six months time as he attempts to defend his world title.
“I just want to see an Australian win, that’s the goal I have.
“It’s important not to get sucked in by the faster US-based riders who like to charge off and go too hard. The Australians have the patience and can sit back and bring it home strong.”
Women’s Race
In the women’s race, Jessica Douglas opened strongly and didn’t relinquish her lead for the entire race, comfortably completing 38 laps to defeat Claire Graydon (37 laps) and Rebecca Parkes (36 laps), who played out a great battle for second place.
“I’m very pleased to have it all over and done with,” said Douglas, who finshed fourth at last year’s world championships. “I only been back in training for four weeks. I was just relying on previous 24 hour form and a hell of a lot of base.”
“I had a minute gap and it just grew from there.
“My body didn’t want to play from midnight until 6am, it was 90% mental. I definitely overrode my survival instincts on my body.”
Vale to James Williamson - Australian and World Champion - UPDATE April 3, 2010
Please see link below for details of the Funeral service for James Williamson: www.nikifisher.com/james/
2010 Australian Solo 24 Hour Mountain Bike Championships April 2, 2010
The 2010 Australian Solo 24 Hour Mountain Bike Championships will take place this weekend at Majura Pines in Canberra. Over 100 riders will compete for the title of National Champion in both open and age-based categories. Riders will be racing the well-known Majura Pines trails, with a 9 kilometre course set to challenge all entrants. The winning rider will traditionally complete over 40 laps non-stop in the 24 hours, resulting in an amazing total of approximately 400 kilometres of mountain bike riding.
Canberra Off-Road Cyclists (CORC), Australia's largest Mountain Bike Club, will again be the hosts and major supporters of the weekend, providing a cash prize pool for the elite riders of over $8,000.
Many of Australia's leading 24 Hour Mountain Bike riders will be present at Majura this weekend, including:
Jason English (Port Macquarie) - Reigning World & National Champion, National Champion 2008
Dan Mackay (Canberra) – 2nd at National Championships in 2009, 3rd 2008 & 2007
Jessica Douglas (Forrest, Victoria) - Reigning National Champion 2009, 4th World Championships 2009)
This year there is unheralded excitement in the 24 Hour Mountain Bike racing community, as in October CORC will be hosting the 24 Hours of Adrenalin World Solo 24 Hour Championships at Stromlo forest park as a part of their annual Australian 24 Hour Mountain Bike Championships race run by CORC. This is the first time the 24 Hours of Adrenalin World Solo 24 Hour Championships have been conducted outside of continental North America, a major coup for CORC, Canberra, and the mountain biking in Australia. With Australia leading the world in endurance mountain-biking, many of the lead riders this weekend will be expected to be amongst the leaders at the World event as well.
On a sad note, the Australian Mountain Biking Community is currently mourning the recent loss of one of our greats, James Williamson. James was the 2008 World Solo 24 Hour Champion and the 2006 Solo 24 Hour Australian Champion, and also edited 'Enduro' mountain bike magazine. James died on the 23rd of March while racing in South Africa. The start of this weekend's race will feature a tribute to the well-known Canberra rider.
For further information before or during the race, or to receive post race-press releases and results:
Contact Steve Hanley, President Canberra Off-Road Cyclists president@corc.asn.au or 0414 534 434
Website Race: www.solo24hour.com.au
Results Results will be available online both throughout and after the race from a link on the race website.
Ethics in Australian Sport Research March 27, 2010
Colmar Brunton on behalf of the Australian Sports Commission (ASC) have been commissioned to conduct research about ethical and integrity issues in sport. The ASC needs to understand what and how common these issues are for different levels of sport, what their effects are and which of these issues the sport industry would prefer the ASC to focus on.
The survey covers a range of things that are thought to be issues for some sports, at some levels.
The survey is confidential, responses are anonymous and will only be reported at a summary level to the ASC. Your open and honest answers are critical to understanding what is happening across sport. The survey will take about 15 minutes to complete and we would appreciate if you could please complete the survey by Midnight 11th April 2010.
Please click here to enter the survey. MTBA members are encouraged to respond.
Vale to James Williamson - Australian and World Champion March 24, 2010
Media Release Wednesday, 24 March 2010
Mountain Bike Australia is saddened by the sudden passing of former world 24-hour solo champion James Williamson who died while taking part in the Cape Epic mountain bike stage race in South Africa on Tuesday morning.
According to South African newspaper Cape Argus, 26-year-old Williamson was taken to hospital after his teammate, Shaun Lewis, had been unable to wake him on Tuesday morning after the second stage of the race. He was transported to Ceres Private Hospital but could not be revived.
MTBA understands a post mortem is expected to be carried out either in South Africa or Australia to determine the cause of death.
Williamson, one of Australia’s most successful mountain bike riders, was the winner of the 2008 World Solo 24-hour mountain bike Championships in Canmore, Canada and was the editor of the Australian Enduro mountain bike magazine.
Originally hailing from the Southern Highlands, Williamson moved to the ACT to study journalism at the University of Canberra.
MTBA president Russ Baker paid tribute to one of Australian mountain biking’s favourite sons.
“All of us in the Australian mountain bike community are extremely saddened to hear the news of James' passing,” said Baker.
“His contributions to the sport of Mountain Biking in Australia, and the world, are many.
“His string of victories in the Sydney 12 hour which brought him to public attention, his Australian Solo 24 Hour title in 2006 and his world solo 24 hour championships victory at Canmore in 2008.
“He was also overjoyed with his team win in the 2009 Scott 24 hour race in Canberra, in a team which included Shaun Lewis, James' riding partner in the Cape Epic.
“Off the bike, James' drive was responsible for Enduro Magazine - the first in Australia to devote itself to that arm of mountain biking. Crafted with love, and with the dedicated assistance from James' partner Niki Fisher, this is the way that James interacted with the greater population of Australian mountain bikers.
“For me, the lasting memory of James will be his perpetual smile, often accompanied by words of encouragement as he flew past on a singletrack.
“Australian mountain biking has lost one of its giants today. Our thoughts go out to his family and friends, and especially to Shaun and Niki.”
ENDS
2010 Oceania MTB Championships Australian wrap-up March 24, 2010
Australia has collected four gold medals at the Oceania Championships in New Zealand over the weekend, with Daniel McConnell (elite men cross country), Paul Van Der Ploeg (under 23 men cross country), Rebecca Henderson (under 23 cross country) and Sarsha Huntington (4X) all conquering in Dunedin.
Cross Country
In the men’s elite cross country, national champion Daniel McConnell and fellow Victorian Lachlan Norris claimed the clear air at the front of the race to work together on extending a healthy lead during the six-lap race.
The race came down to an exciting sprint finish between the pair, McConnell claiming the honours in 2:02:29 after passing Norris on the inside around the final corner.
In the fight for third, it was the chasing group of Paul van der Ploeg, Andrew Blair and Adrian Jackson who provided an effective Australian block on the rest of the field.
However, Kiwi rider Mike Northcott worked steadily away at the strong Australian presence to finally break free at the end of the fifth lap into third position, which he held to the line.
Van der Ploeg was the highest placed finisher in the under 23 category, finishing fourth overall and nearly five minutes behind McConnell.
The women’s race featured a quality field and a tantalising trans-Tasman showdown between New Zealand’s Nic Leary and Australia’s Rowena Fry.
Leary attacked for the lead on the first pinch climb in what was a decisive tactical move, and maintained her lead for the rest of the four lap race, despite Fry's best efforts to reel her in.
Canberra’s Heather Logie rolled in one minute thirty behind the leader in fourth position, followed by Rebecca Henderson who picked up the under 23 Oceania title.
Four Cross
In the women’s four cross final, three New Zealand riders Sarah Atkin, Madeline Taylor and Kaytee Campbell were out to keep Queensland’s Sarsha Huntington honest.
At the front of the field, Huntington established a solid lead from the start, opening up a large gap to comfortably claim the Oceania four cross title. Atkin went down in turn two, however recovered and gave chase, reeling her fellow kiwi riders in to sneak through in second place.
A large crowd flanking the course was treated to a fine display of aggressive and cunning riding in the men’s final, which was contested by four New Zealand riders - current four cross national champion Matt Walker, Wyn Masters, Kieran Bennett and Daniel Franks.
Franks got the snap out of the gate to lead through the first two turns, with Masters right on his tail while Walker and Bennett were elbow to elbow right behind. In turn three Franks left a very slight inside line open, and Masters passed to take the lead which he wasn't to relinquish.
Graeme Mudd was the best placed of the Aussies in seventh place.
Downhill
In the men’s elite downhill race, NZ's best riders were all on hand competing for the Oceania title along with a strong Australian presence led by Queensland's Rhys Willemse.
Cameron Cole of Christchurch had qualified fastest, but any one of the well regarded field were capable of putting down the perfect run to take the podium top step.
NZ's highest ranked rider Justin Leov had qualified in the top ten, but a front puncture in the Signal rock garden ended his much anticipated challenge.
First Glenn Haden, then Kieran Bennett held the leader’s hot seat for a long spell, until the last three riders on course displaced Bennett and then each other with quicker race times.
None of the final three were given the chance to settle in that leader's seat however, as the last starter on the hill, Cameron Cole turned out a stunning race time of 2:39.15 to take the Oceania Championship title.
Willemse was the highest placed Australian with the sixth fastest run of 2:47.17.
In the women’s downhill, New Zealand’s national champion Harriet Harper had mechanical issues during qualifying and as a result was first woman off the start line. Harper posted a stunning time of 3:07.36 to secure the leader's hot seat, which she never relinquished as rider after rider crossed the line.
Sarsha Huntington provided the best of the Australian challenge with a 3:28.14 for third place.
The Under 19 Oceania title race was taken out by George Brannigan of New Zealand who raced cleanly to win by nearly three seconds from Jed Rooney. Adelaide young gun Troy Brosnan placed third, just three seconds behind Brannigan.
Michelle Cook Media and PR Manager Jump Media and Marketing
2010 Oceanania MTB Championships - DH - FULL results March 22, 2010
UCI Oceania Mountainbike Championships, Dunedin - Final Day Wrap
The final day of UCI Oceania Mountainbike Championship action has been completed today at the Signal Hill venue in Dunedin. The third of the feature events, the Downhill was staged today with the Short Track Cross Country race taking place between Downhill morning qualifying and afternoon racing.
The first titles claimed today were in the Short Track Cross Country event - a short and brutal multi-lap event around a 900m race course adjacent to the Downhill event village. The Women were the first to race in their 20 minute event, and it was clear from the start that Palmerston North's Fiona McDermid had a point to prove with her aggressive riding at the front of a keen pack. McDermid made her way to the front early, and held a slender lead throughout which covered the attacks of Nic Leary (Rotorua) and the rest of the fading Women's field. At the three quarter stage of this race, McDermid's constant pressure at the front broke the rest of the field and she went on to win with a clear margin.
The Mens Short Track race was a quite different story. Six riders swapped the lead at the front right through to the bell lap and the finish. It was never clear who would break free until riders finally crossed the line after the 25 minute race, with the entire race a pure tactical duel between some very experienced racers and three Juniors. Mark Lieshman (Rotorua) was the one rider who maintained a clear racing line through the final corners and to the finish to take the win, a bike length in front of Mathew Waghorn (Fielding) who backed up from his Cross Country Championship win the day before.
The Downhill race was under way immediately after the Short Track finished. Tension built right through all age group categories in the lead-up to the Under 19 and Elite events. The Senior Mens race bought back to the top step of the podium a well experienced racer, Reon Boe (Queenstown) who has returned to National level competition after a break of several years. Boe was a popular winner of the senior Mens title, as was Madeline Taylor (Napier) in the Open Women returning after a two month injury enforced break. The Under 19 Oceania title race was keenly anticipated by the large crowd as a strong Australian squad were contesting this year, however George Brannigan (Hastings) was not to be denied at Signal Hill and raced a clean run to win by nearly three seconds from Oamaru's Jed Rooney. The best of the Australian squad in this category was young Troy Brosnan (Adelaide) who lived up to the promise he has shown through the Australian domestic competition this summer with a third.
The Elite categories were next on the menu. Harriet Harper (Blenheim) had mechanical issues during qualifying and as a result was first woman off the start line. Harper posted a stunning time to lay seige to the leader's hot seat, which she never relinquished as rider after rider crossed the line. Like Brannigan, Harper achieved a rare feat with her victory - both athletes dual 2010 National and Oceania champions after earlier this month both winning the National Championships in Wellington. Sarsha Huntington (Brisbane) provided the best of the Australian challenge with a third.
In the Mens Elite race NZ's best athletes were all on hand competing for the Oceania title together with a strong Australian presence led by Brisbane's Rhys Willemse. Cameron Cole (Christchurch) had qualified fastest, but any one of the well regarded field were capable of putting down the perfect run to take the podium top step. NZ's highest ranked rider Justin Leov had qualified in the top ten, but front punctured in the Signal rock garden and his much anticipated challenge was over. First Glenn Haden (Wanganui) then Kieran Bennett (Nelson) held the leaders hot seat for a long spell, until the last three riders on course displaced Bennett and then each other with quicker race times. None of the final three were given the chance to settle in that leader's seat however, as the last starter on the hill Cole turned out a stunning race time to take the Oceania Championship title.
Cole's victory bought to a close the 2010 Oceania Mountainbike Championships after a very full four days of competition and six different events. Host club Mountainbike Otago were extremely happy with the way the event had been delivered, with similar sentiments echoed by the national body Mountainbike New Zealand. The 2011 Oceania Championships are scheduled for Australia, at a yet to be determined venue.
Short Track Cross Country Results Open Women 1 Fiona McDermid (Palmerston North); 2 Nic Leary (Rotorua); 3 Katherine O'Neill (Rotorua)
Open Men 1 Mark Leishman (Rotorua); 2 Mathew Waghorn (Fielding); 3 Mike Northcott (Tokoroa)
Further information contact: Chris Mildon, MTBNZ Event Coordinator 021 2309120 www.mtbnz.org
2010 Oceanania MTB Championships - XCO - FULL results March 20, 2010
UCI Oceania Mountainbike Championships, Dunedin
The second of the three feature events of the UCI Oceania Mountainbike Championships was completed yesterday with Dunedin escaping from a threatening weather front to turn on ideal racing conditions for the Cross Country event at Forrester Park.
Age group racing took place at 10.30am and showcased an entry list strong on Dunedin local entries, with many top New Zealanders and a sprinkling of Australian and French Polynesians. Mark Lieshman (Rotorua, Masters 30+) and Anton Cooper (Christchuch, Under 17) raced four laps in their respective classes and provided an amazing demonstration of experience versus youth at the front of the field. Both won their categories easily, and Lieshman was full of praise for the tactical nouse of the young Christchurch rider, being able to observe very closely the way Cooper built his win.
For the formal UCI Oceania Championship classes of Elite/Under 23 and Under 19 on the 2pm race start, the tension had been building for some time between the Austalian and New Zealand athletes and teams. Right from race start it was clear that a lot was at stake - in the Under 19 mens race a group of six athletes tussled and exchanged race position at the front of the pack for the first four laps of their five lap race. During the fifth lap a surprise winner emerged who had absolutely demolished any hope of being challenged for the lead heading to the line - Mathew Waghorn (Fielding) winning to the delight of the New Zealand crowd and his supporters.
The Elite and Under 23 Womens race featured a quality field and a tantalising trans-Tasman rivalry between Nic Leary (Rotorua) and Rowena Fry (South Launceston). Leary attacked for the lead on the first pinch climb in what was a decisive tactical move, and maintained her lead for the rest of the four lap race, despite Fry's best efforts to reel her in. Palmerston North's Fiona McDermid also challenged and finished the race in third only seconds behind Fry, completing a great days racing for the Manawatu.
In the Elite Mens race a different challenge unfolded. Lachlan Norris (Barkers Creek) and Daniel McConnell (Bruthen) claimed the clear air at the front of the race to work together on extending a healthy lead during the mens six lap race. It was behind these two that the race had some chasing excitement - Paul van der Ploeg (Melbourne), Andrew Blair (Cooma) and Adrian Jackson (Hawthorn) providing an effective Australian block on the rest of the field. However, Tokoroa's Mike Northcott worked steadily away at the strong Australian presence to finally break free at the end of the fifth lap into third position, which he held to the line. At the front, the race win came down to a sprint finish between Norris and McConnell, which McConnell claimed after an inside pass on the final corner.
The UCI Oceania Mountainbike Championships continue today with Downhill racing at Signal Hill, Dunedin (event base behind Logan High School). Seeding starts at 11am, with the race run starting at 1.30pm. Short Track Cross Country racing also takes palce at the Downhill event base at Signall Hill between 12.30pm and 1.30pm.
Short Results Cross Country Under 19 Men 1 Mathew Waghorn (NZ) 1:48:10; 2 Mitchell Codner (Aus) +1:07; 3 Trenton Day (Aus) +2:10.
Under 19 Women 1 Alexa Peters (NZ) 1:29:05
Elite/Under 23 Men 1 Daniel McConnell (Aus) 2:02:29; 2 Lachlan Norris (Aus) same time; 3 Mike Northcott (NZ) +3:42; 4 Paul van der Ploeg (Aus) +4:51; 5 Adrian Jackson (Aus) +6:38
Further information contact: Chris Mildon, MTBNZ Event Coordinator 021 2309120 www.mtbnz.org
Daniel McConnell and Lachlan Norris take out Elite men in a sprint to the finish line. They were clearly the best riders of the day sharing the lead from start to finish.
Paul Van der Ploeg takes out U23 men after being placed 3rd overall for part of the race.
2010 Oceania MTB Championships - 4X March 19, 2010
UCI Oceania Mountainbike Championships, Dunedin
The first two days of competition have been completed at the UCI Oceania Mountainbike Championships in Dunedin. The support events of Hillclimb and Dual Slalom were contested on Thursday, and relatively small but enthusiastic fields tackled both on the slopes of Signal Hill on a changeable weather day. Last night, the first of the three feature races of the Championships, Four Cross took place before a large crowd also at Signal Hill.
The Hillclimb was an intense grunt up the riding trails on Signal Hill from Logan High School to the summit. Gavin McCarthy (Lower Hutt) is considered something of a Hillclimb expert and took the Senior Mens title in style, covering the climb in 13 minutes 32 seconds. The Junior Mens race contained two Austalian Juniors having their first race of the Championships, but neither could head off Auckland's Locky McArthur who won in 13 minutes 38 seconds. Local athlete Anja McDonald used her local experience to claim the senior Womens title after a 16 minute climb.
Dual Slalom racing started at 2pm on a short and dusty course on the slopes of Signal Hill. Some torrid head to head elimination heats were contested between New Zealand and Australian racers who needed every bit of skill they could muster to match the unpredictability of the race course. In the Senior Mens competition, clear favourites were emerging through the heats, which led to a final between National Downhill Champion Wyn Masters (New Plymouth) and Australia's Haden Lester. Masters was dominant however, shutting Lester right out and winning both finals heats to take the title. In Junior Mens, a similar pattern was being followed - Daniel Franks (Christchurch) and Richard Scott (Dunedin) racing cleanly through the heats to go head to head in the final. Like Masters, Franks won both finals heats. Australia did salvage a win from the Dual Slalom, and it came through the efforts of Brisbane's Sarsha Huntington in the Senior Womens class who bettered Christchurch's Rita Langley in both finals heats.
Four Cross racing on Friday afternoon featured a high quality field of athletes in both the Mens and Womens Open classes. After qualifying on the monster Signal Hill Four Cross course, the Mens field was trimmed down to the fastest 16 riders, and the Womens to four. A large crowd flanking the race course was treated to a fine display of aggressive and cunning riding in the Mens final, which was contested by four New Zealand riders - current Four Cross National Champ Matt Walker (Kawerau), Wyn Masters, Kieran Bennett (Nelson) and Daniel Franks. Franks got the snap out of the gate to lead through the first two turns, with Masters right on his tail while Walker and Bennett were elbow to elbow right behind. In turn three Franks left a very slight inside line open, and Masters put on the pass of the event to take the lead which he wasn't to relinquish. For the charasmatic New Plymouth charger, the Oceania Four Cross title is another to add to his already successful summer of racing. In the Open Womens class, three New Zealand riders Sarah Atkin (Wellington), Madeline Taylor (Hawkes Bay) and Kaytee Campbell (Hamilton) were out to keep Sarsha Huntington honest. The Women's final produced some drama but at the front of the race Huntington cleared out from the start to win by a large margin to her Oceania Four Cross title. Sarah Atkin went down in turn two while in 2nd place and by the time she got back on her bike and underway, had a huge gap ahead to Campbell and Taylor. Atkin reeled them both in and sneaked through to 2nd place right on the line in a display of never give up racing.
Short Results Hillclimb Senior Men 1 Gavin McCarthy (Lower Hutt, NZ) 13.32; 2 Scott Lytlle (Dunedin, NZ) 14.09 Junior Men 1 Locky McArthur (Auckland, NZ) 13.38; 2 Casper Oxlee (New South Wales, Aus) 14.08; 3 Tane Crosby (Channon, Aus) 15.58 Senior Women 1 Anja McDonald (Dunedin, NZ) 16.15
Dual Slalom Senior Men 1 Wyn Msaters (New Plymouth, NZ); 2 Haden Lester (Aus); 3 Hayden McGregor (Tauranga); 4 Randal Huntington (Brisbane, Aus) Junior Men 1 Daniel Franks (Christchurch, NZ); 2 Richard Scott (Dunedin, NZ); 3 Mitchell Scammell (Dunedin, NZ); 4 Cory Prutton (Christchurch, NZ) Senior Women 1 Sarsha Huntington (Brisbane, Aus); 2 Rita Langley (Christchurch, NZ)
Four Cross Open Men 1 Wyn Masters (New Plymouth); 2 Daniel Franks (Christchurch); 3 Kieran Bennett (Nelson); 4 Matt Walker (Kawerau) Open Women 1 Sarsha Huntington (Brisbane, Aus); 2 Sarah Atkin (Wellington, NZ); 3 Madeline Taylor (Hawkes Bay, NZ); 4 Kaytee Campbell (Hamilton, NZ)
Further information contact: Chris Mildon, MTBNZ Event Coordinator 021 2309120 www.mtbnz.org
Ballarat Cycling Set for Mountain Bike Boom March 17, 2010
There are many cyclists of all levels populating Ballarat’s roads, with a growing number of cyclists getting back to nature and heading into Ballarat’s State Forests to explore and experience cross country (XC) Mountain bike riding.
“Cross Country Mountain Biking is adding to the reputation of Ballarat as the home of cycling. Riding on the success of the National Cycling championships held in Buninyong. Ballarat has fantastic native forests with some fantastic bike trails all within 5 kilometres of the town centre” said Dale Boucher XC MTB member.
Unlike downhill mountain bike riding, Cross Country incorporates both uphill and downhill riding requiring a combination of good bike handling skills and cardio endurance. It is a great way to increase your fitness, while exploring the great tracks, trails and areas of State Forest around Ballarat.
With a growing number of people heading into the forest with their mountain bikes, Ballarat-Sebastopol Cycling Club was approached by riders to host a cross country mountain bike organising committee. “This is a huge step forward for cross country mountain biking in Ballarat, with this group focusing on establishing safe mountain bike trails, signs and maps of the local areas with local DSE and Parks Victoria”, said Dale.
The group is aiming to provide riding opportunities for all types of riders. From social weekend rides guiding people into the forests and onto the best trails in the area through to local Cross Country mountain bike racing for juniors, new riders and experienced adult racers.
The club's first outing is criterion racing on Tuesday evenings during daylight savings in the Canadian Forest, Mount Clear involving fast racing on an easy 3 minute loop. Riders race for 15 – 25 minutes. All fitness and skill levels can participate in this type of racing. Junior racing begins at 5:45 and senior racing at 6:15 pm. All riders are welcome to participate or watch.
Longer races will be conducted every three weeks beginning in March and will include a mixture of handicapped races, hill climbs and time trial races.
Social rides and races are held locally in Canadian, Creswick or Nerrina state forests and each course is approved by the Department of Sustainability and Environment or Parks Victoria.
The Club will also be offering skill sessions and social rides, to expand cross country cycling in the region. For more information go to Ballarat Sebastopol Cycling Club Website calendar, www.cyclingballarat.com.au
Husband and wife team victorious in downhill Van der Ploeg just, Fry again in short track March 14, 2010
Sunday, 14 March 2010
In a fairytale finale to the season, husband and wife downhill duo Chris Kovarik and Claire Buchar have reigned supreme at the final round of the 2009/10 Jayco Australian MTB Series in Canberra today.
Earlier in the day, Paul Van der Ploeg and Rowena Fry prevailed in the short track.
After three rounds of thrilling action, the 2009/10 Jayco Australian MTB Series came to its crescendo this weekend at Stromlo Forest Park, the home of the 2009 UCI Mountain Bike World Championships.
Men’s Downhill
The men’s elite downhill had been an enthralling contest all season and today was no exception.
With five riders left to come down, Hobart and Thredbo winner Ben Cory was in the hot seat with a swift 2:37.12 ride on his home track.
Shaun O’Connor (NSW) came agonisingly close with a 2:37.16 but it was the final rider and national champion Chris Kovarik who blew them all away.
The 32-year-old Queenslander tore down the course, crossing the line in 2:34.84, to secure his second win of the series.
“I’m pretty happy with that run, I made no mistakes really,” said Kovarik.
“I’m heading overseas shortly and the win today is great for my confidence.
“The times are always close on this track. It’s no surprise today that we were all so close. These local guys are keeping us on our toes.”
Young gun Troy Brosnan (SA) won the under 19 male section in 2:44.87, pipping series title winner Ayden Wyber (2:46.33) and Antony Moore (2:48.43).
Women’s Downhill
Demonstrating her wealth of experience, Canadian Claire Buchar easily accounted for her rivals in the women’s downhill.
The Canadian national champion flew down the course, nailing the triple treat and rock garden, to stop the clock in 3:08.12 and collect her third gold medal of the series.
The next fastest was local speedster Claire Whiteman (3:18.70), followed by fellow Canadian Leigh Douglas (3:20.60)
An exhausted Buchar was in a world of pain when she crossed the line.
“That was just one giant sprint,” said Buchar. “It was a really tough course, nothing could prepare you for all that sprinting, no matter how hard you train.”
Along with her husband Chris Kovarik, Buchar heads over to race in California in three weeks time before attacking the World Cup season.
Holly Baarspul took out the under 19 female category in 3:28.00.
Men’s Short Track
In the men’s short track earlier in the day, the field set off at a cracking pace with Dan McConnell (VIC), Ben Henderson (ACT) and Paul Van der Ploeg (VIC) leading the charge.
McConnell dropped off, and the battle between Henderson and Van der Ploeg began.
The lead changed hands on a number of occasions, before Van der Ploeg got out of his saddle with three laps to go, setting a frenetic pace, with Henderson in hot pursuit.
Henderson once again got in front with just one lap to go, but the powerful legs of Van der Ploeg were just too strong in the sprint to the finish, the 21-year-old holding on to clinch a thrilling victory.
“I’m stocked with that win,” said Van der Ploeg. “It was a really fun track today, with the jumps and berms and all the add-ons that make it a bit more exciting.
“Ben was really good today. It’s a bit more exciting when you’re out there with someone else.
“There was only one straight with a good passing opportunity. Ben snuck up on the climb in the very back section, and I thought I’d lost it, so I gave it everything I had on the last lap.”
Today’s win elevated Van der Ploeg to the top of the final series standings, to share the title with Dan McConnell.
Van der Ploeg now heads over to Germany to join his Felt teammates, before launching his World Cup campaign in April.
Women’s Short Track
Unlike the majority of the season, today’s women’s short track race was extremely tight. Rowena Fry (TAS) dictated the pace for the first ten minutes, with Rebecca Henderson (ACT) and Katherine O’Shea (VIC) right on her tail.
However with three laps to go, Fry hit the gas, and opened up a commanding lead which eventually led her to secure her third short track victory and take the series title.
In the battle for the silver medal, O’Shea overtook Henderson on the penultimate lap and crossed the line in second place.
“That was good fun,” said Fry after the race. “It’s the best short track course around. It has lots of jumps and a few different lines you can take.”
“There was no point mucking around with three to go. It was good to open up the lungs a little bit.
“Bec was flying. She was doing really good work hanging onto my wheel. Kath has had a bit of injury trouble this season, and she’s just coming good at the right time of the year, so it’s good to see her up there too.”
In results from the enduro this morning, John Blankenstein won the solo men’s race, whilst Trudy Nicholas took out the women’s race.
NETWORKS: A news feed containing highlights from today’s downhill will be distributed from SBS Sydney at approximately 11am on Monday (March 15).
Highlights of all of the action from the Canberra stage of the 2010 Jayco Australian MTB Series will feature in a 30 minute program on SBS on Sunday, 4 April at 12pm.
For further information including entry lists, results and overall standings, please visit www.nationalseries.com.au.
Round 4 – Canberra Downhill results
Elite Men 1. Chris Kovarik (QLD) - 2:34.84 2. Ben Cory (ACT) – 2:37.16 3. Shaun O’Connor (NSW) - 2:37.16
Elite Women 1. Claire Buchar (QLD) - 3:08.12 2. Claire Whiteman (ACT) - 3:18.70 3. Leigh Douglas (TAS) - 3:20.60
2009/10 Jayco Australian MTB Series – Downhill Final Standings
Elite Men 1. Ben Cory (ACT) – 225 points 2. Shaun O’Connor (NSW) – 218 points 3. Chris Kovarik (QLD) – 208 points
McConnell claws his way back, Emotional win for Fry in Canberra March 13, 2010
Saturday, 13 March 2010
Beijing Olympian and Australian cross country champion Dan McConnell has shrugged off a disappointing season to secure his first victory in the colours of the national jersey at the final round of the 2009/10 Jayco Australian MTB Series in Canberra today.
An emotional Rowena Fry comfortably won the women’s race, tributing her victory and series title to a close friend and fellow rider who tragically passed away during the week.
After three rounds of thrilling action, the 2009/10 Jayco Australian MTB Series comes to its crescendo this weekend at Stromlo Forest Park, the home of the 2009 UCI Mountain Bike World Championships.
Men’s Elite Race
After pulling out of the last two rounds in Shepparton and Thredbo mid-race, an out-of-form Dan McConnell rode up to the start line today as the underdog. But as his competitors knew, the Victorian was not to be written off.
The 25-year-old went out hard early, powering up ‘cardiac climb’ and the renowned 225 metre hammerhead section, with series leader Lachlan Norris and local favourite Ben Henderson in hot pursuit.
However things nearly fell apart on lap three, when McConnell flew over the handle bars just before the famous hammerhead climb. Stopping to grab a new wheel in the feed zone, Norris and Henderson caught up and made the most of McConnell’s misfortune, accelerating away.
A determined McConnell gave chase and regained his lead on the fourth lap, with Henderson pushing hard on his tail. By the fifth and final lap, McConnell had slightly extended his lead, opening up a 30 second gap to claim an emphatic victory.
“It’s been a while. I came here today just hoping for a good ride and to finish the race but I’ve come away with the win,” said McConnell.
“After nationals it was hard to get the motivation back. I just couldn’t finish a race. It was disappointing to come off a nationals win and not be in the hunt. It bought me back down to earth pretty quickly. It probably took me a month to realise it was just one race and there was plenty to go in the season.
“The last three or four weeks I’ve got my act together. It’s good to get the burden off my back and it’s my first win in the national jersey.
“There’s a fair few quick guys in Australia at the moment, and I guess you can’t be too far off the ball if you want to race. Hopefully this is the start of a good year.”
A fast-finishing Henderson rolled over in second position for the third time in the series.
In a thrilling fight for third, Andy Blair (NSW) crossed the line just one tenth of a second in front of Joshua Carlson (NSW). Importantly the third place also moved Blair up to third position in the final series standings.
Unfortunately Lachlan Norris suffered a front wheel flat mid way through lap four which knocked him back to seventh place and out of contention for a podium finish.
However the 23-year old did just enough to retain his series lead and confirm his position as the No. 1 rider on the series standings in his first year at senior level.
“It didn’t go quite according to plan today,” said Norris. “I didn’t feel really good on the bike and technically I felt a bit off.”
“You have good days and bad. I’m pretty happy with the season, it’s my first series win as a senior, so hopefully I can kick on from here.”
Victorian Paul Van Der Ploeg took out the under 23 men’s win and series title.
Women’s Elite Race
As was the case for the majority of the series, national champion Rowena Fry went out hard from the outset, leaving local young gun Rebecca Henderson and Heather Logie to battle it out for second.
Despite having to dodge kangaroos out on the course, Henderson had the early advantage, holding onto second position for the first two laps.
A woman on a mission, Logie, closed the gap during lap three. Attacking on the fire road, Logie came up to Henderson’s shoulder and pulled away to establish a generous 48 second break heading into the bell lap.
Meanwhile out in front, Fry completed the four laps of the 8.4km course unchallenged. Despite encountering some gear trouble on the final lap, Fry crossed the finish line in 1:47:19 to secure her third victory of the season and the series title.
Fighting back tears, the 28-year-old payed tribute to Will Robinson, her friend and riding partner who tragically passed away in a training accident last Saturday.
“I’m really happy to get the win and take the series. I lost a close friend during the week and it was good to win for him today,” said Fry. “It’s been a really emotional week, and I was really happy to be able to do this for him and his family.”
“I just wanted to ride by myself with my own thoughts today. I was in a groove, and just let my body do what it does.”
“It’s been a really good start to the season, and hopefully it will keep going well when I head overseas in April.”
Despite entering the race with a shoulder injury after tumbling over her handlebars in training on Monday night, Logie crossed the finish line in second position for the third time this series, 94 seconds behind Fry.
Henderson rolling over in third place, enough to secure the under 23 series title.
In the women’s under 17 race, Zoe Binder (NSW) was too strong, taking the win ahead of Karuna Henderson and Kyna Millan from the ACT.
Donations to support the family of Will Robinson, can be made via the ‘Dave & Pennie Support Fund’ – visit www.tas.cycling.org.au for further information.
The action at Stromlo Forest Park concludes tomorrow with the men’s and women’s enduro, short track and downhill.
Highlights of all of the action from the Canberra stage of the 2010 Jayco Australian MTB Series will feature in a 30 minute program on SBS on Sunday, 4 April at 12pm.
For further information including entry lists, results and overall standings, please visit www.nationalseries.com.au.
2009/10 Jayco Australian MTB Series – Cross Country Final Standings
Elite Male 1. Lachlan Norris (VIC) - 241 points 2. Ben Henderson (ACT) - 228 points 3. Andrew Blair (NSW) - 165 points
Under 23 Men 1. Paul Van Der Ploeg (VIC)– 141 points 2. Aaron Benson (QLD) – 64 points 3. Cal Britten (VIC) – 59 points
Under 23 Women 1. Rebecca Henderson (ACT) – 196 points 2. Therese Rhodes (SA) – 125 points 3. Sarah Holmes (SA) - 117 points
Round 4 – Canberra cross country results
Elite Male 1. Daniel McConnell (VIC) – 1:53:03.4 2. Ben Henderson (ACT) – 1:53:34.9 3. Andrew Blair (NSW) – 1:53:44.8 4. Joshua Carlson (NSW) – 1:53:44.9 5. Paul Van Der Ploeg (VIC) *U/23 6. Aiden Lefmann (QLD) 7. Lachlan Norris (VIC) 8. Peter Hatton (NSW) 9. Na Sanghoon (ACT) 10. David Johnston (ACT) *U/23 11. Brenton Jones (VIC) *U/23 Elite Female 1. Rowena Fry (TAS) - 1:47:19.3 2. Heather Logie (ACT) - 1:48:53.5 3. Rebecca Henderson (ACT) *U/23 - 1:51:14.0 4. Joanna Wall (VIC) 5. Peta Mullens (VIC) *U/23 6. Niki Fisher 7. Therese Rhodes (SA) *U/23 8. Katherine O’Shea (VIC) 9. Jaclyn Schapel 10. Sarah Holmes *U/23
Competition Schedule Round 4 – Stromlo Forest Park, Canberra
Sunday, 14 February 8:00am : Cross Country Enduro - 4 hour solo and teams 12:30pm : Downhill – U15, U17, expert, masters, vet and sport supermasters men, U15, U17, vet, masters, sport women 1:00pm : Short Course Cross Country 3:00pm : Downhill - elite and U19 men, elite and U19 women
Darrell dazzles home crowd with 4X victory March 12, 2010
Friday, 12 March 2010
Delighting his home crowd fans, Canberra rider Leigh Darrell has claimed a convincing victory in the 4X (four-cross) event at the final round of the 2009/10 Jayco Australian MTB Series in Canberra tonight.
After three rounds of thrilling action, the series comes to its crescendo this weekend at Stromlo Forest Park, the home of the 2009 UCI Mountain Bike World Championships, where bragging rights are on the line for the overall winner of the series title.
Following his win in Thredbo last month, Darrell entered tonight’s race as the slight favourite in an extremely competitive field.
The 23-year-old comfortably progressed through the earlier seeding rounds, before facing New South Wales riders Michael Jobson, Alex Lloyd and Graeme Mudd in the final.
In the thrilling opening stages, the field could not be split in the first half of the race. However disaster struck the New South Wales trio at the third turn, all three getting tangled before hitting the dirt. Taking advantage of the situation, Darrell broke away for a comfortable victory.
“I came out of the gates and I was just in front,” explained Darrell. “Alex pulled up just next to me. We went over the second jump and we collided in the air and I nearly fell off.”
“I came around the next corner and I held it together. Michael Jobson came up the inside and he washed out.
“I was in front coming into the second corner and I went out wide, whilst the others went inside.
“Then on that third corner I heard a big pile up behind me and I just kept going. I just looked over my shoulder and saw that I had some clear space.
“Then I just shut it down and rolled over the finish line with a big smile on my face.”
Jobson crossed the line in second place, followed by Lloyd and Mudd.
Rewarded for his consistency this season, Queenslander Richard Levinson, who won the men’s elite ‘B’ race tonight, collected the overall series win, finishing 12 points clear of Jobson and Ryan Hunt (NSW) in the standings.
“It feels really good,” said Levinson of his series title. ”I’ve been training pretty hard over the season and I guess the consistency has really paid off.”
“I really made the effort to get to every single event this year. The tracks have been pretty gnarly, and all the riders have performed pretty good. It’s been so close throughout the series. Things paid off today, I just put in a solid effort and it came off.”
With another polished performance, New South Wales rider Blake Nielson made a clean sweep of the series in the under 19 category, claiming his fourth consecutive win.
Tonight the 18-year-old was once again just too strong, pumping his fist in the air as he crossed the finish line, comfortably clear of Ben Matthews (ACT) and Sean Fitzpatrick (NSW).
In what has been an outstanding season for the Canberra young guns, Max Hughes (under 17 men) and Jackson Frew (under 15 men) were tonight crowned series title holders for 2010, a just reward for their impressive performances over the last four months.
Following wins in Hobart, Shepparton and Thredbo, Hughes could only manage third place on the dirt tonight, but gained enough points to retain the series lead. Fellow Canberra rider Angus Easthope taking out the win on his home track.
In other results, Sarsha Huntington (QLD) and Harriet Burbridge-Smith (ACT) took out the win and the series title in the respective elite female and junior female categories.
Matt Patterson (NSW) secured his first victory of the series in the men’s sport division, but it was South Australia’s Sean Anderson, the winner in Shepparton and Thredbo, who took home the series title.
James Collins (NSW) finished the series on top of the standings in the veteran men’s.
The action continues at Stromlo Forest Park tomorrow with the men’s and women’s cross country, followed by the enduro, short track and downhill on Sunday.
NETWORKS: A news feed containing highlights from tonight’s action and tomorrow’s cross country will be distributed from SBS Sydney at approximately 11am on Sunday (March 14).
Highlights of all of the action from the Canberra stage of the 2010 Jayco Australian MTB Series will feature in a 30 minute program on SBS on Sunday, 4 April at 12pm.
For further information including entry lists, results and overall standings, please visit www.nationalseries.com.au.
Round 4 – Canberra 4X results
Elite Male
1. Leigh Darrell (ACT)
2. Michael Jobson (NSW)
3. Alex Lloyd (NSW)
Open Female
1. Sarsha Huntington (QLD)
Under 19 Male
1. Blake Nielson (NSW)
2. Ben Matthews (ACT)
3. Sean Fitzpatrick (NSW)
Junior Female
1. Harriet Burbridge-Smith (ACT)
Under 17 Male
1. Angus Easthope (ACT)
2. Luke Ellison (NT)
3. Max Hughes (ACT)
Under 15 Male
1. Trent Ellison (NT)
2. Matt Ellison (NT)
3. Lachlan Barcroft (NT)
Veteran Male
1. James Collins (NSW)
2. Tom Gilfedder (NT)
3. Scott Butler (NSW)
Sport Male
1. Matt Patterson (NSW)
2. Rhys Edwards (NSW)
3. Sean Anderson (SA)
2009/10 Jayco Australian MTB Series – 4X Final Standings
Elite Male 1. Richard Levinson (QLD) - 191 points 2. Michael Jobson (NSW) - 179 points 3. Ryan Hunt (NSW) - 175 points
Under 17 Male 1. Max Hughes (ACT) – 295 points 2. Luke Ellison (NT) – 178 points 3. Jordan Butler (ACT) – 163 points
Under 15 Male 1. Jackson Frew (ACT) – 123 points 2. Trent Ellison (NT) 3. Matt Ellison (NT)
Veteran Male 1. James Collins (NSW) – 160 points 2. Daniel Burgess
Sport Male 1. Sean Anderson (SA) – 215 points 2. Matt Patterson (NSW) – 145 points 3. Rhys Edwards (NSW) – 120 points
Competition Schedule Round 4 – Stromlo Forest Park, Canberra
Saturday, 13 February 8:30am : Cross Country - elite, U23, U19, U17, veteran, master and supermaster women 11:00am: Cross country - elite and U23 men 2:30pm : Cross country - U19, U17, veteran, master and supermaster men
Sunday, 14 February 8:00am : Cross Country Enduro - 4 hour solo and teams 12:30pm : Downhill – U15, U17, expert, masters, vet and sport supermasters men, U15, U17, vet, masters, sport women 1:00pm : Short Course Cross Country 3:00pm : Downhill - elite and U19 men, elite and U19 women
Nation’s best to battle it out in Series decider March 11, 2010
Thursday, 11 March 2010
The nation’s best mountain bikers descend on Canberra this weekend (March 12-14), for the finale of the 2010 Jayco Australian MTB Series.
After three rounds of thrilling action, the series comes to its crescendo at Stromlo Forest Park, the home of the 2009 UCI Mountain Bike World Championships, where bragging rights are on the line for the winner of the series title.
In the men’s cross country, series leader Lachlan Norris (VIC) has one foot on top of the victory dais ahead of this weekend, however Canberra-local Ben Henderson will be keen to knock him off his perch.
Henderson has had enough of finishing second. The 24-year-old played bridesmaid to Norris in the last two rounds of the series in Shepparton and Thredbo and currently sits second on the standings.
This Saturday, with a change of tactics and bit of luck, Henderson is hoping things will finally go his way.
“Since the national championships my last two races have been pretty close to perfect. I was unlucky in Thredbo, when I got a flat on the second last lap, otherwise it would have come off perfectly,” said Henderson.
“This year I’ve changed my race tactics slightly. I’ve been holding back at the start, keeping tabs on how much energy I’m expending and leaving enough to come home strong.
“It’s made a big difference, I’m more consistent and in a better mindset. With two laps to go, I’ve got more in the tank to wind it up again, which will hopefully worry Norris this weekend if he’s in front of me and running out of steam.
“I think (national champion) Dan McConnell (VIC) will be a big threat as well.”
Henderson is hoping that the home ground advantage, along with the local course knowledge will also play its part.
“It’s a pretty big advantage knowing the lines and rocks on your home course, and being comfortable in the environment.
“With all the rocks and steep climbs and descents, the Stromlo course will test everyone’s technical skills. Without the technical confidence it’s pretty hard to be up there with the front guys.”
Henderson has been one of the big improvers this domestic season, crediting his new coach Mark Fenner with his rapid rise up the ranks.
“My new coach Mark Fenner has played a big part in my improvement. He identified a few weaknesses in my fitness and has had me doing quite a lot of specific internal training, longer intervals with sustained efforts.
“I haven’t trained harder, just preparing a lot better. I’m making sure I’ve covered all the other aspects of riding, such as staying on top of my strength, nutrition and physio sessions.
“I’m a plumber by trade, but I’ve been able to get enough time off to prepare properly. I work for my dad, so he’s pretty lenient!
“Also my girlfriend is a physio, so it’s quite handy having a physio on call 24 hours a day! She’s got me doing a lot of core work, which has been lacking in previous years.”
Henderson is one half of the super siblings of mountain biking in Australia. His younger 19-year-old sister Rebecca is the leading under 23 cross country rider in the country, and one of the nation’s most promising young talents.
“There’s definitely a bit of sibling rivalry. It keeps our motivation high and drives us both.
“Having Rebecca on the circuit is an advantage. It’s great to be able to talk about the course and race tactics with someone you’re not actually racing against.”
This weekend, Rebecca Henderson will look to consolidate her position on top of the women’s under 23 cross country table.
In the women’s elite cross country category, national champion Rowena Fry almost seemed unstoppable, until Heather Logie (ACT) dethroned the Tasmanian in the short track event in Thredbo last month.
Although Fry comfortably leads the women’s rankings, the title is not secure just yet.
The tussle for the series victory in the men’s downhill will go down to the wire.
Twenty-seven year-old Canberra local Ben Cory, who won in Hobart and Thredbo will start as favourite on his home track, however the ever consistent Shaun O’Connor (NSW) and Shepparton winner Chris Kovarik (QLD) will be snapping at his heals.
Kovarik’s wife, Canadian Claire Buchar will be aiming for the husband-wife double in the women’s event.
In the absence of fellow Canadian Leigh Douglas, Buchar, who won in Shepparton and Thredbo, will start as clear favourite, however Queenslander Sarsha Huntington will be out to cause an upset.
Things are just as tight up the top of the table in the men’s 4X series standings, with just two points separating Richard Levinson (QLD) and Ryan Hunt (NSW). Although neither have secured a win in the series, both men have displayed consistent form throughout the year.
Canberra’s great hope on Friday night will come in the form of 22-year-old Leigh Darrell, a multiple world junior BMX champion, who conquered in Thredbo last month.
The action kicks off with the finals of the 4X at Stromlo Forest Park on Friday night.
For further information including entry lists, results and overall standings, please visit www.nationalseries.com.au.
Competition Schedule Round 4 – Stromlo Forest Park,
Saturday, 13 March 8:30am : Cross Country - elite, U23, U19, U17, veteran, master and supermaster women 11:00am : Cross country - elite and U23 men 2:30pm : Cross country - U19, U17, veteran, master and supermaster men
Sunday, 14 March 8:00am : Cross Country Enduro - 4 hour solo and teams 12:30pm : Downhill – U15, U17, expert, masters, vet and sport supermasters men, U15, U17, vet, masters, sport women 1:00pm : Short Course Cross Country 3:00pm : Downhill - elite and U19 men, elite and U19 women
Round 4 Enduro on-line entries extended March 5, 2010
Entries for the final round of the National Enduro series have been extended till Wednesday 10th (midnight).
Go to https://www.registernow.com.au/mtba/ERegister.aspx?S=&E=123
Orr makes it two from two - Victorian Enduro Series March 4, 2010
Mt Beauty today hosted the second round of the 2010 Victorian Enduro Series in threatening weather, with 130 keen competitors willing to risk drivetrain-destroying conditions against the reward of racing on some of Australia's most highly rated trails.
The overall race was dominated by the Felt/SRAM team of Jack Lamshed and Mt Beauty local and Australian U23 National Champion Paul van der Ploeg, who set five of the six fastest race laps to give their team a clear win. In the solo races, the mens category gave Phil Orr his second race win in a row, with Prita Jobling-Baker improving on her second place at Geelong two weeks ago to take her first ever solo 6 hour win and move in to the lead of the series.
The opening laps of the race saw the two solo leaders being Troy Bailey with Phil Orr on his wheel each time by. As the rain fell and the trail surface became more difficult the pair stayed together, but as the track dried just after the two hour mark Orr was able to make a move and opened a 60 second gap to Bailey. The move stuck and Orr then continued to increase his lead as he fell back to 20 year old Scott Chancellor, which caused an epic eight lap battle for second place.
"I was riding with Phil at the start and he just got away, but that's what he does," explained second place finisher Troy Bailey on the start of the race. "We were racing the whole time, Scotty was on my tail, we were see-sawing for the last three hours of the race."
"Second last lap I was on Troy's tail but couldn't quite get past him, then he got a bit of a gap just the last few hundred meters of the climb, and then didn't really see him again," said Chancellor of the final laps.
But a long overdue win came for Prita Jobling-Baker, who pushed through the mid-race struggle with the help of husband Sean in the feed zone. Through the early laps of the race she opened a minute for each lap to second place Anne Antrecht, but around the mid-point of the race the gap stopped growing, and slowly started shrinking. Jobling-Baker held out in the final laps however, and instead of finishing the race once a win was ensured, opted to compete an additional 13th lap to finish one lap up on her nearest rival.
Despite needing to make up a ten minute gap, Antrecht kept pushing right through to the last finish. "The last couple of laps just trying to not knock myself out, not knowing how far behind the other girls were.", said Anne Antrecht of the last few laps.
Once again the course was well received by all in attendance. The Big Hill Mountain Bike Park trails traditionally have a reputation that draws riders back, and despite the early rain riders once again walked away happy. With fewer competitors than at Geelong two weeks ago, a shorter course was able to be used, ensuring riders felt the presence of their fellow competitors, but despite the 6.53km track length Team Mt Beauty still managed to pack 210 meters of hard climbing in to each lap to test competitors. "It's interesting that this is the soft side of Mt Beauty, I don't want to know what the other side is like," commented second place womens finisher Anne Antrecht.
The Victorian Enduro Series now has a short break until round three on Sunday May 2nd, when it returns to the East Melbourne suburb of Beaconsfield for the traditional Rock Hop. Round four will then be held at Bendigo on Sunday May 23rd. Entry is available at www.entryzone.com.au – an early-bird entry fee of $50 is available until April 18 and May 9 respectively, and after which entry will be $60 per rider.
For more information, visit www.mountainbikevictoria.com or email tim@enduroseries.com.au
Australian Junior DH Long-Team Nominations towards the 2010 MTB & Trials World Championships February 25, 2010
MTBA is pleased to announce the 8 athletes that have been nominated to the long-team for Junior Downhill in preparation for the 2010 UCI Mountain Bike and Trials World Championships being staged in Mont st Anne, Canada from 31 August to 5 September.
Downhill (DHI) / Junior Men Troy Brosnan (SA, 13/07/1993) (2010 Australian Champion) Daniel Lavis (NSW, 05/03/1992) Antony Moore (QLD, 05/12/1992) Ayden Wyber (VIC, 1/10/1992) Brandon Yrttiaho (QLD, 10/02/1993) Phillip Piazza (NSW, 29/01/1993)
Downhill (DHI) / Junior Women Emily Hockey (SA, 12/07/1993) (2010 Australian Champion) Holly Baarspul (WA, 30/10/1992)
All nominations have been made as per the Selection Criteria published previously. Appeals against non-selection must be lodged in accordance with the appeals process (section 8 in General Policy (Part A)) to MTBA by 5.30pm (Qld Time) 1 March.
Note that the appeals time lines have changed slightly (from the published Part A) as follows: • Monday 1st March 2010 - Closing date for appeals against non-selection (1730 QLD time) • Week of 1st March 2010 - Period identified to conduct appeal hearings, if required
2010 Nemisis MTBA Australian MTB Marathon Championships February 25, 2010
Spink ready to defend his title
The 2010 Nemisis MTBA Australian MTB Marathon Championships will be held in conjunction with the Nemisis Marathon Challenge on 18 April 2010 in the Pyrenees Mountain Range, Avoca, and are expected to attract 750 competitors to the central Victorian town.
A major battle for the Australian title looms as defending champion, Murray Spink is ready to take whatever his competitors throw at him and hundreds more will be out to test their own limits of endurance.
“I already have the jersey and if they want to take it from me they will have ride hard to beat me” said a quietly confident Spink. “It would be great to win two in a row. The last marathon title was only six months ago but if I win this time I can wear the jersey for a full year.”
Spink took out the hotly contested 2009 mountain bike marathon championships in Bendigo with only a few seconds between the top three finishers after more than four hours of racing. He let out a proud roar as he crossed the line to claim the MTBA Australian Marathon Champion, a result he had been chasing for many years.
But it is a different challenge for Spink this year, returning as the defending champion.
“I am nervous as with any race I do but I don’t have any additional nerves because I’m the defending champion. It doesn’t change the race at all — the strongest rider will still win on the day.”
This year the competition looks to be the hottest ever with a host of Australia’s fastest mountain bikers keen to try their best to oust Spink.
“There will be a few guys capable of winning” according to Spink.
“If [Beijing Olympian] Dan McConnell is racing he’ll be hard to beat and I think [former World Solo 24hr Champ] Craig Gordon will also be one of the stronger riders.”
Regardless of the victor, with a mountainous course and a red-hot field, it will no doubt be a dramatic race for those racing at the elite end.
For the hundreds of non-elite riders who will participate in the Nemisis Marathon Challenge, there are four course distance options to choose from - 90km, 45km, 33km and 15km. This ensures that the race appeals to elite and intermediate riders, as well as those who are new to marathon mountain biking.
Riders are encouraged to enter early as the event will be limited to a field of 750 riders. For further information and online entry visit www.bighillevents.com.au.
Information for athletes wishing to compete in any UCI World Cup - UPDATE February 21, 2010
This update concerns those athletes who do not currently (or by the World Cup event of their choice) have the required 20 UCI points needed to ALLOW ENTRY AS AN INDIVIDUAL.
As previously said, Australian athletes with less than 20 UCI points can still enter the UCI World Cup events but need to do so through a National Federation supplementary entry process. There are also some conditions on clothing.
There are only 6 of these 'discretionary' entries available in each age category in each format.
If this applies to you you need to lodge a formal request for selection as a discretionary entry to MTBA by the dates listed in the updated 2010 World Cup time-line document. You can download this here.
The forms and processes needed to take a MTBA membership to a CA domestic and then to a UCI International license are also available here.
Information for athletes intending on entering UCI World Cup events February 20, 2010
Athletes who are thinking about entering any of the 2010 UCI World Cup rounds need to submit their World Cup entries directly to MTBA. Use of the form available for download below is mandatory and must be received by MTBA by the dates stipulated in the schedule. This will allow for the very strict UCI entry deadlines to be achieved.
Once the close date for submission of entries to MTBA closes we will send to the HPP office in Adelaide for upload to the UCI on-line entry system.
Athletes with less than 20 UCI points will need to be entered into the World Cup rounds under the "Wildcard" provisions. There are only six (6) places available in each format and category and gender ie in DH 6 male and 6 female Elite riders only (noting that there are no U19 categories in WC rounds). Submissions for Wildcard entries must be made to MTBA by the dates shown in the schedule. Athletes entered through the Wildcard entry provisions are obligated to wear the Australian Team Jersey. If you are accepted under this process you will be contacted about sizing and payment.
All applications must be complete otherwise acceptance of entry may be delayed or rejected.
On-line entry for Australian 24hr Solo MTB Championships now open February 19, 2010
On-line entry to the prime opportunity to gain a place on the start line for the 2010 World Solo 24hr MTB Championships to be held in Australia in October is now open.
The Australian Solo 24hr MTB Championships, being held again at the renown Mt Majura venue, offers Australia's most gruelling solo mountain bike race and takes off this Easter weekend - April 3-4 - bringing together the nation's best endurance riders. Be there - be tested.
On-line entry for Round 4, Stromlo Forest Park, ACT February 19, 2010
On-line entry to round 4 of the Jayco 2009-2010 Australian MTB Series at Stromlo Forest Park, ACT is now open. On-line entry will close Midnight Wednesday 3rd March 2010. Unlike previous rounds no extension to the close date will be given due to the work required to prepare seedings, race numbers and transponder allocations.
To enter XCO (Elite, U23, U19, U17 and 30+ only) click here To enter 4hr Enduro (XCE, Solo (male and female in open and 40+), Pairs (male, female and mixed teams in open and 40+) and Schools Team of three (male, female and mixed13yo - 18yo) click here To enter DH click here To enter 4X click here To enter Short Track Cross Country (XCC) click here
MTBA strongly recommends that you enter on-line to save yourself money and to allow us to more adequately cater to your needs.
Entry to 2010 Oceania MTB Championships has opened- UPDATE February 17, 2010
The technical guide for the 2010 Oceania MTB Championships has been updated and is available here.
MTBA reminds athletes intending on going to the Oceania MTB Championships that if they intend on entering into the Elite, U23 (XCO) or Elite (DH and 4X) they will need a UCI International License. These are available from Cycling Australia. The best way to do this is via a value-add from a current MTBA membership. Contact the MTBA office for more information. U19 aged athletes for DH and 4X need to enter the Elite race category if they wish to gain UCI points.
Cory and Buchar too strong in Thredbo February 14, 2010
Sunday 14 February 2010
On what is known as the longest and
toughest downhill course in Australia, Ben Cory and Claire Buchar have
emerged victorious at the third round of the Jayco Australian Mountain
Bike Series in Thredbo today.
The esteemed ‘Cannon Ball’ run
with its 410m vertical descent combined with the muddy conditions made
racing extremely challenging.
Defying the tough conditions,
Cory flew down the track, completing the course in 7:15.66, more than
three seconds quicker than Bryn Atkinson (7:18.79) and Shaun O’Connor
(7:21.84).
With three riders still to come, Cory sat in the hot
seat, patiently waiting the fate of top seeds Amiel Cavalier, Chris
Kovarik and Joshua Button.
But they couldn’t match the ferocious pace of Cory, the Canberra rider securing his second win of the series.
“I’m
absolutely stoked,” said the 27-year-old. “There was some incredibly
fast guys here today and some fellas who are probably more suited to
the muddy conditions than I am, so I’m stoked.”
Cory was one of only a handful of riders to improve on yesterday’s seeding rounds.
“It’s probably not the toughest track I’ve raced on but the conditions here today made it really, really hard.”
In
the women’s race, Canadian Claire Buchar was once again a cut above the
rest, claiming back-to-back victories in a time of 8.52.61, more than
six seconds faster than Jill Kintner who clocked 8:58.73. Julia Boer
placed third with 9:08.14.
The boy’s under 19 event was taken
out by Aden Wyber in 7:37.66. Rising star Troy Brosnan had a day he’d
rather forget, finishing 20th, more than a minute slower than
yesterday’s seedings.
In the under 19’s girls final, Holly Baarspul was too strong, crossing the finish line in 9:42.98.
The
final round of the 2009/10 Jayco Australian Mountain Bike Series will
be held in Stromlo Forest Park in Canberra from March 12 – 14, 2010.
Downhill Results
Elite men 1 Ben Cory 7:15.66 2 Bryn Atkinson 7:18.79 3 Shaun O'Connor 8 7:21.84 4 Chris Kovarik 7:23.11 5 Amiel Cavalier 7:26.42 6 Joshua Button 7:26.52 7 Rick Boyer 7:33.96 8 William Rischbieth 7:45.21 9 Deon Baker 7:47.42 10 Rhys Atkinson 7:48.15
Elite women 1 Claire Buchar 8:52.61 2 Jill Kintner 8:58.73 3 Julia Boer 9:08.14 4 Sarsha Huntington 9:31.36 5 Leonie Picton 9:31.68 6 Claire Whiteman 9:38.30 7 Leigh Douglas 9:59.53 8 Emma Lewis 10:21.17 9 Joanne Muoser 10:26.71 10 Shannon Chugg 11:13.44
Under 19 men 1 Aden Wyber 7:37.66 2 Phillip Piazza 7:49.55 3 Jake Newell 7:50.96 4 Brandon Yrttiaho 7:52.43 5 Marcus Fairbanks 7:54.83
Under 19 women 1 Holly Baarspul 10:34.28 2 Emily Hockey 10:34.57 3 Tegan Molloy 11:52.34 4 Christie Batt 12:37.21 5 Katelyn Humphris 13:34.69
-ENDS-
For further information (media only), please contact:
Michelle Cook - Jump Media and Marketing (03) 9500 0122 or 0430 177 668 michelle@jumpmedia.com.au
Logie trounces Fry in thrilling short course victory February 14, 2010
Sunday 14 February 2010
In a drama-filled finale, Canberra’s Heather Logie has caused a major upset to defeat national champion and series leader Rowena Fry in the short course cross country at round three of the Jayco Australian Mountain Bike Series in Thredbo today.
Drapac Porche rider Daniel Braunsteins from Victoria comfortably won the men’s elite race.
As it has all weekend, the rain continued to fall at Thredbo, the mud and slippery conditions playing havoc out on the course.
Logie, who has been the perennial bridesmaid to Fry all season, entered the race with nothing to lose.
As expected, Fry went out strongly, taking control of the race and pace from the outset. Logie, did not let her out of her sight, patiently sitting on Fry’s wheel looking for her opportunity to strike.
And then with just two laps remaining, on a grassy and slippery corner of the course, Logie made what would end up being the decisive and winning attack.
Logie moved up alongside Fry, however in the tussle for the lead the pair locked in on each other, causing both girls to spectacularly spill to the ground.
Fry was the first rider to recover, but upon assessment of her bike it was clear that the fall had caused considerable damage to her handle bars.
Logie picked herself up out of the mud and was in hot pursuit. Taking advantage of Fry’s steering difficulties, the 32-year-old overtook and managed to break clear. Fry digged in deep to close the gap but it was not to be, Logie holding on to secure her first ever victory in the series.
“I’m just ecstatic, I finally get a first,” said a clearly delighted Logie, who finished second once again to Fry in yesterday’s cross country. “A second and a first this weekend, I’m stoked.”
“Rowena was definitely controlling the track out there, she had the inline on everything. She was holding me back when she knew I couldn’t get past.
“So I just knew I had to try it on a corner that no one was trying it on. That outside corner at the end, is really grassy and slippery, I knew that anyone would be stupid to attack there, but that seems to be what I’m known for and I thought I’d give it a go.”
“She got up and got doing so fast and I just knew I had to jump on and get going, and take advantage of that very quick reprieve. I just held it, I can’t believe it.”
Logie and Fry were followed by rising star Rebecca Henderson from Canberra.
Logie’s rise through the mountain biking ranks has certainly been impressive. The former-adventure racer only made the switch to the sport in October last year, and Logie is still learning from her peer every time she gets on the bike.
“Rowena has just got so much experience. I learn from her every time we race. Seeing what works and what tactics she uses is going to hold me in good stead for the future.”
The first half of the men’s elite race was a highly tactical race with the lead changing hands on a number of occasions, before Daniel Brauensteins hit the front at the half way mark.
As the rain started to get heavier, Braunsteins further extended his lead, drawing away from the Paul Van der Ploeg and Ben Henderson for a comfortable victory.
“At the start I just sat back and tried to get a good position,” said the 22-year-old geology student.
“A few guys started to look tired, so I decided to go pretty hard for a few laps and I just tried to hold the gap. Probably about ten minutes in I knew I’d be in with a good shot of winning it.”
The men’s sport category was taken out by Tim Wynan from New South Wales, who defeated Merlin Spranz and Jacob Langham.
The final round of the 2009/10 Jayco Australian Mountain Bike Series will be held in Stromlo Forest Park in Canberra from March 12 – 14, 2010.
Short Course Cross Country Results
Elite men 1 Daniel Brauensteins VIC 2 Paul Van der Ploeg VIC 3 Ben Henderson ACT 4 Luke Fetch VIC 5 Joseph Lewis ACT 6 Lachlan Norris VIC 7 Steele Von Hoff VIC 8 Cal Britten VIC 9 Mark Tupalski ACT 10 Joshua Carlson NSW 11 Daniel McConnell VIC 12 Garry Millburn NSW DNF Robbie Hucker
Sport Male 1 Tim Wynan NSW 2 Merlin Spranz SA 3 Jacob Langham TAS 4 Mitchell Codner NSW
- ENDS-
For further information (media only), please contact:
Michelle Cook - Jump Media and Marketing (03) 9500 0122 or 0430 177 668 michelle@jumpmedia.com.au
Mud, sweat and cheers as Fry and Norris reign supreme in Thredbo February 13, 2010
Saturday 13 February 2010
Torrential rain and glorious mud might have stopped many in their tracks, but it didn’t seem to hinder cross country riders Lachlan Norris and Rowena Fry who put on an impressive display today at the third round of the Jayco Australian Mountain Bike Series in Thredbo.
Whilst Australia’s winter Olympians were revelling at the Opening Ceremony in Vancouver, the nation’s best mountain bike prospects for London 2012 were putting on a show of their own at Thredbo’s alpine playground.
Norris arrived in Thredbo in strong form, having recently returned from New Zealand where he won the king of the mountain title on the road in the Tour of Wellington.
As expected, the 23-year-old went out like an express train on the opening lap establishing an early lead, with Ben Henderson, Aiden Lefmann and Paul Van Der Ploeg all in hot pursuit.
“I felt good at the start and got to the front. I noticed I had a gap and just kept the throttle on for the first couple of laps,” explained Norris.
The tough conditions started to take their toll on all of the riders, and as the conditions deteriorated throughout the five-lap race, so did the times.
Heading into lap three, Norris continued to hold on to his lead, but Henderson decided to make an attack, gaining another minute to move up just behind the Victorian.
“Later on in the race I was just trying to maintain that lead. It was difficult trying to stay focused in the mud, it was quite difficult technically and I was getting really tired.
“I think you always have this feeling that they’re just on your hammer. I was struggling but I knew that it was just as hard for them as it was for me.”
Henderson was a man on a mission on the penultimate lap but then misfortune struck, the Canberra rider sustaining a puncture at the crucial point in the race.
At the final bell, Norris looked to have the victory sewn up, but the 23-year-old started to struggle when cramp set in, forcing him off his bike to walk up the technical climbs.
A quick wheel change and Henderson was back in contention, but it wasn’t enough, Norris managing to hold off the late challenge by the fast finishing Henderson to notch up his second win of the series.
Van der Ploeg, who had mechanical trouble at the start of the race, put his foot on the gas on lap four, clawing his way back to cross the line in third position and take out the under 23 category.
After a strong race, Lefman had absolutely nothing left in the tank as he crossed the finish line in fourth place (third in open elite men).
Things didn’t go according to plan for national champion Dan McConnell. Struggling to find his rhythm in the trying conditions, McConnell left the track in the middle of lap two, recording his second DNF of the series.
Norris will now turn his attention back to the road, joining his Drapac Porche teammates at Le Tour de Langkawi in two weeks time, before resuming his challenge for the series title in Canberra.
After taking out Tasmania's premier mountain bike stage race, Wildside 2010, two weeks ago, Canberra’s Heather Logie was tipped as the strongest contender to dethrone Tasmania’s Rowena Fry in the women’s event.
However on this occasion Fry was just too strong. Leading from the outset, the national champion stormed home to secure her second victory of the series by nearly a two-minute margin, relegating Logie to second place for the third time this season.
Victorian Joanna Wall, who won in Shepparton three weeks ago, finished third.
“I really wanted to win this weekend,” said Fry. “I’ve just got a new bike sponsor, Avanti, and I wanted to get off to a good start with them and show them that their faith in me was worthy.”
As it did for all riders, Fry had her own challenges in the wet and muddy conditions.
“It ended up being quite grippy out there on the flats, you could trust the mud but it was just the climbs. The single track climb out the back was pretty tricky, I could ride it the first two laps but after that I was just running it. “
Fry was full of praise for her rival Logie, who only made the switch from adventure racing to mountain biking late last year.
“Heather is riding the house down, it’s fantastic,” Fry continued. “She’s pushing me and she really worked me over at Wildside. She’s very, very powerful for a small girl. Once she gets her skills up she’s going to be a top rider, which is very promising for Australian mountain biking.”
Fry will now put in some solid training hours back home in Launceston, before making her final assault for the series title in Stromlo, Canberra in a month’s time.
In the under 23’s, Canberra’s Rebecca Henderson rode an impressive race to hold off Victorian Peta Mullens and South Australia’s Sarah Holmes to take the series points.
Racing in round three of the Jayco Australian Mountain Bike Series concludes in Thredbo tomorrow, with the enduro being contested in the morning followed by the short course cross country and downhill in the afternoon.
Cross Country Results
Elite men 1. Lachlan Norris (VIC) 2:18:40 (25:20, 26:32, 28:20, 28:50, 29:35) 2. Ben Henderson (ACT) 2:19:05 (26:25, 27:03, 27:36, 29:19, 28:40) 3. Paul Van Der Ploeg* (VIC) 2:19:56 (25:54, 27:23, 28:39, 28:50, 29:09) 4. Aiden Lefmann (QLD) 2:21:02 (26:19, 26:41, 28:08, 28:58, 30:53) 5. Cal Britten* (VIC) 2:23:02 (27:03, 27:40, 29:08, 28:31, 30:38) 6. Andrew Blair (NSW) 2:24:59 7. Joshua Carlson (NSW) 2:26:20 8. Aaron Benson* (QLD) 2:26:49 9. Adrian Jackson (VIC) 2:28:01 10. Daniel Braunsteins* (VIC) 2:28:58 11. Jeremy Ross (ACT) 2:32:52 12. Peter Kutschera (VIC) 2:39:35 13. Tim Wynan (NSW) 2:39:52 14. James Peacock* (VIC) 2:41:57 15. Travis Frisby* (SA) 2:42:51
Darrell defies conditions to secure comeback victory in Thredbo February 13, 2010
Friday 12 February 2010
Canberra rider Leigh Darrell has stormed to a convincing victory in the men’s elite 4X at round three of the Jayco Australian Mountain Bike Series in Thredbo tonight.
In wet and muddy conditions, the 22-year-old never looked like being beaten, flying out of the gates, and maintaining his rapid speed to the finish line to secure his first win of the 2010 series.
After a tough year, Darrell made it clear from the start that he was returning to top form, dominating the earlier rounds before opening up a ten metre advantage in the final to leave Graeme Mudd, Richard Levinson and Michael Young in his wake.
“I’ve had some bad luck in the last couple of races I’ve had, and things have finally come my way,” said Darrell, a multiple world junior champion in BMX.
“I popped out at the start, and I couldn’t see anyone in my vision, so I thought I was in front.
“I came into the first corner, got a bit sketchy and my front wheel washed out a little and I nearly came down. But I held it together and after that I tried to keep a smooth fast race and it paid off.”
With one more race left in the series for 2010, Darrell will be looking for a repeat performance on his home soil in Stromlo on March 12.
“Canberra is my home track but I don’t really ride there much, I’ll just have to wait and see hopefully luck comes my way again.”
In the absence of world champion Caroline Buchanan who is in New Zealand on BMX duties, Queensland’s Sarsha Huntington had no trouble taking out the women’s elite race, to extend her lead in the overall series standings.
Blake Nielson (under 19) and Max Hughes (under 17) continued their domination in the series, securing another victory on the muddy Thredbo course.
In the veteran men, James Collins held off Brett Minion for the win, whilst Harriet Burbridge-Smith was too strong for Danielle Beecroft, clinching the girls’ junior category.
Sean Anderson won the Sport Men and Jackson Frew the under 15 men.
Racing in round three of the Jayco Australian Mountain Bike Series continues in Thredbo over the weekend with the cross country being contested on Saturday and the downhill on Sunday.
4X Results
Elite men 1. Leigh Darrell 2. Graeme Mudd 3. Richard Levinson 4. Michael Young
Under-19 men 1. Blake Nielson 2. Joey Vejvoda 3. Sean Fitzpatrick 4. James Shepherd
Under-17 men 1. Max Hughes 2. Jordan Butler 3. Wade Budden 4. Ryan Cameron
Under-15 Men 1. Jackson Frew
Sport Men 1. Sean Anderson
Veteran Men 1. James Collins 2. Brett Minion 3. Mitchell Turner 4. Brett Thompson
Logie faces tough assignment in Thredbo February 11, 2010
Thursday, 11 February 2010
Whilst Australia’s winter Olympians are shredding up the ice and snow in Vancouver, some of our nation’s best prospects for London 2012 will be carving up trails of a different kind at Thredbo’s alpine playground.
The nation’s best mountain bikers head to the ‘Snowy Mountains’ this weekend (February 12-14), for the third leg of the Australian MTB Series.
However Canberra’s Heather Logie won’t have any time to stop and admire the spectacular scenery this weekend, she has a job to do.
After taking out Tasmania's premier mountain bike stage race, Wildside 2010, two weeks ago, Logie is shaping up as the strongest contender to dethrone Tasmania’s Rowena Fry in the women’s cross country event on Saturday morning.
One of Australia’s best hopes for London 2012, Fry is the outright leader in the national series standings.
Dominating the event in Hobart and at the nationals championships in Adelaide, things didn’t go quite according to plan for Fry in Shepparton three weeks ago, a puncture forcing her to settle for fourth place, despite a hard chase to regain ground. Fry bounced back the next day and dominated the short course cross country, which she hasn’t been beaten in yet this season.
Logie has been forced to play bridesmaid twice to Fry – both in Hobart and at the nationals.
“Rowena is the benchmark for all of us,” said Logie.
“The next two events in Thredbo and Stromlo (Canberra) are quite technical so they’re definitely in Rowena’s favour, and they’ll play to her amazing skills on a technical single track.”
“The last event in Stromlo (March 12-14) would have to be my best chance of beating her. If I can live and breathe the track for the next couple of weeks, and take advantage of my home track and home crowd I’m in with a chance.”
Logie’s rise through the mountain biking ranks has certainly been impressive. The former-adventure racer only made the switch to the sport in October last year, an Achilles injury forced her to stop running, ultimately leading her to throw all of her energy into riding.
Although Logie has the motor to match it with the best, the technical aspects of the sport have been the 31-year-old’s biggest hurdle.
“I have the base fitness and endurance however my technical skills still need a lot of work. One of my best attributes is that I don’t have a lot of fear however that means I fall off the bike a lot.”
“The technical aspects have certainly been a challenge, however my improvement over the last four months has been incredibly fast.”
Logie has already tasted success on the world stage – she was actually crowned world rogaining champion in 2006 – however she still has a lot of unfinished business on the international scene.
“My focus over the next six months is to improve my technical skills and confidence.
“I figure this is my chance. At the age of 31, I’ve given myself three to four years to see how fast I can go and see what I’m capable of.
“I would love to see how I would go on the world stage and compete at some World Cup events. I know I have a lot of work to do to improve my skills and gain race experience.
“Ultimately it would be great if Rowena and I could push each other to improve and put up a strong challenge for London 2012.”
Meanwhile in other events in the Australian MTB series, the men’s cross country has been a tale of two between current Australian champion Daniel McConnell and young gun Lachlan Norris who notched up his first win in the elite level at the last national series round in Shepparton.
Norris is expected to arrive in Thredbo in strong form, having recently returned from New Zealand where he won the king of the mountain title on the road in the Tour of Wellington.
In the downhill events, the husband and wife team of Chris Kovarik and his Canadian wife Claire Buchar will start as favorites in Thredbo.
Buchar’s strongest challenge will come from fellow Canadian Leigh Douglas who won the opening round of the series just prior to Christmas in Tasmania, where she now lives, but had to contend herself with third at the second round in Shepparton.
In the absence of world champion Caroline Buchanan, Queensland’s Sarsha Huntington will take control of the women’s 4X event, with American Barry Nobles who won on debut in Shepparton, starting as favourite amongst the men.
For further information including entry lists, results and overall standings, please visit www.nationalseries.com.au.
Competition Schedule Round 3 -– Thredbo, NSW
Friday, 12 February 6:30pm 4X finals
Saturday, 13 February 8:30am Cross Country - elite, U23, U19, U17, veteran, master and supermaster women 11:00am Cross country - elite and U23 men 2:30pm Cross country - U19, U17, veteran, master and supermaster men
Sunday, 14 February 8:00am Cross Country Enduro - 4 hour solo and teams 12:30pm Downhill – U15, U17, expert, masters, vet and sport supermasters men
Downhill – U15, U17, vet, masters, sport women Hardtail 1:00pm Short Course Cross Country 3:00pm Downhill - elite and U19 men, elite and U19 women
2009/10 Australian MTB Series dates
Round 3 Friday, 12 February to Sunday, 14 February 2010 Thredbo, NSW
Round 4 Friday, 12 March to Sunday, 14 March 2010 Stromlo Forest Park, ACT
-ENDS-
For further information (media only) or to apply for accreditation, please contact:
Michelle Cook - Jump Media and Marketing 0430 177 668 michelle@jumpmedia.com.au
On-line entry for Round 3, Thredbo New South Wales February 3, 2010
On-line entry to round 3 of the Jayco 2009-2010 Australian MTB Series at Thredbo, NSW will close Midnight Wednesday 3rd February 2010. Unlike previous rounds no extension to the close date will be given due to the work required to prepare seedings, race numbers and transponder allocations.
To enter XCO (Elite, U23, U19, U17 and 30+ only) click here To enter 4hr Enduro (XCE, Solo (male and female in open and 40+), Pairs (male, female and mixed teams in open and 40+) and Schools Team of three (male, female and mixed13yo - 18yo) click here To enter DH click here To enter 4X click here To enter Short Track Cross Country (XCC) click here
MTBA recommends that you enter on-line to save yourself money and to allow us to more adequately cater to your needs.
2010 SRAM Australian MTB Championships on SBS January 31, 2010
See all the action from Adelaide, Sunday 31st January, 12 noon
Selection Policies for Representing Australia at 2010 UCI World Championships January 25, 2010
MTBA announced the availability of the policies for selecting athletes o represent Australia at the 2010 UCI World MTB Championships in Canada.
Athletes seeking selection should download the General Policy and the appropriate MTB format policy for selection. Any clarification needed can be gained from the MTBA Technical Director or Executive Officer.
The policies for Cross Country Marathon (XCM) and Observed Trials (OT) will be added in due course
Husband and wife downhill dream win - RESULTS January 24, 2010
Sunday 24 January 2010
On a testing course that saw three ambulances come to the assistance of riders during the downhill practice sessions at round two of the Jayco Australian Mountain Bike Series, in Shepparton, Chris Kovarik was the best of the men and his Canadian wife Claire Buchar was too good for the Australian women.
Just one week after claiming his fourth Australian downhill title Kovarik was the fastest in qualifying and head and shoulders above his nearest rival in the final finishing more than four seconds clear of Shaun O’Connor. Third place went to Amiel Cavalier.
With both of them racing in the Chain Reaction colours Kovarik said it makes it extra special taking the win with his wife doing the same in the women’s race.
“One of the little strategies we do is talk about the track and what’s working and what’s not and it definitely helps,” Kovarik said of the benefits of putting his head together with his wife.
“This is the first time in a few years that I’ve done the national series and it’s good to be back here mixing it up with the young guys who are getting closer and closer.
“It was a good atmosphere out here and it’s good to see so many people still in it.”
In his assessment of the drama that unfolded on the course through the practice sessions Kovarik said “It’s a short and sweet track but it claimed a few bodies over the weekend. It’s quite technical and hard with lots of off camber corners.”
Looking to the future of Australian mountain biking yet another impressive performance was put in by South Australia’s Troy Brosnan who, at just 16-years-of-age, won the under-19 category in a time that was good enough for fifth in the elite event.
With an equally bright future the winner of the under-17 category, Canberra’s Connor Fearon, recorded a time that would have placed in sixth in the elite race.
In the women’s race Canadian Claire Buchar, who finished eighth in the 2009 season long world cup, was a cut above her rivals almost 12-seconds fastest than Sarsha Huntington.
Third place went to another Canadian, Leigh Douglas, who was just 0.48 of a second behind Huntington.
But among the women one of the highlights came from the under-19 race where Holly Baarspul set a time that was five seconds faster than the second placed elite woman. On the back of the West Australian’s third place finish at the 2009 junior world championships she has marked herself as one to watch this year.
For Buchar it was another successful outing as she enjoys the Australian summer away from the cold of a Canadian winter.
“This race is a totally different mindset because it (the course) is so sketchy and you can’t ride scared,” Buchar said.
“You’ve just got to be really aggressive and get used to being on the edge and just don’t be a perfectionist because you’re not going to have a perfect run.
“All the girls are riding strong. I’m impressed because this track is not easy and everyone kept a really good attitude.
“I love the fact that my team wants some more exposure out here and I’m getting to ride in all these different places in Australia and see the country.”
Lloyd Mancs, from Kyabram, was the only local rider in the downhill event and finished fifth in the men’s expert category.
The husband and wife downhill combination of Kovarik and Buchar will both go to the final two rounds of the Jayco Australian Mountain Bike Series with round three in Thredbo, 13-14 February, and the final round in Canberra, 13-14 March.
Downhill Results
Elite men – downhill 1. Chris Kovarik – 1:52.73 2. Shaun O’Connor – 1:56.88 3. Amiel Cavalier – 1:57.34 4. Rhys Atkinson – 1:57.42 5. Rick Boyer – 1:59.03
Elite women – downhill 1. Claire Buchar – 2:19.36 2. Sarsha Huntington – 2:31.05 3. Leigh Douglas – 2:31.53 4. Shelley Kamevaar – 2:39.24 5. Sarah Booth – 2:39.46
McConnell and Fry bounce back - RESULTS January 24, 2010
Sunday 24 January 2010
Australian cross country champions Daniel McConnell and Rowena Fry made a mends for the disappointment of the previous day at round two of the Jayco Australian Mountain Bike Series, in Shepparton today, by claiming impressive wins in the short course cross country races.
After not finishing the cross country race on Saturday McConnell controlled the short course event from start to finish in one of the classiest performances of the Australian season.
The only rider to keep McConnell company in the earlier part of the race was Sid Taberlay who eventually lost contact with the Beijing Olympian.
McConnell quickly rode off into the distance at a pace that had lapped riders being withdrawn from the race at a rate that resulted in just four of the 20 starters making it to the finish line.
After losing contact with the eventual winner Taberlay was caught by Drapac-Porsche team-mates Lachlan Norris and Daniel Braunsteins. Despite being out numbered Taberlay had the strength and experience to still finish second with Norris in third and Braunsteins fourth.
But for McConnell the win was clear evidence that he has the strength of character to bounce back from disappointment quickly.
“Yesterday the brain just wasn’t in it. I was struggling the week after what was the perfect start to the year for me with the national title,” the Australian champion said after his win.
“But today I was put back to reality on a level playing field and I just thought I’d give it everything.
“I went hard from the start because I didn’t want the same thing to happen as in the short track in Adelaide where I lost by the shred of a tire.
“I took the lead from the start and saw a gap and decided to ride my own race and keep an eye on where the other guys were.”
In the women’s event it was a determined looking Rowena Fry who asserted herself on the race from the word go.
Rebecca Henderson tried gallantly to challenge the Australian champion in the opening laps but Fry responded to the attacks of the 18-year-old and launched her own assault to win convincingly.
Henderson, who was seventh at last year’s under-19 world championships, confirmed her talent to finish second ahead of Joanna Wall in third.
“She’s a little goer. In couple of years she’ll be one of our best,” Fry said of the second place finisher.
“She kept coming back at me and I was testing her out a little by constantly attacking and also testing my own tactics and it worked out well.
“It all went to plan so I’m pretty happy with the win.”
In a tough race just three of the eight starters finished the women’s event.
Round three of the Jayco Australian Mountain Bike Series will be held at Thredbo 13-14 February.
Short Course Cross Country Results
Elite men – short course cross country 1. Daniel McConnell (VIC) 2. Sid Taberlay (TAS) 3. Lachlan Norris (VIC) 4. Daniel Braunsteins (VIC) under-23
Elite women – short course cross country 1. Rowena Fry (TAS) 2. Rebecca Henderson (ACT) under-23 3. Joanna Wall (VIC)
-ENDS-
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2010 Oceania MTB Championships - Dunedin NZ March 19-21 January 23, 2010
Bike NZ have released the technical guide to the 2010 Oceania Championships to be hosted in Dunedin New Zealand on March 19 -21 2010.
For the Australian DH riders considering attending please note the mandatory DH protection provisions.
Please also note that you will require a UCI license to compete. MTBA members (with more than 3 months of membership remaining) can get a Domestic Cycling Australia License at a discounted rate (just send in a copy of your MTBA membership when applying) and then get it endorsed for international competition - note time penalties - you need to apply more than 2 weeks before the event.
It may have taken her four seasons but at round two of the 2009/10 Jayco Australian Mountain Bike Series in Shepparton Joanna Wall has proven that persistence pays by taking her first win while in the men’s race Lachlan Norris added to his growing reputation.
After finishing second at the Australian Championships one week ago Norris was a man on a mission setting a pace in the opening laps that only Sid Taberlay could follow.
Taberlay and Norris worked well together to build an almost two-minute lead on their nearest challengers until Taberlay, who looked the stronger of the two, punctured near the end of the second of six laps.
Left out in front on his own Norris went in search of a late birthday present two days after turning 24-years-of-age.
The ever improving Victorian only just managed to hold onto his advantage as he fought out a two-up sprint with Ben Henderson who rode out of his skin on the final lap to get on terms with Norris just in sight of the finish line.
Third place went to Queensland’s Aiden Lefmann, who appeared to relish the warm conditions, and despite his costly puncture on top of having started at the back row of the grid Taberlay showed his class fighting his way back to finish fourth.
But for Norris, the 2009 under-23 Australian and Oceania champion, his first win in a national series race at the elite level was confirmation he is on the right path to achieve his dream of racing at the London 2012 Olympics.
“It’s different to win an under-23 race finishing mid field in the elite. Winning it overall gives me good confidence going into the rest of the season and now I know I can beat all these guys and will definitely be up there,” Norris said immediately after his win.
“It’s been a slow progression but I’m getting there. Hopefully in another couple of years I can be stronger again and be a bit of a show for London.
“I’m pleased I could get one under the belt. I needed to have a win to set myself up for future wins.”
With a lap to go Norris was more than one-minute clear of Henderson and looked a safe beat for the win but with the fatigue taking its toll he only just had enough left in the tank.
“I was slowing down you could say. The lights were fading. I was pretty much in the box just hanging on,” Norris said of the final lap.
“I didn’t realise how close he was until the last little bit and it was a lot closer than I thought.
“I didn’t panic. I just thought I can only do what I can do and I knew if I held him off down the last descent I would probably be able to have the best run through the last corner and take it out, which I managed to do.”
One of the surprise results of the day was that the recently crowned Australian champion, Daniel McConnell, didn’t finish the race and appeared to be suffering from cycling’s equivalent to a premiership hangover.
In the women’s race national champion, Rowena Fry, looked set to collected yet another win after building a commanding lead by the end of the second of four laps.
Attempting to ride through the rocky section of the course, while most others negotiated it by foot, Fry had a front wheel puncture. Despite her efforts to quickly replace the tube she lost more than four minutes and fell back to mid field.
At the head of the race Joanna Wall found herself in the lead with Torq team-mate Jenni King hot on her heels.
Wall made the most of her opportunity and pushed home for the first Jayco Australian MTB Series win of her career ahead of King, while Fry fought her way back to finish third.
“It’s been a long time coming. I’ve wanted a national round for a long time and this is my first one. Never give up,” Wall said of her victory.
“I paced myself and rode a steady race.
“It was fairly controlled on the first lap because it’s such a long climb no one wanted to go to hard off the front because you’d get caught pretty quickly up there. It was hard technical course that had a bit of everything for everyone.”
For Fry the experience of puncturing at a crucial time of the race may prove valuable in the future.
The Tasmanian managed to claw back all but 30 seconds of the more than four minutes she lost with her puncture but if she adopted different tactics early in the race she may have had enough to win.
“It probably serves me right for taking it easy in the early part of the race. I really should have gassed it because then I would have had a bit more time up my sleeve,” the Australian champion said.
“I was riding really well but that’s mountain biking for you. It’s always good fun.”
Racing in round two of the Jayco Australian Mountain Bike Series continues in Shepparton on Sunday where the downhill and short courses cross country will be contested.
Cross Country Results
Elite men 1. Lachlan Norris (VIC) – 2:17.44 2. Ben Henderson (ACT) 3. Aiden Lefmann (QLD) 4. Sid Taberlay (TAS) 5. Andrew Blair (NSW) 6. Joshua Carlson (NSW) 7. Daniel Braunsteins (VIC) under-23 8. Jason English (NSW) 9. Paul van der Ploeg (VIC) under-23 10. Nick Both (NSW) 11. Adrian Jackson (VIC) 12. Luke Fetch (VIC) under-23 13. Travis Frisby (SA) under-23 14. Merlin Spranz (SA) under-23 15. Tim Wynan (NSW)
Elite women 1. Joanna Wall (VIC) – 1:50.35 2. Jenni King (VIC) 3. Rowena Fry (TAS) 4. Heather Logie (ACT) 5. Tory Thomas (VIC) 6. Rebecca Henderson (ACT) under-23 7. Sarah Holmes (SA) under-23 8. Therese Rhodes (SA) under-23 9. Katherine O’Shea (VIC) 10. Kelly Bartlett (VIC)
-ENDS-
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Round two of the Jayco Australian Mountain Bike Series may have been the first time the new 4X track in Shepparton has been raced on but it was a familiar result with world champion Caroline Buchanan going out a convincing winner in the women’s event.
In complete contrast it was an American in his first 4X race who was the best of the men with Barry Nobles, one of the world’s leading BMX riders, showing a clean pair of wheels to the Australians.
Buchanan got the better of her regular rival, Sarhsa Huntington, who once again had to settle for second place just one week after collecting silver at the Australia Championships, while third went to Loren Vanetie.
To give the women more racing they contested their earlier rounds among the ‘sport’ category men, which the world champion enjoyed and also won comfortably.
“Sarhsa and I have raced each other every round in the national series for the past few years and every race she is getting closer. She’s top 10 in the world and awesome competition for me,” the humble Buchanan said.
“Today it was really great that we were able to mix it up amongst the men which made our first three races more challenging. It was good to race against the boys again because I haven’t done that since I was about 11.”
On the topic of the new course Buchanan rated as one of the best she has seen and dubbed it a world class facility with plenty of obstacles to keep you on your toes.
“This place is definitely where it’s at with 4X at the moment,” she said.
Buchanan went onto encourage more women into the sport and showing that actions speak louder than words will be hosting an all girls clinic at Mt Buller next weekend.
The men’s race was much tighter affair than the Buchanan dominated women’s event.
Nobles, all the way from Alabama, went into the final as the favourite thanks to his strong performances in the earlier rounds despite it being his first 4X event.
He got the jump out of the gate but national series leader David Habicht and Richard Levinson closed in on him at the first turn.
Levinson provided the biggest challenge into turn two and three even managing to take the lead momentarily.
However, the American didn’t come all the way down under to surrender his strong position on the track easily and fought his way back to take the win.
Levinson, in his desperation, lost control on the last corner to be overtaken by Habicht who claimed second to hold onto his national series lead. Levinson took third with fourth going to Michael Jobson.
“We jumped out of the gate and it was all pretty even,” a jovial Levinson said.
“I took the first corner with a good line and from there it was anyone’s.
“There was pushing, shoving, positions swapping left, right and centre and it was just good awesome racing. Some good fun.”
But it was the American, Nobles, who really turned heads in his first 4X race putting his vast BMX experience to good use with so many similarities between the two styles of racing.
“I’ve always wanted to do it and always had a 4X bike,” Nobles said of his win on debut.
“I worked myself up a little bit for the final and coming out of the gate I didn’t feel anywhere near as strong as I did earlier in the day. I just wasn’t relaxed enough but I did manage to hold them off to the end.”
Nobles missed his chance to make the USA team for the Beijing Olympics due an knee injury six months before the Games and now has London 2012 in his sights.
In the under-19 men Blake Nielson took the win and Canberra’s Max Hughes was too good the under-17 race.
Racing in round two of the Jayco Australian Mountain Bike Series continues in Shepparton over the weekend with the cross country being contested on Saturday and the downhill on Sunday.
4X Results in brief
Elite men 1. Barry Nobles 2. David Habicht 3. Richard Levinson 4. Michael Jobson
Nation’s best descend on Shepparton January 21, 2010
Thursday 21 January 2010
The 2010 Jayco Australian Mountain Bike National Series returns this weekend, with world 4X champion Caroline Buchanan, Beijing Olympian Daniel McConnell and Oceania champion Rowena Fry leading the charge at the second leg of the series in Shepparton.
Kicking off this Friday night (January 22), Australia’s best 4X riders will test their skills and speed on the newly-opened Kialla track, before the action heads down the road to the challenging course at Mount Major in Dookie.
Fresh from taking out his first national cross country crown at the Australian Championships in Adelaide last weekend, Beijing Olympian Daniel McConnell arrives in Shepparton bursting with confidence.
Although the 24-year-old Gippsland rider has earned the right to be labelled favourite, it will be fellow Victorian Lachlan Norris from Castlemaine who will be looking to burst his bubble on Saturday.
Norris, who celebrates his 23rd birthday today, finished just adrift of McConnell in his first year in the open elite category at the national championships, and although they are good mates off the track, the heat is sure to be on as soon as their wheels hit the dirt this weekend.
“We push each other so it’s great competition. Off the bike we’re good mates, but on the bike it’s hell for leather,” said Norris, the former under 23 national and Oceania champion.
“Dan’s one of my good mates, we’ve been through a lot together over the last four years and have lived together when we’ve been competing overseas.”
“I pulled up well after Adelaide and I’m in good form, so I’m pretty keen for a win this weekend.”
The challenging course on Mount Major is dominated by a start hill that will take more than 11 minutes for most to climb setting the pattern for the rest of the race.
“I haven’t ridden on the course before so it will be a mystery. I heard it’s pretty fresh so it will be rough,” Norris said.
In the women’s event, Launceston’s Rowena Fry will start as the one to beat.
Having secured victory at the first leg of the series in Hobart, followed by a comfortable win at the Australian Championships in Adelaide, the Oceania champion should have no trouble accounting for her rivals this weekend.
One of Australia’s best prospects for London 2012, Fry is one of only a handful of elite mountain bike riders to retain her funding from Cycling Australia.
On current form Heather Logie (ACT), who has come second to Fry in their last two outings, will provide the strongest challenge.
The 4X track at Kialla will make its debut on Friday night, and Canberra’s Caroline Buchanan will don her world champion rainbow jersey for just the second time this year.
Victory is almost a certainty for the 19-year-old, who is also one of Australia’s brightest hopes for BMX gold in London 2012.
The men’s 4X event will have an international flavour, with Diego Alvaro from Andorra and Barry Nobles from the United States featuring in a fairly open field. Ryan Hunt (NSW) and Ashley Grey (Vic) are likely to be amongst the contenders.
A favorite for riders and spectators alike, the downhill event is not for the faint-hearted.
On Sunday all eyes will be on one of the nation’s brightest young prospects, 16-year-old South Australian, Troy Brosnan who blitzed the field to take out the under-19 national crown on the weekend.
Despite admitting to making a few mistakes, Brosnan continued to add weight to his growing reputation with an extremely swift time that put him up amongst his more senior and experienced peers in the elite category.
In the open elite categories, defending series champion Leigh Douglas from Canada (second at nationals, winner in Hobart) looks to have the advantage in the women’s event.
In a strong field, the men’s race will be an enticing battle between in-form New South Wales riders Shaun O’Connor and Joshua Button, who filled the minor placings on the podium at nationals, and Hobart runner-up Amiel Cavalier.
Competition Schedule Round 2 -– Shepparton, Victoria
Saturday, 23 January 8:30am: Cross Country - elite, U23, U19, U17, veteran, master and super-master women 11:00am: Cross country - elite and U23 men 2:30pm: Cross country - U19, U17, veteran, master and super-master men 4.00pm: Downhill - elite and U19 men, elite and U19 women seeding
Sunday, 24 January 8:00am: Cross Country Enduro - 4 hour solo and teams 12:30pm: Downhill – Hardtail, U15, U17, vet, masters, sport women, U15, U17, expert, masters, vet and sport supermasters men 1:00pm: Short Course Cross Country 3:00pm: Downhill - elite and U19 men, elite and U19 women
Remaining 2009/10 Australian MTB Series dates
Round 3 Saturday, February 13, 2010 to Sunday, February 14 2010 Thredbo, NSW
Round 4 Saturday, 13 March to Sunday, 14 March 2010 Stromlo Forest Park, ACT
-ENDS-
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Where is Dookie? Shepparton Round 2 of 2009-2010 Jayco National MTB Series January 20, 2010
The location for Round 2 of the 2009-2010 Jayco MTBA Australian MTB Series is Shepparton. The maps below will help get you there. Note that the 4X is now being run on Friday evening at a separate venue. All events will be held at Mount Major except for 4X, which will be held in Shepparton.
Travel times and distances are as outlined below.
Distance Travel time Melbourne to Shepparton 190kms 2hrs Melbourne Airport to Shepparton 177kms 1 h 45 mins Shepparton to Dookie 29.8kms 30 mins Dookie to Mount Major 4.1kms 6 mins
In a tightly fought race for the downhill title at the SRAM Australian Mountain Bike Championships in Adelaide today, Chris Kovarik won his fourth national title while world number one, and pre-race favourite, Sam Hill crashed on the final corner just metres from the finish line.
Hill had set the fastest time in the qualifying round to be the last rider out of the start house and looked set to claim the title until it all came undone in sight of the line. Unscathed from the fall he got back up and crossed the line to finish fifth.
Having won the Australian title three years running, from 2000 to 2002, it was a pleasing return to the top step of the podium for Kovarik.
“Although it was pretty good I wasn’t really happy with the time. I was hoping to go two seconds faster than my qualifying time but I’ve just done the same time,” Kovarik said.
“Hard luck to Sam coming off on that last corner and giving it to me. I was just watching the times and think he would have had it by half a second (if he didn’t crash).”
For a disappointed Hill it was just the beginning of his season long campaign to reclaim the rainbow jersey of world champion.
Overshadowed by the drama of Hill’s crash, the silver medal went to Shaun O’Connor and the bronze to Josh Button.
The women’s event was dominated by Canadians Claire Buchar who was the quickest, followed by Leigh Douglas and the first of the locals Claire Whiteman who was crowned Australian champion.
Buchar has taken the opportunity to train in Australia over the summer to avoid the cold and snow of the Canadian winter, while Douglas now lives in Tasmania and is one of the dominant performers on the domestic circuit.
“They really push us along and both Claire and Leigh have been helpful this weekend with pointers on how to improve,” Whiteman said shortly after all three hugged in appreciation of their respective performances.
A humble Buchar said “It’s great to get some racing in during our winter and I love racing here in Australia. This is an awesome track and there was a great atmosphere.”
Plenty of attention was also paid to the under-19 men’s race where rising young gun Troy Brosnan of South Australia blitzed the field to snatch the win ahead of Daniel Lavis and Aden Wyber.
A relieved Brosnan said that he made a few mistakes but it was a great relief to win particularly with support he had from a very vocal crowd.
Much is expected of Brosnan as he has been touted as Australia’s next big thing in downhill racing and today’s win will only add to his growing reputation.
Emily Hockey won the women’s under-19 title ahead of Holly Baarspul and Christie Batt.
SRAM Australian MTB Championships – RESULTS
Elite men – downhill 1. Chris Kovarik 1:56.03 2. Shaun O’Connor 1:57.52 3. Joshua Button 1:57.58 4. Kaine Cannan 1:58.50 5. Sam Hill 1:59.25 6. Amiel Cavalier 1:59.65 7. Rhys Willemse 1:59.82 8. Mitchell Delfs 2:00.07 9. Rhys Atkinson 2:00.40 10. William Rischbieth 2:00.51
Elite women – downhill 1. Claire Buchar 2:18.46 2. Leigh Douglas 2:26.71 3. Claire Whiteman 2:31.89 4. Leonie Picton 2:32.55 5. Joanne Fox 2:34.45 6. Emma Lewis 2:36.34 7. Julia Boer 2:37.94 8. Shannon Chugg 2:41.11 9. Shelly Flood 2:43.95 10. Sarsha Huntington DNS
-ENDS-
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Fry, Taberlay deliver Tasmanian double January 17, 2010
Sunday 17th January 2010
It was a Tasmanian double in the short course cross country race at the SRAM Australian MTB Championships where once again Rowena Fry was a cut above the rest and Sid Taberlay took out the men’s title.
It was an intriguing tactical battle in the men’s race with Lachlan Norris continually attacking in an effort to break the spirits of pre-race favourite Daniel McConnell and the ever present Taberlay.
Norris wasn’t able to shake his rivals and at three laps to go he, McConnell and Taberley along with Ben Henderson and Joshua Carlson formed a group of five all in contention for the win.
The 29-year-old Taberlay used his vast experience by waiting patiently until the final lap to launch his bid for victory. McConnell marked the move and the two were shoulder-to-shoulder up the finishing straight with the Tasmanian getting the gold medal in a photo finish while the bronze medal went to Henderson.
“I was just hoping I had something left coming out of that bottom corner. I saw Dan throw his bike to the line and I didn’t think he got ahead of me but you just have to wait patiently for the photo finish to confirm it,” Taberlay said of the tight finish.
“Throughout the race I was just trying to be smart because I was suffering out there all day.
“It’s early season and I don’t quite have the horsepower needed so I was trying to suck wheels and stay in the game up until the last couple of laps so I had the best shot at it.
“After a little bit of an ordinary day yesterday it was good to live back up to expectations and deliver.”
On the back of his three cross country titles (2002, 04, 06) this was Taberlay’s first victory in the short course cross country.
While it was a familiar result in the women’s event, it was a drama packed affair with Katherine O’Shea (VIC) heavily crashing on the second lap, forcing her out of the race and briefly bringing the race to a halt.
Once racing resumed Heather Logie made all the running at the front with only Fry able to follow her pace. However, Logie lost control on a tight left-hand corner abruptly bringing her race to an end and leaving Fry out in front on her own.
“It was good to win but it feels a little hollow because of the early crash to Katherine that took her out of the race,” Fry said of one of her main rival’s fait.
“Unfortunately that’s short course racing. There was battle to get to the front and a little clip of the handlebars caused the crash.
“Then Heather was leading when she fell at the front which changed things a bit because I was going to try to sit on her and wait for an opportunity to attack but just had to go on my own and it was hard out in front.”
The race for the minor placing saw 18-year-old Rebecca Henderson take the silver medal and Jodie Willett (QLD) the bronze.
In the under-19 men’s race South Australia’s Mitchell Codner won ahead of Ryan Standish and Mathew Waghorn.
RESULTS – 2010 SRAM Australian MTB Championships
Elite men – short course cross country 1. Sid Taberley (TAS) 2. Daniel McConnell (VIC) 3. Ben Henderson (ACT) 4. Lachlan Norris (VIC) 5. Joshua Carlson (NSW)
Elite women – short course cross country 1. Rowena Fry (TAS) 2. Rebecca Henderson (ACT) 3. Jodie Willett (QLD) 4. Jenni King (VIC) 5. Joanna Wall (VIC)
-ENDS-
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National Season 4X Schedule CHANGED January 16, 2010
MTBA advises that the schedule for the remaining 4X races in the 2009-2010 National MTB Series has been changed from Saturday afternoon to Friday afternoon.
This will provide better servicing for the 4X riders as well as ease a very congested schedule on Saturday. This change becomes effective as of Shepparton at which the 4X racing will be on a brand new 4X track, designed and built by Glen Jacobs.
The new schedule for the remaining National Series events is downloadable here.
Fry again, McConnell a first - RESULTS January 16, 2010
Saturday 16 January 2010
Tasmanian Rowena Fry made it back-to-back titles in the cross country race and Beijing Olympian Daniel McConnell of Victoria took out the men’s event at the SRAM Australian MTB Championships in Adelaide today.
As the only mountain bike event on the Olympic program, there was more than the coveted green and gold jersey at stake with each performance between now and London sure to leave an lasting impression on the minds of national selectors.
For McConnell, who won the under-17 Australian title in 2001, it was a commanding win and his first national championship gold medal at the elite level.
“It’s great. It’s been a long time coming. I’m stoked. I’ve been working towards this for a few months. I really wanted this, so to come out with the gold medal I’m just stoked,” McConnell said.
On his longer term objectives he went on to say “Beijing was awesome. Once you go to one Olympics you want to go to more, so that’s definitely my goal.”
The 24-year-old got off to a flying start and managed to avoid a first corner crash that blocked the track for everyone caught behind it.
“There wasn’t a lot of passing so I knew I had to get off to a good start and try to set the early pace which I did,” he said.
“After a lap I opened a gap of five seconds and kept building on that, that was the goal and it worked out brilliantly.”
McConnell’s main challenger throughout the race was 2002, 2004 and 2006 winner Sid Taberlay who stayed in contact for the first three of the six lap race but couldn’t maintain the pace and fell away to finish fourth on a difficult course that also saw him crash on the fifth lap.
The second half of the race saw last year’s under-23 champion, Lachlan Norris, demonstrate his ever increasing strength as he overtook Taberlay and went on to claim the silver medal one minute and 35 behind the winner.
A surprising bronze medal went to little known Joshua Carlson from Wollongong. Carlson rode his first mountain bike race in 2007 and first national championships last year finishing 29th.
Having dropped from 86kg to 75kg in the past 12 months he cried “I want a brownie” shortly after crossing the line.
The U23 category in the men’s race was won by Paul van der Ploeg, who at 20 is quickly becoming one of Australia’s most likely contenders on the world stage.
In the women’s race Tasmania’s Rowena Fry started as the strong favourite and didn’t disappoint.
The 27-year-old lead from start to finish but didn’t quite have it all her own way as she was challenged by Heather Logie up until the final lap.
Logie, who has recently come across from adventure racing to mountain biking, eventually faded and had to settle for second place with third going to the experienced Jenni King.
“It’s bloody good,” Fry said of her win.
“I was really keen to win it this year. I love wearing the national jersey oversea, it means so much to me. I’m just rapt to be able to do it for another year.”
“The European season doesn’t start until March so hopefully I can hold my form and build from here.
“I’ve still got a bit of work to do but everything’s going in the right direction. It’s really good for my confidence to be riding this well early in the season.”
Despite her convincing win Fry was quick to acknowledge Logie’s silver medal performance.
“She’s a little ripper. She’s got so much go in her, she’s a great athlete,” the two-time Australian champion said.
“Once she gets her mountain bike skills up and gets a few more races in, she’s really going to push us top girls and its going to be great for mountain biking in Australia.”
After finishing seventh at the junior world championships last year Rebecca Henderson made her first appearance at an Australian Championship in the U23 category and was a convincing winner ahead of local favourite Sarah Homes. Another South Australian, Therese Rhodes took the bronze medal.
Sunday 17 January, the final day of racing in the SRAM Australian MTB Championship on a testing Eagle MTB Park course in Adelaide, will see world number one Sam Hill in action in the downhill. The short course cross country title will also be contested.
RESULTS – 2010 SRAM Australian MTB Championships
Elite men – cross country 1. Daniel McConnell (VIC) 2. Lachlan Norris (VIC) 3. Joshua Carlson (NSW) 4. Sid Taberley (TAS) 5. Aiden Lefmann (QLD) 6. Jason English (NSW) 7. Dylan Cooper (ACT) 8. Shaun Lewis (ACT) 9. Andrew Blair (NSW) 10. Nick Both (NSW)
Under 23 men – cross country 1. Paul van der Ploeg (VIC) 2. Cal Britten (ACT) 3. Daniel Bruansteins (VIC)
Elite women – cross country 1. Rowena Fry (TAS) 2. Heather Logie (ACT) 3. Jenni King (VIC) 4. Joanna Wall (VIC) 5. Jodie Willett (QLD) 6. Katherine O’Shea (VIC) 7. Kelly Bartlett (VIC) 8. Jessica Douglas (VIC) 9. Anna Beck (QLD) 10. Jody Bush
Under 23 women – cross country 1. Rebecca Henderson (ACT) 2. Sarah Holmes (SA) 3. Therese Rhodes (SA)
-ENDS-
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World Champion Buchanan dominates - RESULTS January 16, 2010
Friday 15 January 2010
In the rainbow jersey of world champion, Caroline Buchanan (ACT) claimed her fifth 4X Australian title at the SRAM Australian MTB Championships at Eagle MTB Park in Adelaide today and Luke Madil took out the men’s event.
It was the first outing for the 19-year-old Buchanan in the rainbow jersey of world champion. Starting as the outright favourite she coped well with the pressure putting in an almost floorless ride.
The women’s race was only ever a race in two as Sarsha Huntington challenged Buchanan through the first two berms as they rubbed shoulders fighting for the lead but the multiple Australian champion eventually got the better of the battle. Emily Hockey claimed the bronze medal in front of her home crowd.
“I wasn’t too sure what was going to happen in that first corner. It got pretty close in the first turn and I was ready for some carnage,” Buchanan said.
“I knew that Sarsha would be close and it’s great that she pushes me all the time.
“Being my first mountain bike race since world’s I was feeling a little bit rough in areas but I wear the rainbow jersey with pride and I had an absolute ball with it out there today.
“I was just as nervous for this race as I was for the world titles.
“This (Australian) title feels just as good as the first one.”
In addition to being the first outing for Buchanan’s rainbow jersey, it was the debut for the new 4X course at Eagle MTB Park that the current 4X world champion rated as world class.
“With 4X it’s important to get the lines equal so there’s not one fast line from top to bottom and they’ve done that here,” the 19-year-old said.
“It’s on a really good slope. They’ve made it really technical and it will make for really even racing.”
In the men’s race Luke Madill took his third Australian title after going through the quarter final and semi-final comfortably but got pushed to the line in the race for gold by Randal Huntington who made it a husband and wife combination in the silver medal position. The bronze medal went to Graeme Mudd.
“Having that strong first straight helped me a lot and got me out of trouble in the final,” Madill said of the way the race unfolded.
“But it’s still hard and you never know who’s behind you because with this track there’s lots of different lines so anything can happen.
“Once you get to the final experience really counts. But having the younger ones push us is good.”
Saturday 16 January at the SRAM Australian MTB Championship will see the race for the green and gold jersey in the elite men’s and women’s cross country where Rowena Fry will aim to defend her crown and Beijing Olympian Daniel McConnell will be aiming for his first title.
RESULTS
Elite men – 4X 1. Luke Madill (NSW) 2. Randal Huntington (QLD) 3. Graeme Mudd (NSW) 4. David Habicht (VIC)
Mountain bikers with a point to prove January 16, 2010
As the only Olympic mountain bike event the cross country race at the SRAM Australian MTB Championships, at Eagle MTB Park in Adelaide this Saturday, is sure to be a hotly contested affair.
Rowena Fry (TAS) will be heavily marked as she aims to defend her title in the women’s race but favouritism is far hard to pin-point in the men’s event.
Lachlan Norris (VIC), the 2009 U23 Australian Champion, will be stepping up to the senior ranks this year and is making no secret of his ambitions.
“Winning the elite national title is something I’ve always wanted to do and I think this year, compared to the last few, I’m in a much better position to do so,” the 22-year-old said.
“In other years there’s always been a standout favourite but that’s not the case this time around.
“I think I’m a lot stronger but others have improved as well so the overall level is higher and it’s a really tight field.
“Sid Taberlay (TAS) is always dangerous and has had some good results recently. But I think the one to beat will be Daniel McConnell (VIC) and you can never underestimate Adrian Jackson (VIC) who is really strong.”
After finishing 11th at the world championships last year, in the U23 category, he is hoping to make the Australian team for the elite race in 2010 and says the Australian championships will play an important role in achieving that objective.
However, like many mountain bikers, particularly after the recent funding cuts to the high performance program, Norris also has a heavy program of road racing.
“My road program will match in pretty well with my mountain bike commitments and the two complement each pretty other,” he said on the back of a solid seventh in the criterium at Australian Road Championships last week.
“But my heart is on the dirt. And like plenty of other mountain bikers I’m motivated by the funding cuts as we all think we’re as good as the athletes on any cycling program and we’re out to prove a point this year.”
Unlike the men, in the women’s race there is a clear pecking order with Rowena Fry (TAS) holding the position of being the hunted one.
Her main challengers are expected to come from last year’s silver medallist Jo Wall (VIC) and Katherine O’Shea (VIC), who won last season’s national series. Others to watch include local favourite Therese Rhodes (SA) and newcomer Heather Logie (ACT), who finished an impressive second behind Fry in round one of the national series.
Well aware of the old cliché that it’s harder to stay on top than it is to get to the top Fry said, “I’m excited going into the race but if I can win there’ll also be a feeling of relief.”
“There’s nothing that can make you more proud than representing you country overseas and wearing the green and gold jersey of Australian champion.”
Leaving no stone unturned in her title defense, the 27-year-old has been training on the course to ensure there are no surprises on Saturday.
“It’s a very fast course, with a lot of single track,” she said.
“The way the course is laid out it will be hard to gain time but easy to lose time.
“And although there’s not a lot of climbing, the climbs are short and sharp so you’ll need to be pretty punchy in those sections.
“But the biggest factor is that it’s a hard course to pass on, which will make the start and the whole first lap really important.”
The cross country race in the SRAM Australian Mountain Bike Championships will be raced at Eagle MTB Park in Adelaide Hills on Saturday 16 January 2010.
For more information or media accreditation, please contact:
Matthew Keenan - Jump Media and Marketing (03) 9500 0122 or 0438 048 083 matthew@jumpmedia.com.au
SRAM 2010 Australian MTB Championships update December 30, 2009
There have been some important changes and additions to the 'Championships'.
1. Entry closing date extended The entry deadline for closing has been extended to midnight 7th January. MTBA encourages you to pre-enter for the following reasons...
a) It will save you money. A late fee for any on-the-day entries of $50 will be applied b) Pre-entry helps the organisers resource and allocate appropriate infrastructure to the event. This will also help you get the very best from the event in so many ways - from toilets to DH transport to catering - all these things depend on knowing how many participants to expect.
Pre-enter now!
2. Club Team Relay The Club Team Relay is scheduled for Thursday 14th January at 12.30pm. The team is comprised of four (4) people from the same club but the requirements for the team structure has been relaxed as follows:
. A rider of any age (Male or Female) . A Female rider . A Junior rider (of any gender and of any age under 19) . A Veteran rider (of any gender and aged 30+)
If you are interested in being part of a team you no longer need to have the same jersey (although it is desirable) but you do need to be a member of the club that enters you, and you must have already entered another format for the Championships. Of course each team member must complete a single lap only and the winner is determined on the basis of the total time for the team for 4 laps of the XCO course.
Registration for the Club Team Relay is available till 10am sharp Thursday 14th January. The entry fee is $150 per team and must be paid on registration in full on a team basis - ie the entire Team fee is to be paid at one time. All podium teams will receive medals.
3. Championship Jersies MTBA is pleased to announce that all age group winners in the SRAM 2010 Australian MTB Championships will receive a MTBA National Champion jersey.
This is a first for MTBA. Tony Scott, MTBA EO said, "This is rewarding age class Champions in an official way that recognises their efforts in a very appropriate fashion for the Australian MTB Championships. The Jersey we have designed with help from Champion Systems, while recognisably similar to the jersey awarded to the Australian Champions in the UCI classes, will be distinctive enough that people will, in time, acknowledge the jersey wearer as an age group National Champion."
Skill based race categories (Sport, Expert, Novice, Hardtail etc) are not eligible to receive this jersey, but will of course still be awarded a medal for any podium position gained.
The whole event schedule is available for download below. Get all the latest information from the Nationals website.
General Meeting - January 16 - Proxy forms now available December 29, 2009
As previously notified the AGM meeting in Hobart on12th December was declared invalid due to some MTBA members not being notified of it. Our legal advice has confirmed that a General Meeting (to be be held in Adelaide on Saturday 16th January 8.00pm, Royal Coach Hotel) can ratify the 2009 AGM outcomes.
A notice for the General Meeting was emailed to all members and letters sent by post to those with no email address in our on-line member records informing of the General Meeting and the resolutions that it would contain. The previous news item contains this information.
The Proxy voting form for the General Meeting is now available and can be downloaded here.
The reasons for this are that some MTBA members, for whom we did not have an email address, were not notified of the AGM.
Our legal advisors have determined that a General Meeting to ratify the election results from the December 12 AGM will fulfill our obligations to the Constitution.
Notice is now given of a General Meeting for financial MTBA members will be held as follows: Place: Royal Coach Hotel Address: 24 Dequetteville Terrace, Kent Town, Adelaide, South Australia 5067 Date: Saturday 16th January 2010 Time: 8.00pm
MTBA will also take this opportunity to pass two important constitutional changes.
The Agenda for the meeting is:
1. Attendance (pass around the attendance sheet)
2. Resolutions.
Motion 1: It is moved to declare valid the results of the 12 December 2009 AGM.
Motion 2: Amend the MTBA constitution as follows:
1(1) After the paragraph titled "ordinary committee member", add:
"The Executive. The Executive means the office-bearers of the committee, plus the Cycling Australia Board Member and the Public Officer."
Explanation for this proposed change: MTBA has recognised the need to have accountability of our Officer Bearers, CA Representative and Public Officer.
Motion 3: Amend the MTBA constitution as follows:
29(2) Change this paragraph to read: "All votes shall be given personally, by electronic voting or by proxy but no member may hold more than five proxies and proxies may not be voted electronically."
Explanation for this proposed change: MTBA has recognised that the requirement to be physically present at a meeting or to allocate a proxy vote to another member, may disenfranchise some members who find it difficult to get to an MTBA meeting. This change will provide more equitable representation for members.
3. Close
Information about the 2010 World Championships Selection Policy December 16, 2009
MTBA has today issued the following concerning the Selection policy for athletes intending on making themselves available to represent Australia at the 2010 UCI MTB and Trials World Championships in Canada.
The Selection Policy applicable to the 2010 UCI MTB and Trials World Championships has been delayed due to the unforeseen circumstances relating to the significant windback of the Cycling Australia MTB High Performance Program. This has created many related issues, one of which was the wording of the Selection Policy which is now the responsibility of MTBA to develop and administer.
It is MTBA's intention to have a Selection Policy published by the end of the first week in January 2010. Athletes intending on representing Australia in 2010 must be aware that competing in the 2010 Australian National MTB Championships in the discipline(s) for which they intend to represent Australia will be a mandatory pre-requisite for Australian Team selection unless bona fide extenuating circumstances are presented.
Further information can be obtained from the MTBA Technical Director Chris Clarke.
2009 AGM and MTBA Management Committee Election Results December 15, 2009
MTBA proudly announces the following were elected to the MTBA Management Committee
Office Bearers President Russell Baker Vice President Norm Douglas Secretary Vacant Treasurer Ross Kroger CA Board Representative Nigel Walker
Ordinary Committee Members. XC Rider Representative Andrew Blair DH Rider Representative Simon French 4X Rider Representative Sarsha Huntington Bicycle Trials Rider Representative Kleat Wilson ACT State/Territory Representative Paul Aubrey NSW State/Territory Representative Warren Burgess Victoria State/Territory Representative Steve Clausen Tasmania State/Territory Representative Jody Bush South Australia State/Territory Representative Evan James Queensland State/Territory Representative Hayden Lester Western Australia State/Territory Representative John Carney Northern Territory State/Territory Representative John Pyper
The email contact details for all these committee members can be found in the contacts page.
MTBA welcomes your representatives for the year and encourage you to contact the appropriate member if you need to.
Specialized announced as Presenting Sponsor for Jayco MTBA 2009-2010 Asutralian MTB Series December 15, 2009
The Jayco National MTB Series has gained another high profile sponsor. Specialized will come on board as the Presenting Sponsor for all rounds.
Ben Morrison, Marketing Manager for Specialized said, "Specialized Bicycles is delighted to partner with Mountain Bike Australia in presenting to the Australian public this highly anticipated Jayco National Mountain Bike series. Through this series we reaffirm our commitment to promoting and celebrating Mountain Bike Racing in Australia.
The venues and dates for the Jayco 2009-2010 MTBA Australian MTB Series are:
Round 1: Glenorchy MTB Park, Tasmania - December 12-13 2009 Round 2: Shepparton, Victoria - January 23-24 2010 (UCI C2 listed for XCO and DH) Round 3: Thredbo, NSW - February 13-14 2010 (UCI C2 listed for XCO and DH) Round 4: Stromlo Forest Park, ACT - March 13-14 2010 (UCI C2 listed for XCO and DH)
Help Brendan “Trekky” Johnston in his fight against cancer December 14, 2009
Own a piece of Australian mountain biking history and support Trekky’s cancer treatment.
Up for auction on ebay (item 150397647262) is an official Australian national team jersey signed by members of the Australian mountain bike team that raced the world championships at Mt Stromlo in September 2009.
The shirt is a brand new medium sized Santini jersey with MTBA logo as worn by our national team. Most of the team has signed the jersey including Beijing Olympian Dan McConnell, national champions Rowena Fry and Lachlan Norris and many more including Katherine O’Shea and Paul Van Der Ploeg.
All proceeds from this auction will go to assist Brendan “Trekky” Johnston in his fight against cancer. Brendan was diagnosed with cancer just before the World Championships this year; he had urgent surgery to remove the cancer and amazingly was able to get back on the bike to race the championships and finish 50th. He is now at the start of a long road of chemotherapy.
You can read more on Trekky’s website. So help us help Trekky, and score yourself some unique Aussie sporting memorabilia.
MTBA announces location and date for 2010 Australian December 12, 2009
MTBA announces that the venue of the 2010 Australian Solo 24hr MTB Championships is Canberra on Easter weekend 3-4 April 2010.
More information will be given shortly.
Fry and McConnell off to perfect start December 12, 2009
Saturday 12 December 2009
The Jayco Australian Mountain Bike (MTB) Series got underway in Glenorchy, Tasmania, today with local favourite Rowena Fry taking the honours in the women’s cross country race and Beijing Olympian Daniel McConnell winning the men’s event.
After a difficult couple of weeks due to funding cuts to the high performance mountain bike program Fry was just relieved to be able to let her legs do the talking.
“I’m just happy to be out racing in the Australian summer and it’s good to get the season underway again especially after all the publicity that’s been about elite mountain biking (funding cuts),” the Australian mountain bike champion said.
“It’s good to come out and show that we’re still kicking on and still going well.”
Fry took control of the race right from the start with a commanding performance that showed her to be a class above the rest of Australia’s elite women despite claiming she didn’t have great legs on the main climb of the course.
“I don’t think anyone’s legs would feel good on that climb but I managed to get up it for five laps so I’m happy with that,” Fry said.
“It was a bit comical at the start because I wanted to sit behind someone but everyone else had the same idea.
“As no one wanted to take the lead I got forced onto the front and was trying to ride off some other girls and put the foot down with three laps to go.”
The minor placings were taken by Heather Logie from Canberra in second position at one minute and 27 seconds behind Fry, with Victoria’s Jenni King in third place a further one minute and 24 seconds back.
The first under-23 finisher was Rebecca Henderson, who went across the line in fourth position overall. After finishing eighth in the under-19 category at the 2009 World Championships it was Henderson’s first official race out of the junior ranks and confirmed she is a likely challenger to Fry in the near future.
In the men’s event the win didn’t come quiet as easily for McConnell but in the end he demonstrated why he started the race as the one to beat.
“I held back for the first few laps as I didn’t really know how the other guys were going. I got about half way and decided to make a move. I got a bit of a gap and got out of sight and that’s all I needed,” McConnell said.
“It’s good just to come out with a win. I’m rapt.”
Being round one of the Jayco Australian MTB series it was a chance for the 24-year-old Victorian to measure his early season form.
“It’s one thing to train but when you go out with 30 of Australia’s best riders it makes you think there’s always room for improvement,” McConnell said.
“I was just going into today’s race to see how the form is and see what I need to work on over the next month or two.
“The signs today were pretty good. So now I’m just looking forward to the rest of the year.”
There were also plenty of positive signs for Adrian Jackson finishing in second place one minute and 31 seconds behind the winner. Jackson finished second overall in the Jayco Australian MTB series last season and was sitting in third place for the majority of the day but finished strongly to show his consistency.
Tasmania continued its good run of results on home turf with Ben Mather finishing third.
In the men’s under-23 category a jubilant Paul van der Ploeg went out the winner with a victory salute reminiscent of an Arnold Schwarzenegger pose in his body building hey-day.
“I was just having a bit of fun and had been working on that one for a little bit,” van der Ploeg said of his celebration across the finish line.
“I’ll race all the national series, have fun with that and try and get serious for the world cup races when I head over to Europe in March for all the big ones.”
Tomorrow will see the downhill, enduro and short course cross country races contested.
Results Elite women’s cross country 1. Rowena Fry (TAS) 1:49.15 2. Heather Logie (ACT) at 1.27 3. Jenni King (VIC) at 2.56
Under-23 women’s cross country 1. Rebecca Henderson (ACT) 1:54.26 2. Therese Rhodes (SA) at 2.21 3. Sarah Homes (SA) at 2.21
Elite men’s cross country 1. Daniel McConnell (VIC) 2:05.11 2. Adrian Jackson (VIC) at 1.31 3. Ben Mather (TAS) at 2.17
Under-23 men’s cross country 1. Paul van der Ploeg (VIC) 2:08.20 2. Luke Fetch (VIC) at 3.45 3. Aaron Benson (QLD) at 6.31
Event Schedule Sunday, 13 December 2009 8:00am Cross Country Enduro - 4 hour solo and teams 8.00am Group B downhill practice (compulsory) - U15, U17, expert, master, veteran, sport and supermaster men and U15, U17, veteran, master, sport women 10.00am Group A downhill practice - elite and U19 men, elite and U19 women 12:30pm Downhill - U15, U17, expert, master, veteran, sport and supermaster men Downhill - U15, U17, veteran, master, sport women Hardtail 12:00pm Dirt jumping 1:00pm Short Course Cross Country 3:00pm Downhill - elite and U19 men, elite and U19 women
For more information, please contact:
Matthew Keenan - Jump Media and Marketing (03) 9500 0122 or 0438 048 083 matthew@jumpmedia.com.au
Fry ready to fly at Australian Mountain Bike Series December 12, 2009
Friday 11 December 2009
Australian cross country mountain bike champion Rowena Fry will have the home ground advantage when the Jayco Australian Mountain Bike Series gets underway in Glenorchy, Tasmania, on Saturday.
For the 27-year-old the race will be held in the shadows of the Cycling Australia announcement to reduce the funding for the high performance mountain program, which only seems to have added to her motivation.
“The funding issue in mountain biking I think is really, really sad. I love my sport and I think there’s great potential of us doing well at the Olympics but it’s going to be a bit harder without the funding there over the next couple of years,” Fry said.
“I think it’s important that we show our commitment to our sport.
“I could go and race the road and probably go okay at it but mountain biking is what I love to do and I want to represent my country at the Olympic Games in mountain biking.
“There’ll be a little bit of funding for me this coming year from Cycling Australia and if I can perform well enough overseas they may keep funding me if I’m showing (Olympic) medal potential so I’ve got a bit of work to do.”
After starting 2009 ranked outside the top 100 in the world Fry has been making impressive progress and is not hiding her ambitions for more improvement.
“I’m ranked 20th at the moment and hopefully I can push into the top 10 this season and we’ll see how I go from there,” the Tasmanian said.
She later said her aim is to be top five by 2012 and if she’s able to achieve that there’s no reason she can’t reach the podium at the London Olympic.
For this weekend’s opening round of the Australian MTB series she sees Katherine O’Shea, who won the series last season, as her main rival.
While Fry is focusing on her own challenges the Cycling Australia mountain bike coach, Neil Ross, is keen to see what talent can be unearthed.
“The national series is the primary qualification tool to do world championships, particularly for the under-19 and under-23 riders as this is where all the talent is identified,” said Ross to highlight the importance of the series.
“The national series is where we see the up and coming riders establish themselves and we see them against the top riders.
“That’s particularly the case in this first round because there are a lot of riders we haven’t seen performances from before who come out and make their first mark.”
The elite women’s cross country race gets underway at 8.30am on Saturday 12 December with the men’s cross country starting at 11.00am where Beijing Olympian Daniel McConnell will start as the favourite. And the 4X finals will be fought out in the afternoon.
Sunday will see the downhill and short course cross country races contested.
Tasmania kick starts National Mountain Bike Series December 12, 2009
Thursday 10 December 2009
The opening round of the Jayco Mountain Bike Australia National Series gets underway in Glenorchy, Tasmania, this weekend.
It will be the third time the Glenorchy Mountain Bike (MTB) Park has hosted a national series round and is fast building a reputation as one of the most challenging in Australia.
Following the recent announcement of the reduction in funding to the mountain bike high performance program, the 2009/10 national series could be one of the most significant in the history of the sport in Australia.
Mountain Bike Australia (MTBA) executive officer, Tony Scott, has been quick to point out the importance of the national series because of the pathway it provides to the top end of the sport for elite riders.
“The national series has always been an important stepping stone for riders with ambitions to race on the international stage and has been the proving ground for some of Australia’s best cyclists, across any discipline of the sport, including Cadel Evans and Trent Lowe,” Scott said.
“Plus it gives the riders an opportunity to show themselves to potential sponsors.”
Performances of riders like Evans, the current road race world champion, won’t be lost on the next generation of Australian mountain bike stars making their way through the ranks.
Among those to watch this weekend will be Beijing Olympian Daniel McConnell who will start as the favourite in the men’s cross country race, which is being fought out on Saturday.
McConnell won the Glenorchy round of last season’s national series but won’t have it all his own way this time around with two of Australia’s most promising young mountain bikers, Lachlan Norris and Paul van der Ploeg, set to mount a challenge.
Norris, 22, is the current under-23 Australian and Oceania cross country champion and has recently signed with the Drapac-Porsche team, who despite being a road team, will be supporting the young Victorian in achieving his mountain bike ambitions.
For van de Ploeg, who finished 16th in the under-23 cross country race at the 2009 world championships, the national series will provide the 20-year-old the opportunity to fulfill the enormous potential many within Australian cycling believe he holds.
In the women’s event Launceston’s Rowena Fry will start as the one to beat in the cross country race.
Fry was a late starter to the sport, at 23 years of age, but is one of the few in the high performance mountain bike program to have maintained her funding from Cycling Australia.
Now 27, this season’s national series will be an important proving ground for Fry as she looks ahead to the 2010 Commonwealth Games and beyond to London 2012.
She is the current Oceania champion in the cross country race and was the winner of the Glenorchy round of the national series last season.
Katherine O’Shae, who rides for team Torq, won the 2008/09 national series and will be the major challenger as she aims to defend her title against Fry.
A lot of attention will also be paid to Rebecca Henderson, the current under-19 Australian and Oceania champion, as she makes the step up to the senior ranks.
On Sunday, the attention will turn to the downhill races on a course that is widely recognized as one of the best in Australia.
In the men’s event, Amiel Cavalier will be looking to get his campaign off to the perfect start after finishing second in last season’s national series.
It won’t be an easy task for the 22-year-old as Australia’s downhill stocks are extremely strong.
Glenorchy will be the first official race in the senior ranks for 18-year old Shaun O’Connor. A silver medallist in the under-19 downhill world championships earlier this year, O’Connor’s progress against the men will be among the most closely watched over the weekend.
In the under-19 men’s downhill South Australia’s Troy Brosnan, who recently signed a contract with the Specialized team despite being just in his first year in the under-19 category, will also attract plenty of attention.
In the women’s downhill category local favourite Leigh Douglas, from Kingston, will be carrying the number 1 race plate as the defending series champion.
But much of the interest in the women’s downhill races will be in the under-19 category where 2009 world championship bronze medallist Holly Baarspul will make the trip from Western Australia. The 17-year-olds biggest threat is expected to be Canberra’s Christy Batt.
Round 1 - Event Schedule Saturday, 12 December 2009 8:30am Cross Country - elite, U23, U19, U17, veteran, master and supermaster women 8.30am Downhill practice - all classes 11:00am Cross country - elite and U23 men 11.30am 4X seeding 1.00pm Group A downhill practice - elite and U19 men, elite and U19 women 1:30pm 4X finals 2:30pm Cross country - U19, U17, veteran, master and supermaster men 4.00pm Group A downhill seeding - elite and U19 men, elite and U19 women
Sunday, 13 December 2009 8:00am Cross Country Enduro - 4 hour solo and teams 8.00am Group B downhill practice (compulsory) - U15, U17, expert, master, veteran, sport and supermaster men and U15, U17, veteran, master, sport women 10.00am Group A downhill practice - elite and U19 men, elite and U19 women 12:30pm Downhill - U15, U17, expert, master, veteran, sport and supermaster men Downhill - U15, U17, veteran, master, sport women Hardtail 12:00pm Dirt jumping 1:00pm Short Course Cross Country 3:00pm Downhill - elite and U19 men, elite and U19 women
2009/10 Australian MTB Series dates Round 1 Saturday, 12 December to Sunday, 13 December 2009 Glenorchy MTB Park, Hobart
Round 2 Saturday, 23 January to Sunday, 24 January 2010 Shepparton, Victoria
Round 3 Saturday, February 13, 2010 to Sunday, February 14 2010 Thredbo, NSW
Round 4 Saturday, 13 March to Sunday, 14 March 2010 Stromlo Forest Park, ACT
2010 MTBA Australian Championships Monday, 11 January to Sunday 17 January 2010 Eagle MTB Park, Adelaide
For more information, please contact:
Matthew Keenan - Jump Media and Marketing (03) 9500 0122 or 0438 048 083 matthew@jumpmedia.com.au
Tasmanian Mountain Bike Plan December 10, 2009
I am pleased to announce that the Tasmanian Mountain Bike Plan was officially launched by the Minister for Sport and Recreation, Michelle O’Byrne, at the Kate Reed Nature Recreation Area in Launceston today.
Development of the Tasmanian Mountain Bike Plan involved extensive consultation with the community, land managers and other stakeholders with an interest in mountain biking and I would like to thank all the riders and stakeholders who provided input into the process. The positive response from the community and land managers indicates the strong interest in providing a diversity of mountain bike opportunities in Tasmania and ensuring the activity is sustainably managed in the future.
The Tasmanian Mountain Bike Plan is now available for download here and I encourage you all to read this high quality, robust document that will guide the future development, management and marketing of mountain biking opportunities in Tasmania. For those who have been following the project updates via the same website you may need to refresh the web page (F9 button) if you follow the link above.
The launch coincided with the announcement of nearly $300K funding for the trail networks at Kate Reed and Trevallyn Reserves in Launceston through Sport and Recreation Tasmania’s Trails and Bikeways Grant Program. The Tasmanian Mountain Bike Plan identified a gap in the provision of authorised singletrack opportunities close to population centres. The development and upgrading of the trail network in Trevallyn and Kate Reed Nature Recreation Areas will be a major step forward in addressing this supply gap in the Launceston area.
Keith Ryan: Project Manager – Tasmanian Mountain Bike Plan
2009 MTBA AGM - Nominations and voting December 6, 2009
As of closing of the nomination period the following nominations for positions as the Office Bearers and as Ordinary Committee members on the MTBA Management Committee were received.
Nominations in italics have additional information available to aid members to make an informed choice.
Members who cannot attend the AGM may still exercise their right in voting via a proxy vote. The Proxy assignment forms are downloadable below.
President Rob Eva Russell Baker
Vice President John Harvey Norm Douglas
Secretary Ross Kroger
Treasurer Ross Kroger
CA Board Representative Nigel Walker
XC Rider Representative Andrew Blair
DH Rider Representative none received
4X Rider Representative Sarsha Huntington
Bicycle Trials Rider Representative Kleat Wilson
ACT State/Territory Representative Paul Aubrey
NSW State/Territory Representative none received
Victoria State/Territory Representative Steve Clausen
Tasmania State/Territory Representative Jody Bush
South Australia State/Territory Representative Evan James
MTBA Commits to Supporting Elite MTB Athletes December 4, 2009
Media Release Thursday, 3 December 2009
Cycling Australia (CA) has announced that funding for the high performance cross country mountain bike program would be reduced but support for the Olympic and World Championship program would continue.
With much of cycling’s funding being based on Olympic medals, CA made this decision in the belief there are limited Olympic medal prospects for London 2012 within mountain biking.
In 2010 the funding will be reduced from having a full scholarship for six riders down to three and will be further reduced in 2011 down to two riders.
Having recently announced Jayco and Specialized bikes as sponsors of the 2009/10 national series, Mountain Bike Australia (MTBA) executive officer, Tony Scott, has taken a pragmatic approach to the announcement.
“Although the reduction in funding for our high performance program is disappointing MTBA remains committed to supporting our elite riders and providing a pathway to the elite level of the sport,” Scott said.
“A key part of that is the current four round national series, the national championships and state series run by our member clubs.
“The national series has always been an important stepping stone for riders with ambitions to race on the international stage and has been the proving ground for some of Australia’s best cyclists, across any discipline of the sport, including Cadel Evans and Trent Lowe.”
Scott was also keen to point out that one of the strengths of mountain biking that remains, regardless of government funding, is the level of industry based sponsorship of trade teams that are an important part of providing a pathway for Australia’s aspiring elite riders.
Evidence of the success of this system has been that, from outside the existing high performance program, mountain biking has produced current 4X world champion Jared Graves and dual downhill world champion, 2006 and 2007, Sam Hill.
Despite this Scott said MTBA “will continue to work with Cycling Australia to look at ways we can maximise the overall cycling resources to benefit those currently within the MTB high performance program and those who are just on the fringe of achieving that level.”
Working in favour of mountain biking is the strong growth the sport has seen at a grass roots level with more than 10 per cent annual growth in MBTA membership numbers for the past four years.
But Scott believes success at the elite and the grass roots level of the sport go hand-in- hand.
“We see part of the sport’s growth coming from the inspiration provided by our elite riders,” Scott said.
“It is for this reason that we will continue to lobby for the funding of our high performance program and continue to invest in the national series as a pathway for riders who aren’t part of the high performance program and for those who are inspired, just to ride their bike, by the riders who represent Australia on the international stage.”
For further information (media only), please contact:
Matthew Keenan Marketing and Communications Manager Tel: 03 9500 0122 Mob: 0438 048 083 Email: matthew@jumpmedia.com.au
Cycling Australia winds up MTB High Performance Program December 4, 2009
2 December 2009 for immediate release
Cycling Australia today announced that it will, with regret, wind up the Mountainbike Cross Country (MTB XC) High Performance Program effective from 31 December 2009.
"This has been a very difficult decision to arrive at and one that has come after a considerable period of review," said Cycling Australia CEO, Graham Fredericks. "The key reason for this decision is the stretched resources available for our High Performance Programs."
Cycling Australia's current level of funding has been rolled over for the past three years and this has meant Cycling Australia has had to absorb significant increases in the cost of international travel for competition, athlete training & preparation.
"Federal Government funding in 2009 was approximately $1million less than in 2008 and there is no indication this will change in the future," said Mr Fredericks. "As a result all High Performance programs have been stretched to maintain operations at a standard that is capable of continuing to produce medal results in Olympic events.
"Whilst we have attracted a welcomed increase in commercial sponsorship support in some areas there is no immediate prospect of further additional funding so we've had to reassess what we spend and where we spend it," he said. "We are being very pragmatic about using the limited resources we have in targeting athletes and programs with very genuine medal prospects in London in 2012."
This assessment has led to the decision to focus Cycling Australia's current resources, both human and financial, towards programs with greater Olympic medal prospects.
"We would like to express our thanks to the Tasmanian Government who through the Tasmanian Institute of Sport (TIS) has provided significant support enabling this program to continue over the past year," said Mr Fredericks. "We would also like to thank the University of Tasmania, Felt, SRAM, Scody, Geax, Bell, Torq, Skins and Rockshox for their sponsorship of the program."
Cycling Australia will continue to work with the mountain bike community to develop and grow the MTB discipline with the hope that the program may return in the future.
To ease the impact of the decision Cycling Australia has put in place a transition plan which is as follows:
Head Coach Neil Ross will remain in our High Performance network and potentially oversee training programs for MTB XC athletes. He will also be involved in additional duties to be confirmed in coming weeks. Three athletes have been identified to receive assistance from the Cycling Australia High Performance Program in 2010 (Rowena Fry, Gracie Elvin and Paul Van der Ploeg). Beyond 2010 an assessment will be made as to continued support.
Cycling Australia will identify funding that can be directed towards a new staff position that will be able to administer and manage the Australian MTB team to contest World Championships each year. This will ensure aspiring athletes are still managed and assisted in their goals to represent Australia.
Performances by Australian MTB riders at UCI World Cups and World Championships will qualify positions for the London 2012 Olympics. On current nation rankings we should qualify at least one male and one female athlete. Cycling Australia will continue to manage the Olympic Games selection process on behalf of the Australian Olympic Committee and it is intended Neil Ross will be the coach of the MTB athletes in London.
The Dirt Roads to London talent identification program has been completed. In general terms it was a success for MTB XC having unearthed a number of talented athletes such as Rowena Fry from Tasmania, and it has also increased the female elite field at national level cross country events.
__________________________________________________________ For further information (media only) please contact: Gennie Sheer, Sheer Rhetoric, Marketing & Communications Manager, Cycling Australia Tel: +61 418 863 533 Email: gennie.sheer@cycling.org.au Cycling Australia website www.cycling.org.au
Event Village Booking for Expo and exhibitors for Jayco national Series Events December 2, 2009
Please download the form here and forward onto the MTBA event manager.
Deadlines for AGM and entry to national round #1 extended December 2, 2009
The deadline for nominations for positions on the MTBA Management Committee have been extended till Saturday 5th December. Nomination forms are available in a previous post.
Pre-Entry for the first round of the Jayco 2009-2010 MTBA Australian MTB Series has also been extended till 12pm Friday 4th December. Entry is available on-line as follows:
XCO (Elite, U23, U19 and U17 only) click here. 4hr Enduro (Solo (male and female in open and 40+), Pairs (male, female and mixed teams in open and 40+) and Schools Team of three (male, female and mixed 13yo - 18yo) click here. Short Track XC (XCC) click here. DH click here 4X click here
Voluneers needed for Round 1 - Glenorchy November 26, 2009
Wanted! Volunteer Event Crew
That’s right, it’s on again
already. Last year we had the last round, this year we have the
first. And that makes for a fairly short holiday between events!
This
season MTBA have taken on most of the administrative roles required in
running this event, leaving us with just having to provide the racing
venue and a volunteer army to assist. In return we get a guaranteed
income and less grey hair.
So, if you are coming to watch the
best Mountain Bike action and riders in the country, or you have time
in your competing schedule, remember, the best seats are reserved for
the event crew.
To help you decide to best time to volunteer here is a rough schedule for the event:
Session 1, Friday Afternoon 11 Dec: Practice for all disciplines Session 2, Saturday Morning 12 Dec: Olympic distance cross country (XCO) racing, downhill and 4X practice Session 3, Saturday Afternoon 12 Dec: More XCO racing, downhill practice and 4X racing Session
4, Sunday Morning 13 Dec: Short course cross country (XCC) racing,
Enduro cross country racing, downhill practice and racing Session 5, Sunday Afternoon 13 Dec: More enduro cross country and downhill racing
So,
if you can help out, please complete the volunteer registration form
over the page and send it to me (post, email or phone) as soon as you
can. I will confirm receipt of your registration form and contact you
again in the fortnight leading up to the event with a volunteer
roster. Maybe even a grand prize draw for one lucky volunteer!
We
are of course overflowing with gratitude for your offers of help and
will respond in the normal way with free T Shirts, other give-aways and
free gourmet food while you’re working. Call me anytime if you have
any questions or suggestions.
Updates to National Series Scheduling November 19, 2009
Several important updates have been agreed upon for the Series. As you can see from the on-line entry notices above Master aged XCO race categories have been re-inserted into the race schedule for Saturday. Participants 30 years and over can now enter the Jayco MTBA Australian MTB Series in their own classes of Veteran, Masters and Super-Master in both male and female XCO.
The male master aged athletes will race after the Under 19 and Under 17 riders at 2.30pm, while the females will race after the Elite, U23, U19 and U17 women at 8.30am.
Other changes are:
Presentations for XCO now scheduled for directly after the finish of the racing block as follows:
All Women at 10.30am,
Elite/U23 men at 1.30pm
U19,U17 and Master aged men at 4.30pm
Transponder issuing is now set for a strict time slot as follows:
XCO Elite/U23 men 9.30 - 10.00am Saturday
XCO Women at 7.00 - 7.30am Saturday
XCO U19,U17 and Master aged men at 1.00 - 1.30pm Saturday
XCE all categories at 7.00 - 8.00am Sunday
It is imperative that riders intending on participating take note of these times. In particular transponders will not be issued outside the times listed above.
Jayco announced as 2009-2010 National Series sponsor November 18, 2009
As you can see by the name MTBA has secured Jayco as the 2009-2010 Series Sponsor. Jayco have been widely involved in high profile cycling events such as the Jayco Herald-Sun Tour for many years and their entry into the mountain bike aspects of cycling is very welcome.
Here is what Andrew Ryan from Jayco said about the sponsorship, "Jayco is very excited to be a part of the Australian Mountain Bike Series, it is a great sport that doesn’t always get the support that it deserves and look forward to a long association with the event." We couldn't agree more!
Expect to see some of the cutting-edge Jayco products at the Series rounds.
The venues and dates for the Jayco 2009-2010 MTBA Australian MTB Series are:
Round 1: Glenorchy MTB Park, Tasmania - December 12-13 2009 Round 2: Shepparton, Victoria - January 23-24 2010 (UCI C2 listed for XCO and DH) Round 3: Thredbo, NSW - February 13-14 2010 (UCI C2 listed for XCO and DH) Round 4: Stromlo Forest Park, ACT - March 13-14 2010 (UCI C2 listed for XCO and DH)
2009 MTBA AGM notice November 13, 2009
The 2009 AGM will be held in conjunction with the 1st round of the Jayco 2009-2010 MTBA Australian National Series in Hobart on December 12th 2009.
The venue is the Grand Mercure Hadleys Hotel 34 Murray Street Hobart and the meeting will commence at 8.00pm sharp.
The agenda can be downloaded below.
Nominations are now sought from interested members who wish to govern, direct and influence the future of MTBA for the next 12 months. Nominations are for Office Bearers (President, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer) as well a number of Ordinary Committee members who will be tasked with the roles of MTB format rider representatives and representatives from each State and Territory.
Download the nomination forms here. Nominations close at 5.00pm (Qld time) on Monday 30th November 2009. The nominations will be made public on December 1st 2009. The elections will be via personal attendance at the AGM or via proxy votes held by members attending the AGM. Only 5 proxy votes are able to be held by any one member. Proxy forms will be made available on December 1st 2009.
Gillian Duncan steps down as MTBA President November 13, 2009
Gillian Duncan, President of MTBA since 2005 is seeking a life outside MTBA after overseeing some of the most significant changes in MTBA's 10 years.
Here is how Gillian has seen the past 4 years of her inspiring leadership of MTBA...
How MTBA has developed 2005-2009
The AGM in 2005 was a turning point in my involvement in mountain biking. I was elected President, taking over from Tony Scott in this role. Well, frankly Tony had every role back then: President, Executive Officer, administrator of membership and accounts, MTBA secretariat, conduit for IMBA in Australia and first point of contact for members and everyone else. Now in 2009, it’s time for me to step down. It’s time for someone else to lead MTBA from a small business to a big business.
By 2009, MTBA’s growth in membership has led to an expansion of staff. Tony now will be supervising staff who will get to concentrate just on their special area within MTBA.
Promotion of IMBA methods within Australia has been a cornerstone of MTBA since inception. Places to ride well-designed trails are essential and means developing relationships with land managers. New staff member, Nick Bowman, IMBA AU national director has the challenge to create IMBA services around Australia while building a membership base to fund his work.
Another service MTBA has been developing is a coaching pathway for members. After many false starts, MTBA has collaborated with Cycling Australia’s staff in the development of a Level 1 MTB specific course. I have been instrumental in coordinating (CA) CycleSkill courses in south east Qld through 2009 just for MTBA members. Of these 26 CycleSkill coaches, 12 will be attending the first ever Level 1 MTB course in October. You too can achieve this in your State/Territory. These initiatives demonstrate our close relationship with CA and their support of mountain biking.
Through the period 2005-9, CA, BMXA and MTBA have approached our insurers to cover our aggregated membership with the resultant lowering of our premium. This has led to a mutual Value-Add membership arrangement between all three bodies. MTBA has a significant number of CA members taking up discounted MTBA membership.
MTBA’s new online systems to process memberships and event entry will prove to be a turning point in efficient management of joining/renewing with MTBA, participating in our club’s events and receiving follow up news. This is the beginning of better online services.
Another new staff member is Chris Clarke, DH/4X National Coach and Technical Director for MTBA. Chris has several roles, all closely related to racing matters. Coaching courses will be coordinated by Chris which relate to his role with DH and 4X development and all disciplines generally. As National Technical Director, Chris also oversees the planning stage of the racing aspect of the National Series. I am very grateful to CA for their financial support of Chris’ roles.
The 2009-10 National Series has come a long way. MTBA has supported National rounds with a team of officials: timing, announcer, media manager, commissaires to improve the experience of riders and to raise the profile of MTBA. To this team has been added Karin Jones, MTBA Event Manager to take the Series to a higher level. Exciting time ahead for our National events.
Excellent bids for the three-year contract to deliver our National Championships demonstrated the tourism and promotion potential of MTBA events. Adelaide will host the Champs 2010-12 to dovetail in with the world class Tour Down Under, giving MTB riders a reason to stay on to see international standard road cycling.
The pinnacle of 2009 MTB and Trials World Championship, where Australia gained gold in both Elite Men and Elite Women 4X and medals in Junior Men, Junior Women and Elite Men Downhill.
The Worlds was the highest achievement of the Canberra Off-Road Cyclists (CORC), a club which has always led Australia with brave and innovative ideas. The birthplace of MTBA and 24 hour racing, CORC has been instrumental in placing Australia as the number 1 solo 24 hour racing nation in the world.
In 2009, MTBA members are exceptional downhill and 4X riders and exceptional endurance athletes. We have many reasons to be proud of how far we’ve come.
My hope is that the new president of MTBA will further develop MTBA services to members while at the same time promoting club activities and marketing MTBA as the club to join.
Gillian Duncan October 2009
Finalists for the Jayco 2009 Australian Cyclist of the Year Awards November 11, 2009
11 November 2009 for immediate release
Cycling Australia is pleased to announce the finalists in the Jayco 2009 Australian Cyclist of the Year Awards.
The Awards will be presented at a gala celebration being staged at the Plaza Ballroom Melbourne on Sunday 22 November. The night will culminate with the announcement of the Scody 2009 People's Choice Cyclist of the Year and the presentation of the Sir Hubert 'Oppy' Opperman Medal and Trophy to the Jayco 2009 Australian Cyclist of the Year.
"Australian cycling has enjoyed a stellar year both at home and on the international stage," said Mike Victor OAM, President of Cycling Australia. "Forty five Australians have been crowned World Champions in 2009 across every discpline and category.
"Australia topped the medal table at the UCI Track (elite, junior and masters) and Road World Championships this year which is a clear indication of the depth of talent in our sport.
"From juniors to masters, in road, track, BMX, mountainbike and Para-cycling Australians continue to make an impact and the Jayco 2009 Australian Cyclist of the Year Awards is an opportunity to recognise the hard work and effort put in by everyone involved in Australian cycling."
The complete list of finalists in the respective Award categories are listed below. For more detailed infomation on each of the finalists please go to the Cycling Australia website.
The Jayco 2009 Australian Cyclist of the Year Awards finalists are:
Toshiba Elite Male Track Cyclist of the Year Jack Bobridge Leigh Howard Cameron Meyer
Toshiba Elite Female Track Cyclist of the Year Kaarle McCulloch Anna Meares OAM Josephine Tomic
Cycling Central Elite Male Road Cyclist of the Year Allan Davis Cadel Evans Simon Gerrans
Cycling Central Elite Female Road Cyclist of the Year Ruth Corset Rochelle Gilmore Chloe Hosking
Cycling Central Elite Male Mountain Bike Cyclist of the Year Jared Graves Mick Hannah Sam Hill
Cycling Central Elite Female Mountain Bike Cyclist of the Year Caroline Buchanan Gracie Elvin Janine Jungfels
Elite Male BMX Cyclist of the Year Luke Madill Sam Willoughby Khalen Young
Elite Female BMX Cyclist of the Year Rachel Bracken Caroline Buchanan Lauren Reynolds
Elite Male Para-cyclist of the Year Michael Gallagher OAM Ryan Hughes Craig Parsons
Elite Female Para-cyclist of the Year Claire McLean Jayme Paris Susan Powell
Malaysia Airlines Elite Male Masters Cyclist of the Year Graeme Allbon Keith Oliver David Willmott
Malaysia Airlines Elite Female Masters Cyclist of the Year Shirley Amy Michelle Crawford Megan Marsh
Junior Male Track Cyclist of the Year Alex Carver Luke Durbridge Michael Hepburn
Junior Female Track Cyclist of the Year Michaela Anderson Amy Cure Megan Dunn
Junior Male Road Cyclist of the Year Luke Durbridge Patrick Lane Jay McCarthy
Junior Female Road Cyclist of the Year Amy Cure Megan Dunn Kendelle Hodges
Junior Male Mountain Bike Cyclist of the Year Michael Baker Shaun O'Connor Rhys Willemse
Junior Female Mountain Bike Cyclist of the Year Holly Baarspul Shelley Flood Rebecca Henderson
Junior Male BMX Cyclist of the Year Michael Chasteauneuf Anthony Dean Sam Willoughby
Junior Female BMX Cyclist of the Year Rachel Bracken Lauren Reynolds
SBS Television Coach of the Year Wade Bootes Matt Gilmore Iam McKenzie
2009 Scody People's Choice Cyclist of the Year The finalists nominated by popular vote are: Brendan Bailey Caroline Buchanan Cadel Evans Simon Gerrans Jared Graves Anna Meares Mark Renshaw Sam Willoughby
Cycling Australia Media Awards - Keith Esson Regional Media Award 666 ABC Canberra - Jim Trail & Andrea Ho Canberra Times Ballarat Courier
Cycling Australia Media Awards - Best Photo Damian Breach - Australian Mountain Bike CJ Farquharson - womenscycling.net Sarah Reed - Adelaide Advertiser
Cycling Australia Media Awards - Best Story Mark Falahey, Mike Tomalaris & John Flynn - SBS Television Samantha Lane - Sport & Style Andrea Williamson, Peter Walsh & Roger Wills - 891 ABC Adelaide
Awards will also be presented in the following categories: Australian Sports Commission Volunteers of the Year Cycling Australia Event Merit Award National Road Series Champions (Male, Female and Team) Australian Club Premiership Norm Gailey Trophy for Champion State
__________________________________________________________ For further information (media only) please contact: Gennie Sheer, Sheer Rhetoric, Marketing & Communications Manager, Cycling Australia Tel: +61 418 863 533 Email: gennie.sheer@cycling.org.au
2010 MONT 24hr now 88% subscribed November 6, 2009
Entries for the Mont 24 Hour Race have been open since Monday and entries have flooded in. As of Thursday night we are currently at 88% of our entry cap. If you haven't registered and/or completed your entry, you might want to click some buttons rather soon.
All that Sparrow Hill goodness is on offer again for 2010 and we are in top gear with planning another top event. Make sure you have the weekend of 27th-28th of March free. Register for our newsletter and keep checking back to the event website for more information as the year progresses.
For further information contact: Alan Vogt Event Coordinator Mont 24 Hour Race 0405 635 651
"Ride the Bird in 2010!"
2010 MTBA Australian MTB Championships - website and on-line entry now live November 5, 2009
MTBA invites expression of interest and tenders to provide media consultancy to MTBA as detailed below.
EOIs must be sent to MTBA no later than COB Thursday 12th November 2009 and include: 1. Details of your previous experience in media provision for sporting events
2. An outline of your extensive knowledge of mountain biking 3. A tender cost to fulfill the Media Services given in Section 3 below
Support for travel, accommodation and meals for each event will be made available to the successful applicant.
The position is for an immediate start.
##
Mountain Bike Australia Media Consultancy
1. Objective of Consultancy:
To deliver to MTBA a range of media services aimed at increasing
the public exposure, awareness and profile of the sport of mountain
biking in Australia
Develop a cooperative working relationship with all media on behalf of MTBA
2. Consultant requirements
The consultant:
Must have the personal (time) and physical (technology) resources to undertake the role
Must have an extensive understanding of the sport of mountain biking
Must have had previous experience in media, preferably relating to sport
Must have extensive and established relationships and networks with the media community
Must be adept at fostering effective relationships with MTBA staff,
athletes and athlete managers in (sometimes) highly charged environments
3. Media Services
The media services to be provided by the MTBA Media Consultant will broadly include;
Production and distribution of pre-event media opportunities including alerts and releases
Attend each event and coordinate and assist media in attendance
Assist and advise on the production and distribution of vision
for events to TV networks including shot lists and scripts, as may be
required
Production and distribution of post-event media releases including the distribution of results
Provide a comprehensive list of media produced and distributed for each event
As well provide:
Liaison with media to generate athlete promotion and profile development opportunities.
Liaison with the CA Media Manager to leverage off high performance and national team media operations
Advice and assistance to MTBA Executive and staff on crisis management issues as they may arise
Advice and assistance in the production and distribution of general MTBA media releases as required
4. Limitations The
consultancy is generally limited to events and activities as listed in
section 4. Any involvement in events other than these will be
separately negotiable between the MTBA Media Consultant and MTBA.
5. Events and Activities The consultancy will encompass and require attendance at the following events:
Australian Championships encompassing:
2010 MTBA Australian MTB Championships (Adelaide, South Australia 12 - 17 January 2010)
2010 MTBA Australian MTB Marathon Championships (Avoca, Victoria 18 April 2010).
2010 MTBA Australian Solo 24hr MTB Championships (tbc)
National Series events as follows:
Round 1: December 12-13 2009 Hobart, Tasmania,
Round 2: January 23-24 2010 Shepparton, Victoria,
Round 3: February 13-14 2010, Thredbo NSW,
Round 4 March 13-14 2010 Canberra ACT.
The consultancy will also include the following events in regard to distribution of media information:
CA Cyclist of the Year Awards (November 22 2009, Melbourne Victoria)
Oceania Continental MTB Championships (March 18-21 2010, Dunedin New Zealand)
UCI World MTB Cups
UCI World MTB Championships
6. Reporting
On an operational basis at events the MTBA Media Consultant will liaise with the MTBA Executive Officer and MTBA Event Manager
The MTBA Media Consultant will produce a written report detailing
the media achieved for each event within 14 days of the event. The
report will be addressed to the Office Bearers of MTBA through the MTBA
Executive Officer.
The MTBA Media Consultant will also provide a 'whole of season' written report to the
MTBA Board by 30 June each year, outlining the activities undertaken
and achievements in securing media for the listed events.
Periodic reports may be requested for MTBA Management Committee meetings on specific events and issues.
7. Performance Criteria The
key KPI will be the way in which the report to MTBA after each event
shows a steady increase in the quantity, quality and variety of media
engaged before, during and after each event by the MTBA Media
Consultant.
2010 NZ MTB Cup, National and Oceania Mountainbike Championships Confirmed November 3, 2009
3rd November 2009 Celebrating 25 years of competitive mountainbiking in New Zealand during the summer of 2010!
Mountainbike NZ and BikeNZ are pleased to announce confirmed venues and dates for 2010's national and international level competitive summer mountainbike events.
RaboPlus NZ MTB Cup, Downhill #1 Christchurch Jan 8/9 #2 Dunedin Jan 16/17 #3 Nelson Jan 23/24 #4 Rotorua Feb 5/6 #5 Whakatane Feb 12/13 #6 Rotorua Feb 20/21
RaboPlus NZ MTB Cup, Cross Country #1 Christchurch Jan 10 #2 Dunedin Jan 16 #3 Nelson Jan 23 #4 Tokoroa Feb 7 #5 Hamilton Feb 14 #6 Rotorua Feb 20
RaboPlus National Mountainbike Championships Wellington, Feb 26 to March 1st
National Mountainbike Marathon Championships Wellington, March 6th
UCI Oceania Mountainbike Championships Dunedin, March 18 to 21st
The 2010 RaboPlus NZ MTB Cup presented by Nature Valley kicks off Mountainbike NZs summer competitive events package in the second weekend of January, and competitors will visit a mix of established and new locations in their quest for national series honours. Several new venues on the NZ MTB Cup circuit for both downhill and cross country disciplines come on line next summer - the Christchurch Living Springs development for both cross country and downhill events, the new Whakatane downhill race course, and a national event first time for the Waikato's Hamilton.
Mountain biking continues to grow at an fast rate in NZ, and BikeNZ and Mountainbike NZ (MTBNZ) are excited to be bringing an action packed Mountain bike Festival to Wellington - catering for the best Cross Country and Downhill racers in the country to families and those new to mountain biking through a range of competitive and fun events.
As part of the 25 year celebration Mountain bike Festival, the National Mountain bike Championships are scheduled for the end of February in Wellington where six separate National titles are competed for. The ten day festival starts on Friday February the 26th with National Championship Four Cross racing and culminates with the popular and 25th anniversary edition of the Karapoti on Saturday March the 6th. The National Mountain bike Marathon Championships will also be held in conjunction with the 2010 Karapoti.
The UCI Oceania Championships return to New Zealand in 2010 - this event being a true international level mountain bike event with all Oceania Cycling Federations sending strong teams to compete. Dunedin hosts the Oceania's for the first time in 2010.
MTBNZ's Chris Mildon is well aware of the level of interest in these competitive events where NZ's best mountainbike Elite and age group athletes can measure themselves against their peers, and also take on Oceania's best if they choose. Athletes such as 2009 Downhill Junior World Champion Brook MacDonald will springboard off the high quality Oceanias competition into the northern hemisphere World Cup racing season.
"The late withdrawal of Queenstown's Coronet Peak venue created a major challenge for MTBNZ in scheduling a series that both fits the needs of participants and creates a showcase for the sport. While this final confirmation is quite late, we are confident that the 2010 events package will deliver on both counts, and MTBNZ eagerly looks forward to seeing Christchurch get things rolling in just over two months time. We are also pleased to have the NZCT returning as a key funder, and RaboPlus and Nature Valley returning as principal and associate sponsors of the events package."
Detailed information on the events will be available shortly at www.mtbnz.org
Eight finalists for Scody 2009 People's Choice Cyclist of the Year - voting for the winner now open November 2, 2009
Australia's cycling fans have lodged their nominations with eight finalists now in the running:
- Brendan Bailey - Caroline Buchanan - Cadel Evans - Simon Gerrans - Jared Graves - Anna Meares - Mark Renshaw - Sam Willoughby
The Scody 2009 People's Choice Cyclist of the Year gives Australian cycling fans the opportunity to vote for their favourite Australian cyclist of 2009. The award will be presented at the Jayco Australian Cyclist of the Year Awards being staged at the Plaza Ballroom in Melbourne on Sunday 22 November 2009.
Who has the best team spirit? Who is the best role model? Who has posted the most outstanding performances? Who deserves this honour?
Voting is open to Australian residents only and all those who lodge a nomination will go in the draw for a Scody prize pack :
- Two tickets to attend the 2009 Australian Cyclist of the Year Awards on Sunday 22 November 2009 - Return economy air travel for two adults from the winner's closest Australian capital city to Melbourne - Overnight twin share accommodation at Melbourne's Swanston Hotel Grand Mercure. - A Scody cycling jersey and knicks
Voting will close at midnight Friday 6 November 2009.
____________________________________________ For further information (media only) please contact: Gennie Sheer, Sheer Rhetoric - Marketing and Communications Manager, Cycling Australia Tel: +61 (0) 418 863 533 Email: gennie.sheer@cycling.org.au Cycling Australia website www.cycling.org.au
Voting now open in Scody 209 People's Choice Cyclist of the Year October 30, 2009
Votes can be cast for any Australian racing cyclist registered with Cycling Australia across the BMX, MTB, Road and Track disciplines and all categories, elite, junior, Para-cycling and masters.
Voting is open to Australian residents only and all those who lodge a nomination will go in the draw for a Scody prize pack :
Two tickets to attend the 2009 Australian Cyclist of the Year Awards on Sunday 22 November 2009 Return economy air travel for two adults from the winner's closest Australian capital city to Melbourne Overnight twin share accommodation at Melbourne's Swanston Hotel Grand Mercure. A Scody cycling jersey and knicks
The nomination phase of voting is open until midday (AEST) Friday 30 October and fans are urged to nominate their favourite.
Based on the nominations received a list of finalists will be drawn up and from midday Monday 2 November until midnight Friday 6 November 2009 voting will be open to decide the Scody 2009 People's Choice Cyclist of the Year.
____________________________________________ For further information (media only) please contact: Gennie Sheer, Sheer Rhetoric - Marketing and Communications Manager, Cycling Australia Tel: +61 (0) 418 863 533 Email: gennie.sheer@cycling.org.au Cycling Australia website www.cycling.org.au
Further information for possible hosts of 2010 Australian Solo 24hr MTB Championships October 29, 2009
More information has become available for potential bidders of the 2010 Australian Solo 24hr MTB Championships. This information is in regard to recent advice from the owners of the World Solo 24hr MTB Championships. MTBA wishes to advise that the following is the minimum needed to gain selection as the Australian Solo 24hr MTB Championships.
It is as follows:
In order to be considered a qualifying event for the 2010 24Hrs of Adrenalin World Solo 24Hr MTB Championships, events must meet certain standards for advertising, logo placement and prizes. In general, these are: . The logo for the 2010 24Hrs of Adrenalin World Solo 24Hr MTB Championships Qualifying Event must appear in all advertising, programs, media releases and promotional material for the qualifying event. . The logo for the 2010 24Hrs of Adrenalin World Solo 24Hr MTB Championships Qualifying Event must appear on number plates and identification badges for the qualifying event. . A minimum of two hard banner signs of the 2010 24Hrs of Adrenalin World Solo 24Hr MTB Championships Qualifying Event logo at least 1.0m high and 1.4m wide must be located in the finish straight within 20m before or 20m after the finish line. . The Overall Solo Male and Female Winners must each receive a minimum cash prize of $A 1,500 which they can use to pay for their entry to the 2010 24Hrs of Adrenalin World Solo 24Hr MTB Championships plus a full fitout pit area (marquee, table, chairs, power, lights, heater, floor) and some travel subsidy.
Once the organisers of qualifying events have agreed to these obligations, they will: . be identified as a qualifying event on the 24 Hours of Adrenalin website, the 2010 24Hrs of Adrenalin World Solo 24Hr MTB Championships website, in the event program and by public address announcements at the 2010 24Hrs of Adrenalin World Solo 24Hr MTB Championships. . be advised of the number of qualifiers from their event. For the Australian Solo 24Hr Championships, this number will use the 75% / 50% rule based on the number of laps completed by the overall male and female winners: . Riders completing 75% or greater of the winner's laps will qualify for the Elite Worlds and the Age Group Worlds categories . Riders completing 50% to 75% of the winner's laps will qualify for the Age Group Worlds category . If they have not already qualified above, the first 5 male and first 3 female singlespeed riders will qualify for the World singlespeed category.
Questions about these qualification rules or the required artwork can be directed to Russ Baker at bakersmtb@mac.com
Chancellor wins second consecutive Surf Coast 6hr battle October 26, 2009
If the sublime scenery and epic ocean views didn’t knock competitors and spectators out – then the course for the Southern Exposure 6hr MTB Festival did!
More than 1500 hyped mountain bike enthusiasts from across Australia hit the Victorian Surf Coast shores to watch the line up for the mass start of the Southern Exposure 6hr and 3hr twilight enduro ride at Eumeralla on Saturday. Mountain bikers tested their bodies and bikes and in some cases their friendships while pedalling through the Surf Coasts hidden treasure of world class mountain bike trails.
After only three years of existence, the Surf Coast 6hr could lay claim to being Australia’s most popular 6hr night race – proof not only of its iconic status amongst all levels of riders and attracting international riders, but also of the magnitude to which this iconic Surf Coast event inspires all who ride it.
South African competitor Ed Sturrock said, ”I’ve raced some iconic international races and the vibe here was excellent with a great spirit amongst the riders which is great for overseas competitors. The course was outstanding, a good length of single track which was clearly marked, not too challenging but certainly of a high standard. This race definitely ranks as one of the better races I’ve done.”
Scott Chancellor confirmed his pedigree as one of Victoria’s top all round mountain bikers when he extended his current streak of impressive results to claim his second consecutive title at the Southern Exposure Surf Coast 6hr MTB Festival at the weekend.
Chancellor’s victory was sweet as he not only conquered a demanding 6 hours of riding into the night, but he beat off a high quality field, including sibling Sam Chancellor and 2007 title holder Troy Bailie. Chancellor said, “it’s a great race with a big turnout for a 6hr event. All the climbs had rewarding downhills and the race had a fantastic atmosphere. It was a close finish, with the other guys just minutes behind me. I guess it was my lucky day”.
With the absence of elite mountain biker Jess Douglas, Courtney Shinn dominated with her aggressive riding style to take the top podium spot in the 6hr solo women’s category ahead of and Torquay local, Jo King in second place and Linda Wylie cruising into third.
Shinn, a recent convert from triathlons said, “I didn’t own a mountain bike until March this year and I haven’t done much night riding, but the event was so well organised that I had nothing to worry about; just jump on the bike and start peddling. She added, “The course was awesome, free flowing single track and felt really nice to ride. The sandy sections and short steep climbs kept the race challenging.”
Another surprise win were the local Evan’s sisters, taking out their wily Melbourne Rivals in the 6hr Female Team category. “We managed good lap times on the fast single track which suited all levels of rider. We’re so motivated after our win, we’re already talking about training for our next race”.
Mick Sheehan, event director said “We’ve already had so much positive feedback. The weather was on our side and the improved village and track design seemed to go down well with both the elite competitors as well as the social team entries.”
Men’s 6hr Team member David Macdonald commented, “We managed to improve on our 5th last year and snag 2nd in the 6hr men’s 3's, so as you could imagine we're over the moon. We all loved the changes to the track, is was so much faster for all of us and without the fast bumpy corners from the first half of last year a lot less punishing on the body. Even though it was longer we lapped in pretty much the same times as last year.”
Event Organisers, Southern Exposure were also thrilled with the level of junior competition. Sonia Ivetac, event manager said, “Hopefully these junior riders will continue to build skills, ride for fun and may continue to pursue racing. It’s great to see so many keen young riders out there.”
Thomas Power pulled off a feisty win in the 6hr Junior Solo category while, SPC 1st School team blasted into 1st place ahead local Geelong school team GBC Rockets in the 3hr Schools Category.
Full results are available on the race website at www.surfcoast6hour.com.au
2009-2010 National Series Rider Information October 25, 2009
The latest version of the National Series Rider Information for the 2009-2010 National Racing season is now available.
It can be downloaded here. It will cover most if not all the information you will need to know about the upcoming season.
WORLD CHAMPIONS IN ULTIMATE TEST OF ENDURANCE October 19, 2009
World Champions confirmed starters for Downhill Race
It has been confirmed that Current Downhill Junior world champion, Brook McDonald, and current 4X World Champion, Jared Graves, will be in attendance at D’Aguilar Range Cycle Club’s Inaugural Beerburrum 6 Mountain Bike event.
Riders will compete over a 6 hour period, attempting to complete the most number of passes over the 1.2 kilometer track, in a bid for a $2,500 prize pool; the winner taking home $1,000.
The event starts at 9am with a ‘Le Mans’ run, and will conclude after a gut‐wrenching 6 hours of shuttled laps of the Downhill Mountain Bike trail adjacent to Beerburrum‐ Woodford Rd, in the Glasshouse Mountains. It is estimated the winner will complete nearly 40 laps of the technical track which contains a number of jumps, drops and road gaps.
According to event sponsor, Gavin Finlay, of Ashgrove Cycles, downhill mountain biking is a great spectacle for all, including families. It provides a great opportunity to see the bush and how the riders can take on the toughest of obstacles.
The D’Aguilar Range Cycle Club is a non-profit organisation committed to bringing mountain bike riding to the community. They run races and social rides as well as help support talented and enthusiastic cyclists.
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If you would like more information on the event, or to schedule an interview with a particular participant, please contact Hayden Lester on 0438 813 902 or email to haydenlester@hotmail.com
Forestry Tasmania Mountain Bike Series and Championships launched October 16, 2009
TASMANIA’S top mountain bikers, including high profile riders Rowena Fry and Ben Mather will compete at the first of 10 events in the Forestry Tasmania Mountain Bike Series, to be held at Turners Beach in Tasmania’s north west on Sunday.
The series will involve five cross country and five downhill events statewide on Sundays between now and the end of February, with the championship finals to be held at the Tolosa Mountain Bike Park in Glenorchy on Saturday and Sunday March 20 and 21.
The events are being run by the Launceston Mountain Bike Club and the Hobart Wheelers and Dirt Devils and are being sponsored by the Forestry Tasmania/Southern Cross Community Assist program.
Launceston Mountain Bike Club President Ian Smith said it was the sixth year the championships had been held.
The series attracts riders aged from 11-70 across 18 categories, catering for beginners through to national contenders including high profile riders like Rowena Fry, Ben Mather and Sid Taberlay when they can fit these events into their hectic racing schedules” he said.
“These events not only help raise the profile and participation in mountain biking in Tasmania, but also provide a pathway for juniors and elite riders to the national series.”
Mr Smith said the two clubs were proud of their reputation for providing high quality events that cater for people from all walks of life, including families, juniors, beginners, women and the elite.
“In the past 12 months the we have worked hard to bring new people to the sport and have achieved a 100 per cent increase in membership,” he said.
“We strive to create a friendly, fun and approachable environment at all of our events to encourage newcomers and beginners to participate.”
Mr Smith said the series had been significantly boosted through $10,000 in sponsorship and naming rights through the Pride of Tasmania category of the Community Assist program.
“Mountain biking is a healthy, fun, accessible and sustainable activity that often takes place in forests managed by Forestry Tasmania,” he said.
“We are excited about developing an even deeper relationship with Forestry Tasmania.
“The sponsorship will go a long way to develop the statewide series.
“We are also thrilled to be given assistance in working with the media to raise the profile of the sport.”
Forestry Tasmania Mountain Bike Series cross country events will be held on Sundays at:
- Turners Beach in the north west on October 18 - Clarence Mountain Bike Park in Clarence on November 15 - Ben Lomond on November 22 - Hollybank Adventure Forests in the north on December 6 - Kellevie in the south east on December 20
Forestry Tasmania Mountain Bike Series downhill events will also be held on Sundays at:
- Wyena, near Hollybank in the north on October 25 - Tolosa Mountain Bike Park in Glenorchy on November 15 - Hollybank Adventure Forests in the north on December 6 - Wyena on February 28 - Plus a venue and date to be announced
On-line entry for Round 1 2009-1020 National series now available October 16, 2009
On-line entry to round 1 of the 2009-2010 National MTB Series at Glenorchy, Tasmania is now available.
To enter XCO (Elite, U23, U19 and U17 only) click here.
To enter 4hr Enduro (Solo (male and female in open and 40+), Pairs (male, female and mixed teams in open and 40+) and Schools Team of three (male, female and mixed 13yo - 18yo) click here.
Cycling Australia Media Awards - Call for Entries - Jayco 2009 Australian Cyclist of the Year Awards October 14, 2009
Cycling Australia is pleased to announce the Jayco 2009 Australian Cyclist of the Year Awards will be held on Sunday 22 November 2009 at the PLaza Ballroom in Melbourne. The awards celebrate the achievements of Australia’s elite cyclists over the past year and will again feature a spectacular array of cycling talent.
A key component of these awards is the annual Cycling Australia Media Awards. Cycling Australia is now calling for entires from Australian media. Guidelines for nominations in the three categories awarded are as follows:
PURPOSE To acknowledge the contribution of the Media to sport, and cycling in particular. To highlight the role of the Media in the promotion and development of the sport of Cycling. To acknowledge excellence in journalism and other media skills in the course of reporting and commentating on the sport of Cycling.
CATEGORIES Story of the Year (Print or Electronic Medium) - incorporating a news or feature story published in a metropolitan or national Australian newspaper, magazine or web publication or broadcast on an Australian metropolitan or national radio or television network excluding Regional & Suburban media; Photograph of the Year - editorial photograph published in an Australian newspaper, magazine or website; Keith Esson Media Award - designed to recognise the contribution to Australian cycling by Australian regional and suburban media outlets (print and electronic). May be a story or series of coverage.
CRITERIA The content of any nomination must be predominantly in reference to performance, activities or issues relating to Australian cyclists or Australian cycling events.
Nominations for the Media Awards will be assessed against broad Criteria that will encompass, but not be limited to:
The capacity to embrace the character and colour of the sport of cycling The public interest or ‘newsworthiness’ of the item The impact of the storyline (or success in capturing the action in the case of photographs or video). Accuracy, balance and journalistic merit Nominations must be relevant to the period 1 November 2008 to 25 October 2009. All nominations must have been published or broadcast within this period. Entry is restricted to Australian media professionals.
ENTRIES Nominations should be marked ‘Confidential’ and mailed to:
Cycling Australia Media Awards PO Box 6310 ALEXANDRIA NSW 2015
Nominations can also be emailed to info@cycling.org.au with Confidential Media Awards entry in the subject header:
Entries should be accompanied by the following information in support of the nomination (Please note entry material will not be returned):
Title of nomination and name of publication/network A brief resume of the journalist, photographer, producer, etc Contact details Date/edition when entry was published/screened/aired A brief summary of reasons supporting the nomination A copy of the story/photo as detailed below: Newspaper or magazine entries - the original article or pdf file of the printed article; Web entries - a CD-ROM with an html or pdf file of the story; Photographic entries - a CD-ROM or emailed hi resolution jpg and one print; Radio and Television entries - a CD-ROM or emailed MP3/WMV file of radio stories / a DVD of television entries Nominations are limited to a total of two (2) entries per individual, publication or network
CLOSING DATE Entries must be submitted by C.O.B. Friday 30 October 2008
I thank you in anticipation of your support of the Jayco 2009 Australian Cyclist of the Year Awards and look forward to your nominations. If you require any further clarification on the nomination process please contact me.
Name and logo design for the new Children's membership level October 13, 2009
Help us name and design the logo for the new membership level for U13s
MTBA have decided to implement a new membership level aimed at children
aged under 13 - see previous posting. We could call it a "children's
membership" or some variant of that but we know that someone will have
a name that will perfectly describe and instantly appeal to the MTBA
members of this age bracket.
So MTBA is calling for submissions to:
1. Name the new membership level, and 2. Design a logo for use on the membership card and general membership information for these new members.
The
reward, if you are the successful designer, is a free full MTBA
competition membership for 12 months (including membership of a club of
your choice).
Submissions need to be sent to MTBA (by email
only) by November 2nd. The MTBA Committee will make a choice of the
winning submission shortly after that.
So get designing!
24 hour MTB championships at Canberra October 13, 2009
The Scott 24 hour Mountain bike championships were held at Mt Stromlo in Canberra last Saturday when a field of 2300 riders took part in the biggest Mountain bike event of its type in the Southern hemisphere, now in its tenth year. Riders battled it out not just against each other but the two different circuits of approximately 18 k each over 24 continuous hours up and down steep, technical and rocky terrain.
Riders where treated to views at the highest point over looking Canberra and Black mountain one side and remnants of the burnt out Stromlo observatory from the 2003 fires on the other
Despite suffering from a cold and an untimely puncture, Forrest local Jessica Douglas, retained her title as Australian female solo champion completing 19 laps in 24 hours and one minute.
Starting off proceedings with an impressive sub 50-minute lap, leading from the start the business like Jess Douglas finished a lap clear of Trudy Only and third place Jacqui Kennet.
The men’s Solo category was taken out by Current Australian and World Champion Jason English who finished on 23 laps in a time of 24 hours twenty one minute, leading by a lap from John Blankenstein and Steve Fitchett
Colac’s Ben Culton who took on his first ever Solo 24 hour event after only competing in two other major six hour races and riding seriously for only six months, not only completed 14 laps to finish 30th out of a hundred strong field of solo riders but has also qualified to take part in next years world championships to be held in Canberra.
Ben maintained a positive frame of mind and a constant lap rate with a positive attitude and a smile on his face throughout the event. Norm Douglas who was supporting Jessica Douglas also assisted Ben and said he was most impressed with Ben’s achievement.
Fellow Forrest mountain bike club member Phil Bickerdike also completed 14 laps finishing just 3 seconds and one position behind Ben also qualifying for the worlds in Canberra next year.
Phil was on his way to completing his first 24 hour race at the Kona event in Forrest last year before falling and breaking a collarbone ending his race prematurely.
Forrest mountain bike club members Sarah Bromley, Beth Meades and Care Stevens combined in the women’s threes to take out first place in their category with 18 laps
The team of Sandy Maxwell, Liz Mulconry, David Jupp and Tony Timonowicz held third place in the mixed fours 40+ category until one of their riders took a heavy fall on a -downhill section at about 3 O’clock in the morning and unable to claw back that lost time, finished forth with 22 laps, eighteen minutes behind third.
MTBA announces new membership level for children October 13, 2009
At the recent MTBA Management Committee meeting a new and innovative membership level aimed for children aged under 13 years of age was ratified. The membership will be costed at $30 for a full 12 months and will come with all the great and industry leading insurance covers that existing MTBA members enjoy.
Clubs will be encouraged to ensure that their club membership fees for this level of membership are kept commensurately low.
The new membership will be available from January 1st 2010.
"Many clubs around Australia already have extensive activities for children - often run in conjunction with their regular big-people races - so implementing a cost effective membership for them makes sense. It has been some time since MTBA has had a new membership level and we are all thrilled that one looking after families and their children was the first" said MTBA Executive Officer Tony Scott.
MTBA will publish a comprehensive guide to clubs for activities that are age appropriate before implementation.
Sam Willoughby wins BMX World Cup Series making history October 12, 2009
‘Australian BMX Sam–sation’
After a doubtful start in qualifying motos, Australia’s Sam Willoughby scraped through by a mere point to progress on and eventually win the elite men’s BMX Supercross World Cup final round in Frejus (fray jers), France. The 18 year old from Adelaide creates history by becoming the youngest rider ever to win the overall World Cup Series plus the first Australian to claim a series win.
“I had a real rough start to the day. The pressure was on but I managed to pull my head back in and refocus on the job at hand. I learnt a lot about myself today!” said Willoughby.
For the final I wanted the inside lane and used that to my advantage, Maris (Strombergs) and I fought it out on the first straight and it was a drag race to the finish. It is a privilege to race against such formidable competition. Great to win here and to be the 2009 overall season winner.”
Only four months earlier Willoughby rewrote history books by becoming the first rider ever to win two World Junior Championships and his success continued in the World Cups following that with a win in round two and second in round three.
Under the watchful eye of the High Performance National BMX coach, Wade Bootes, Willoughby has tried not to be deterred by the pressure but instead has focused on each race.
“Our approach for this year was to focus on the World Cup events and the World Championships. That worked out really good,” explained Willoughby.
The eight rider final boasted a top class field which included Donny Robinson (USA), year’s series winner , Olympic bronze medallist and elite men’s World Champion, Also in the final was Olympic gold medallist, Maris Strombergs (LAT) and the winner of the previous World Cup race in California. Second was Robinson with Argentine’s Cristian Bercerine in third place while Strombergs finished in fifth.
On the leader board, Willoughby takes out the overall series with an impressive 672 points after four rounds. His position looked confirmed during the semi-final when his closest rival, Dutch rider Raymon van der Beizen, bowed out in the semi final. Another Dutch rider was hot on his heals in the final and Ivo van der Putten ended up just 158 points behind while Robinson was195 points off the lead claiming second and third respectively.
In the women’s race was a home crowd pleaser withFrench rider Laetitia Le Corguille, winning in a close finish. World Junior Champion, Columbian Mariana Pajon, placed second, while strong USA rider, Arielle Martin, rode in for third. Two Australian riders made the final and it was Western Australia’s Lauren Reynolds in striking distance of a podium position early in the race but was pushed back into seventh with a strong finishing Caroline Buchanan from Canberra placing sixth while Reynolds finished a respectable seventh.
Le Corguille took out the overall World Cup series for a third consecutive time. The Olympic silver medallist recorded 660 points while younger team mate Eva Alloud claimed 570 points. Martin from the USA gained third place overall with 463 points.
The Australian women also finished with remarkable results overall with three riders in the top ten. The Mountain Bike World Champion four cross rider, Buchanan ended the series in sixth, Reynolds in seventh and Rachel Bracken from Queensland in tenth.
The BMX Supercross event was the final of four and was held in Frejus southern France in conjunction with a massive mountain bike event called the Roc d’Azur.
For more race information contact
Sharon Payne Media Manager BMX Australia +61(0)412 773500 sharon@bikemedia.com.au
Wonderboy Willoughby wins again October 11, 2009
10 October 2009 for immediate release
South Australian teenager, Sam Willoughby has taken out the UCI BMX Supercross World Cup Series after claiming victory in the fourth and final round in Fréjus, France.
It was the second series round win for the 2008 and 2009 Junior World Champion who also won in Pietermaritzburg, South Africa in August and was second in the third round last month in America. But things didn't run smoothly for the 18 year old who finished only seventeenth in Friday's time trials. He also had a rough start in the first round on Saturday scraping into the quarter finals by one point. But from then on the young Australian was on fire winning every race.
“I had a real rough start of the day,: said Willoughby who went into the final round with a narrow series lead. "The pressure was on but I managed to pull my head back in and refocus on the job at hand.
"I learnt a lot today," he said. "Our approach for this year was to focus on the World Cup events and the World Championships and that worked out really good.”
In the men’s final Willoughby was up against some fierce competition. Maris Strombergs from Latvia, the current Olympic Champion and winner of the previous round in Chula Vista, was in lane four and was keen to win. But the current elite men's World Champion Donny Robinson from the USA also looked in good shape winning all his motos in the three heats of the first round.
But Willoughby outperformed all. He charged out of the gate in the final leading from start to finish. Willoughby battled it out with Strombergs on the first straight and was leading going into the first turn. Robinson challenged in the final straight but Willoughby proved too strong. Robinson placed second and Argentinian Christian Becerine was third. West Australia's Khalen Young, 24, finished seventh in the final while South Australia's Brian Kirkham, 23, was knocked out in the first round.
“For the final I wanted the inside lane and used that to my advantage, Maris and I fought it out on the first straight and it was a drag race to the finish," Willoughby explained. "It is a privilege to race against such formidable competition.
"Great to win here and to be the 2009 overall season winner.”
Willougby ended up on 672 points, 158 points clear of second ranked Ivo Van Der Putten of the Netherlands (514 points) with Robinson third in the Series standings on 479 points.
In the women's final Frenchwoman Laëtitia Le Corguillé, second fastest qualifier, conceded the lane pick to Colombian Mariana Pajon who led until the last straight. But with the finish in sight Pajon was overhauled by a determined Le Corguillé. The experienced French rider, who also won the silver medal at the Beijing Olympics, beat the Junior World Champion on the line in an extremely close finish. Third place went to Arielle Martin of the USA. Canberra's Caroline Buchanan, 18, and WA's Lauren Reynolds, 18, both contested the final with Buchanan placing fifth and Reynolds sixth.
Le Corguillé won the series crown with 660 points while Buchanan ended the series ranked sixth with 420 points and Reynolds seventh with 405 points. Queensland's Rachel Bracken, 18, went out in the semi-final to finish the season ranked tenth in the Supercross Series rankings.
Photos are available for editorial use only from the following links. Please credit pictures UCI BMX/Getty Images/Michael Steele
Caption: Podium - Reigning junior World Champion, Sam Willoughby (c) won the fourth and final round in France to claim the 2009 UCI BMX Supercross World Cup Series crown. Reigning elite World Champion Donny Robinson (l) was second with Argentinian Christian Becerine (r) third in Frejus.
___________________________________________________________ For further information (media only) please contact: Gennie Sheer, Sheer Rhetoric, Marketing & Communications Manager, Cycling Australia Tel: +61 418 863 533 Email: gennie.sheer@cycling.org.au Cycling Australia website www.cycling.org.au
Canberra, Australia Hosts 2010 World Solo 24HR MTB Championships October 6, 2009
Twenty4 Sports Inc. (t4s) officially announces that Canberra, Australia will serve as the host city for the 2010 World Solo 24HR MTB Championships (WSC). 2010 marks the first time the event will take part outside of North America since it’s inception in 1999. The event will take place at Stromlo Forest Park, site of this coming weekend’s 2009 Scott Australian 24 Hour MTB Championships. Canberra Off Road Cycling (CORC) organizers of the Worlds largest 24 Hour mtb bike event will produce the 2010 event in conjunction with t4s.
CORC has been running 24HR MTB events for 11 years, successfully staged a round of the UCI MTB World Cup in 2008 and successfully bid for the 2009 UCI MTB and Trials World Championships, which were held at Stromlo 1st to 6th September 2009. CORC has also organized and staged the largest team 24-hour event in the World.
The WSC offers Elite male and female categories as well as age group categories; 20 – 24, 25 – 29, 30 – 34, 35 – 39, 40 – 44, 45 – 49, 50 – 55, 60+ for both men and women.
Qualifying for the 2010 WSC in October will start this weekend at the Scott Australian 24 Hour MTB Championships held at Stromlo. Registration will be available on November 1, 2009, by visiting www.24hoursofadrenalin.com
Russ Baker on behalf of the CORC club shares his excitement, “Not only CORC, but all Australian Mountain Bikers will welcome the World’s Solo 24HR Riders to Australia in 2010 as the WSC moves onto the world stage. This event will showcase some of Australia’s best XC trails and we are proud to have been selected as the first event to host the Championships Down Under.”
Stuart Dorland, founder of the 24 Hours of Adrenalin series and the World Solo 24HR MTB Championships notes “CORC has been a great partner since 2004 and with Australia a hotbed of 24 Hour events it’s the perfect location for the championships, our first outside of North America”.
SIMPSON DESERT FINAL DAY October 5, 2009
Owing to the Warburton Crossing being impassable the 2009 Simpson
Desert Bike Challenge was shortened by approximately 100km – probably
to the relief of the competitors. 2009 was considered one of the most
challenging events in the 23 year history in so far as conditions were
concerned. However, the spirit of the competitors could not be denied.
The final stage into Birdsville was a 66km ride that combined fine
weather, moderate temperatures, sand dunes, spectacular vistas and some
hard surfaced gravel roads – a fantastic end to the event.
Ken Schack-Evans won the stage, showing his dominance (and sheer
bloody-mindedness) in this type of racing. However, Alan Keenleside
(NSW) cruised home for the overall win being the only rider to complete
100% of the event. 2008 winner Lynton Stretton was second with Jason
Dreggs sharing the overall podium positions. Slovakian rider Katarina
Cervikova won the female category.
While all concerned with the race were subjected to bleak conditions in
the desert – a great sense of camaraderie was experienced and relived
at the event presentations at the Birdsville Hotel.
www.desertchallenge.org
Simpson Desert Bike Challenge 2009 - Friday October 2 – Day 4 October 3, 2009
Not only were conditions extreme for the riders during today’s (Thursday) ride, the Simpson Desert continued the onslaught during the night with what was described as “hairy”. The wind and dust continued during the night resulting in tents and shelters either being blown down or damaged – with some riders and support crews seeking refuge in their vehicles for the night.
However, the sun rose this morning with clear skies, the wind switched to the South, and the temperature dropped about 20 degrees.
Riders were greeted with a shortened stage of 41km commencing a few kilometres from Poeppel Corner (the junction of NT, SA, QLD borders). Not only was the stage shortened, but riders experienced a tail wind, with a good percentage of the track being flat, limited sand and rock hard! Twenty seven riders completed 100% of the stage – 1 rider did not start, while two suffered mechanical problems.
The stage was won by Ken Schack-Evans from Yellowrock NSW. Alan Keenleside (Fairlight NSW) remains a clear leader comfortably remaining on 100%. He just needs to complete the final stage tomorrow to take out the event honours. Lynton Stretton continues to ride with Keenleside, and maintains a hold on second place, while Jason Dreggs from Manly is third. It is amazing what a difference a day makes. On previous days, riders were keen to give away their bikes, whereas today, crossing the finishing line they were all smiles and appreciating why they ride. Where riders are on equal percentage completed, the rider with the fastest time will finish in the higher position.
The final stage into Birdsville will be held tomorrow morning over a distance of around 50km. The riders will be hoping the Race Organisers have a good night and are feeling generous, and don’t decide to send them over the big sand hills approaching Birdsville, including the iconic Big Red.
www.desertchallenge.org
Ride Calendar 2010 October 2, 2009
Supported by recently crowned World Champions Steve Peat and Irina Kalentieva, Ride Calendar is a non-profit initiative to raise money for medical research into brain and spinal injury and it’s now available for purchase.
The calendar is the inspiration of Aussie mountain biker Niki Fisher and features twelve illustrations of injured riders. The illustrations are striking and are made all the more compelling by the riders’ insightful stories.
The calendar aims to demonstrate the way these people have dealt with the tragedy and highlights the inspirational steps they have taken, and are taking, to live their new lives.
According to Steve Peat, “I’ve had a few friends hurt over the years. Ride Calendar is a great way to let people know about the risks in the sport; these people are dealing with their injuries in whatever way they can and as best they can. I think it’s cool that we can all support them and help them deal with what lies ahead.”
All profits from the sales of Ride Calendar 2010 will go towards two charities – Wings for Life and Brain Foundation. These charities provide funding for research into brain and spinal injury.
The Ride Calendar website features riders’ stories, a link to view the calendar online, and the option to purchase the calendar. The calendar will also be available through selected newsagents and bike shops.
Simpson Desert Bike Challenge 2009 - Day 3 October 2, 2009
Thursday, 1 October 2009 – Day 3
Once again the Desert threw in a bag of tricks for the riders. A change from the normal race route has been necessary as the Warburton Crossing leading onto the Birdsville Track is impassable. Day three was diverted up the little used sand track, known as the K1 Line. Good conditions were experienced for the first few hours of the stage. However, by around 10am riders were pushing into a northerly head wind while slugging through soft sand. By 10.45am, the wind blew up a massive dust storm that has continued through most of the day and evening.
Nevertheless, 13 riders completed the morning stage, including the one remaining 100% rider, Alan Keenleside from NSW. Alan was well supported throughout the day by 2008 winner Lynton Stretton who despite suffering a knee injury is doing everything possible to help Alan remain undefeated by the desert. Slovakian rider, Roman Petr won the morning stage, with his partner and leading female rider Katarina Cervikova completing 100% of the stage.
Race Organisers are reporting that a number of competitors have announced their bikes are for sale, cheaply. Former Rugby League champion Billy Johnstone claimed he spent much of the day riding at 4kph – then realized he was better off walking at 5kph! Numerous “competitions” between riders are now occurring. Cousins Aaron Brandon from Elimbah NSW and Andrew Armstrong-Taylor from Riverton WA are racing for their respective AFL Teams, ensuring the slowest of the pair have to wear an opposing clubs football colours.
With the forced change in the race course, Race Organisers will assess the QAA Line track to decide the final route, distance and “degree of difficulty” of the remaining 3 stages. Race Organisers are reporting that to date the conditions have been at least equal to the worst experienced in the 23 year race history.
www.desertchallenge.org
UCI World Cup - Osl and Absalon win October 1, 2009
19.09.2009
After five months and eight races on three continents, the cross-country series of the 2009 Nissan UCI Mountain Bike World Cup presented by Shimano finally concluded in Schladming, Austria on Saturday.
Women: Osl delights home crowd
Elisabeth 'Lisi' Osl gave the Austrian crowd what they had hoped for: an Austrian win and the World Cup title in the women's category. Osl took her third World Cup win of the season after an impressive start to finish ride at the front. Lene Byberg (Specialized) confirmed her second place overall by catching Canada's Catharine Pendrel (Luna) on the final climb to take second, while Pendrel hung on for third in both the race and the overall standings. U23 World Champion Aleksandra Dawidowicz (CCC Polkowice) took the U23 World Cup title ahead of Canada's Emily Batty.
Osl came into the final round of the World Cup with a 65 point lead over Byberg. Pendrel was mathematically still in the running to win the title, but more concerned with holding onto third ahead of World Champion Irina Kalentieva (Topeak Ergon). The only other rider who could have been in the mix - Marga Fullana (Massi) - was out after fracturing a vertebra in a crash a week earlier, prior to the Champéry (Switzerland) round.
The steep climbs of Schladming certainly suited the diminutive Osl, who was out in front by the top of the first climb of the four-lap race. Pendrel gained on Osl after the technical, muddy descents, but lost time on each climb. The Austrian steadily extended her lead, to eventually finish with a lead of over a minute. The remaining riders in the top five were in a closer battle, with the gap from second to fifth only 48 seconds.
"I have no words," said Osl, who was overcome with emotion on the podium during the Austrian national anthem. "It has been a fantastic season, and I have surprised myself this year. My tactic today was just to give it my best. My legs felt bad before the start in the warm-up, so I just decided to go out hard and see what would happen. But the pressure, it was not easy. To come to Austria in the leader’s jersey and hold onto it ... this was great pressure."
Men: Hermida concludes the season as it started
As Julien Absalon (Orbea), already had the World Cup title under his belt, the men's World Cup final did not have the potential drama of the women's competition.
However, the race for second to fifth place in the series was still open, with seven riders in the running. It was Jose Hermida (Multivan Merida), winner of round one in South Africa, who took control in Schladming, vaulting from fourth to second in the final World Cup standings with a strong win on the Austrian circuit.
Spanish compatriot Ruben Ruzafa Cueto (Orbea) took second, his first World Cup podium, followed by Trek World Racing's Mathias Flückiger, the first U23 rider. After racing in the front for most of the six lap race, Absalon retired after a flat just before the start of the final lap.
The men's race started very aggressively, with Absalon attacking on the second lap. Hermida and Flückiger gave chase, with the Spanish Champion bridging up to Absalon on the fourth lap and then attacking. Absalon was still in second at the start of lap five, but Ruzafa Cueto and Flückiger were gaining ground. While the French rider would not give in easily, he did not feel the pressure to come back from his flat.
"I was without pressure," Absalon admitted. "For me, the plan was, if I felt good then fight for victory. So I went to the front and got a little gap, but Jose came up. So, I was thinking that second would be good at the end of the season, but I got my flat tire at the end of the fifth lap, and I knew it would not be possible to be back up there with one lap left in the race."
Hermida's victory moved him up to second in the final standings, bumping the U23 Champion, Burry Stander, (Specialized Factory Racing) down to third.
UCI World Cup - Downhill and 4-cross: Jonnier, Hill, Beerten and Graves crowned October 1, 2009
From UCI.ch
20.09.2009
The 2009 Nissan UCI Mountain Bike World Cup presented by Shimano concluded this week-end in Schladming, Austria, where the best gravity riders in the world had one final chance to claim victory.
Women’s downhill
Both of the World Cup leaders going into the race - Sabrina Jonnier (Maxxis-Rocky Mountain) and Sam Hill (Monster Energy-Specialized) - held onto their jerseys, with Hill winning the final round and Jonnier having to settle for fourth on the day behind Tracy Moseley (Trek World Racing).
Jonnier had already won the women's title, with six wins in the first seven races, but she was still hoping to close out the season with a seventh victory. Unfortunately for her, Moseley, who won the opening round in Pietermaritzburg, South Africa, back in April was on fire after a relatively poor qualifying run on Friday.
"I've never done well here before," commented Moseley. "I always struggle with the length and the steepness, and it was like that all week in training, so I was thinking that the best I would be able to manage was top 3. So, this was a real surprise for me. The course had dried up a lot from earlier in the week, but the top sections were still greasy, and there were huge holes in the track from practice; this was the roughest, toughest Schladming I've ever done."
Moseley's win was enough to move her into second overall behind Jonnier, bumping Ragot down to third in the final standings.
Jonnier's knowledge that she had already won the World Cup title certainly helped with her mental state. "I was definitely more relaxed, knowing that it was all decided, but I still wanted to win today. Unfortunately, I just couldn't put it together. I made too many mistakes, a lot of little mistakes."
Men’s downhill
While the women's title had already been decided, the men's was completely open. Hill was leading, but by the slimmest of margins: he was only 16 points in front of Greg Minnaar (Santa Cruz Syndicate), with new World Champion Steve Peat (Santa Cruz Syndicate) also still in the race, 69 points back from Hill, as was Gee Atherton (Animal Commencal) at 141 points.
Hill padded out his lead, picking up 50 valuable points by winning the qualifying round when Minnaar crashed. But the race between the two basically came down to final: if Minnaar won and Hill didn't finish second, the South African would take the title.
"I was all right until 20 minutes before the start of my race," revealed Hill. "Greg had done a good run, so I started to get a bit nervous. I was pretty shaky, and all I could think about was the overall, and that I had to get down fast to beat Greg. I think it's been a good strong battle all year. I had some bad luck at some races, and so did others, so it is definitely pretty special to come out on top here."
Josh Bryceland (Santa Cruz Syndicate) set the first sub-4:10 time, but barely had a chance to climb into the Hot Seat before his team mate Minnaar came down two riders later to obliterate his time with a 4:04.71. This time began to look pretty solid, as names such as Mick Hannah (GT Bicycles), Justin Leov (Yeti Fox Shox), Peat and Atherton all came up short.
"I felt that I had it in me to do well," said Minnaar, "but I had a bad start, made some mistakes and lost my rhythm. I kept making small mistakes through the top until I was able to regroup halfway down. I was surprised that my time held up so long. It's kind of hard to lose the title when I had the most wins of the season."
However, Minnaar's hopes received a blow when Sam Blenkinsop (Yeti Fox Shox) knocked nearly a second and a half off his time.
Blenkinsop took the Hot Seat and held it through the remaining riders until it was Hill's turn. The Australian came through the first split over two seconds up on Blenkinsop, and continued on to finish 2.33 seconds in front, taking his second World Cup win of the season and confirming him as the World Cup winner for 2009. Minnaar stayed in second, with Peat hanging on in third.
The 4-cross racing of the World Cup series concluded in Schladming with the World Cup leaders again taking victories in the final round. Anneke Beerten (Suspension Centre) and Jared Graves (Yeti Fox Shox) were convincing winners amid a night of spills and upsets.
Women’s 4-cross
Three riders were in contention for the overall women’s title - Beerten, Fionn Griffiths (Norco) and American Jill Kintner. However, Griffiths crashed the day before at qualifying and could not race, while Kintner crashed in her first heat and did not finish. Therefore, Beerten had won her third consecutive title without even racing.
Even so, there was plenty of action, with Beerten only scraping through the semifinal round in second place after a serious challenge from the Czech rider Romana Labounkova. In the final, up against Austrian favourite Anita Molcik (Yeti Fox Shox), British newcomer Katy Curd and Japan's Mio Suemasa, Beerten left nothing to chance, grabbing the holeshot and riding it to her third win of the season.
Griffiths and Kintner were tied for points and number of wins at two apiece, but Griffiths took second in the final overall standings by virtue of two second places (Kintner had none), with an absent Melissa Buhl finishing fourth.
"This is my third title in a row, and it probably means the most," admitted Beerten. "This year, everyone was here, everyone was racing, so it was the biggest challenge to win. After [Fionn Griffiths] crashed, everyone was congratulating me, but I had to keep telling myself: 'remain focused'. I still wanted to win, and Labounkova gave me a pretty hard time in the semifinal."
Men’s 4-cross
The men's series had already been won by Graves, the new World Champion, but he wasn't about to pass up the opportunity to finish the season on a winning note. The Australian was untouchable, easily winning his heats in every round, often by huge margins.
In the final, it came down to Graves, Romain Saladini (Team Sunn), Johannes Fischbach (Ghost ATG) and Dutchman Joost Wichman. Wichman ran into trouble at the top of the course, putting him out of contention, and the young Frenchman Saladini was able to hold off Fischbach for second behind Graves.
Saladini's second place bumped him up to third in the final standings behind Graves and Wichman, as he overtook the absent injured Roger Rinderknecht (GT Bicycles).
"It's been a good season," agreed Graves. "Tonight I was confident [of winning], but there were a lot of interesting moves and crashes happening out there. I wanted to go out on a strong finish to the season, so I knew what I had to do. There were a couple of small mistakes, but nothing that cost me, so it was a good night."
2009 Simpson Desert Bike Challenge - Day 2 October 1, 2009
Known by cyclists as “Satan’s Velodrome”, the Simpson Desert claimed a further 12 riders today – leaving only one out of 30 starters still eligible to complete 100% of the 580km from Purnie Bore to Birdsville. Yesterday’s event leader, Lynton Stretton from Emu Park in QLD succumbed to the extreme conditions this morning. Riders battled head winds, 40 plus degree temperatures, and very soft sand on some flat sections which made it difficult for riders to finish the stage within the allocated time. However, NSW rider, Alan Keeneslide saw off the challenge of the desert today to become the only rider still in contention to complete the course. Stretton is in 2nd position (91%) with Jason Dreggs (89%), Manly NSW third.
Day two is traditionally considered to be the make or break day for most riders. Riders are still feeling the effects of a draining first day – and find it difficult to front up with legs that are fresh enough to overcome the large sandhills that present on the morning of day two – not taking into account the head winds and soft sand that prevailed today. The question now is can Alan Keeneslide continue at the required level, or will he too fall to the conditions the desert will throw up over the next few days.
www.desertchallenge.org
John Dermody M 0437580722
Simpson Desert Claims Riders September 29, 2009
Thirty cyclists left Purnie Bore at 0600 this morning(Tuesday 29th Sept) for the 23rd Simpson Desert Bike Challenge. The challenge for each cyclist is to ride, walk or run the 580km’s, to Birdsville via the Rig Road and Birdsville Track over the next 4-1/2 days. Today, sand hill upon sand hill, heat, wind and flies soon took a toll on the riders. By the end of the first day only 13 riders had managed to complete the Stage within the designated time. 2008 Simpson Desert Challenge winner, Lynton Stretton from North Eton QLD rode strongly all day putting in a 16 minute lead on NZ rider Andrew Jamieson. Third place was shared by Alan Keenleside and Al Descantes, both from NSW who rode together for the day. Slovakian, Katarina Cervikova, one of two females in the event was successful in completing 100% of the course today.
Day two is traditionally the most challenging day of the event. In 2008, all but one rider succumbed to the desert on the second day, and by day four all riders were eliminated from completing 100% - including the race winner Lynton Stretton.
Temperatures today were considered mild – only reaching the mid 30’s – and for the main, the winds were manageable. There is no doubt, however, that the Desert will claim more scalps on the second day. Although 17 riders were “swept” today, it is expected all will front the Starter at 0600 in the morning with the aim of riding as much of the desert as physically able.
John Dermody Simpson Desert Bike Challenge M 0437580722
Dwellingup 100 - a huge success September 29, 2009
The small town of Dwellingup, an hour and half south of Perth was introduced to Marathon XC Mountain biking on Saturday 19 September 2009 in a way they never expected. 661 riders spread over 3 events of 14, 44 or 104 km descended on this beautiful part of the world to take part in the inaugural Dwellingup 100 MTB Classic.
The unusually high rainfall and long wet season also stood as a test for the organizers, riders and trails alike. The course even had to be changed the day before the event as the water levels were too high and too dangerous to cross in the Murray River. But none of this could dampen the enthusiasm of the endurance mountain biker, not even the extra 4 km.
Finishing the 44 km southern loop was a huge achievement on its own with almost 1000M of climbing and the biggest hill of the day at the 10 km marker. Then climb after climb, only to be faced with the timed hill climb in the spectacular pines at the 32 km mark, with a “walk” for most up a 100M of DH track.
Back into race central at the football oval for food, drink, chain lube and bucket loads of encouragement. Then it was North on 9 km of road for a “rest” only to go from one extreme to the other with a timed lap of the brilliant “Turner Hill” XC race circuit, finishing at the 70 km marker.
Heading out through Oakley Dam, using some of the Munda Biddi and other Trails to make our way back to the Marrinup XC race circuit proved difficult for a number of riders. They said there had been a brick wall erected where the 80 km marker was, I don’t remember seeing it when I went past on the motor bike????
Luckily there was an “oasis” on the trails in the form of the aid station near this point and apparently some riders “really, really, really appreciated this”
A lap of Marrinup and the fast fire trails also proved a popular way to finish the event. The run into the finish though was just a bit too much for some who thought it was a really good spot to fall off and lay in the mud, well there’s no point doing it in the bush where no one sees you, is there?
Jon Gregg and Stephanie Russell were the big winners on the day taking overall honours as well as the bonus fastest hill climb and fastest laps of Turner hill. These riders were also escorted in for the last 5 Km by lead motor cycles sounding the horn in the town to give these riders the accolades they so rightly deserve. Simon Willets was strong all day and had Jon Gregg worried early to finish second and Kiwi, Chris Fisher was awesome in third.
Pam Criddle and Kate Swain rounded out the top 3 woman and placed well overall. I cant name any more riders because looking down the results list, the names of fantastic riders with great results just doesn’t stop.
What a race the “Le Grande” 44 was, Rohan Brown U17, Robbie Rhodes U18, Dave Wilson U17 and Reece Tucknott (13 Years old), raced hard for 2 hours to stay ahead of world class “Track” cyclist Duane Johansen finishing in fifth place.
Another stand out was Daryl Griffiths (Carbo Shotz) winning the 44 K masters race and sixth overall, awesome effort. Leah Glass, Kathy Pirotta, and Amanda Lobegeiger made up the top 3 woman in the 44 k in a very close race.
This highly anticipated event had been 11 months in the planning and did not disappoint. The feed back we have had has been simply over whelming. We have supplied just a taste of it below.
“Talk about hit the nail on the head. The event you guys coordinated on Saturday was beyond belief!!! I've been to some well-oiled competitions in my time - National series, National Championships - but I've never seen anything as well organized, as well catered for, or as well patronized as the Dwellingup 100”. (Ex WAMBA president Mike Thorman)
“Great course, great atmosphere, great organization, best MTB event I have ever been to” (20 year MTB veteran and legend Steve Jolly)
“Congratulations to the team and all volunteers for a sensational event. Exceptionally well organised, amazing circuit and brilliant location. The fact that the course was so well marked (not a single wrong turn) combined with distance markers makes it a whole load easier. Numbers, registration, timing etc also done to perfection. Finishers medals sensational and T-shirts a bonus”. (Bob de la Motte)
Rest assured, the planning is already underway for next years event, see you there!!!!!
Evans makes history at Road World Championships September 28, 2009
He may be a road rider now - and World Champion - but he started in MTB, so we claim him as one of our own....
Victorian Cadel Evans has become the first Australian to win the elite men's road race at a World Championships after an emphatic solo attack saw him cross the finish line in Mendrisio, Switzerland at the end of the 262.2 kilometre race, 27 seconds ahead of second placed Alexandr Kolobnev of Russia with Joaquin Rodriguez Oliver of Spain third.
"I don't quite believe it - I have seven World Chapionship medals at home from junior, Under 23 and the elite mounatin bike relay and never won a gold," said an overwhelmed Evans who broke down in tears of joy and relief after his victory. "This is my home away from home... this course really suits me and history obviously agrees.
"Golly what a weekend for Geelong," said Evans who is a Geelong AFL team supporter and has now given the Victorian city even more cause to celebrate. Geelong and Melbourne will host the UCI Road Cycling World Championships next year and they now have a homegrown World Champion to model the rainbow jersey.
Evans launched his solo escape over the final climb of the course leaving behind a well credentialled group, including both the time trial and road race Olympic Champions, in his wake. For nine months of the year Evans lives in Stabio, on the Swiss - Italian border, just five kilometres from today's finish line with his Italian born wife Chiara Passerini.
After crossing the line he kissed his wedding ring which he wears on a chain around his neck when he's racing and he sought out Chiara in the crowd after being presented with his medal to collapse in tears in her arms.
The first half of the race saw a lead group of eight riders go clear, at one stage by almost ten minutes. While the peloton was happy to leave this group in front that changed when a more dangerous combination of riders broke away from the bunch in pursuit. More riders, including Australia's Michael Rogers, launched a counter attack and it seemed this eventual group of around 30 riders might contest the finish.
"Michael was in there and a did a great job of being there and I thought it was going to be up to him to do the result for the country today," said Evans.
Italy had the numbers in front to be dangerous but some of the heavyweights, including Evans, were missing so the peloton began to chase. Australians Stuart O'Grady, Wesley Sulzberger and Simon Clarke buried themselves on the front of the chase to bring Evans and Simon Gerrans back into contention.
"This year, and it was Neil Stephen's doing, he wanted to hold back and wait till later," said Evans of the Australians strategy for the race. "When that big group went 95 km to go I thought maybe the race was over.
"Four italians were in front, 40 guys and a long way up there, I thought for a moment, (this is) one year a really early break goes (and succeeds)."
But it was reeled in and from there it was up to Evans.
"I only just made the (decisive break) group in the very last moment and used my head and legs and experience from there onwards," he explained. "The world's been telling me for years I can't win big races, can't win one day races, because my job is to win stage races, and then today I come out and win the World Championship, I don't quite believe it."
Gerrans finished tenth at 1min47sec.
Evans gold medal comes after Jack Bobridge opened the Australian medal tally with another gold in Wednesday's U23 time trial and the two victories saw Australia finish on top of the medal table as the only nation to claim two titles. Australia also topped the medal table this year at the Mountain Bike and Trials World Championships in Canberra last month and at the Track World Championships in Poland in March.
Australia's only other elite road World Champion has been Michael Rogers who won the time trial three times in 2003, 2004, and 2005. Australian Jack Hoobin won the amateur road race in 1950 but Evans is the first to climb onto the podium's top step in the road race since the professional and amateur ranks merged in 1995.
For further information (media only) please contact: Gennie Sheer, Sheer Rhetoric, Marketing & Communications Manager, Cycling Australia Please note time difference to Switzerland Tel: +61 418 863 533 Email: gennie.sheer@cycling.org.au Cycling Australia website www.cycling.org.au
Avoca attracts 2010 MTBA Australian MTB Marathon Championships September 22, 2009
Mountain Bike Australia (MTBA) and Big Hill Events are pleased to announce that the 2010 MTBA Australian MTB Marathon Championships will be held in the Pyrenees Mountain Range behind the town of Avoca in central Victoria.
The Pyrenees offers some of Victoria’s best, and mostly untouched, mountain biking and will be a spectacular location for the high profile national event. The Championships will be run in conjunction with Big Hill Events’ mass-participation event, the Marathon Challenge, on Sunday 18 April, 2010.
Riders will chose from 90km, 45km, 33km and 15km course distance options to ensure that the race appeals to elite riders, intermediate riders as well as those who are new to marathon mountain biking. Those who enter the 90km course will be riding amongst Australia’s top mountain bike riders in the 2010 MTBA Australian MTB Marathon Championships.
The course, which starts and ends at the Mount Avoca Winery, will provide an exciting mix of fire road, 4wd tracks, double tracks and single track including the Pyrenees Endurance Walk trail which is being purposefully prepared for the event.
Big Hill Events Race Director, Rohin Adams, is excited to bring mountain biking to Avoca.
“I was born and bred just outside of Avoca and grew up exploring the area on bike. Avoca offers some fantastic riding and is the next big mountain biking destination in Victoria.”
“The course is challenging yet achievable with the average rider expected to complete the 90km course in between five and six hours”, said Adams. “If this sounds like too long in the saddle, the 45km, 33 and 15km distances are fantastic options!”
Only two hours from Melbourne, the 2010 MTBA Australian MTB Marathon Championships and Marathon Challenge offers everything that a mountain biker wants plus a little more… a challenging and rewarding course, European-style feed stations, on-course bike servicing, a huge prize pool, supportive and friendly event staff, affordable race entry, a compressive event website…. and more to come!
Riders are encouraged to enter early as the event will be limited to a field of 750 riders. For further information and to enter online visit www.bighillevents.com.au. The first 100 riders to enter will receive a free pair of Big Hill Events socks.
2009 MTBA Australian MTB Marathon Championships - Spink rides his heart out to wed - Results September 20, 2009
Promising his fiancée that he needed to win the national mountain bike title today before they could marry proved the incentive needed by eventual winner, Murray Spink. The 30 year old Melbourne rider rode his heart out to win the tough 105 km marathon race in Bendigo today. As a result the 30 year old confirmed his wedding date for two weeks time to fiancée, Sarah Riley, could go ahead as planned. It was only in the final metres that Spink outsprinted two riders to the line to win in 4 hours 30 minutes.
“I promised Sarah and I just had to win,” said Spink.
At the last drink station a split appeared in the leading bunch of nine riders with only three remaining to the last sprint.
Spink has miraculously won all previous events at this location but said today’s win could also be attributed to his focus on training in any weather, course knowledge as well as his dual suspension bike which secured his first national title.
“Everyone wants a jersey. It will certainly go up on the wall,” he explained.
Spink had never lost a race on this course in previous marathons however
Just three hundredths of a second behind was Port Macquarie’s Jason English finishing in second place. Third was Victorian Neil Van der Ploeg another one hundredth of a second behind. A disappointed Ben Mather placed fourth after being at the front of the pack. Veteran male, John Darcey was the highest placed other category rider in 22nd position.
The women’s event saw a return to racing for former national champion Tory Thomas from Victoria. Thomas said she was feeling great and attributed her win to the fitness from the Tour de Timor and her need found enjoyment of riding.
“You know that was fun,” she said after riding in the lead for most of the race. “Peta rode well and it’s a shame Jo (Wall) had trouble earlier on.”
Wall’s pedal came off early in the race leaving another local rider, Peta Mullens to chase after Thomas.
Mullens placed second with Melbourne’s Jenni King riding strongly in third.
Young Adelaide rider, James Hanus was the first competitor completed the ROCKSHOX Gold Triangle half marathon in 2 hours winning the under 18 division. The fastest rider over the quarter marathon distance of 25 km was Under 16 rider Morgan Clark from Leongatha.
Winners of the national jersey also gain automatic selection for the 2010 World Marathon Championships in Germany.
For more media information, photos and access to vision contact:
Sharon Payne, Media Manager Mountain Bike Australia, 0412 773500
The results fron the 2009 Australian MTB Marathon Championships are here.
National MTB Marathon winner too tough to pick September 18, 2009
Picking the winner of this Mountain Bike National Marathon Championship will be as tough as picking the winner of the Melbourne Cup this year. Any one of ten riders could win the national jersey when racing gets underway near Bendigo this Sunday, 20 September.
On top of the pile would be current World Solo 24 Hour Champion, Jason English. English won the prestigious title in July and now should have recovered before tacking the marathon distance. English has proven that the marathon distance does suit him after winning the 100 km Dirt Works in St Albans in May by breaking the race record. James Williamson will be hot on his heels and lays claim to the 2008 World 24 Hour Solo Championship title.
However the word is that there could be a challenge from the in form rider, Tasmania’s Ben Mather. Mather recently won the King of the Mountains in the tough Grafton to Inverell race. Mather has impressed this year by winning the Anaconda MTB Enduro in Alice Springs.
Racing the World Marathon Championship this year has gained Shaun Lewis from Canberra the number one race plate. Lewis claimed a respectable 78th place and could have some form after racing in Europe.
With brother, Olympic rider, Joshua Fleming, as support crew it be the advantage needed to get Matthew Fleming into the lead. Matthew won the BMC 100 km event earlier this year and is chasing the elusive national jersey.
There are still the likes of Hamish Elliott, Nick Both and Adrian Jackson all good chances of making an impact.
The dark horse is Tour De Timor winner, Neil Van der Ploeg.
The women’s winner of the Tour, Tory Thomas, will also be one to watch after winning several national titles in the past including a marathon championship.
By all accounts the women’s race winner will be even harder to pick with a wide range of talent in the line-up. Jessica Douglas will get the number one plate after placing fourth at the World 24 Hour Solo Championships. However the 2008 silver medallist, Katrien Van der Spiegel, may have a depth of experience to match the challenge.
Local knowledge could see top Olympic cross country rider, Jo Wall, with an advantage.
The 105km national championships marathon will certainly sort out the fit while the ROCKSHOX Golden Triangle Epic will give the 50km and the 25km riders a race of their own. Over 300 competitors will head off from Sedgwick after 7.55 am on Sunday morning with presentations at 3.30 pm.
For media information please contact:
Sharon Payne Mountain Bike Australia 0412 773500
Cape to Cape MTB Skills Day - October 4 - Last one before the event September 17, 2009
Registrations are now open for the final Cape to Cape MTB Skills Day, proudly supported by Perth MTB and Cycling WA. The Skills Day will be held less than two weeks from the start of the event, providing the perfect opportunity to polish up your MTB skills and ask any last minute questions.
The session will be lead by Tim and Jo Bennett, both mountain bike legends and owners of Kalamunda Cycles. Mountain bike enthusiasts of all skill levels are welcome!
Skills to be covered on the day include:
* Helmet and bike set-up - comfortable position, tyre choice, tyre pressures, suspension settings. * Cornering - uphill cornering, downhill cornering, negotiating obstacles on cornering, different lines in and out. * Hill climbing - techniques, body position for varying terrain, weight transfer, gear selection, wheel placement, obstacle negotiating. * Descending - braking, cornering, rear wheel steering, scanning a line, maintaining momentum. * Jumps and Log-overs - approaching, attending to speed, gear selection, pedal position, take-off/execution/landing, acceleration away. * Sand riding - gear selection, steering, momentum. * Rhythm sections - approach, gear selection, pedal position, pumping.
Cost: * $25 - Please note that this amount includes a participation day license.
Location: * Langford Park, Jarrahdale. Meet at the bottom car park near the toilets.
Date: * Sunday October 4, 2009, 8am - 1pm
Participants need to bring their own mountain bike and are welcome to stay for a social gathering after the Skills session. Please bring your own lunch. Free gas BBQ available.
Cape to Cape MTB would like to thank Perth MTB and Cycling WA for their support of this event.
Places are limited! Click here to register your position in the Cape to Cape MTB Skills Day on October 4, 2009. For more information please contact John Carney from Perth MTB on (08) 9387 3708.
Have you registered your place in the 2009 Cape to Cape MTB, to be held from October 15 - 18? Click here to register now! Hurry, places are limited!
Marathon Effort for Mountain Bike Champs September 17, 2009
Bendigo Mountain Bike Club has taken on the massive task of running the Australian Marathon Championships this Sunday at Sedgwick near Bendigo. After bushfires destroyed the previous location, Bendigo was the chosen location. According to club President, John Harvey, this will be the biggest event undertaken by the club.
In what will be first ever national mountain bike event to come to Bendigo support has come from various quarters including the City of Greater Bendigo and local businesses. The ROCKSHOX Golden Triangle Epic is also being run in conjunction with the championships.
The region will play host to Australia’s best riders including local elite rider, Joanna Wall, who was part of the successful Australian Team to recently compete at the World Championships in Canberra plus local youngster, Shelly Flood will race the half marathon.
Also on the start line will be two of Mountain Bike’s 24 Hour Solo World Champions, James Williamson (2008) and Jason English, the current world champion.
In form rider, Ben Mather from Tasmania, is expected to be a top contender after taking the King of the Mountain title at the Grafton to Inverell race last weekend.
“We have definitely attracted the top riders,” claimed Harvey. “The national jersey is a big draw card. There are still some entries coming in too.”
Elite riders will be vying for the green and gold national champion’s jersey and possible selection to compete at the 2010 UCI World MTB Marathon Championships in Germany.
It is not just about the elite riders though explains Harvey.”We look forward to welcoming a large field of riders ranging from the novices and juniors doing the 25km or the 50km event along with the elite riders battling it out over the longer 105km. Some of the half and quarter distance riders will go hard and some will just be out to enjoy the ride and the scenery.”
Racing gets underway from 7.55 am for the full distance riders. The award ceremony will be held at 3.30 pm.
JONGEWAARD SUSPENDED - Cycling Australia Media Release September 15, 2009
A Cycling Australia Disciplinary Tribunal today held a closed hearing in Melbourne of the misconduct charge against cyclist Chris Jongewaard.
Mr Jongewaard was cited for Misconduct by the Board of Cycling Australia on 27 August as per Cycling Australia By-law 2.11.
Mr Jongewaard, through his legal counsel, pleaded guilty to the misconduct charge.
The independent tribunal of Anthony Nolan SC (Chair) and Anna Wilson has imposed the following penalty.
"In accordance with rule 2.10.05 of the Cycling Australia By-laws we have decided that his membership of Cycling Australia and affiliates be terminated for a period of six months. The termination shall commence immediately."
___________________________________________________________ For further information (media only) please contact: Gennie Sheer, Sheer Rhetoric, Marketing & Communications Manager, Cycling Australia Tel: +61 418 863 533 Email: gennie.sheer@cycling.org.au Cycling Australia website www.cycling.org.au
Eagle Park 4X course underway September 12, 2009
Want a sneak peak at the brand-new 4X course at Eagle Park - the venue for the 2010 Australian MTB Championships in January 13-17?
Construction of the Eagle Park 4X course is now well underway. During the last couple of weeks Trailscapes has been busy digging and has laid the foundation of the course with its technical features also beginning to take shape.
Public Launch of the NCAS Level 1 MTB Coach Training Program September 10, 2009
Brendan Moriarty, Thursday, 10 September 2009
The wait is finally over for budding mountain bike coaches, as the new NCAS Level 1 Mountain Bike Coach Training Program is about to be launched around Australia. The Australian Sports Commission (ASC) has formally approved the MTB-specific Coach Training Program and as a result, it is now accredited on the National Coaching Accreditation Scheme (NCAS).
Cycling Australia, in consultation with Mountain Bike Australia (MTBA), has developed the NCAS Level 1 MTB Coach Training Program that is designed for the coach who assists club and state championships level MTB cyclists to develop their fitness and hone their racing skills.
This training program addresses introductory level short-, medium- and long-term planning, and evaluation of training for MTB riders; group management, organisation and communication; MTB bike set-up and maintenance; MTB rules and event descriptions; MTB cycling skill development and MTB-specific coaching practice; physical conditioning and sport science; anti-doping in cycling, and inclusive coaching. The training program runs for two full days and is delivered by the constituent organisations of Cycling Australia.
For more details of the training program content, please see the Information Sheet. You can download this at the end of this message.
The public launch dates for the NCAS Level 1 MTB Coach Training Program are:
New South Wales Date: September 26-27th 2009 Time: 9am-6pm Venue: Sports House, Sydney Olympic Park - Ken Brown Room 1
NOTE: CycleSkill Coach Accreditation and an up-to-date First Aid qualification are pre-requisites to attend the NCAS Level 1 MTB Coach Training Program. In addition, places are limited on these coach training programs so please book early to avoid disappointment.
Cycling Australia expresses its sincere appreciation to the following people who contributed to the development of the NCAS Level 1 Mountain Bike Coach Training Program: • Brendan Moriarty, National Coaching Coordinator, Cycling Australia • Nicola Tyre, National Development Coordinator, Cycling Australia/BMX Australia • Ron Bonham, former National Technical Director, Cycling Australia • Tony Scott, Executive Officer, Mountain Bike Australia • Level 1 Mountain Bike Coaching Workgroup members (Ron Bonham, Garron Buckland, Brendan Moriarty and Donna Rae-Szalinski) • Neil Ross, Head Coach: Mountain Bike, Cycling Australia • John Gregory, Manager – Sports Performance, Tasmanian Institute of Sport.
There are two CycleSkill courses that are coming up for your information.
Queensland 10th Oct: NCAS CycleSkill Coach Training Program - Chandler, Queensland Contact: ben.macfie@cycling.org.au
MTBA announces dates and venues for new look National Series. September 7, 2009
The 2009-2010 National MTB series venues and dates have been confirmed.
They are:
Round 1: Glenorchy MTB Park, Tasmania - December 12-13 2009 Round 2: Shepparton, Victoria - January 23-24 2010 Round 3: Thredbo, NSW - February 13-14 2010 Round 4: Stromlo Forest Park, ACT - March 13-14 2010
Together with the Australian MTB Championships in Adelaide 13-17 January 2010 and the Oceania MTB Championships in New Zealand on March 19-21 2010 the quality of the venues and level of competition is set to be the best yet.
All National Series rounds are XCO, XCC, DH and 4X as well as the brand new Enduro Series for solos and pairs.
All information will be available from MTBA in the next few weeks.
CANBERRA WORLDS HAILED A SUCCESS AS PEAT BEATS SILVER MEDAL HOODOO September 6, 2009
6 September 2009
The International Cycling Union has congratulated the organisers of the 2009 MTB & Trials World Championships staged this week at Canberra's Stromlo Forest Park hailing the event a great success.
"On behalf of the UCI I would like to express my thanks and appreciation to the ACT Government, organising committee and volunteers for the outstanding job they have done over the past week," said Mike Turtur, Member of the UCI Board of Management and President of the Oceania Confederation. "This World Championships has been an unqualified success for the sport and we congratulate everyone involved.
"Stromlo Forest Park is a magnificent venue and we have witnessed some thrilling battles this week on the mountain," said Mr Turtur. "The organising committee has ensured a first class experience for everyone from the teams to the UCI officials and, of course, for the thousands of spectators who have come out to support the event."
After six days of competition France topped the medal table with three gold, five silver and three bronze medals ahead of Spain with three gold, two silver and two bronze. Australia finished third on the medal table with two gold, one silver and two bronze medals.
An estimated 40 thousand fans turned out over the six days of racing with the biggest crowds in attendance today lining the 2.4km course to witness British veteran Steve Peat beat his second placed hoodoo in the elite men's downhill. Peat, 35, has four times been a runner-up but today he finally experienced the thrill of donning the rainbow jersey of World Champion.
Riding fourth last in the 63 man field, Peat took the gold medal hot seat from Australian and eventual bronze medallist Mick Hannah and then watched nervously as crowd favourite Sam Hill, South African Greg Minnaar and defending World Champion Gee Atherton of Great Britain all failed to snatch away the gold he had been longing for his whole career.
Peat clocked a stunning 2mins30.33sec to defeat Minnaar, who has won four World Cup events in the last twelve months, by 0.05 seconds or not much more than the blink of an eye. Queenslander Hannah posted a 2:31.02 to overcome former two-time champion, Frenchman Fabien Barel, by just 0.15 for third.
Earlier Emmeline Ragot (FRA) won the elite women’s event, Brook MacDonald (NZL) edged out Australian Shaun O'Connor in the junior men’s and France’s Anais Pajot defended her world crown in a race that saw Australian debutant Holly Baarspul win the bronze.
For Peat, who was the world silver medallist in 2000, 2001, 2002 and 2008, today’s victory was going to take a long time to feel like reality.
“I don't think it’s sunk in yet, I just tried to dig as deep as I could, after all these years it’s just unreal," Peat said. Asked if reaching the holy grail of a world title would lead him into a happy retirement Peat said he would ride on.
"Why would it (mean retirement), I've got a full year to wear this jersey,” the veteran said with a wry grin.
"It was pretty emotional putting the jersey on, on the podium knowing I could wear it as World Champion for the next year, I've been trying for a long time and it’s just an unreal feeling."
For Hannah, Peat’s consistency and determination to step up from a minor medal to gold was something to hopefully emulate.
"It'd be a dream to win, I've been racing for 19 years and I've come second twice so I just don't want to come second again,” Hannah said.
Hill, winner of this event in 2006 and 2007, ended up fifth while team mates Nathan Rennie and Chris Kovarik also made the top ten in seventh and ninth respectively. Fellow Australians to feature were Bryn Atkinson (11th), four cross winner Jared Graves (12th), Canberra native Jared Rando (16th) and Mitchell Delfs (27th).
French rider Emmeline Ragot finished third to Great Britain’s Rachel Atherton and fellow Frenchwoman Sabrina Jonnier at last year’s World Championships but with Atherton out of action recovering from shoulder surgery and Jonnier suffering a puncture in the first half of today’s course, the way was clear for Ragot to step to the top of the podium and she didn’t disappoint.
The 23-year-old led at both timing checkpoints to clock 2:50.05 and was a deserved winner from Great Britain’s Tracy Moseley (2:52.54) and American Kathleen Pruitt (2:54.89).
Like Peat, Ragot was struggling to comprehend her win.
“I don't think I really realise I am world champion then I look down at my jersey and I see the rainbow colours and I think maybe I have won but I think it has started to sink in now,” Ragot said.
A devastated Jonnier, who has won medals at five other world championships including gold in 2006 and 2007, finished at the tail of the field.
The top placed Australian was Claire Whiteman (3:08.73) in 15th, followed by Cara Smith (3:17.64) in 19th and Sarah Booth (3:22.80) in 21st. Both Whiteman and Booth improved their times from the official timed session on Friday by six seconds.
The men's junior event was dominated by New Zealand's Brook MacDonald after he set a cracking time of 2:36.49 to edge out Australia's Shaun O'Connor (2:37.67) and Great Britain’s Danny Hart (2:38.76).
"It hasn't come to me yet but I'm sure it will come to me later, I'm stoked," MacDonald said after accepting his gold medal.
MacDonald admitted his race run worked out well on the challenging Stromlo track.
"It was good, pretty stoked with my race run, it's probably the best race run I've ever had, I made one mistake but it didn't bother me, I'm stoked."
O'Connor, who set the benchmark early before being run down by MacDonald was happy with his podium finish.
"I'm really excited, I put my run together, I did exactly what I wanted to do, I've had my coaches here, my manager's here, my mechanics all down here, my family, everything went to plan and I'm really exciting to stand on the podium in front of a home crowd,” O’Connor said.
"We had the national championships here the last two years, so we (Australia) used it as a pre trial for this event, so we had everything dialled from those races, we learnt from those races, how the course changes and about the bike set up. To come here, everything just fell into place."
Of the other Australians, Rhys Willemse was fourth and an agonising 0.55 off the podium, Tamryn Murrell was ninth, Antony Moore was tenth and Laurie Dinham was 37th. Earlier in the day in William Gower was hospitalised following a crash in practice, forcing the 17-year-old out of the event.
In the junior women's event, reigning world champion Anais Pajot of France clocked 3:11.91 to defend her title with compatriot Julie Berteaux claiming second in 3:16.28.
Pajot knew a mistake free run would give her the best shot at claiming gold.
"It was technically very demanding, but after the timed training session I knew I had an advantage over the other riders so just tried to make sure I didn't make any major mistakes,” Pajot said. "I won the world title last year so I knew I was good enough to win, I just had to ride as fast as I could without any mistakes."
Competing in her first World Championships, Australia's Holly Baarspul, 16, finished in a time of 3:20.16 to claim third.
"Feels pretty amazing, first year junior and I'm on the podium so I'm stoked," Baarspul said. "I was expecting to get down the hill safely but to podium was amazing."
For event information and latest news from the Championships visit www.mtbworldscanberra.com.au
___________________________________________________________ For further information (media only) please contact: Gennie Sheer, Sheer Rhetoric Media Manager, 2009 UCI Mountain Bike & Trials World Championships Tel: +61 418 863 533 Email: genniesheer@bigpond.com Event website www.mtbworldscanberra.com.au
or
Catarina Axelsson, Earlybird Marketing Media Information Supervisor, 2009 UCI Mountain Bike & Trials World Championships Tel: +61 431 516 997 Email: catarina@theearlybird.com.au
SENSATIONAL SCHURTER SCORES FOR SWITZERLAND September 5, 2009
5 September 2009
Swiss sensation Nino Schurter has upstaged four time World and reigning Olympic champion Julian Absalon of France in a nail biting finale to the cross country competition at the 2009 UCI Mountain Bike and Trials World Championships at Stromlo Forest Park in Canberra.
Schurter, 23, won the 2004 junior crown, last year claimed gold in the U23 event and today added an elite title to his collection of rainbow jerseys. His team mate Florian Vogel, 27, was third.
It was the most exciting cross country event of the week with only three seconds separating Schurter and Absalon, with Vogel and Spain’s Jose Antonio Hermida Ramos finishing on the same time 58 seconds behind the winner.
Earlier in the elite women's event, Irina Kalentieva of Russia overcame a disastrous start to defeat Lene Byberg of Norway and American Willow Koerber but it was the men’s event that had the massive crowd in raptures throughout.
All four of the top men sat together for the first four and a half 6.47 kilometre laps of the 45.29km race but it was Schurter and Vogel who rode a perfect tactical race for Switzerland.
Schurter sat glued to 29-year-old Absalon's wheel for more than half the race while Vogel shadowed Hermida Ramos as the Spaniard rode hard in a bid to try and bridge the gap to the two leaders.
With less than 1.2km to go Absalon tried to attack but a misjudgement with his gears saw him lose ground and Schurter surged ahead at the final feed zone to win in a time of 2hr04min39sec.
A jubilant Schurter said even though it appeared the course had been made for him he didn’t think he could win the gold from his more experienced and well credentialed rival.
“I’ve had such a bad season but now with this race it’s a dream come true,” Schurter said. “It’s an amazing feeling, the perfect race, perfect course for me. It was very technical and that suits me.
“The whole race I was thinking just to try to stay on his back wheel and race for silver, never thinking I could take the win but at the last feed zone I attacked and got away.”
After the race Schurter praised his bronze medal winning teammate.
“I like courses that are technical and this was the perfect course for me. I was lucky to stay with Julien and maybe without Florian I wouldn’t have been able to do that,” he said.
Meanwhile Absalom, who has won four World Cup events this year, said he was up against it having led most of the race against the Swiss pair and even though he expected Schurter to try and break away he couldn’t respond.
“I was not in a good position. I led, I did most of the race in front,” Absalom said. “This track is fast and it was not possible to get away with the wind, it was hard and the Swiss riders proved that they are the strongest nation together.
“I was expecting the attack in the feed zone (from Schurter) but not as strong.”
Swiss 2008 world champion, Christoph Sauser was well back in tenth and was only ever as close as eighth.
Chris Jongewaard was the best placed Australian in 15th place, 4min35sec behind the winner.
Of the other Australian’s Daniel McConnell finished 32nd, Ben Henderson was 35th, Sid Taberlay 39th, Dylan Cooper 55th and Andrew Blair 61st.
In the women’s race, Kalentieva of Russia overcame a disastrous start in the 32.35km women's elite cross country event, to claim her nation’s first gold medal of the Championships.
The 31-year-old was forced to stop on the first lap after a technical problem that dropped her back to 21st place. The Russian eventually finished in a time of 1min43min20sec, just 13 seconds ahead of silver medallist Lene Byberg of Norway. American Willow Koerber claimed the bronze a further 39 seconds behind.
Kalentieva said she used the early mishap as motivation throughout the rest of the race.
"It was unbelievable, I was in first place and then on the downhill section my chain broke and I had to spend over a minute fixing it," Kalentieva said. "I think it gave me more concentration and gave me more strength because it is not something that should happen today at the World Championships."
After leading for the first four of the five lap race, Byberg could do nothing as Kalentieva powered past her in the final stages.
"I had the title in my hands and lost it," a clearly disappointed Byberg said. "I tried really hard and just went for it but it was hard riding alone for so long, this is my first international medal so I am still happy."
Koerber also spent the majority of the race at the front of the pack and said that a hectic start had played into her hands.
"At the start I was just wondering what was going on, no one could ride because everyone was crashing," Koerber said. "It obviously worked for me though because I finished well and got a medal."
The reigning champion and number one ranked rider going into the race, Margarita Riera Fullana failed to fire and finished in a disappointing 16th place.
Kate Potter was the best of the sizable Australian contingent in 24th in a time of 1hour53mins33secs, ahead of Rowena Fry (27th), Joanna Harrington (32nd), Katherine O'Shea (34th), Jodie Willett (40th), Joanna Wall (41st) and Zoe King (44th).
Potter seemed to enjoy the experience more than most and was pleased with her effort.
"It was a tough race but a really, really fun course so even though you're trying as hard as you can, and you're hurting you can't help but love it because the single track is so much fun and there was always someone in front and someone behind so I always pushed as hard as I could and it was a really good race for me today," Potter said.
Fry had been placed 20th at the end of both the third and fourth laps before crashing on the last circuit, damaging a tyre and losing several places when she stopped for repairs.
"I was having a good race, fighting it out for a spot in the top 20 which I was really happy about and then just unfortunately on the last lap, a bit of fatigue kicked in on the climb and I lost my front wheel and crashed," Fry said.
“That wasn't such an issue but I must have lost a bit of air from the tyre and about a minute later I rolled the tyre off the rim which I had to repair while watching all the girls go past me.”
The Observed Trials competition has been a hit with spectators of all ages with the world's best riders completing two rounds each of six sections in and around the event village. The riders have to jump over and onto a range of interesting materials including pallets, drainage pipes, shipping containers, wine barrels, rocks and other obstacles. Riders are penalised and a dab (point) is recorded if any part of their body touches the ground.
In today's 20" elite mens final, crowds that would have pleased Tiger Woods gathered to watch the favourite, Spain's Benito Ros Charral ride to his sixth World Championship gold medal in seven years.
Benito, now 28, a 20" specialist, dominated the event with five penalty free sections, more than all of his rivals combined.
"The course was beautiful and hard," said Ros Charral. "The crowd was very good, with a lot of people in some sections. Their support really inspired me to perform well."
Ros Charral finished nearly 14 penalties clear of second place Rafal Kumorowski from Poland with Swiss rider Loris Braun a further nine behind.
Braun, 19, was last year's junior World Champion and the youngest in the elite final.
"Benito rode incredibly and is on his own level, I enjoyed the competition and the crowd atmosphere," said Braun. "I hope one day to win a World Championship.
"I'm impressed by the knowledge of the trials fans in Australia, but hope to see the sport get more coverage and become more popular."
In the Junior 20" event Spain took out the quinella with an impressive first and second place. The gold medal went to pre-event favourite Abel Mustieles Garcia, with a confident and polished performance for a total penalty score of 24.
It's the last year in the junior ranks for Mustieles Garcia, who has been riding trials since he was six.
"I liked the challenge of the hard sections like the rock garden," said Mustieles Garcia. "The course for the finals was harder than for the semi-finals, but I enjoyed it."
The silver medal went to Ion Areitio Aguirre, on 31 points with Belgium's Roderique Timellini in third place three penalties further back.
The team trials medal, introduced this year was based on performance in the semi-finals, was presented to Spain. Second place went to France, just 20 points behind with Belgium a further 26 points back taking third.
Competition concludes tomorrow with all the downhill finals and the medal rounds of the elite and junior men’s 26” observed trials.
For live timing during the finals and for results please go to the UCI website
For event information and latest news from the Championships visit www.mtbworldscanberra.com.au
___________________________________________________________ For further information (media only) please contact: Gennie Sheer, Sheer Rhetoric Media Manager, 2009 UCI Mountain Bike & Trials World Championships Tel: +61 418 863 533 Email: genniesheer@bigpond.com Event website www.mtbworldscanberra.com.au
or
Catarina Axelsson, Earlybird Marketing Media Information Supervisor, 2009 UCI Mountain Bike & Trials World Championships Tel: +61 431 516 997 Email: catarina@theearlybird.com.au
Switzerland's Karin Moor gets Gold in OBSERVED TRIALS September 4, 2009
In the women's observed trials 20"/26" Switzerland’s world number one Karin Moor won the gold medal.
Moor, who won every world title from 2001 to 2007, ensured victory with only four “dabs”, or penalty points, to defeat France’s Julie Pesenti (9 dabs) and Spain’s defending world champion Gemma Abant Condal (22 dabs).
After the event Moor said even though she had arrived in Australia with plenty of time to get familiar with the event setup she still found things difficult.
"I ran a nice race today, the sections are difficult for me, but is good for my race,” Moor said. "I came for the win; we arrived one week before so I could train.”
The bronze medallist believed the sections this year were tough for all competitors but offered no excuses.
"The sections are more difficult more than last year and long but it was possible for a good race," Abant Condal said.
Australian Janine Jungfels missed a trip to the podium by one place, finishing six points further back than Abant Condal.
In the men’s elite 26″ semi final, Belgian Kenny Belaey accrued the least amount of penalty points – eight – to cruise through to Sunday’s final.
Frenchmen Gilles Coustellier and Vincent Hermance were tied for second a point further back, while Spain’s Benito Ros Charral, the standout in Thursday’s elite 20″ semi finals, was next with 10 dabs.
Best for the Australian contingent and moving through to the final was Joe Brewer (21 points). Teammates Andrew Dickey (70) and Nathan Mummery (75) were 23rd and 25th.
In the junior men’s 26” event, Abel Mustieles Garcia matched his performance in yesterday’s 20” event by topping the list of qualifiers in the semi finals.
Mustieles Garcia notched up 26 dabs, five less than Frenchman Kevin Aglae and 11 fewer than Great Britain’s Joe Oakley.
The trials event is an obstacle course where riders have to jump over and onto a range of interesting materials including pallets, drainage pipes, shipping containers, wine barrels, rocks and other obstacles. Riders are penalised and a dab (point) is recorded if any part of their body touches the ground.
For live timing during the finals and for results please go to the UCi website
For event information and latest news from the Championships visit www.mtbworldscanberra.com.au
For further information (media only) please contact: Gennie Sheer, Sheer Rhetoric Media Manager, 2009 UCI Mountain Bike & Trials World Championships Tel: +61 418 863 533 Email: genniesheer@bigpond.com Event website www.mtbworldscanberra.com.au
or
Catarina Axelsson, Earlybird Marketing Media Information Supervisor, 2009 UCI Mountain Bike & Trials World Championships Tel: +61 431 516 997 Email: catarina@theearlybird.com.au
Burry Stander takes U23 Men's Cross Country (Olympic) September 4, 2009
South Africa's Burry Stander went in as the odds on favourite and didn't disappoint claiming the rainbow jersey in the 38.82 kilometre under 23 men's cross-country final.
Stander, 22, the current World Cup Series leader and world ranked number four in the combined elite/U23 rankings, opened up an early lead on the field, posting the fastest split times on each of the first five laps of the 6.47km circuit before crossing the line in 1 hour, 47min 26secs.
Frenchmen Alexis Vuillermoz battled strongly for second place but couldn't catch the South African despite posting the fastest last lap of the day and finished 1min21sec behind. Swiss rider Thomas Litscher claimed third, a further 1min 25secs back.
Stander came into the event as an overwhelming favourite by virtue of his outstanding World Cup form and said he had felt some pressure on his shoulders this week, especially when he thought of the pace that the field would face off the start.
“A couple of days leading up to it was pretty nerve racking (but) today I was just focused on the start because I knew it would play a vital part in the race,” Stander said.
“Unfortunately we had a really strong head wind so it wasn't possible to take the lead from the beginning we had to take our chances in the group and then wait until the single track before we made a move.
“Things worked out and I got into the track in second and from there on the race went perfectly.”
Australian Lachlan Norris was a credible 11th, 7mins 33sec behind the winner, compatriot Paul Van Der Ploeg was 16th, Cal Britten 19th, Charlton Durie 34th and Nathan Haas 48th.
For live timing during the finals and for results please go to the UCi website
For event information and latest news from the Championships visit www.mtbworldscanberra.com.au
For further information (media only) please contact: Gennie Sheer, Sheer Rhetoric Media Manager, 2009 UCI Mountain Bike & Trials World Championships Tel: +61 418 863 533 Email: genniesheer@bigpond.com Event website www.mtbworldscanberra.com.au
or
Catarina Axelsson, Earlybird Marketing Media Information Supervisor, 2009 UCI Mountain Bike & Trials World Championships Tel: +61 431 516 997 Email: catarina@theearlybird.com.au
GOLDEN FOUR CROSS DOUBLE FOR AUSTRALIA COURTESY OF GRAVES AND BUCHANAN September 4, 2009
4 September 2009
In what was a stunning night for Australia at the 2009 UCI Mountain Bike & Trials World Championships at Stromlo Forest Park in Canberra, Jared Graves and local heroine Caroline Buchanan have claimed a golden double in the four cross (4X) events.
Racing under lights, Queensland’s Graves and Canberra’s Buchanan won Australia’s first medals of the championships after both went through the night undefeated before holding firm in the medal round under the enormous pressure the boisterous crowd brought to claim gold.
For Graves, who last year was a finalist in the BMX at the Beijing Olympic Games, the victory was confirmation of his undeniable status as the best 4X rider in the world after he entered these championships as the World Cup Series leader and world number one. He also won the World Cup round in Canberra last season.
Buchanan’s victory was an even more remarkable performance given the young Australian badly injured her back in Austria just six weeks ago training for a 4X World Cup event in Slovenia. While she courageously made it onto the start line to win that event she was subsequently forced to withdraw from the Australian team for last month’s BMX World Championships in Adelaide.
Graves, 26, who was the top finisher in yesterday’s qualifying round and won his round of 32, quarter final and semi final tonight before the medal decider, said he had entered the competition with a telling carefree attitude.
"I felt a bit calmer today than I normally would at a world titles final,” Graves said.
“I was saying to different people earlier in the week that I have lost this race enough to know that life goes on if you don't win it.
"That’s the biggest goal I’ve had in mountain biking so to pull it off just after the bad run of luck I have had in the last three years in a row now is just awesome.
“I knew I had a really good last practice session I knew if I kept it all night I knew I would get it.
"I did that I can’t explain how it feels so it’s just unbelievable."
Graves also said he was helped by his Olympic experience last year.
"I think I have taken my training to another level this year from last year with the Olympic BMX," he said.
"I learnt a lot last year. I think I have come into this year a bit smarter and I mean this is the ultimate race right here.
You know it doesn't get any better.”
Romain Saladini of France, the only rider all night that looked to have any hope of beating Graves, won silver with 17 year old World Championship debutant, Jakub Riha from the Czech Republic third.
Of the other Australians, Leigh Darrell, Ryan Henderson, Sam Willoughby and Beijing BMX Olympian Luke Madill all bowed out in the quarter finals, while Randal Huntington was eliminated in the round of 32.
In the women’s event home town star and 2008 Canberra World Cup winner, Buchanan, 18, won all three of her rounds including a thrilling final to claim the gold medal from last night’s top qualifier and world ranked number three Jill Kintner of the USA.
American Melissa Buhl won the bronze medal. Dutch woman Anneke Beerten, the world ranked number one, missed the final but won the consolation ‘small final’.
A jubilant Buchanan could hardly contain her emotions after winning her gold.
“Out of 13 years of racing I’ve never won a world title, I’ve always been so close but today I just really wanted it,” a teary Buchanan said.
“I pushed so hard and I feel so sick at the moment (but) I’m stoked, I’m over the moon and I can’t believe it.” Buchanan said she knew she could win almost as soon as the start gate dropped.
“It felt awesome, I started crying from about halfway down the track, I was screaming the whole way and from the start I knew that I had it. I was psyched up, I was ready. I can’t believe it.”
Sarsha Huntington, the only other Australian in the field, finished fourth in her semi finals before placing third in the ‘small final’ for seventh overall.
For further information (media only) please contact: Gennie Sheer, Sheer Rhetoric Media Manager, 2009 UCI Mountain Bike & Trials World Championships Tel: +61 418 863 533 Email: genniesheer@bigpond.com Event website www.mtbworldscanberra.com.au
or
Catarina Axelsson, Earlybird Marketing Media Information Supervisor, 2009 UCI Mountain Bike & Trials World Championships Tel: +61 431 516 997 Email: catarina@theearlybird.com.au
Double Gold for Australia in 4X September 4, 2009
Jared Graves and caroline Buchanan have each earned the title of World Champion. Full release to follow.
AUSSIE'S SET TO DOMINATE DOWNHILL September 4, 2009
4 September 2009
Australian riders have kicked off the much anticipated downhill events in style, dominating two of the four categories in the official timed session at the UCI Mountain Bike and Trials World Championships at Stromlo Forest Park in Canberra.
Mick Hannah topped the list in the men’s elite division and his feat was matched by Shaun O’Connor in the junior men’s event on a course that had added grip in the turns due to overnight rain.
Cairns’ Hannah posted a time of 2min29.68sec to easily hold off compatriot and dual world champion Sam Hill (2:31.42), with South African Greg Minnaar (2:31.56) third best.
Defending world champion Gee Atherton of Great Britain clocked the fourth fastest time with a 2:31.73, while another Australian, Chris Kovarik, was fifth in 2:32.56.
After his classy ride Hannah said while he was happy with his performance he had more left for the final.
“I am happy with that, I wasn’t sure whether I’d do a good hard run today or save my legs and I had a decent smooth run but definitely I can go a lot harder in most of the technical stuff,” Hannah said.
“Instead of blowing my legs up I took it a bit steady at the end there.
Hannah said the course was poles apart from the dry and dusty one he and his rivals had been training on earlier in the week.
“The course is completely different, it’s easy, it’s like going from dirt to bitumen,” Hannah said.
“The times would have been a lot closer (today) because of that, a lot of the guys would be more nervous and make more mistakes when it’s a bit skatey. Sunday will be a much harder race.”
Sunday’s final gets underway at 2pm and Hannah believes the course suits his chances, especially given he won this year’s Australian title here.
“The course definitely suits me, there’s a lot of rhythm sections and a good strong peddle at the bottom,” he said.
Canberra native Jared Rando, who was feeling some nerves due to the local support, was 20th in 2:38.82 and said he had taken the opportunity to practice the lines he would ride in the final on Sunday.
“I felt quite good, I wanted to have a nice smooth run and hit the right lines. I certainly didn’t want to kill myself today,” Rando said. “This (local support) is absolutely amazing, pretty unbelievable and I’m definitely feeling a bit nervous and under some pressure as a result.”
Great Britain’s Tracy Moseley recorded the swiftest run in the elite women’s category, crossing the line in 2:54.76, a mere 0.03 ahead of Canada’s Claire Buchar (2:54.79). Moseley’s teammate Fionn Griffiths was third in 2:56.50.
The top placed Australian was Claire Whiteman (3:14.38) in 13th, closely followed by Cara Smith (3:17.86) in 14th and Sarah Booth (3:28.10) in 17th.
Australia led the charge in the junior men's event with the host nation filling four of the top eight times. New South Wales 18-year-old Shaun O'Connor was the quickest in 2:36.92, with Great Britain's Danny Hart (2:39.14) and New Zealand's Brook McDonald (2:39.45) rounding out the top three.
Top ten Australian's included Rhys Willemse (2:40.93), William Gower (2:44.38) and Tamryn Murrell (2:44.49) who placed fifth, seventh and eighth respectively.
In the junior women’s event Australia’s Holly Baarspul logged a time of 3:29.13, the third best of the day behind French duo Anais Pajot (3:14.08) and Julie Berteaux (3:20.40). Pajot is the reigning World Champion.
Baarspul, who at 16-years-of-age is currently completing year 12 studies at Kalamunda Senior High in Western Australia, won the junior Australian downhill title earlier this year to gain selection for these Championships, her first.
Tonight the four cross riders will be back in action with both men's and women's finals being raced under lights. World ranked number one, Toowoomba's Jared Graves lines up in the first round of the men's 4X as the favourite after posting the fastest qualifying time yesterday while hometown girl Caroline Buchanan is the second seed going into the women's quarter finals.
For live timing during the finals and for results please go to the UCI website
___________________________________________________________ For further information (media only) please contact: Gennie Sheer, Sheer Rhetoric Media Manager, 2009 UCI Mountain Bike & Trials World Championships Tel: +61 418 863 533 Email: genniesheer@bigpond.com Event website www.mtbworldscanberra.com.au
or
Catarina Axelsson, Earlybird Marketing Media Information Supervisor, 2009 UCI Mountain Bike & Trials World Championships Tel: +61 431 516 997 Email: catarina@theearlybird.com.au
GRAVES QUALIFIES ON TOP IN MEN'S FOUR CROSS (4X) September 3, 2009
3 September 2009
Queensland's Jared Graves, 26, has secured the top spot in the qualifying run of the four cross (4X) at the 2009 UCI Mountain Bike & Trials World Championships in Canberra. The finals will be raced live under lights at Stromlo Forest Park tomorrow night.
Graves, who last year was a finalist in the BMX at the Beijing Olympic Games, lined up as a firm favourite today coming in as the current World Cup Series leader and world ranked number one.
He also won the World Cup round in Canberra last season. Graves was the second rider out of the gate and posted a time of 46.27 seconds and then waited as his rivals tried to match him. Czech rider Thomas Slavik came closest with his time of 46.68 with Romain Saladini of France third fastest in 46.96. The rest of the field were outside 46 seconds but four more Australians managed to qualify in the top eleven.
Ryan Henderson claimed fourth spot in 47.43sec while reigning two time Junior BMX World Champion, Sam Willoughby, 19, from South Australia who has just returned from South Africa where he won the BMX Supercross round qualified seventh fastest in 47.74.
Beijing BMX Olympian Luke Madill was tenth fastest in 48.00 and Leigh Darrell 11th in 48.12. Australia's other starter Randal Huntington qualified 24th in a time of 51.70.
In the women's qualifying home town hope and 2008 Canberra World Cup winner, Caroline Buchanan, 18, was second fastest behind world ranked number three Jill Kintner of the USA. Kintner crossed the line in 52.73 with Buchanan 0.35 slower. World ranked number one Anneke Beerten of the Netherlands was third fastest in 53.23. Sarsha Huntington was seventh fastest and will come against her compatriot Buchanan in the quarter finals.
Meantime Spain's Benito Ros Charral was a class above his rivals in the semi final of the men's elite 20" observed trials.
Ros Charral qualified for Saturday's final after finishing the challenging two rounds of the trials course with only 10 penalty points. The next best qualifier, Rick Koekoek from the Netherlands finished with 20 penalty points, ahead of third placed Rafal Kumorowski from Poland (28 points).
Australian pair Jack Mullay (79) and Morgan Driessens (80) placed 19th and 20th respectively, failing to qualify for the final.
In the junior men's event, Ros Charral's compatriot Abel Mustieles Garcia topped the list of qualifiers tallying only seven penalty points in his semi final.
Belgian Roderique Timellini qualified in second place with a score of 18 penalty points, while another Spaniard Ion Areitio Aguirre was third with 20 points.
Australia's Lachlan Sens finished 13th best after collecting 59 points and did not advance to the final.
The trials event is an obstacle course where riders have to jump over and onto a range of interesting materials including pallets, drainage pipes, shipping containers, wine barrels, rocks and other obstacles. Riders are penalised if any part of their body touches the ground.
For live timing during the finals and for results please go to the UCi website www.uci.ch
___________________________________________________________ For further information (media only) please contact: Gennie Sheer, Sheer Rhetoric Media Manager, 2009 UCI Mountain Bike & Trials World Championships Tel: +61 418 863 533 Email: genniesheer@bigpond.com Event website www.mtbworldscanberra.com.au
or
Catarina Axelsson, Earlybird Marketing Media Information Supervisor, 2009 UCI Mountain Bike & Trials World Championships Tel: +61 431 516 997 Email: catarina@theearlybird.com.au
KERSCHBAUMER WINS SECOND GOLD September 3, 2009
3 September 2009
Italian rider Gerhard Kerschbaumer, 18, has claimed his second gold medal at the 2009 UCI World Mountain Bike and Trials Championships, taking out the junior mens cross country event in Canberra.
The win follows on from Kerschbaumer's success as part of the Italian team that claimed the team relay on Tuesday.
Ricardo Paulo Reis Marinheiro overtook Swiss rider Reto Indergand on the final lap to take silver and Portugal's first medal of the Championships.
Kerschbaumer, who finished in a time of 1hr31min01sec, 1min19sec ahead of Marinheiro, said that he felt good throughout the race.
"The race went very well, it was perfect because my legs were perfect," Kerschbaumer said. "The track was very tough and very technical but the atmosphere and the conditions helped me to win.
"On the first two or three laps I was very calm and was trying to control the other riders and then on the fourth lap I overtook everyone on the climb.”
In a dramatic finish, Marinheiro went past Indergand in the closing stages after the 17-year old Swiss, racing in his first World Championships, suffered terrible cramps near the finish.
"I am happy with the result, I tried very hard, Kerschbaumer was very strong on the uphill sections but I am happy with second place," Marinheiro said.
Indergand, who when not racing studies electrical installation in his native Switzerland, was full of praise for the Stromlo Forest Park circuit.
"I really like this course, and a third place is a good finish for me," Indergard said.
___________________________________________________________ For further information (media only) please contact: Gennie Sheer, Sheer Rhetoric Media Manager, 2009 UCI Mountain Bike & Trials World Championships Tel: +61 418 863 533 Email: genniesheer@bigpond.com Event website www.mtbworldscanberra.com.au
or
Catarina Axelsson, Earlybird Marketing Media Information Supervisor, 2009 UCI Mountain Bike & Trials World Championships Tel: +61 431 516 997 Email: catarina@theearlybird.com.au
NO GOLD MEDAL BUT JOHNSTON'S A CHAMPION EFFORT September 3, 2009
3 September 2009
Italian Gerhard Kerschbaumer may have taken home the gold medal in the junior men’s cross country event at the UCI Mountain Bike and Trials World Championships in Canberra today but he wasn’t the only winner.
Australian Brendan Johnston covered the 32.35 kilometre course more than 16 minutes slower than Kerschbaumer but by simply being on the start line meant Johnston had won.
A little more than two weeks ago, the 17-year-old from Moruya on the NSW south coast, was undergoing surgery for testicular cancer. Today he was riding in a World Championship.
The fact that he placed a credible 50th of 71 starters and finished on the same lap as the medallists was not the point. Nor was it that he finished fourth of the Australians behind Mitchell Codner (17th), Michael Baker (22nd) and Cameron Ivory (36th). Johnston’s mere participation against the best in the world was.
“I was on the start line which was good enough for me,” Johnston said. “The start was a bit hectic and there was crashes everywhere so I moved up a little bit.
“I was on the lead lap, so to finish 50th out of 71 starters was unreal.”
Riding in pain but determined to do his country proud despite several weeks off the bike in which he inevitably lost conditioning, Johnston won plenty of support as he powered around the five laps of the 6.47km circuit.
“I’m actually feeling alright, it’s definitely painful and I’ve lost a fair bit of fitness. That was the main pain I had,” the brave teenager said.
While Johnston will begin post operative chemotherapy immediately he has his sights set on higher honours on the bike once his health issues are behind him.
“I guess the Olympics is a goal you always think about and to finish this just gives me that positive attitude,” he said. “I was quite down lately, understandably, but this has picked me up which is good.”
Today, it was that winning spirit and courage that helped pick everyone at the Mt Stromlo course up too.
The silver medal was claimed by Portugal's Ricardo Marinheiro who was 1min19sec behind Kerschbaumer with Reis Indergard from Switzerland third at 1min34sec.
___________________________________________________________ For further information (media only) please contact: Gennie Sheer, Sheer Rhetoric Media Manager, 2009 UCI Mountain Bike & Trials World Championships Tel: +61 418 863 533 Email: genniesheer@bigpond.com Event website www.mtbworldscanberra.com.au
or
Catarina Axelsson, Earlybird Marketing Media Information Supervisor, 2009 UCI Mountain Bike & Trials World Championships Tel: +61 431 516 997 Email: catarina@theearlybird.com.au
DAWIDOWICZ RIDES HOME FOR POLAND'S FIRST GOLD September 2, 2009
Wednesday 2nd September Poland's Aleksandra Dawidowicz, 22, has claimed her country's first medal at the 2009 UCI Mountain Bike and Trials World Championships, taking gold in the U23 women's cross country in Canberra.
Dawidowicz, who took bronze in the same event in Italy last year, was simply too strong on the challenging Stromlo Forest Park circuit, opening up an early lead before eventually crossing the line in a time of 1hr24mi 32sec, 1min13sec ahead of second placed Alexandra Engen (Sweden).
After crashing early in the race, a clearly dissapointed Julie Bresset of France finished in third, 2min31sec behind the winner.
The win marks a step up for the 2009 bronze medallist and recently crowned European Champion, Dawidowicz, who was 10th in the women's cross-country at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing and was crowned European champion just over a month ago.
"Last year I was third, a month and a half ago I was European champion and this year I am champion so that is very exciting for me," Dawidowicz said. "Now I would like to be Olympic Champion so I am looking toward the Olympics in London in 2012."
Silver medallist Alexandra Engen, who hails from the small city of Jonkoping in southern Sweden, was gracious in defeat and said Dawidowicz was just too good on the day.
"I knew I had good legs and I really liked the course so I had high expectations," Engen said. "I thought on a good day I could overtake Aleksandra but I am very satisfied, I couldn't do anything more today."
Bresset was one of the favourites heading into the race but struggled after a bad start.
"A medal is always a medal but I am a little bit disappointed as I wanted to do better," Bresset said. "I knew it was important to take the lead early but then I had the crash which caused me to lose five places."
Australian hope Gracie Elvin finished two laps down in 30th place after puncturing near the top of the course on the second lap, while compatriot Therese Rhodes was 26th.
In the earlier junior women's cross country French teenager Pauline Ferrand-Prevot continued her 2009 medal winning form to claim victory.
In only her first year in the U19 ranks the 17 year old from Reins last month claimed silver in both the time trail and road race at the UCI Junior Road World Championships in Moscow and says winning the gold medal today is a dream come true.
Ferrand-Prevot completed the 19.41km race in a time of 1hr05min33sec, a comfortable 33 seconds ahead of Swiss rider Michelle Hediger with South Africa's Candice Neethling in third place a further 33 seconds behind.
"On the last lap Michelle (Hediger) was leading but I knew I was better than her on the flat and that was when I took the lead," said Ferrand-Prevot who was so overcome by emotion she broke into tears well before the finish line.
"Winning the World Championship is a dream for me, I was already second twice, but a gold medal in the mountain bike was so important that when my staff informed me I would win I couldn't stop myself and I started crying."
Hediger was pleased to have claimed a medal.
"My dream was a medal so I am very happy," Hediger said. "The race was very hard, the course was very technical, very powerful, it was really hard."
Neethling was thrilled to win a medal at her first World Championships.
"It was extremely difficult, very technical," she said. "The start was extremely hard, I didn't know what to expect and it is great just to get a medal."
Local Canberra rider Rebecca Henderson was spurred on by a vocal home crowd finish in seventh place four minutes and 47 seconds behind the winner. It was Henderson’s best ever result at this level with the 18-year-old having finished 22nd in the same event at last year’s World Championships.
Going into the race, Henderson, who had been aiming to finish inside the top ten, expected to be supported by a large local contingent and the high school student wasn’t disappointed.
“I was looking to finish somewhere between fifth and tenth so seventh was about where I’d hoped,” Henderson said. “Everywhere along the course people were yelling my name and the support was there so that was good.”
Whilst many of the international competitors have found the course very challenging, Henderson said it was easier than she had expected.
“The course was easier than when I trained on it a few weeks ago because they had removed a lot of rocks and definitely made the ‘Hammerhead’ easier.”
The race was the last event for Henderson’s in the junior ranks.
“That was a good race to finish on and I couldn’t have expected any more from juniors,” she said. Of the other Australians Shelly Flood placed 24th at 10min40sec and Gillian Burgess was 26th @13min15sec.
Tomorrow the the junior men will contest their cross country final while the 4X (four cross) riders line up in the qualifying round.
___________________________________________________________ For further information (media only) please contact: Gennie Sheer, Sheer Rhetoric Media Manager, 2009 UCI Mountain Bike & Trials World Championships Tel: +61 418 863 533 Email: genniesheer@bigpond.com Event website www.mtbworldscanberra.com.au
or
Catarina Axelsson, Earlybird Marketing Media Information Supervisor, 2009 UCI Mountain Bike & Trials World Championships Tel: +61 431 516 997 Email: catarina@theearlybird.com.au
French Phenomenon Ferrand-Prevot adds Gold to Medal Haul September 2, 2009
Tuesday, September 1st, 2009
French teenager Pauline Ferrand-Prevot has continued her 2009 medal winning run with victory in the junior women’s cross country today at the UCI Mountain Bike and Trials World Championships in Canberra.
In her first year in the U19 ranks the 17 year old from Reins last month claimed silver in both the time trail and road race at the UCI Junior Road World Championships in Moscow and says winning the gold medal today is a dream come true.
Ferrand-Prevot completed the 19.41km race in a time of 1hr05min33sec, a comfortable 33 seconds ahead of Swiss rider Michelle Hediger with South Africa’s Candice Neethling in third place a further 33 seconds behind.
“On the last lap Michelle (Hediger) was leading but I knew I was better than her on the flat and that was when I took the lead,” said Ferrand-Prevot who was so overcome by emotion she broke into tears well before the finish line.
“Winning the World Championship is a dream for me, I was already second twice, but a gold medal in the mountain bike was so important that when my staff informed me I would win I couldn’t stop myself and I started crying.”
Hediger was pleased to have claimed a medal. “My dream was a medal so I am very happy,” Hediger said. “The race was very hard, the course was very technical, very powerful, it was really hard.”
Neethling was thrilled to win a medal at her first World Championships. “It was extremely difficult, very technical,” she said. “The start was extremely hard, I didn’t know what to expect and it is great just to get a medal.”
LOCAL HENDERSON SEVENTH IN JUNIOR WORLD XCO EVENT September 2, 2009
Australian Rebecca Henderson has finished an impressive seventh in the Junior XCO at the UCI Mountain Bike and Trials World Championships at Canberra’s Stromlo Forest Park.
Spurred on by a vocal home crowd, the local Canberran crossed the line four minutes and 47 seconds behind France’s Pauline Ferrand Prevot who covered the 19.41 kilometre course in 1:05:23.
It was Henderson’s best ever result at this level, the 18-year-old having finished 22nd in the same event at last year’s World Championships.
Going into the race, Henderson, who had been aiming to finish inside the top ten, expected to be supported by a large local contingent and the high school student wasn’t disappointed.
“I was looking to finish somewhere between fifth and tenth so seventh was about where I’d hoped,” Henderson said.
“Everywhere along the course people were yelling my name and the support was there so that was good.”
Whilst many of the international competitors have found the course very challenging, Henderson said it was easier than she had expected.
“The course was easier than when I trained on it a few weeks ago because they had removed a lot of rocks and definitely made the ‘Hammerhead’ easier.”
The race was the last international event of Henderson’s junior career and she was happy with her performance.
“That was a good race to finish on and I couldn’t have expected any more from juniors,” she said.
Aussie Angle for Team Relay
September 2, 2009
Tuesday, September 1st, 2009 Coach Neil Ross on his team’s performance to finish 14th in the XCO Team Relay
“I was really happy with the performance. Chris (Jongewaard) was in with a good bunch, I think Lachlan (Norris) in particular had a really good ride and Mick (Baker) caught up a few places and was as high as sixth. Rowena had a really good start but maybe struggled with the back half.”
Second rider Lachlan Norris on his performance
“It was not too bad. I started pretty hard obviously and I hit the climb and softened out a little bit and I was a bit over the top. I stuffed up a few sections but coming back down the decent and in the second half of the climb I started to pull back a few positions and that was probably my better section.”
Third rider Michael Baker on his effort in picking up a few places
“It was the aim for us, to try and catch some of the women in my leg. I caught up as many as I could but there was some pretty good blocking and I did what I could.”
How he feels about his individual XCO chances in the Juniors
“It was a good hit out today although pretty bad for the confidence when the Italian rider was as fast as the elite riders but I’ll give it my best shot and today’s hit out show’s where I’m at form wise.”
First rider Chris Jongewaard on his performance
“It was going to be a fast start and trying to get a gauge on how everyone from overseas is going was hard. It’s been a while since I had this level of competition but I got off to a good start and had the right wheel and the right position but I couldn’t go on with it on the flat.”
How he feels about his individual XCO chances
“I’m riding technically well but there’s just no power there at the moment. It was good to do today to start the engine, I hope, and hopefully later in the week I’ve got something more to offer.”
Last rider Rowena Fry on how she found the Stromlo Forest Park course
“That was tough, really, really tough, to go flat out on a course like that is agony the whole way.”
On her fast start and tiring later
“Sabine Spitz (Germany) the Olympic champion went off just before me and I think my eyes were a bit too big. I was catching her on the fire roads and I thought maybe I’ve gone out a little bit too hard if I’m catching Sabine Spitz on the fire roads. I blew up a bit on the climb but I had a good decent.”
How she feels about her individual XCO chances
“I’m not sure how my form is at the moment but a good hit out today though and I think the course suits, so if I put it together on the day I should have a good ride.”
Italy has won the first gold medal decided at the 2009 UCI MTB & Trials World Champioships in Canberra. September 2, 2009
Tuesday, September 1st, 2009 The Italian team of Marco Fontana (Elite), Gerhard Kerschbaumer (Jnr), Eva Lechner (Elite) and Cristian Cominelli (U23) won the team relay in a time of 1hr14min02sec, narrowly beating Canada (Raphael Gagne (U23), Geoff Kabush (Elite), Evan Guthrie (Jnr) and Catharine Pendrel (Elite) who finished six seconds behind in second place with defending World Champions France (Alexis Vuillermoz (U23), Cedric Ravanel (Elite), Hugo Drechou (Jnr) and Cecile Rode Ravanel (Elite)), two seconds further back, in third place.
“What we expected today was a medal for sure, but not yet, the gold medal was hard but at the end we got it,” Fontana said after the race. “The course was one of the best courses I’ve ever ridden, it’s really funny (ed: fun), it’s really technical.”
In the team relay 19 nations each entered four riders, one elite man, one U23 man, one junior man and an elite woman. Each rider contested one lap of the 6.47km Stromlo Forest Cross Country course in the order determined by their coach and at the end of the lap tagged the next rider in their team.
The Italian team went into the final lap in third place, trailing France by 1min28sec and Canada by 1min21sec. But U23 rider Cominelli performed well to reel in and overtake both teams who had opted for their female riders to contest the last lap.
“We knew that we were strong, and we knew that Switzerland and Sweden were strong as well,” said Cominelli.
“It was a really exciting last lap for all of us between Italy, France and Canada,” said Canadian Pendrel who outsprinted France in the final metres to clinch the silver for her team. “I had a good position going into the final stretch so I was hoping I could hold onto that.”
Meantime the Australian team of Chris Jongewaard (elite), Lachlan Norris (U23), Michael Baker (Jnr) and Rowena Fry (elite) finished 14th, 4min52sec off the winning time.
“I was really happy with the performance,” said Australian Cross Coutry coach, Neil Ross. “Chris (Jongewaard) was in with a good bunch, I think Lachlan (Norris) in particular had a really good ride and Mick (Baker) caught up a few places and was as high as sixth.
“Rowena had a really good start but maybe struggled with the back half,” said Ross who believes the order chosen was the right one. “It’s really hard to pass on this course so we knew we had to get out there as quick as we could.”
Jongewaard says he expected the international riders to be quick off the line.
“It was going to be a fast start and trying to get a gauge on how everyone from overseas is going was hard,” said Jongewaard. “It’s been a while since I had this level of competition but I got off to a good start and had the right wheel and the right position but I couldn’t go on with it on the flat.”
Norris admits he struggled in a couple of sections but was generally happy with his ride.
“It was not too bad,” said Norris. “I started pretty hard obviously and I hit the climb and softened out a little bit and I was a bit over the top.
“I stuffed up a few sections but coming back down the decent and in the second half of the climb I started to pull back a few positions and that was probably my better section.”
Third rider Michael Baker says his role was to try and move up a few places.
“It was the aim for us, to try and catch some of the women in my leg,” said Baker. “I caught up as many as I could but there was some pretty good blocking.”
Rowena Fry brought home the Australian team effort.
“That was tough, really, really tough, to go flat out on a course like that is agony the whole way,” said Fry who started very quickly. “Sabine Spitz (GER) the Olympic Champion went off just before me and I think my eyes were a bit too big.
“I was catching her on the fire roads and I thought maybe I’ve gone out a little bit too hard if I’m catching Sabine Spitz on the fire roads,” she explained. “I blew up a bit on the climb but I had a good descent.”
LIVE UCI Mountain Bike World Championship XCO, DH and 4X September 2, 2009
The LIVE Webcast of the UCI Mountain Bike World Championship 4X and DHI is available through the following link:
Freecaster.tv is proud to bring you the 2009 World Champs LIVE again... this time from Stromlo Forest Park in Canberra, Australia. The action last year was truly breathtaking, with Sam Hill crashing spectacularly on the final corner of his run. No one can predict what the outcome will be this year... the only thing that is assured is that there will be no shortage of excitement as all the World's Top Riders raise the most important DH and 4X race of the year! Don't forget to tune in this Friday September 4th and Sunday September 6th for the UCI Mountain Bike World Championship 4X - DHI on Freecaster.tv
The LIVE Webcast of the UCI Mountain Bike World Championship XCO is available through the following link:
The 2009 World Champs XCO course involves climbing and descending the eastern face of Mt Stromlo, Canberra. The venue was unveiled last year when the first World Cup held in Australia in over a decade descended on Stromlo Forest Park. Over 10,000 spectators watched that event so expect an even greater turn-out this year as fans from around the World come to cheer on the XCO Elite. Don't forget to tune in this Saturday September 5th for the UCI Mountain Bike World Championship XCO on Freecaster.tv
UCI Mountain Bike and Trials World Championships - Program August 30, 2009
Get the latest program of events and activities here.
Mountain Bike heroes in action in Canberra August 29, 2009
The heroes of world mountain bike are arriving in Canberra for next week's UCI Mountain Bike and Trials World Championships being staged at Stromlo Forest Park from 1 to 6 September.
The Championships have attracted an impressive list of entrants including 14 of the 15 individual 2008 World Champions and nine of the world's number one ranked riders. 41 nations will be represented over six days of competition in cross country, downhill, 4X and trials.
"The finishing touches are being applied to our fabulous venue and we are ready to welcome the world to Stromlo Forest Park," said Event Manager, Kimberlee Philip. "We've been getting really positive feedback from the international riders who have been out here for training and we're looking forward to six days of spectacular, world class action on the mountain.
"530 MTB and 96 trials riders have entered and more than 160 media from around the world have applied for accreditation to cover the event," said Ms Philip. "To make sure everything runs to plan we've got 430 volunteers rearing to go."
Tickets for Friday, Saturday and Sunday are on sale through Ticketek and fans are urged to pre-purchase their tickets. Entry is free on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.
"Tickets will be on sale at the gate but you'll jump the queue and get a discount if you buy through ticketek to secure your spot on the mountain," explained Ms Philip.
Other things not to be missed on ticketed days are the opportunity to ride some of the latest bikes in the Bike Demo Area or browse through the Expo Area to find the latest and greatest in all things bike. There will also be plenty of entertainment with DJ Kid Kenobi and MC Shureshock and Resin Dogs firing up and lots of roving entertainment.
Ticketing Information
All tickets include: public bus transport from Canberra City, Woden and Belconnen bus interchanges to Stromlo Forest Park, car parking at the event venue and all day bus shuttles up and down the mountain. Tickets for the event can be purchased via the Ticketek website: www.ticketek.com.au
Ticketed event days include: Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Please note that Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday is free.
Ticket prices are as follows: 1 Day Entry $20 ($25 at the gate) 3 Day Pass $50 ($60 at the gate) Kids Pass - Kids under 10 enter free with an accompanying paying adult 1 Day Family Ticket (2 Adults and 3 Children) $60 ($75 at the gate) 3 Day Family Ticket (2 Adults and 3 Children) $150 ($180 at the gate)
Mountain Bike Heroes
The following 2008 World Champions are entered to race: Cross Country Men's Elite - Christoph Sauser (SUI) Women's Elite - Margarita Fullana (ESP) Men's U23 (will race elite in Canberra) - Nino Schurter (SUI) Women's U23 - Tanja Zakelj (SLO) Men's Junior (will race U23 in Canberra) - Peter Sagan (SVK) Women's Junior (will race U23 in Canberra) - Laura Abril (COL)
Downhill Men's Elite - Gee Atherton (GBR) Women's Elite - NO (Rachel Atherton is out of action recovering from shoulder surgery) Men's Junior (elite in Canberra) - Josh Bryceland (GBR) Women's Junior - Anais Pajot (FRA)
4X Men - Rafael Alvarex de Lara Lucas (ESP) Women - Melissa Buhl (USA)
Trials Open Women Gemma Abant Condal (ESP) 20" Men Benito Ros Charral (ESP) 26" Men Giuacomo Coustellier (FRA)
World ranked number one riders entered to race:
Men's Elite Cross Country - Julien Adsalon (FRA) Men's Elite Downhill - Gee Atherton (GBR) Men's 4X - Jared Graves (AUS) Women's Elite Cross Country - Irena Kalentieva (RUS) Women's Elite Downhill - Sabrina Jonnier (FRA) Women's 4X - Anneke Beerten (NED) 20" Benito Ros Charral (ESP) 26" Giuacomo Coustellier (FRA) Open women's Karin Moor (SUI)
Fast Figures
48 exhibitors 2000 sqm of marquees 150 toilets 4 big screens 21 grandstands 13 site sheds 51 heaters Purpose built stage built into the side of the mountain for Friday night entertainment Purpose built IT system 23 camera scaffolding decks for broadcast operation 24hr security 2.6km of event fencing 23 lighting towers Kid's Carnivale area with jumping castle, face painting and mechanical surfboard Red Bull Arena with skate ramp Crazy Bikes with the crew from Rat Patrol Demonstration match from the Canberra Roller Derby League Roving Performers Bike Demo Area
MEDIA ACCREDITATION
Media wishing to cover the 2009 UCI Mountain Bike & Trials World Championships are reminded they must apply for accreditation through the UCI online system - http://uci.wingsmedia.it/.
We suggest you do so as soon as possible to ensure your accreditation is processed in time. For more information and a detailed event schedule please visit the official event website. We look forward to welcoming you to Stromlo Forest Park for the Championships.
JONGEWAARD CITED FOR MISCONDUCT August 27, 2009
The Board of Management of Cycling Australia has today cited Chris Jongewaard for misconduct as per Cycling Australia By-law 2.11.
The Board last night convened a teleconference to discuss the guilty verdict delivered yesterday in the criminal case against Mr Jongewaard in the District Court of South Australia.
Mr Jongewaard has been advised of the Board's decision.
A Cycling Australia Disciplinary Tribunal will be convened to hear the charge at a date to be determined but within 21 days from the date of notification to Mr Jongewaard.
At that hearing both Cycling Australia and Mr Jongewaard will have an opportunity to present their cases to the Tribunal.
Both parties will require adequate time to prepare for the hearing and as a result it is unlikely the hearing will occur prior to next week's World Championships in Canberra at which Mr Jongewaard has been selected to ride for Australia in the elite men's cross country being contested on Saturday 5 September.
___________________________________________________________ For further information (media only) please contact: Gennie Sheer, Sheer Rhetoric, Marketing & Communications Manager, Cycling Australia Tel: +61 418 863 533 Email: gennie.sheer@cycling.org.au Cycling Australia website www.cycling.org.au
Scott 24 Hour entries filling quickly – don’t miss out! August 20, 2009
Entries are more than half full for this year’s event so if you have not put your entry in yet get in quick to avoid disappointment.
This year we are capping rider numbers at 2500 riders only, so get your mates together and enter today!
Enter early and win!
The Scott is an event that always has giveaways galore. You don’t need to be putting in the speedy laps to go home with some swag.
So the team from JetBlack are setting the scene for the 2009 race and starting the giveaways early!
All riders that enter before the 31st of August will go into the draw to win a:
Fluid Trainer With Progressive Resistance - RRP $399 or a JetBlack Rocket MTB Wheelset - $699
If you have already got your entry in then your name will be automatically be put in the draw.
This years Scott will be a riders track that shows off the BEST of Stromlo!
Easy middle ring climbs, fast flowing single track and interesting technical features.
This year the format is a single loop that uses the trunk trail to elevate you to the summit. From there you'll be rewarded by stunning vistas overlooking Canberra and Lake Burley Griffin. Next, cash in your gravity credits.
However, there's a twist: during daylight hours you'll drop down the western side of the mountain to explore some entertaining downhill single track; at night you'll cut right to take the Skyline roller coaster. You'll then resume the same course with an undulating series of trails that includes some easy sections of the World Champs course, concluding with a swooping single track descent that delivers you back to transition.
The tracks are in great condition after the recent rains and Territory Venues and Events have made many improvements over the past year by filling rocky patches, armouring creek crossings and adding a number of tabletops and berms.
Huge entertainment line up for 2009 UCI Mountain Bike and Trials World Championships August 20, 2009
It’s not all about the bikes and the racing at the Mountain Bike and Trials World Championships.
To give the ears a break from the cowbells on the hill, the tunes will be laid out right throughout the weekend to keep both the riders and the spectators amped. Up on the hill, in the bar and all the places in between, the MTB Worlds have got it covered.
On Friday night DJ Kiz and 2Dogs will get the crowd pumped before the 4X finals. They will be in the thick of the action, on a purpose built stage under the lights on the side of the four cross hill. From there we will be able to celebrate into the night with Kid Kenobi and MC Sureshock in the main bar in the event village.
But it doesn’t stop there as after the Cross Country finals on Saturday the party flame will reignited with Pablo Disco Bar and Resin Dogs in the main bar in the centre of the Event Village. As we all start to recover on Sunday, cool chill out tunes will fill the main bar with live music to help us all wind down after such an exciting weekend.
But hey, don’t get to relaxed, you still have the after party to come Sunday night!
There will also be plenty of roving entertainment around in the event village throughout the weekend including fire twirlers, the Rat Patrol and their wacky inventions as well as a Kids zone with jumping castle and face painting!
For complete entertainment and racing event schedule make sure you get a copy of our Official Event Program, on sale with the September issue of Australian Mountain Bike Magazine.
And the best way to get to and from the centre of MTB racing in 2009 will be by ACTION Bus.
ACTION will be operating free public bus shuttles for all event ticket holders to and from the event all day Tuesday through to Sunday from the Woden, Belconnen and the City bus interchanges.
Haven’t bought your tickets yet? No worries, hop on the free bus shuttle and buy you tickets at the gate!
Australian team for 2009 MTB & Trials World Championships August 11, 2009
11 August 2009 for immediate release
Cycling Australia and MTBA is pleased to announce the 66 rider team that has been selected to contest the 2009 UCI Mountain Bike and Trials World Championships being staged in Canberra, Australia from 1 to 6 September.
Cross Country (XCO) / Elite Men Andrew Blair (Cooma, NSW 09/06/1979) Dylan Cooper (Kambah, ACT 30/06/1979) Ben Henderson (Monash, ACT 25/08/1986) Christopher Jongewaard (Para Hills, SA 18/07/1979) Daniel McConnell (Bruthen, VIC 09/08/1985) (Oceania Champion) Sid Taberlay (Kingston Beach, TAS 22/01/1980)
Cross Country (XCO) / Elite Women Rowena Fry (South Launceston, TAS 08/12/1982) (Oceania Champion) Joanna Harrington (NSW 14/01/1978) Zoe King (Allambie Heights, NSW 28/12/1976) Kate Potter (VIC 05/03/1978) Katherine O’Shea (Port Melbourne, VIC 22/03/1979) Joanna Wall (Bendigo, VIC 29/11/1978 ) Jodie Willett (Morningside, QLD 06/10/1977)
Cross Country (XCO) / U23 Men Cal Britten (Bright, VIC 17/03/1988) Charlton Durie (Bowral, NSW 05/10/1990) Nathan Haas (Weston, ACT 03/12/1989) Lachlan Norris (Barkers Creek, VIC 21/01/1987) (Oceania Champion) Paul van der Ploeg (Tawonga, VIC 11/09/1989)
Cross Country (XCO) / U23 Women Gracie Elvin (Yarralumla, ACT 31/10/1988) Therese Rhodes (West Beach, SA 10/04/1988)
Cross Country (XCO) / Junior Men Michael Baker (Torrens, ACT 08/05/1992) Mitchell Codner (Helensburgh, NSW 05/07/1992) Trenton Day (Cameron Park, NSW 28/04/1992) (has withdrawn due to injury) Cameron Ivory (Rankin Park, NSW 26/04/1992) Brendan Johnston (Moruya, NSW 25/11/1991) Brenton Jones (Drouin West, VIC 12/12/1991) James Peacock (Warrandyke, VIC 25/06/1991) (Oceania Champion)
Downhill (DHI) / Elite Men Bryn Atkinson (Wentworth Falls, NSW 09/12/1982) Mitchell Delfs (Gracetown, WA 25/07/1989) Jared Graves (Toowoomba, QLD 16/12/1982) (Oceania Champion) Michael Hannah (Yorkys Knob, QLD 21/11/1983) Samuel Hill (Glenn Forest, WA 21/07/1985) Chris Kovarik (Deception Bay, QLD 01/03/1978) Jared Rando (Ainslie, ACT 22/06/1981) Nathan Rennie (Northbridge, QLD 06/06/1963)
Downhill (DHI) / Elite Women Sarah Booth (SA) Cara Smith (Kambah, ACT 19/11/1980) Claire Whiteman (Conder, ACT05/09/1978) (Oceania Champion)
Downhill (DHI) / Junior Men Laurie Dinham (North Adelaide, SA 03/04/1991) William Gower (Stirling, SA 02/06/1992) Hans Hadley (WA) Antony Moore (Glasshouse Mountains, QLD 05/12/1992) Tamryn Murrell (Mudgeeraba, QLD 21/07/1991) Shaun O'Connor (Barrengarry, NSW 13/07/1991) (Oceania Champion) Rhys Willemse (Chambers Flat, QLD 11/09/1991)
Downhill (DHI) / Junior Women Holly Baarspul (Gooseberry Hill, WA 30/10/1992)
Trials 20" / Junior Men Lachlan Sens (Mandurang,VIC14/01/1992)
Trials 20" / Elite Men Morgan Driessens (Moorooka, QLD 21/12/1989) Jack Mullay (Corinda, QLD 11/04/1987)
Trials 26" / Elite Men Joe Brewer (Canterbury, VIC 08/02/1988) Andrew Dickey (East Ivanhoe, VIC 05/10/1985) Nathan Mummery (East Brighton, VIC 13/03/1989)
Trials 26" / Elite Women Janine Jungfels (Calmvale, QLD 06/10/1988)
All nominations have been made as per the Selection Criteria. Appeals against non-selection must be lodged with Cycling Australia by Friday 14 August.
Merida Flight Centre team second in TransAlps (Grand Masters Class) July 28, 2009
Craig Peacock and Hans Dielacher riding for the Merida Flight Centre team came second in the 2009 TransAlps Grand Master class (100+ age group category) with a time of 31hrs and 5mins.
The TransAlps mountain bike race is Europe’s toughest and most prestigious mountain bike race. There are over 550 teams who raced across the Alps from Mittenwald in Germany to Riva del Garda in Italy, covering some 634km and climbing 22,077 metres over beautiful mountain passes. http://www.bike-transalp.de/englisch/. Many teams were unable to finish. Why is this race so tough; well considering doing 8 Australian marathons in 8 days and climbing 3,000 meters per day. The Flight Centre Epic has 2,200 metres of climbing and the Otway Odyssey has 2,900 metres of climbing.
Our race was not without some dramatic events and incidents; · Stage 1 was cancelled due to some seriously bad weather; it was raining and 4C at the start. Mittenwald has an elevation of 834m and we were to ride over a 1803m pass. During the day 40cm of snow fell. If the Stage 1 did proceed there would have been a number of deaths from hypothermia. On the same day last year in similar conditions some runners who raced across the same trails died from hyperthermia. · Stage 2 we arrived some 1hr and 15mins before the race at the start line after our warm up only to find some 300 teams already before us in the starting pen. We gave away about 5 mins to the winning German team by not turning up at least 2hrs before the race. · Stage 3 Hans’ rear wheel completely buckled on the single track and was unrideable near the top of the first mountain pass. We had over 60km to go and if we could not finish we would have been out of the race. This wheel failure cost us any chance of winning our category and we had real visions of failing to finish stage 3 and then being out of the TransAlps. We swapped rear wheels, I ran with the bike for about 30 minutes before Hans was able to negotiate a spare wheel (in German) all within the racing rules. Next time you see Hans he has a great story on how we recovered from this near disaster. It was a real blessing that this spare wheel worked perfectly, no chain slippage and had a great rear tyre. We came forth in this stage losing only a few minutes to 2nd and 3rd placed teams. We were now racing for second place in the TransAlps. Any chance of first place had vanished. · Stages 4,5 & 6 we raced as hard as we could gaining approximately 15minutes on the Swiss (second) and the Norwegian (third) teams, but losing about 10 to 15minutes per day to the German team (first place). These were real tough days for us as we were riding at threshold for 6 hours each days, climbing over 3,000m and each stage only had 2 feed stations. · Stages 7 & 8, the fatigue from going as hard as we could on the previous stages started taking it toll; we had second place secure with a buffer of over 45 minutes , but finished 3rd in Stage 7 then 4th in Stage 8.
The highlights of our race: · Riding with a teammate who is evenly matched with you and equally as dedicated to achieving the best possible result · Starting in the rain at 4C in Mittenwald, riding through snow on day 2 and finishing 8 days later in 38C at Riva del Garda · Big mountain climbs, the largest climb being over vertical 1,700 metres · Great mountain passes through the European Alps · The descents are so big with very fast speeds of 60 to 70km/hr on gravel roads; many of the descents were around 900 vertical metres · Great views of the Dolomites, riding on singletrack underneath 1,000m metre rock walls · Racing on cobble stones rides in small roads through small villages. Some roads were closed and others were open, so we had to keep our eyes open for cars and slow moving tractors · Sprinting for the finish at each of our host villages
We have been competing with some of the best riders in the world who live in the Alps and who regularly ride these mountain passes. They have completed many TransAlps races before, they know each of the trails, the hills, the descents and the feed station locations. We were basically riding these stages with minimal prior knowledge, it was our first TransAlps. We are proud of our efforts in coming second and have done our country proud. We each have a big trophy to take home a small cheque of over 1,000 Euros to help cover some of our expenses.
Both Hans and I trained specifically for 6 months for the TransAlps, it was the major focus of our 2009 racing season. What did we do right? What would we do differently? Here are some initial lessons learnt which will be further distilled over the coming weeks: · If your aim is a podium finish then you need to specifically train for the event; a 6 month build up is essential · Train to produce high power wattages (4.3W/kg in our category, more in the open category) from a standing start, up steep gradients (approx 10% to 15%) sustainable for over 90mins, then reproduce the same power output for the next two 1,000m climbs · Train to ride 3 mountain passes per day, each with a climbing elevation of 1,000 vertical meters, then back it up the next day, and the next · Have a full support crew, with feeders at each station · Have one rider who can speak the local language. (Hans is fluent in German) · Stage 1 - arrive at least 2hrs before the race into the starting pen and warm up on a trainer
If you would like further information or require mountain bike coaching assistance please contact Craig Peacock via email craig.peacock@chasegroup.com.au . Craig has a Grad. Dip in Sport Science.
Jason English - 24hr Solo MTB World Champion July 28, 2009
Jason English was crowned World 24hr Solo MTB Champion in Canmore on the weekend. Andrew Fellows came in 2nd while Jessica Douglas placed 4th in Elite Women.
On Saturday at midday Canadian time the World 24 hr Solo championships were held, on a technically demanding course as would befit such an event in Canmore, Canada. Most of the riders agreed it was one of the hardest races they had ever competed in, both technically and physically.
There were seventeen Australians in the solo categories, and they featured strongly throughout the race.
Forrest based Australian 24 hour solo champion Jessica Douglas battled it out with Rebecca Rusch (USA), Jari Kirkland (USA), Carena Dean (Canada) to finish forth overall in the female solo category. Rusch’s tactic was to go out hard from the start and she was able to sustain that pace until the end; she eventually lapped the entire female field and finished in first place in a time of 23hrs, 19 minutes on 18 laps. Kirkland, Dean and Jessica Douglas all finished with 17 laps each. Jess had held third place for the majority of the time but was edged out in the last couple of hours taking her into forth position overall. Meanwhile another Forrest Mountain bike club Member, a delighted Kirsten Honey competed in the Female single speed category taking out a well-earned first place.
The men’s events were fought out equally as hard. Australian Jason English triumphing to become the world 24 hr elite male, winning in 24hrs28minutes and with 22 laps from Carey Smith (USA) and Andy Fellows (AUS) who both finished with 21 laps. Adam Kelsall of Torquay who is also a regular rider around Forrest took out third place in the men’s 30-34-age bracket.
2009 UCI BMX World Championships - Adelaide July 25, 2009
25 July 2009 for immediate release Wonderboy Willoughby wows at home.
Hometown hero, Sam Willoughby, 17, has become the first elite junior male to win back to back titles after he successfully defended his crown in today's racing at the UCI BMX World Championships in Adelaide, South Australia.
Willoughby was on fire from the first moto (qualifying round) and made light work of the second round, quarters and semis to go into the final as the top ranked rider. He hit the front from the gate and was never headed posting a sizzling time of 28.289sec to claim the gold medal. Team mate, Anthony Dean, 18, also from Adelaide, claimed bronze with the Australian pair split on the podium by Norwegian silver medallist Andre Aquiluz.
"Everything came together, all the hard work I had done was all aimed at this race and it all came together when it needed to so I'm really happy with how I just relaxed and took the home crowd in my stride and did what I had to do," said an overjoyed Willoughby who had been under intense pressure in the lead up as the hometown favourite. "It (the pressure) kind of got to me a bit in the first couple of weeks after I got back home to Adelaide (from the USA) with all the local media hype about going back to back but I managed to block that out and it's come together just how I wanted it to.
"When they announced my name at the start and I put my arm in the air, to know that many people are behind you lifts you up another ten percent," said Willoughby. "It was awesome.
"I made a couple of mistakes in the final and I felt like the noise from the crowd picked me up and kept me going."
Willoughby, who celebrated by downing a tub of vanilla ice cream, won't have much time to revel in the win with his focus now on the Supercross Series with the first round in in South Africa in late August.
"i just want to keep progressing and my long term goal is obviously London 2012 so this is a small stepping stone towards that. "
Dean was thrilled to medal in the competition after having a shaky start in the qualifying motos and struggling with leg cramps during the afternoon's racing.
"I had a crash in first moto but then progressed through to the semi where I was second and I felt good for the final," said Dean. "It was a wicked course, even though I crashed, and I really enjoyed it, great fun."
Both riders now move up to the elite category.
Seven of the eleven Australian team members qualified for finals. In the junior women's final West Australian Lauren Reynolds, 18, and Queenslander Rachel Bracken went in as favourites for a medal after solid performances in qualifying but Reynolds came unstuck on the first burm (corner) and crashed out of contention. Bracken posted a solid ride to finish fourth.
West Australian Khalen Young, 24, was a strong performer all day in the men's elite rounds but almost missed the final after five riders, including him, crashed in the sudden death semi final. Young was the quickest to recover, remount his bike and finish the course to stay in the competition. Beijing Olympian Luke Madill also qualified for the final. However there was no stopping American Donny Robinson who won the crown ahead of fellow American Mike Day with Argentinia's Ramiro Marino claiming third place.
2010 24 Hours of Adrenalin World Solo 24 Hour Championships in Australia July 25, 2009
At the conclusion of the solo rider brief for the 2009 24 Hours of Adrenalin World Solo 24 Hour Championships (about 1630 on Friday 24 July Canmore time - 0830 Saturday 25 July Sydney time), Stuart Dorland, the Founder of 24 Hours of Adrenalin made the following public announcement:
"The 2010 24 Hours of Adrenalin World Solo 24 Hour Championships will be held in Australia. I have received two very good bids from Tailwind and Canberra off-Road Cyclists and I am confident that each bid would be suitable for the 2010 24 Hours of Adrenalin World Solo 24 Hour Championships.
I will be traveling to Australia in two weeks and will visit both proposed venues and have discussions with the event organisers. The venues are in South-East Queensland for Tailwind and at Stromlo Forest Park in Canberra for Canberra Off-Road Cyclists. I expect to announce the selected event some time after the UCI World Championships in early September 2009.
The winning Elite Solo Men and Women from the 2009 24 Hours of Adrenalin World Solo 24 Hour Championships who are non-Australian or non-NZ riders will receive air tickets to Australia to compete in 2010, as will the Eilte Solo Men and Women winners from the Canadian Solo 24 Hr Championships."
from Russ Baker in Canmore.
24hr World Solo MTB Championships - live UPDATE 1 July 25, 2009
Twenty Four hours of Adrenalin have set up a live site for the 24hr World Solo MTB Championships.
Check out http://24wsc.com/ to get the action as it happens. It will be a bit quiet in the lead up to the weekend, but then can Australia dominate again?
There will also be heaps of video and still coverage of all sorts of stuff over here...
100 000 cubic meters of soil turned into an exciting, challenging 40 sec ride. That is what Glen Jacobs has achieved in Stromlo Forest Park.
Glen Jacobs was actually the original instigator of the 4x discipline in the late 90’s, giving the international cycling federation UCI, the new exciting, challenging Mountain Bike racing they were asking for! Jacobs and his company has built around 250 tracks in 30 different countries.
The track that he just finished in Canberra hold’s a special place in his heart. “We wanted Canberra to have something very innovative and unique, I tried to put something tricky in the tracks for them” says Jacobs. One example of that is the Bungle Bungles.
“They call then moguls over in Europe, because they are just like a mogul field you would find in the Alps when you go skiing. We built these monster ones here in Canberra and we looked at them and said "geez", they look like the Bungle bungles! (beehive-shaped sandstone formations in the Purnululu National Park, WA) So, ok, let’s call them that instead! They are hard to get through and you need to be smart.
We have experimented over the years with different obstacles, to break up the fast sections and to make lead changes easier. The style of this track gives you an inside and an outside line and with the Bungle bungles you got so many different lines, which is unique to 4x. You can take an inside line which is technical and risky, but its shorter, and you can get in front, but you are not carrying the speed to get down the next straight. Or you pick the outside line, which is super fast, but the long way around.
Apart from just going fast this track provide technical opportunities for lead changes. You may not stay there! But you have the opportunity to get there. I think it will provide for some really good racing. “ says Jacobs.
The Canberra riders will have the advantage to train on this course and figure out all the different lines and tricky parts before the world champs. And why shouldn’t they! The Italians and the French do the same thing when the world champs are over in Europe (like they usually are).
Glen Jacobs has high expectations on the capitol’s riders; “Canberra riders are fast, and they’re getting faster! You got all these juniors coming through and a living, breathing track like this, that will still be here after the event for everybody to use, is an inspiration to train and go fast. I think that in a few more years we will have a lot of fast riders coming from Canberra.”
Injury forces Buchanan out of BMX Worlds July 22, 2009
Canberra's Caroline Buchanan has been forced to withdraw due to injury from this week's UCI BMX World Championships being staged at the Adelaide Showgrounds in South Australia.
"I've never had a big injury and never had to miss out on a race before so it's pretty disappointing," said Buchanan.
The 18 year old reigning Australian Champion injured her back during training last month in Austria and, whilst she is recovering well, doctors have advised her to pull out of the Championships and concentrate on her recovery.
"I was training starts on an old BMX gate and it didn't drop when it should have," said Buchanan. "I kept going though and did a scorpion faceplant over the gate and hyper-extended my legs over my head.
"It wasn't too bad at the time and I didn't feel much pain," said Buchanan who soon after raced and won the four-cross event at the Maribor round of the Mountain Bike World Cup in Slovenia. "Apparently that, and the long flight back to Australia, did more damage to my back so I got an MRI done when I got home and it showed a tear in a disc in my lumbar region."
Buchanan had originally hoped to recover in time for this weekend's racing but doctors warned against rushing back into competition.
"All the doctors said this sort of injury needs to heal so if I had trained too early and pushed it at any time it could tear more or bulge and then it would a really long recovery time," she explained. "The doctors said six weeks and this weekend is five weeks and I've been really 'babying' it along, not lifting anything, not bending, not sitting on the couch, sleeping on my side and doing lots of physio work to get it right.
"It would have been great to race in front of a home crowd with everyone there to support me but my focus is now on preparing for the Supercross Series with the first round on next month in South Africa," said Buchanan. "It has been pretty difficult getting back into it but everytime I complete a new exercise and there's no pain I get a little more confidence back.
"I wish the Australian team all the best for this week," she said. "I have been speaking to them and they all seem really well prepared."
The Elite and U19 riders will be on the track for the first time on Friday with finals racing scheduled for Saturday afternoon.
The Australian team contesting the Championships is listed below for reference.
BMX 20" - Elite Men Billy JOLLIFFE (Cameron Park NSW, 06.12.1986) ** Brian KIRKHAM (Hillbank SA, 01.01.1986) Luke MADILL (Cranebrook NSW, 28.05.1980) Matthew WILLOUGHBY (Trott Park SA, 03.11.1989) Khalen YOUNG (Kelmscott WA, 20.11.1984)
BMX 20" - U19 Men Joshua CALLAN (Healesville VIC, 08.04.1991) Michael CHASTEAUNEUF (Croydon South VIC, 15.01.1991) ** Anthony DEAN (Wynn Vale SA, 22.04.1991) Sam WILLOUGHBY (Trott Park SA, 15.08.1991)
BMX 20" - U19 Women Rachel BRACKEN (Aitkenvale QLD, 30.06.1991) Lauren REYNOLDS (Clifton Park WA, 25.06.1991) ** Indicates reigning Australian Champion
For further information (media only) please contact: For media enquiries relating to the Australian elite and U19 team please contact: Gennie Sheer, Sheer Rhetoric. Communications Director, Cycling Australia Tel: +61 418 863 533 Email: gennie.sheer@cycling.org.au Cycling Australia website www.cycling.org.au
For event related media enquiries please contact: Sharon Payne, Media Manager BMXA Tel: +61 412 773 500 Email: sharon@bikemedia.com.au BMXA Website www.bmxa.com.au
2009 UCI World MTB Championships news July 18, 2009
Tune your radios! We are on a frequency! The 2009 UCI Mountain Bike and Trials have an exclusive radio station. So weather you are beside the track, in the event village or on your way to the event, make sure you tune into MTB World Champs FM on 99.5FM for all the action when it happens.
So don’t forget to bring your radios! We will be on air all throughout the event, so tune in, turn us up and hold on tight!
Change of Downhill Course The Downhill course at Stromlo Forest Park is now ready and waiting for the next World Champion. Wallaby Run will be putting even the best riders in the world to the test during the 2009 UCI Mountain Bike and Trials World Championships in Canberra on the 1-6 September.
Canberra elite Mountain Bike rider Ben Cory has been involved in the work of constructing the new course. A few days ago he tested the new section that has been designed specifically for the World Champs. Ben has been competing in Downhill on an international level for several years and is a hopeful for the Australian team for the Mountain Bike World Championships. After completing his test run he says: “The new track is faster, there is more excess speed, more energy. We have turned a peddaly section into a fun one and it definitely makes it more spectator friendly as well,” You be the judge, check out the photos of the progress of the new tracks on Facebook, with more to be posted shortly!
4X Changes 4X mastermind, Glen Jacobs is back and at it again. Especially for our World Champs, Canberra is lucky enough to have the largest 4X course ever built in Australia (one of the largest in the world). This artificial hill makes use of more than 100,000 cubic meters of soil, and is going to wow both riders and spectators in September. Four riders, head to head on a challenging course, we expect Friday night’s 4X finals to be one of the absolute highlights of the event.
Today Glen is out on the track today, supervising the first test runs.
Entertainment If watching the world’s best mountain bikers wasn’t enough, we have a jam-packed week full of entertainment for everyone. The event village will feature a fully stocked and decked out bar with live chill out tunes playing all throughout the weekend. Friday night will be a big one with entertainment under the 4X course lights on the main stage on the side of the 4X hill.
This is entertainment like you have never see it before – stay tuned in to our website for the full entertainment line up!
Tickets Make sure you secure your spot on the mountain - Tickets are on sale now on the Ticketek website! All tickets include public bus transport from Canberra City, Woden and Belconnen bus interchanges to Stromlo Forest Park, car parking at the event venue and all day bus shuttles up and down the mountain. Prices start from just $20, click here and follow the links to book now!
Venue Hosting bid documentation for 2009-2010 National Series now available July 18, 2009
The venue hosting bidding document for a round of the 2009-1010 MTBA National MTB Series is available below.
Entries for the 2009 Scott Australian 24 hour Mountain Bike Championships now open July 17, 2009
17 July 2009 - Scott no mates? Ride as a solo. Scott mates? Enter as a team! And do it soon! The website for the 2009 Scott 24hr is now live and entries are open. This year we are capping rider number at 2500 so, to secure your spot in the greatest 24 hour mountain bike race of them all, get your name on an entry form asap.
On October 10th and 11th Canberra Off Road Cyclists (CORC) will be taking you along for a trip, returning to our roots, celebrating what's best about mountain biking – getting out with our mates, riding and having fun!
2009 will bring together everything that has given The Scott its legacy of the longest running 24 hour race in Australia.
Participants will not only get an awesome weekend, there will be T-shirts, heaps of free swag, a finisher’s prize, random give-always, hot showers, camping under the stars with pizza a phone-call away. Over $50,000 in cash and product prizes!
Teams can be formed with up to 6 riders, in male, female and mixed categories. There is also a corporate category with 10 rider teams. For details, check out the website www.scott24hr.com.au
It all begins with the prologue on Saturday morning, before the main race. The prologue replaces the ‘fastest lap’ prize in the main 24hr event, and aims to increase exposure to the top riders using a single ‘flying lap’ time trial format. During the prologue, an additional feature will be the ‘King and Queen of the Mountain’, a race within a race for the fastest to Echidna Gap (the Col du Stromlo). This event is one of the most exciting and fast paced races all weekend and is definitely one not to be missed!
After the prologue the main endurance and dirt challenge is kicking of. Starting then and there brave mountain bikers will set off on a journey like no other.
Last year it was estimated that the majority of riders took approximately one hour to complete one course respectively, totalling an approximate 65 km during the race. The solo riders on the other hand, subjected themselves to over 400 kilometres of cross country riding for the duration of the 24 hours.
Exactly what the laps look like this year and what you should expect from riding them will not be revealed until daybreak the 10th of October.
Over the weekend riders and spectators alike will enjoy a range of exciting entertainment including demonstrations as well as a trade show showcasing the latest must-have mountain biking accessories, gadgets, and bikes.
The campground will be buzzing as lights keep passing through the surrounding forest and riders keep climbing on and off their bikes all through the night.
World Championships Downhill course ready for action July 15, 2009
15 July 2009 - The Downhill course at Stromlo Forest Park is now ready and waiting for the next World Champion. Wallaby Run will be putting even the best riders in the world to the test during the 2009 UCI Mountain Bike and Trials World Championships in Canberra on the 1-6 September.
Boasting numerous new jumps to generate speed in the lower section of
the course, it now provides for enough speed and airtime to get plenty
of ‘ahhhs’ and ‘oooohs’ from the spectators and riders alike, during
the 2009 World Championships.
Canberra elite Mountain Bike rider Ben Cory has been involved in the work of constructing the new course. This morning he tested the new section that has been designed specifically for the World Championships. Ben has been competing in Downhill on an international level for several years and is a hopeful for the Australian team for the Mountain Bike World Championships. After completing his test run he says:
“The new track is faster, there is more excess speed, more energy. We have turned a peddaly section into a fun one and it definitely makes it more spectator friendly as well,” said Ben
Stromlo Forest Park and the ACT Government are happy to see this world-class Downhill course as yet another addition to the multi-million dollar investment ever in the recreational park in Canberra. All improvements being made to the courses in the lead up to the 2009 UCI Mountain Bike and Trials World Championships will add to the quality and excitement at numerous events to follow.
The largest group of beneficiates are of course all the riders that utilises the park, free of charge, all the other days of the year.
“The old Downhill line will be left intact, running next to the new section, for people to use after the event,” says James Kiwi, Event Director and Venue Manager at Stromlo Forest Park.
“This way, riders will be able to choose weather they see themselves fit to take on the new high speed challenge or rather stay with both wheels on the ground, going down the old line.”
July 2009 - Tickets are now on sale for the 2009 UCI Mountain Bike and Trials World Championships being hosted at Stromlo Forrest Park in Canberra. From September 1- 6, Australia’s top mountain bike venue will turn into a battle ground when the world’s best mountain bike riders descend upon the nation’s capital to compete in the sports toughest competition.
Be there to witness when man meets machine, where the dirt will fly and champions are made. An all-star cast of the top men and women riders from around the world are now gearing up to head Downunder, including current Cross Country World Champions, Christoph Sauser of Switzerland and Margarita Fullana of Spain.
Four-cross Champions, Rafeal Alvarez De Lara Lucas of Spain and Melissa Buhl of the United States are now waving the battle flags along with the Downhill champions, brother and sister duo of Rachel and Gee Atherton of the UK and Australia’s own Nathan Mummery in the trials.
Australian favourites are also ready to hit the start line with two times World Champion Sam Hill, Olympian Jared Graves and World Cup Champion Caroline Buchanan gearing up to take on the world’s best in their own backyard.
Tickets can be bought in advance at a discounted rate via Ticketek. Included in the ticket price is bus transport from Canberra City to Stromlo Forrest Park or car parking is available at the venue and all-day bus shuttles up and down the mountain during racing.
But it’s not only the on-course action that is set to thrill spectators, the event village is also gearing up to host live events, demonstrations, live music , with plenty of entertainment guaranteed for spectators and competitors alike along with one of the largest Australian mountain bike trade shows.
The World Championships run from Tuesday 1 to Sunday 6 September 2009. Tickets are required for Friday, Saturday and Sunday sessions; admission is free Tuesday to Thursday. Single day, 3 day and family passes are now available.
MTBA calls for Expressions of Interest to take role of Event Manager July 10, 2009
MTBA has previously posted a news item that announced a new look National Series for the 2009-2010 season. In that we foreshadowed the need for an Event Manager to take on the overall management of this initiative.
MTBA now announces that the Expression of Interest document for this role with MTBA is now available. It can be downloaded below.
Further information regarding the EOI and the position itself can be obtained from the MTBA EO.
Insurance for competitive events outside Australia July 7, 2009
Australians are great travelers and when coupled with mountain bikes we are great athletes. But racing in a foreign country brings with some very real downsides, in particular around the costs and quality of medical services if you are injured.
MTBA is able to arrange insurance for events outside Australian shores for our adventurous members. The cover includes $5,000,000 medical expense cover plus $50,000 death cover. The insurance is only for the race - all other insurance cover needs to be obtained from also purchasing regular travel insurance from your travel agent. Having this cover means being able to contest events at a 100% level rather than always trying to keep yourself safe.
We need a group - and the larger the group the less per member of the group will usually pay - to begin arranging the cover. A lead time of at least a month is needed. Participants in the cover must also be full members of MTBA.
If you have an overseas event coming up let MTBA know and we will see what we can do to assist in ensuring that you have the medical expense cover you need when racing overseas.
In particular MTBA has been asked to arrange insurance for the following events:
If you are contemplating attending any of these events and want the security of medical cover then register your interest by sending an email to MTBA.
Entry for the 2009 MTBA Australian MTB Marathon Championships July 7, 2009
On-line entry for the 2009 MTBA Australian MTB Marathon Championships is now available through the MTBA on-line events entry system. The description below is couched in specific detail for this event but the concepts are general for entering any event listed in the on-line event entry system.
You can enter events through one of two pathways.
1. The MTBA Event Calendar on the MTBA website lists all the events posted through the on-line events system. Use this link.
2. Go through the new MTBA on-line membership system. You can do this by clicking the "Join" logo in the upper right corner of the MTBA homepage - or click here. The process to acquaint yourself with the system see a previous posting. If you are in your membership page of the MTBA on-line membership system you can also find out any events posted to the on-line events system by clicking on the "Events Listing" in the left hand navigation area.
This will give you a list of events. Click through to the 2009 XCM Championships.
Once you are in the 2009 XCM Championships area press "next" after reading the race information provided.
If you are a MTBA member (and assuming you are financial at the time of the event) you will be able to use your MTBA member number and the password you have previously obtained (see previous posting on this) to speed up the event entry process by an autofill of all your contact information. Once you do this just keep progressing through the pages until finally you will be asked to pay.
Note that if (at a later stage) you wish to change any of the details that are autofilled for you you can simply click the "edit" link.
If you are not financial at the event date you will be required to renew your membership. You can do this from this part of the system and the renewal fee will be added to the overall transaction cost for event entry.
If this does not suit then you can go back and enter as a non-MTBA member and the cost of a day permit will automatically be added to the entry fee. If you subsequently renew you will be able to get a refund at registration of the day permit cost.
2009 Paluma Push - Townsville July 6, 2009
2009 Paluma Push promises to be the best ever with more than 300 riders registered. That means there's less than two hundred spots left. Don't miss out on North Queenslands favourite mountain bike race and enter before midnight Tuesday 14 July!
The Mike Carney Toyota Paluma Push is the premier mountain bike event in North Queensland. This point to point adventure mountain bike ride is an individual challenge and great social event. This is an unique event st arts in Paluma Village and winds its way through World Heritage rainforest, into big timber and open cattle country before finishing at the historic tin mining settlement of Hidden Valley.
Grab some family or work mates and enter in this awesome off-road endurance mountain bike race for riders of all ages and skill levels. Enter online at http://palumapush.eventsbot.com/
MTBA announces the next generation of on-line services July 1, 2009
MTBA has launched its revolutionary on-line member and event service today.
Designed in collaboration with RegisterNow the on-line system will change the way members interact with MTBA and clubs.
For the first time members will be able to join or renew their membership, manage their personal details or enter events listed by MTBA affiliates in the one sophisticated software application.
Tony Scott, EO of MTBA, said "The gateway to the system will be a once-only entry of some personal information and the email address we have recorded in our previous database. The on-line system will respond by sending a unique passcode to the email address we have on record for the member. A response to that email will provide access to the system from which members will be able to manage their association with MTBA and our clubs. Once access has been granted further interaction with the on-line system will only require a member number and personal passcode known only to the member."
"The on-line system will provide seamless integration between members and event entry, between members and clubs and between members and MTBA. No more paper will mean instant confirmation of membership and a more rapid issuing of member cards, Scott added."
Members were emailed a few months ago asking them to check that their email address was the one that they will use regularly.
MTBA advises that if a member did not receive that email it would be either because no email address was recorded on the previous paper application form or a transcription error occurred from paper to database which resulted in an invalid email address being uploaded to the new on-line system. If either of these situations apply members are asked to contact the MTBA office to get their email added or corrected.
Of course if a member does not have an email address or access to the internet both MTBA and clubs will still accept paper application forms.
MTBA wishes to advise that the transition from our desktop database to the on-line system may result in some short delays in issuing member cards. We apologize in advance for this and will work as hard as we can to effect a smooth transition and anticipate that any delays will be transient.
Further information can be obtained from the MTBA EO.
The TOUR DE TIMOR August 23-28 2009 June 19, 2009
President of Timor-Leste and Nobel Peace Prize Laureate, Dr. José Ramos-Horta recently announced the inaugural Tour de Timor bicycle race, which will run from August 24th to 28th 2009. The event is a unique 5 day 350km mountain-bike road-race, which has a lucrative prize pool of USD$50,000, offers free registration and entry for participants and will have significant regional and international press coverage. The Tour de Timor will be an unparalleled means for participants and supporters to experience Timor-Leste, travelling through 9 of Timor-Leste’s 13 Districts in just 5 days, with 4 nights in and amongst traditional villages of Timor-Leste. President Ramos-Horta welcomes all participants and supporters to utilise the Tour de Timor as an opportunity to showcase the wondrous beauty of Timor-Leste as well as contribute alongside the President and people of Timor-Leste in making the capital Dili a ‘City of Peace’ in 2009.
The first of what will be an annual event, Tour de Timor is being billed as a major sporting challenge but one delivered in the spirit of international peace. As President Ramos-Horta described it, “We Timorese have had the benefit of extraordinary international support for our commitment to the creation of a democratic, inclusive, and harmonious society. As we move towards achieving that goal, it is fitting that we celebrate our potential with friends and neighbours from across Timor-Leste and from overseas. Tour de Timor will bring people together in a spirit of friendly competition, where ultimately everyone’s a winner”.
President Ramos-Horta has announced that the overall first prize will be worth USD$15,000, with the overall prize money summing USD$50,000. Generous prizes will be given to teams and individual placing with additional prizes for the first female, junior and masters entrant. Food, water, accommodation and internal transport is being provided for free to competitors from 23 - 29 August 2009. All information regarding the race and registration can be found at the race website www.tourdetimor.com and race organizers can be contacted directly at tourdetimor@gmail.com
MTBA members may be able to gain medical insurance for attending this event if there is sufficient interest. Contact MTBA for further information.
Media Accreditation for the 2009 UCI Mountain Bike and Trials World Championships June 11, 2009
June 2009 Applications for Media Accreditation for the 2009 UCI Mountain Bike and Trials World Championships to be held in Canberra, September 1-6, are now being taken.
Media places for Australian media will be limited due to an expected increase of visiting international sports media, making it important for Australian press to submit their applications as early as possible.
All applications for media accreditation for the 2009 UCI Mountain Bike and Trials World Championships should be made on the official application form through the UCI website.
If you do not have the appropriate accreditation you will not have access to the media centre or the areas reserved for media close to the tracks up on the hill.
In order to secure accreditation for this year’s World Championships in Canberra the applicant must be a member of a press or photo agency, daily or weekly newspaper, magazine, radio station or television station.
Freelance media (photographic or print) will not be able to obtain accreditation unless they are able to provide a letter of authorization by an accredited press agency.
Upon registering for media accreditation for the 2009 event please advise Catarina Axelsson of Earlybird Marketing and Events of your application via email
MTBA plans a new look National Series June 10, 2009
At last weekend's MTBA Management Committee meeting approval was reached to introduce a new look National Series. The 2009/2010 National Series will now be totally managed by MTBA. This is a significant departure from the model MTBA has used previously where MTBA's involvement in the delivery of the National round was simply at race level. MTBA will now also look after all those things that turn a race into an event.
Tony Scott, MTBA's Executive Officer said, "The National Series is the premier race circuit for Australia's aspiring international riders to come and test themselves against Australia's best. While the racing in the previous series was widely acclaimed as the best yet, the glitz that surrounds the Series needs to reflect the importance of National level racing with a consistent 'look and feel'. Our aim in this shift in delivery for the National Series is to bring all the shiny things that add to everyone's experience at the race - the things that turn a race into an event - to each and every round in a consistent fashion. MTBA is in the best position to do this while still offering a financial incentive to the hosting venue."
He added, "The XC racing will get even better with the addition of a national enduro series. And there will be a re-focus on the Olympic Cross Country as the showcase for the Elite, U23 and U19 riders, together with the emerging talent under 17s. DH, which has been the jewel of Australian MTB racing, will largely remain the same with some small changes being planned - but nothing too radical."
"While there will still be a focus on venues that can provide for both XC and DH (and 4X), the new look series will allow for single XC or DH venues, he added."
MTBA will shortly be issuing expression of interest documents for hosts to provide the venue, the volunteers and race courses. A guaranteed fee will be paid to the hosts for the provision of these, but additional fees may also be paid to hosts for the provision of additional services.
MTBA will also shortly be calling for EOIs for the role of Event Manager to look after the delivery of this new look series.
Further information is available from the MTBA EO.
New Level 1 MTB Coaching Course May 29, 2009
Cycling Australia and Mountain Bike Australia (MTBA) are pleased to announce that the new Level 1 Mountain Bike Coach Training Program has been submitted to the Australian Sports Commission (ASC) to be officially recognised by the National Coaching Accreditation Scheme (NCAS).
Graham Fredericks, CEO of Cycling Australia states: "With mountain biking an integral element of cycling in Australia, there is a growing need to ensure that all mountain bike riders are nurtured and developed in a professional manner. This training program is a great opportunity for mountain bike enthusiasts to get involved in coaching and work together with athletes in pursuing their goals."
Graham added: "The alignment of this program is the culmination of much time and effort from the coach education department and coaching workgroups but in particular, thanks must go to Brendan Moriarty (National Coaching Coordinator, Cycling Australia) and Nicola Tyre (National Development Coordinator, BMX Australia). Brendan and Nicola have dedicated much time to a project that is large step forward for the coaching of mountain biking in Australia."
The Level 1 MTB Coach Training Program, which will be aligned to the ASC's Guidelines for the Design and Registration of NCAS & NOAS Accreditation Programs has been in development since September 2008.
It has been a long but rewarding project for everyone involved, not least the members of the Coaching Workgroup:
- Ron Bonham (National Technical Director, Cycling Australia) - Tony Scott (Executive Officer, MTBA) - Neil Ross (National MTB Coach) - Garron Buckland (Victorian Institute of Sport Coach) - Donna Rae-Szalinski (National Talent Identification and Development Coach) - John Gregory (Manager, Sports Performance, Tasmanian Institute of Sport) - Sian Mulholland (Sports Consultant, Coaching and Officiating Unit, ASC) - Brendan Moriarty (National Coaching Coordinator, Cycling Australia) - Nicola Tyre (National Development Coordinator, BMX Australia)
It has been these nine contributors, along with many other notable names from the MTB community, that have poured their collective knowledge and experience into the development of the training program.
Executive Officer of MTBA, Tony Scott said: "MTBA is very excited to finally have a MTB discipline specific Level 1 coaching course for our members. This collaboration between Cycling Australia and MTBA to get the course in a position to be accredited and delivered has been a goal of MTBA for several years and is reflective of the valuable relationship between our two organisations. The course will allow our members to be trained by MTB specific coaches; coaches who understand, live and breathe MTB."
He added, "The growth of mountain bike activity at all levels around Australia also brings with it the need to have highly qualified instructors to ensure that our members are being trained appropriately. Having accredited coaches will be able to help generate our next Olympians or just allow members to get more out of the experience that is mountain bike."
The completion of the MTB-specific coach training program coincides with the arrival in Canberra of the 2009 UCI Mountain Bike and Trials World Championships in September and combined, the two provide stimuli for the progression of mountain biking in Australia for 2009 and beyond.
The first Level 1 MTB Coach Training Program will be delivered soon after NCAS Accreditation is awarded.
For more information on this media release or to apply to attend the training program, please contact:
MTBA on (07) 4959 1913 (email) or Cycling Australia on (02) 9644 3002 (email)
Queensland CycleSkill Coaching Course May 26, 2009
MTBA in Queensland has worked with CA and CQ to invite MTBA members to a CycleSkill coaching course primarily attended by mountain bikers.
“I was delighted that 15 mountain bikers attended the CycleSkill course on the weekend. MTBA in SE Qld now has a keen and dedicated group of coaches ready to offer coaching to their club members and new comers to mountain biking,’ course coordinator, Gillian Duncan said.
The roles and responsibilities of a coach, risk management, session planning, bike and helmet fit and practical coaching sessions were all part of a full day of instruction.
Gillian added, “I approached Cycling Australia and Cycling Qld to direct me in the coordination of the course. CA located a highly experienced, local course presenter and together we drew together all the elements of a great day.”
At the same time two MTBA members in SEQ, previously accredited by CA as presenters and assessors, were mentored in the role of CycleSKill course delivery. They are now ready to deliver more courses for MTBA.
2009 Mountain Bike and Trials World Championships gearing up to head Down Under May 22, 2009
Get ready to witness the world’s best put everything they have on the line to fight for the ultimate titles.
Canberra ACT (22 May 2009) Preparations are now well underway in Australia’s Capital for the 2009 UCI Mountain Bike and Trials World Championships. The Championships will be held 1-6th September 2009, Stromlo Forest Park, Canberra, ACT.
The event will feature an all-star cast of the top men and women riders from around the world including current Cross Country World Champions, Christoph Sauser of Switzerland and Margarita Fullana of Spain. Four-cross Champions, Rafeal Alvarez De Lara Lucas of Spain and Melissa Buhl of the United States, along with the Downhill champions and not to forget the brother and sister duo of Rachel and Gee Atherton of the UK and Australia’s own Nathan Mummery in the trials.
Australian favourites are also ready to hit the start line with two times World Champion Sam Hill, Olympian Jared Graves and World Cup Champion Caroline Buchanan named as just a few of the headline acts.
The UCI Mountain Bike and Trials World Championships are the World Championship events for mountain bike racing events in four disciplines - cross country, downhill, four-cross and trials riding events, with competitors from over 40 nations heading to Canberra to compete in the first World Championships staged in Australia since 1996 in Cairns.
The scene for the World Championships was set in 2008 when International and Australian talent battled it out at Canberra’s own Stromlo Forrest Park in the first World Cup held in Australia in over a decade. Over 10000 spectators descended upon the world class mountain bike track to watch a strong Aussie contingent take on the internationals, managing not only to show that our mountain bikers are not only in a league of their own but world champions in their own right.
But it’s not only the on-course action that is set to thrill spectators, the event village is also gearing up to host live events, demonstrations, live music , plenty of entertainment for spectators and competitors alike along with one of the largest Australian trade shows.
What: The 2009 UCI Mountain Bike and Trials World Championships When: 1-6 September, 2009 Where: Stromlo Forest Park, Canberra, ACT Visit: www.mtbworldscanberra.com.au
About the World Championships Organised annually by the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI), winners are presented with a gold medal and are entitled to wear the rainbow jersey for a full year in future events of the same discipline.
The first World Championships took place in Durango (USA) in 1990, consisting just of cross country and downhill events. Trials riding were added in 1992. The dual slalom event was added in 2000 but replaced by four-cross in 2002. A team relay event was added in 1999. Mountain bike marathon was included on the schedule at the 2003 championships in Lugano, but established as a separate world championship discipline from 2004.
Nominations called for Australian team at 2009 UCI World XCM Championships May 11, 2009
Nominations are called from endurance athletes who wish to represent Australia at the 2009 UCI World MTB Marathon Championships to be hosted in Graz (Austria) on August 23rd.
Potential athletes are reminded of the following minimum performance standards:
Minimum Performance Standards - Athletes must meet ONE of the following standards: 1. Finish within 110% of the overall winner's time at the 2009 MTBA XCO National Championships. In the case where U23 riders at XCO Championships complete less laps than the Elite riders, the time standard will apply to a comparison of all laps completed by the U23 field against same number of laps in the elite field, beginning with the first elite lap. 2. Finish within 105% of the winner's time at another MTBA XCM event (see MTBA calendar) 3. Possess a minimum of 10 UCI XCM points by the selection date - 6th July 2009 4. Have a history of high performance at marathon events
Exceptions may be considered on the basis of an injury, sickness or other circumstance approved by the selection committee.
Fifteen places are available to Australian riders in both male and female categories. In the event that more Australian athletes apply then than the maximum allowed by the UCI, priority will be given to the highest ranked athletes on the UCI XCM individual classification as of the team selection date.
The following dates will apply: - final date for submission of results and entry application to MTBA EO - Mon 29th June - list of nominated riders forwarded to HPMC - Wed 1st July - team announced by CA - Mon 6th July - Closing date for appeals against non-selection - Fri 10th July - Appeal hearings - Mon 13th & Tues 13th July - Entry opens - Thu 30th July - Entry close - 13th August
Important notes. 1. CA and MTBA will jointly select and approve a Manager for this event. 2. Participation at this event will be entirely at the athlete's own cost, including but not limited to travel, accommodations, meals, uniform, and any costs associated with management of the team. 3. Athletes must formally indicate their intent to compete and identify where they have met the performance standards by email to the MTBA Executive Officer by the selection deadline of (29th June 2009). The team will be announced (6th July 2009). Selection will be made by the established CA MTB selection committee. 4. Although the 2009 Australian MTB Marathon Championships had to be rescheduled to September 20 (see previous news item) this and the 2010 Australian MTB Marathon Championships will be selection events for the 2010 UCI World XCM Championships. The venue will be announced by the UCI.
Nomination date for discretionary entry to UCI World Cups Changed May 8, 2009
MTBA and Cycling Australia HPP announces that the closing dates for
nomination for a discretionary entry into a 2009 UCI World Cup has
changed.
The date is now set to 5 weeks prior to the UCI Event Ranking closing date for the World Cup in question. The dates are now:
Mont Saint-Anne (25-26/7/2009):
UCI Entry Ranking date: 6/7/2009 HPP nomination closing date: 30/5/2009
HPP announcement of selected riders: 6/6/2009
Further notes. Australia is eligible to enter a maximum of 6 wildcard entries per discipline, per gender and per World Cup. Should more than 6 riders nominate as at the new HPP nomination closing date, the High Performance Manager, in consultation with the coaches, will determine the 6 riders that will be nominated for wildcard entry, with the remaining riders ranked and placed on a reserve list.
Prior to the date of the HPP announcement of selected riders, should any of the 6 selected wildcard riders either: (1) gain their own eligibly to enter the World Cup by accruing 20 UCI points, or (2) withdraw
then the first reserve will be elevated as one of the 6 wildcard entries, followed by the second ranked reserve, and so on.
X-Fusion 2009 NSWMTB XC State Series May 8, 2009
Press Release: X-Fusion 2009 NSWMTB XC State Series
The NSW Mountain Bike association in conjunction with X-Fusion Performance Suspension is pleased to announce the X-Fusion 2009 NSWMTB Cross Country State Series.
X-Fusion through their local distributor DIYMTB have been enthusiastic partners with NSWMTB, bringing more to the table than simply the sponsorship backing. Duncan Miller from DIYMTB, a long time cross country and endurance racer himself, has been looking forward to this years series: “Cross country is the core racing discipline of mountain biking in NSW because it is accessible to a wide segment of our community. We are excited to be involved with the NSWMTB State Series and wish to support not only the best, most skilled riders in NSW but those who are enthusiastically involved in the sport at all levels”
With four quality venues and a shortened format, this years NSW State Series will hopefully be one to remember! For more information and online entries, visit the NSW MTB website
Dates and Venues: May 16/17: Twin Falls Bush Cottages, Fitzroy Falls (SHCC) June 13/14: Ourimbah State Forrest, Ourimbah (CCOMTB) July: 25/26: Blue Gum Lodge, Springwood (WSMTB) * Including the NSW State Championships August 15/16: Lidsdale State Forest, Lithgow (CTMTB)
For more information contact: Craig Armour, NSWMTB XC Co-ordinator 0409 260 797 Duncan Miller, DIYMTB, 02 4446 4636
Australian Team for UCI BMX World Championships May 7, 2009
Cycling Australia and BMXA are pleased to confirm the Elite & U19 riders nominated to the Australian team for the UCI BMX World Championships being staged in Adelaide, South Australia from 20 to 26 July.
BMX 20" - Elite Men Billy JOLLIFFE (Cameron Park NSW, 06.12.1986) ** Brian KIRKHAM (Hillbank SA, 01.01.1986) Luke MADILL (Cranebrook NSW, 28.05.1980) Matthew WILLOUGHBY (Trott Park SA, 03.11.1989) Khalen YOUNG (Kelmscott WA, 20.11.1984)
BMX 20" - Elite Women Caroline BUCHANAN (Kambah ACT, 24.10.1990)**
BMX 20" - U19 Men Joshua CALLAN (Healesville VIC, 08.04.1991) Michael CHASTEAUNEUF (Croydon South VIC, 15.01.1991) ** Anthony DEAN (Wynn Vale SA, 22.04.1991) Sam WILLOUGHBY (Trott Park SA, 15.08.1991)
BMX 20" - U19 Women Rachel BRACKEN (Aitkenvale QLD, 30.06.1991) Lauren REYNOLDS (Clifton Park WA, 25.06.1991) ** Indicates reigning Australian Champion
The team has been nominated in accordance with the selection policy. The closing date for appeals against non-selection is Tuesday 12 May 2009.
Gennie Sheer, Sheer Rhetoric, Communications Director, Cycling Australia Tel: +61 418 863 533 Email: gennie.sheer@cycling.org.au Cycling Australia website www.cycling.org.au
Graves backs up for second World Cup win - Houffalize May 4, 2009
Jared Graves has continued his run of success with his second straight World Cup 4X (four-cross) victory.
Graves (Yeti Fox Shox), who won the first of the eight round series in South Africa last month, claimed victory on the weekend in Houffalize, Belgium ahead of Dan Atherton (GBR) with Roger Rinderknecht (SUI) third across the line.
The Toowoomba rider, who was 6th in the BMX at the Olympic Games in Beijing, had an unbeaten run into the final which was not the case for many others. The course gave riders the chance to pass but with the tight corners it was a risky proposition that saw several crash out of contention.
“I couldn’t protect my lead in the corners at all, so it was just hang on and cross my fingers," said Graves who in every round had come out of the gate leading. "You could see by the number of crashes that guys were taking chances."
Graves now sits on top of the UCI BMX 4X rankings with 250 points well clear of Rindernecht on 135 with Atherton ranked third on 120 points.
The third round will be raced on 16-17 May in Vallnord, Andorra.
Complete results are available on the UCI website.
Gennie Sheer, Sheer Rhetoric, Communications Director, Cycling Australia Tel: +61 418 863 533 Email: gennie.sheer@cycling.org.au Cycling Australia website www.cycling.org.au
U19 XCO report from UCI WC#3 - Houffalize May 3, 2009
From Russell Baker:
The Houffalize (Belgium) round of the UCI Mountain Bike World cup was held on Saturday 2 May. This is the third world cup of the season. The course was physically tougher than the Offenburg (Germany) the previous weekend, with many steep climbing sections over loose shale, but without many rewarding descents.
Canberra Under 19 riders Michael Baker (Canberra Grammar) and Rebecca Henderson (Mary MacKillop) competed in the Houffalize World Cup. Both Canberra riders are the reigning Australian Under 19 Champions in cross country mountain bike racing.
Rebecca placed 13th in U19 Women at +9:04 from the winner in a field of 40 riders, which is her best World Cup result of the European tour, having withdrawn due to mechanical problems in the Offenburg World Cup the previous weekend. She was the highest placed Australian rider, with Shelly Flood in 22nd and Gillian Burgess withdrawing after 1 lap. Michael followed up his 33rd, and highest placed Australian, in the Offenburg World Cup last weekend with a 50th in U19 Men at +13:43 from the winner in a field of 88 riders, after a race which saw several crashes hold up groups of riders. He was the 3rd placed Australian rider behind Trenton day (31st at +9:33) and Cameron Ivory (42nd at +12:13). Brenton Jones was 53rd, Mitchell Codner 65th and James Peacock 78th.
Michael and Rebecca have both been pre-selected for the Australian Mountain Bike Team and will now undertake a series of races and training in preparation for the world championships in Canberra in September. They return to Canberra early next week on 6 May.
There are photos of the race which are available freely for publication in this album, including several large files of images of Rebecca and Michael:
2009 MTBA Australian MTB Marathon Championship - rescheduled April 29, 2009
With the devastating bushfires in Victoria still on our mind MTBA is pleased to announce that the venue for the 2009 Australian MTB Marathon Championships have been rescheduled to Bendigo on September 20th 2009 and will be held in conjunction with the Bendigo Mountain Bike Club.
The ROCKSHOX Golden Triangle, which has been run with great local success for the previous 3 years, will form the basis of the Championships. The ROCKSHOX Golden Triangle gets its name from rich gold rush heritage of the Bendigo region (with the Golden Triangle including Castlemaine, Daylesford and Bendigo).
John Harvey, President of the Bendigo club said, "Tagging the ROCKSHOX Golden Triangle with the Australian MTB Marathon Championships will provide a boost to the local economy affected by the February fires and the economic downturn. To have an event of this significance in the region will be great opportunity to increase the exposure of MTB to the local and regional community and an opportunity to showcase some of the unique MTB riding opportunities within the area."
"We look forward to welcoming a range of riders from the novices and juniors doing the 25km or the 16yrs olds doing the 50km event and obviously the best riders in the country doing 105km and racing for the Australian green and gold jersey. The Bendigo MTB club are committed to providing a quality, challenging and enjoyable mtb event."
Entry will open on-line on July 1st.
UCI World Cup XCO round 2 - Offenberg April 26, 2009
From Russell Baker. The Australian U19 Cross Country Mountain Bike team is currently on a 5 week training and competition trip in Europe which has included races in France and Switzerland. The culmination of the trip is to compete in two World Cup mountain bike races, in Offenburg (Germany) on 25 April and in Houffalize (Belgium) on 1 May. Today's World Cup U19 race in Offenburg has just finished.
A MIXED SET OF RESULTS FOR CANBERRA'S AUSTRALIAN UNDER 19 CROSS COUNTRY MOUNTAIN BIKE CHAMPIONS AT THE OFFENBURG WORLD CUP ROUND
As part of the training and competition program for the Australian Under 19 Cross Country Mountain Bike Team, the 6 men and 3 women competed in the Offenburg World Cup round on 25 April. This 5 week European trip is providing the Australian riders with valuable experience leading up to the 2009 World Championships in Canberra in September.
But its not just the junior riders who are here. There are 27 Australians competing in Cross Country in the Offenburg world Cup. This is the largest Australian Cross County field to leave our shores.
The U19 team includes Canberra riders Michael Baker and Rebecca Henderson, the reigning Australian U19 Cross Country mountain bike champions. Following two wet lead-up races in France and Switzerland, the weather was a typically Australian sunny and warm day in Offenburg for Anzac Day. Michael was ranked 8th on the Men's start grid and Rebecca 13th, with Rebecca expected to place highly following on from some good lead-up performances. Unfortunately Rebecca's race in the Women's field of 43 riders ended on lap 1 when her chain came off and could not be untangled and she was forced to withdraw from the race. At that stage, Rebecca was in the top 10 and the Swiss rider who eventually placed second, was the same rider who had beaten Rebecca by only 55 seconds in a Swiss race the previous weekend. The best placed Australian Woman was QLD's Gillan Burgess at +8:34 in 21st place with VIC's Shelly Flood in 28th.
In the men's race, with a large field of 93 riders, Michael Baker got off to a good start from the front row of the grid and was holding in the Top 20 until the fourth lap of five, when he buckled his front wheel in a crash and had to get a new front wheel in the tech support zone, losing valuable minutes. With a new front wheel, Michael continued the race, eventually placing 33rd at +6:54 behind the winer, Italy's Gerhard Kershbaumer in 1:25:47, the other Australian U19 Men placed 35th (Trenton Day), 53rd (James Peacock), 57th (Cameron Ivory), 62nd (Brenton Jones) and 78th (Mitchell Codner).
Tomorrow the Elite and Under 23 Men and Women will race, with Canberra Riders Ben Henderson (Elite Men), Nathan Haas (U23 Men) and Gracie Elvin (U23 Women) on track.
Cycling Promotion Fund Survey - Help us to help you April 24, 2009
Australia is faced with a number of health challenges. The Federal Government is seeking input and policy advice on effective strategies to increase physical activity levels to improve community health and wellbeing.
The work and activities organised by bicycle user groups, clubs and associations like yours, are playing an instrumental role in inspiring and supporting people to take up and maintain regular physical activity through cycling.
To better understand the range and extent of these activities across the country, the Cycling Promotion Fund is undertaking its second national survey that will document: - The size and scope of local and community cycling organisations in Australia - The number of people who regularly participate in local cycling activities and events - The links cycling organisations have in the community - What support would assist local cycling organisations in maintaining and expanding their activities to reach more people.
For the first time Cycling Australia (CA) is cooperating with the Cycling Promotion Fund (CPF) and other groups to get a much better picture of local and community cycling participation in this country. This information will be used to provide policy advice to the Commonwealth Government to make a stronger case for Government investment and support for effective strategies to increase physical activity through cycling.
The survey has 5 sections: 1. About your organisation 2. Your activities 3. Partnerships 4. Communications and promotions 5. Miscellaneous
Individual responses will be kept confidential.
Not all questions will apply to your organisation; many questions are optional. But the more information you provide, the stronger the case can be made for greater investment and support.
This survey should take an estimated 15 minutes to complete. If you are not able to complete it at once, you can leave the browser window open, or copy and save the URL (the web address that starts with http://) and return to the survey again later to complete it. We appreciate your responses, and the CPF hopes you can do the survey by Close of business - 5pm, Wednesday 29th April 2009
Having difficulty with this link? Click here to view online
Please fee free to contact Rosemarie and Stephen if you have any questions about the survey or the work the Cycling Promotion Fund is doing to promote and encourage cycling.
Kind regards,
Rosemarie Speidel, CPF Program Director Mobile: 0407 537 760
Stephen Hodge, CPF Government Relations Representative Mobile: 0411 149 910
LIVE Webcast UCI MTB World Cup South Africa April 10, 2009
In 2006, Freecaster.tv started doing LIVE webcasts and has rapidly grown to become one of the leading authorities in this field.
Freecaster.tv now has a 3 year deal with the UCI to exclusively webcast LIVE and VOD the Mountain Bike World Cup and World Championships across all disciplines of DHI, 4X and XCO.
The first round of the season kicks off in Pietermartizburg, South Africa, with LIVE XCO racing on Saturday 11th April, followed by 4X finals in the afternoon and then the DHI finals on Sunday 12th. This year you can ask your questions directly to our two MC's Rob Warner and Troy Manering using the Q&A window on our live page.
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Or you can choose to use the following alternative LIVE embed code. This embed code will show the LIVE with a menu below it. This menu is updated automatically with the latest videos of the UCI Mountain Bike World Cup South Africa. Here is an example of the LIVE player with an external menu: http://live.freecaster.tv/uci-4x-pietermaritz/
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LIVE Webcast UCI Mountain Bike World Cup Calendar April 25-26 - Germany - XCO May 2-3 - Belgium - XCO 4X May 9-10 - France - DHI May 16-17 - Andorra - XCO DHI 4X May 23-24 - Spain - XCO June 6-7 - United Kingdom - DHI 4X June 20-21 - Slovenia - DHI 4X July 25-26 - Canada - XCO DHI 4X August 1-2 - Canada - XCO DHI 4X September 12-13 - Switzerland - XCO September 19-20 - Austria - DHI 4X
LIVE Webcast UCI Mountain Bike World Championship September 5-6 - Australia - XCO DHI 4X
ROCKSTAR team claim victory at the Mont 24 April 9, 2009
8th April 2009
ROCKSTAR RACING wins the MONT 24.
ROCKSTAR RACING is proud to announce their win at the gruelling 2009 MONT 24 race held at Sparrow Hill in Canberra over the weekend. With 450 teams racing it was the ROCKSTAR riders who finally claimed the win after an impressive 31 laps of the 18 km course in a total time of 24 hours and 12 minutes.
The first lap was not an ideal start for the ROCKSTAR team when a puncture caused a loss of six minutes to the highly competitive GU Team. It took the combined efforts of the three ROCKSTAR riders, Craig Gordon, Hamish Elliot, Troy Glennan plus Matt Fleming (Clarence St Cyclery) to work throughout the night.
ROCKSTAR crew starting hitting up double laps and the pace intensified well into the night. As the sun started to rise, finally the ROCKSTAR riders scored a slim five second lead. As the riders changed back to single laps, the pressure intensified. Very soon the lead had blown out and with one lap to go the gap had stretched out to nine minutes. It was left to the former 24 hour Solo World Champion, Craig Gordon, to bring the team home strong. After a gruelling 24hrs of neck and neck racing Gordon crossed the line with a 12 minute advantage.
Along with the earlier puncture there were other challenges over the next 24 hours including night light problems and a cracked stem.
All the ROCKSTAR team rode strong with, Gordon riding a record of nine laps while the fastest lap of the event went to Hamish Elliot with 43 min 13 sec.
ROCKSTAR will line up next month in the Dirt Works and will then focus on returning for the Scott 24 hour in October to improve on their disappointment last year.
ROCKSTAR wish to thank team riders Craig Gordon; Hamish Elliot and Troy Glennan. Special thanks to Matt Flemming from Clarence St Cyclery for being part of the team. Special mention has to go to the ever professional and competitive GU team for making the race exciting both for ROCKSTAR and the fellow competitors. To all our sponsors and partners a big thank you.
For media assistance contact:
Sharon Payne Bike Media Ph: +61 (0)412 773500 sharon@bikemedia.com.au
Forrest Australian 6 hour championships to change name. April 8, 2009
When the Forrest MTB & Cycling club decided to hold their first major event members were unanimous in their thoughts that the event must make an impact on the MTB community. Well an impact was certainly made!
Forrest MTB & Cycling Club never set out to alienate ourselves, nor did we ever try to upset anyone.
After much discussion and consultation with MTBA, and in the interest of preserving the status of any "Australian Championships", the Forrest MTB & Cycling Club has decided to change the name of the event to the "Forrest 6 Hour Championships".
The committee of the Forrest MTB & Cycling Club, is a new club and is committed to promoting Cycling and the Forrest area to the cycling community. Therefore we certainly do not want to "create waves" so early in our existence.
MTBA has given their blessing to the new name, and the Forrest MTB & Cycling Club is very excited about the upcoming event. With a killer course and an even better event centre waiting participants, the Forrest 6 Hour Championships are certain to be a permanent fixture on the Australian MTB calendar.
Because 6 hour endurance MTB racing is so popular we feel there should be some sort of championships held, both at state level and national level, and if by raising the issue we have assisted in making this possible, then so be it.
Entries are open to the event which will be held on 5th July 2009 and conducted on the World Famous trails at Forrest. Grab your mates, or enter as a solo competitor and we will see you in Winter at Forrest.
2010 UCI MTB World Cup - Bidding Procedure April 7, 2009
The UCI has announced the process for hosting a World Cup in 2010.
Please note that the deadline for presenting a bid to the UCI has been set on the 1st May 2009.
Those interested in mounting a bid must contact MTBA in the first instance. MTBA will also help gaining Cycling Australia support, which is compulsory for the UCI to accept the bid for hosting.
Should you need any further information, please do not hesitate to contact MTBA.
2 days remaining to enter online in the Australian Solo 24 Hour Mountain Bike Championships.
Australia’s elite 24hour endurance riders will compete over the Easter long-weekend in the Australian Solo 24hr Mountain Bike Championships, to be held at Mt Majura, Canberra.
Hosted by Canberra Off Road Cyclists (CORC) the 24 hour solo championships at the Innabaanya Girl Guide Camp is expected to provide spectacular racing action over a 10km circuit which climbs more than 680 meters above sea level.
For riders wanting to get out and race but not battle through a sleep deprived night, you can also enter the 6+6 category, racing for six hours on Saturday and then resuming on Sunday for another 6 hours of racing.
Online entries for all categories close this Wednesday 8th of April. Riders are able to enter on the day, however, to avoid paying an additional $30 entry fee, enter online by this Wednesday.
This weekend’s event is one of only a few Australian qualifying event for the World 24 Hour Solo Championships, in Alberta Canada.
More information on the event and entry forms can be found at www.solo24hour.com.au
Terra Australis - Tremendous success; TORQ Allstar victorious April 5, 2009
The inaugural Terra Australis has been won by the mountain bike team, the TORQ Allstar pair of Luke Fetch and Beijing Olympian, Dan McConnell. Seventy riders covered a total of 550 km of the Victorian High Country starting at Falls Creek on Sunday and finishing in Wangaratta on Saturday, seven days later.
The Victorian pair of McConnell and Fetch found themselves in second place for most of the seven stages after a disastrous first stage which involved multiple punctures. The Total Rush team of Mark Fenner and Sam Bach secured a 33 minute advantage over the TORQ Allstars. To their credit, the Total Rush team managed to ride strongly and held the overall lead for the first four stages keeping the strong TORQ Allstar team at bay. Riding in the yellow jersey was a new experience for Sam Bach.
Bach said, “The jersey gives you strength. We are competitive beasts and we wanted this win so bad. The young guys (McConnell and Fetch) were just too fast in the end.”
The TORQ Allstar team finally took the overall lead on the fifth stage and finished just 20 min in front of Total Rush with the BMC team of Troy Bailey and Joel Donney placing third overall.
The talking point of the week was what bike to bring back for next year as the course was as its name implied - an epic journey. For all riders it was one of the hardest weeks of riding they have ever done. Bikes were subject to a brutal examination, particularly in the High Country as the riders traversed and descended through alpine meadows and ridge lines that would be lucky to see any traffic whether it be car, bike or hikers.
With the end result beyond doubt, the leading teams arranged for the final stage between Beechworth and Wangaratta to be a neutral or non competitive stage with all riders coming through the finish line together.
Stuart McIntosh, a local rider from Beechworth said, "I was riding up a hill with an Olympian on my left and a World Champion on my right and we were having a chat about mountain biking. It was a great experience and highlighted the fact that we had all been on the same journey, just at different speeds!"
The Gala Dinner on the last night allowed the competitors to let their hair down and celebrate a fantastic personal achievement. The dinner incorporated the final presentations and the camaraderie amongst all the competitors was as evident then as it had been during the week.
The highlight of the evening was an interview with Jenny Caldwell. Caldwell, now 62 years of age, had taken up mountain biking at the age of 50 and has since become a veteran of many stage mountain bike events. Her 50 hours in the saddle during Terra Australis was a massive effort and Caldwell and her partner Jill Hill were voted the 'riders’ favourites'.
The team of Kerry Ryan, a 57 year old Victorian and Hans Delacher a 53 year old from Austria were a team that all competitors envied. Their impressive eighth place finish overall plus a category win in the super masters (50+) was outstanding.
The seven day stage event was a resounding success with competitors describing the stages as brutal, breathtaking and brilliant. The friendships that have been formed will last a lifetime and for the weekend warriors riding with the elite was a great experience.
According to Hans Delacher, “It’s the best event I have been a part of.”
Zoe King,one of the top national elite women, siad, "It was a tough week of riding." King's team placed a creditable fourth overall and won the mixed pairs category.
Winning team rider, Dan McConnell, said today as he boarded a plane, “It was hard but a good hit out. It’s definitely been good training."
McConnell and another Terra Australis rider, Katherine O'Shea, will race next weekend in the first World Cup cross country race in South Africa.
All riders pushed themselves beyond what they thought they were capable of and have vowed to return next year. The massive mountains, the stunning vistas and the race format made for an epic week.
www.terraaustralismtbepic.com.au
For media information, photos or interviews please contact: Sharon Payne Bike Media Ph: +61 (0)412 773500 sharon@bikemedia.com.au
TORQ and plenty of action – new leaders in Terra Australis April 3, 2009
Early leaders in the epic mountain bike race, Terra Australis, were outclassed again by Beijing Olympian Dan McConnell and Luke Fetch in stage five. The TORQ Allstars repeated the pace and pressure again today and finally were rewarded with the leaders' jersey.
After four days in the lead, the Total Rush team of Mark Fenner and Sam Bach finally relinquished their jerseys to the TORQ Allstars. Despite winning the last four stages, it was only after this win that McConnell and Fetch finally managed to get the advantage by leading the overall time by just under 20 min.
This stage proved to be the turning point of the race and it was obvious that every team had a different race plan. The plan that proved most successful was the TORQ pair of McConnell and Fetch. The loop around Bright had riders getting a wide variety of climbing which ranged from long hard grinds to short sharp pinches.
The recent bushfires that destroyed the lives and homes of many Victorians were not forgotten today, as much of the original course had been affected. Organizers were able to amend the course which proved successful.
Today riders will depart and finish from Beechworth. The final stage on Saturday departs from Beechworth before the finish in the city of Wangaratta. The leading riders are expected to arrive at the Apex Park by 11.30 am with presentations planned for 1.30 pm.
At least three of the Terra Australis riders, Dan McConnell (Bruthen), Katherine O'Shea (Bendigo/Port Melbourne) and Zoe King (Neutral Bay) will then prepare to head overseas in the next few days to compete in the Mountain Bike World Cups which start in South Africa the following weekend.
For further media information contact
Sharon Payne Bike Media Ph: +61 (0)412 773500 www.terraaustralismtbepic.com.au
Australian Juniors for 2009 UCI MTB World Championships April 3, 2009
Cycling Australia is pleased to announce the automatic nominations to the Australian team for the U19 downhill and cross country events for the 2009 UCI MTB World Championships being staged from 1 to 6 September in Canberra.
The elite and U23 riders for all disciplines along with the remaining U19 riders to qualify will be announced in August as per the selection policy.
For further information (media only) please contact: Cycling Australia Tel: +61 (2) 9644 3002 Email: acf.info@cycling.org.au Cycling Australia website www.cycling.org.au
Epic battle in Terra Australis unfolding April 1, 2009
The truly epic stage 4 of the Terra Australis has been won by TORQ Allstar (Dan McConnell/Luke Fetch). The stage was a challenging 116km's with 3200 metres of elevation gain. The start of the stage saw the entire peleton roll through the stunning alpine village of Bright in a controlled start before embarking on 19 km's of climbing before leaving the climb and circumnavigating the iconic Mt Buffalo. At the top of the first climb TORQ Allstar had opened up a 2 minute lead after Total Rush experienced a puncture. BMC were second over the climb with Total Rush hot on their heels. Total Rush hit the go button and chased down TORQ Allstar by the first feed station.
Out of the first feed station was a climb which was the perfect time for TORQ Allstar to once again attack and they quickly put 90 seconds between them and Total Rush. The climb up Goldie Spur has been keeping a number of the competitors awake at night and their nightmares were realized under the full blazing sun. Goldie Spur is the middle point of the race and riding through the saddle is a spectacular and significant moment for the competitors. Mark Fenner described the stage as "massive, massive, massive".
By stage end McConnell and Fetch had pulled back 21:02 minutes on the Total Rush team. The stage results mean Total Rush hold the yellow leaders jerseys for one more day with a slender 1:37 over TORQ Allstar. Total Rush rider Sam Bach said "we had expected Lukey (Luke Fetch) would have blown up by now, but the young bloke just keeps powering on. We thought our experience would benefit us through this race format but the young blokes just keep coming. We will give it everything we have over the next three stages. We have the fastest bloke in the country chasing us and with 170km's to peg back such a small difference we have our work cut out. We are not going to give an inch. Today was the hardest day I have ever had on a bike. I am hurting but we are ready for whatever they are going to throw at us".
Dan McConnell shared similar sentiments. "We pumped out 360 watts for five and a half hours and tore down the descents. It was a brutal day and we are rapt that we have been able to grab back another 21 minutes".
Dan McConnell and Luke Fetch are showing their class and are coming hard. They have three stage wins to Total Rush one. The inaugural Terra Australis is shaping up as one of the most epic mountain bike battles ever seen in Australia. With three fast stages to go, the 1:37 buffer could be defended by Total Rush, however they are going to have to work for their victory.
With 3 more days of racing left in the inaugural Terra Australis | Great Southern Land Mountain Bike Epic, keep checking the website for all the latest results, updates and photos - www.terraaustralismtbepic.com
Terra Australis – turning into a three way tussle March 31, 2009
The inaugural Terra Australis mountain bike race is shaping up as a truly epic battle between leading riders including the likes of Beijing Olympian, Dan McConnell. By the end of the second stage, the Great Southern Land Epic has turned into a three way tussle between early leaders, theTotal Rush team and second placed team which includes McConnell, the TORQ Allstars, while still in the running is the third placed KOM team.
The seven day race which covers a total of 550 km around the Victorian Highlands started from the ski resort of Falls Creek on Sunday.
The race start at Falls Creek soon sorted out the riders. A combination of altitude and three sharp climbs split the field early. The 79 km stage to Mt Beauty saw a succession of punctures with many of the riders caught out after running lightweight tyres. Leading team, Total Rush, had four punctures while the TORQ Allstars got a total of three punctures.
An early attack by Total Rush team mates, Mark Fenner and Sam Bach resulted in a comfortable 35 minute lead over the KOM team of Warren Burgess and Zoe King both from Sydney. King, one of Australia’s top elite women described the final climb as, "The toughest climb I have ever done!"
The first stage proved harder than many of the riders expected even though it was not the longest of the seven stages. The altitude and courses reminded many of riding overseas.
Kerry Ryan, past winner of the Trans Rockies super masters division, said, “It was as difficult as anything on the Trans Rockies.”
After stage one ended and the tyre discussion followed the riders prepared for the second stage.
Stage two between Falls Creek and Dinner Plains was a total of 102 km. Some smoke from a nearby back burning created an ‘eerie’ backdrop as the the TORQ Allstars started with vengeance.
After starting with a 34 minute deficit, the TORQ Allstars went straight on the attack. The Total Rush team let them go but by the first feed station had regained any lost ground. This was the catalyst for a second attack by the TORQ Allstars which Total Rush were again able to reign in before the TORQ team put in a one and a half minute gap between them and Total Rush by the second feed station. This gap extended to seven minutes by the end of the stage.
Another favourite team containing Troy Bailey (Armidale, VIC) and Joel Donney (Queanbeyan, NSW) were further back in the field after Bailey suffered a virus in the first stage. The BMC team are currently 1 hour 30 min off the leaders’ pace but are expected to move up over the next few stages.
With five remaining stages some of the top placings are expected to vary.
Team Placings after Stage 2:
1st Total Rush - Mark Fenner (Armidale, VIC) and Sam Bach (Upper Ferntree Gully, VIC) 2nd TORQ Allstars - Dan McConnell (Bruthen, VIC) & Luke Fetch ((Bittern, VIC) + 28 mins 3rd KOM - Warren Burgess (Neutral Bay, NSW) and Zoe King (Neutral Bay, NSW) + 1 hr 25 mins
For further event information go to: www.terraaustralismtbepic.com.au
For media assistance please contact: Sharon Payne Bike Media Ph: +61 (0)412 773500 sharon@bikemedia.com.au
Registration for UCI World Cup March 27, 2009
Registration for UCI Mountain Bike World Cup XCO#1 / DHI/4X#1 in Pietermaritzburg, South Africa has now opened.
Riders with 20 UCI points or more must contact Kenny Dudek - HPP National Administrator for MTB - to obtain a registration form.
Riders who intend on competing, but do not have 20 UCI points must make application for a discretionat entry. Only six are permitted per format/per gender. If this applies to you contact MTBA.
All riders are reminded that they must possess a current (2009) International UCI license. MTBA members should contact MTBA to find out how.
Entry for the South African World Cup closes 5/4/2009. For all the important dates for 2009 UCI World Cups get the document below or bookmark this UCI website link.
2009 Oceania MTB Championships - day 3: DHI - UPDATE March 22, 2009
Olympian changes to mountain bike to take Oceania Title
BMX Olympian, Jared Graves showed another side to his bike skills by winning the Downhill Oceania Mountain Bike Championships in Thredbo today. The 26 year old Queenslander held off New Zealand's hot favourite, Wyn Masters, to take the title in a time of 6 min 14.07 sec.
Having swapped his BMX bike for his Yeti prototype Graves admits the transition was not easy.
“The cross over back isn’t that hard as I’ve been riding downhill for ten years. It’s a different kind of fitness though and that definitely is an issue,” said Graves.
After qualifying fastest Graves bettered his run by just half a second after rain had dampened the course before the men’s final. “I wasn’t thinking about the results,” stated Graves. "Bits of the track felt slower especially the long fast straights. I’m pretty happy with that time.”
Third was national series winner, Joshua Button. Canberra’s Ben Cory and world number eight, Nathan Rennie, claimed fourth and fifth respectively. Rennie was content with his first race back after major knee surgery saw him on the side line this summer.
National downhill champion, Claire Whiteman from Canberra, claimed the women's Oceania Title in a close race beating fellow Canberra rider, Caroline Buchanan. Half a second separated the pair but Whiteman hopes the win will help her get to the World Championships later this year.
“It’s been the best year yet,” said an excited Whiteman. “It was tough. Generally I don’t do well in the wet. This time down I decided to relax from the top.”
Third place went to New Zealand’s national silver medallist, Amy Laird.
The under 19 winner, Shaun O’Connor, was over four second ahead of nearest rival /Rhys Willemse. Third was Laurie Dinham. Fastest qualifier, Richard Leacock from New Zealand placed fourth in the final run.
Many of Australia’s mountain bike elite riders now head overseas over the next two weeks to compete in the World Cup series which starts in South Africa on the 11 April. Riders are out to qualify for the upcoming 2009 UCI World Mountain Bike and Trial Championships to be held in Canberra in early September.
For more information/ vision/interviews or photos contact:
Sharon Payne Media Manager Mountain Bike Australia Mob +61 (0) 412 773500 sharon@bikemedia.com.au
2009 Oceania MTB Championships - day 2: XCO and DH seeding - UPDATE March 21, 2009
XCO Men Olympian takes Oceania title
Beijing Olympian, Dan McConnell, dominated the Oceania Mountain Bike Championships in Thredbo today. McConnell took over the lead in the third of seven laps winning in 2 hr 13.26 min.
Under 23 national champion Lachlan Norris was the early leader until McConnell made his move.
“I didn’t want anyone getting too far away. It’s always hard to peg someone back when they’re in the front so I tried to keep it a minimum gap.’
The seven laps took their toll as many riders were lapped in the final stages. McConnell also admitted that he found the going tough.
“It was long, I won’t say it wasn’t. The last few laps were tough. I was glad it was bell lap,” he admitted.
McConnell was emotional after the race as his thoughts turned to his grandmother who had sadly passed away earlier in the week. “That race was for her,” he said. “She was very supportive of what I did.”
Norris finished in second place and convincingly wins the Under 23 Oceania title.
Canberra representatives, Dylan Cooper and Ben Henderson were second and third respectively in elite men.
The podium places in the under 23 were taken by two north east Victorians, Paul Van Der Ploeg followed by Cal Britten.
New Zealand’s top finisher was Mike Northcott in 11th place. Northcott was closely marked by national champion, Stuart Houltham in 12th. Ash Hough placed eighth in Under 23 but was the top kiwi finisher.
The closest racing of the day was in the Under 19 race with all top five finishers within one minute of the winning time. Victorian James Peacock had his maiden win after overtaking Trenton Day in the final lap. National Champion, Michael Baker from Canberra had mechanical trouble but claimed third while Mitchell Codner rode in ten seconds later to claim fourth.
New Zealand’s top placegetter in Undrer 19 was Locky McArthur in seventh. Fellow countrymen Adrian Retief and Conor Corbett claimed eighth and ninth respectively.
XCO Women Fry adds Oceania title to crown
Tasmania’s Rowena Fry added the Oceania title to the national crown. Fry put on the pressure in the third lap making it the fastest lap time of 22.36 min. passing early leader Zoe King.
Impressive riding by Jenni King saw her claim third place ahead of national series leader, Katherine O’Shea both from Victoria.
Tory Thomas pushed up as high as third place during the race and finished a respectable fifth with Jodie Willett in sixth.
New Zealand’s Jeanette Gerrie rode consistently to finish in seventh while team mate Cathy Hamer placed eight. A strong start by Michelle Bellamy saw the kiwi talent up in the placings but after four laps Bellamy rode in for tenth place.
The Under 23 win was earmarked by Gracie Elvin early in the race when she was up in sixth place in the elite field. A flat front tyre forced Elvin to run the downhill section at the end of the third lap to the technical zone. New Zealand's strong starter, Michelle Bellemy, gained 30 sec taking out the prestigious Oceania title. Second was Elvin with Therese Rhodes just one minute further back in third. New Zealand's Samara Sheppard placed fourth in her first year in Under 23.
Under 19 powerhouse, Rebecca Henderson, rode the three laps in 1 hour 11.40 min winning convincingly. Queensland’s Gillian Burgess finished in second while Bendigo’s Shelly Flood was just 30 second behind in third. New Zealand rider, Sasha Smith placed fourth.
Downhill seeding - Saturday 21 March There were no surprises in the men’s downhill with former national champion, Jared Graves, qualifying fastest in 6 min 14.07 sec. New Plymouth rider, Wyn Masters, from across the Tasman seeded second fastest while Canberra’s Ben Corey rode down to claim third fastest. World ranked number eight, Nathan Rennie, is expected to improve on his current sixth seeding in the final run on Sunday.
The elite women’s fastest qualifier, Caroline Buchanan was ahead of Adelaide’s Sarah Booth who qualified second fastest. National Champion, Claire Whiteman, scraped into third fastest with New Zealand’s hot chance, Amy Laird from Christchurch, content with fourth fastest.
Final runs get underway on Sunday at 1430 AEDST.
For more information/ vision/interviews or photos contact:
Sharon Payne Media Manager Mountain Bike Australia Mob +61 (0) 412 773500 sharon@bikemedia.com.au
Thredbo chance before overseas mountain bike - 2009 Oceania MTB Championships March 20, 2009
The 2009 UCI Oceania Mountain Bike Championships in Thredbo got underway this evening with four cross. Hot favourite, BMX Olympian, Jared Graves, proved he was back in form on the mountain bike by winning the Oceania title. Hot on his heals were two Canberra BMX riders. Young 16 year old Ryan Henderson slipped past Leigh Darrell claim second and third respectively.
National Champion, Caroline Buchanan, came out to win while Sarsha Huntington followed her into second. Closing in was young BMX rider Cherie Simpson finishing a creditable third.
This weekend heralds the final chance for Australian and New Zealand riders to race in the southern hemisphere before heading overseas for the upcoming World Cup series starting in April followed by the prestigious UCI Mountain Bike and Trials World Championships in Canberra in early September.
Heading the Australian contingent in cross country on Saturday is Victoria’s Dan McConnell. McConnell. McConnell represented Australia at the Beijing Olympics but forcing the pace could be Canberra’s Dylan Cooper along with New Zealand’s National Champion, Stu Houltham from Palmerston North also reported to be in good form.
The women’s elite cross country will again be a close battle between Launceston’s Rowena Fry, the current national champion and national series winner, Victoria’s Katherine O’Shea. O'Shea is hoping for an early birthday present before turning 30 on Sunday. Former national champion, Tory Thomas will be back on the racing track along with Bendigo’s Joe Wall and Sydney’s Zoe King. New Zealand’s in form riders Sara MacDonald and Jeannette Gerrie will hope to upset the Aussie dominance.
The under 23 divisions will hold vital importance with the winner gaining an automatic entry for the upcoming World Championships. With only Castlemaine’s Lachlan Norris and Canberra’s Gracie Elvin with a spot it could be the incentive for Bowral’s Charlton Durie or Adelaide’s Therese Rhodes to get to the front. New Zealand’s Samara Sheppard from Wellington has been flagged as a podium contender in the under 23 division after winning the Under 19 Oceania title last year.
Downhill world ranked number eight, Nathan Rennie from the Gold Coast returns to competition following knee surgery. Canberra’s Ben Corey demonstrate his form by winning the last national series round. Also in the hunt will be national series leader Joshua Button and Amiel Cavalier from Wollongong as they prepare for their overseas assault. New Zealand’s Wyn Masters from New Plymmouth will head the kiwi challengers.
The women’s field will see Australia’s national downhill champion, Claire Whiteman from Canberra line up against New Zealand’s silver medallist Amy Laird from Christchurch.
The Under 19 division will again come down to the line with national champion, Queensland’s Rhys Willemse out to challenge national series winner Shaun O’Connor. Also in the mix are five of New Zealand’s riders out to claim a podium finish.
For access to vision/photos or interviews contact: Sharon Payne Media Manager Mountain Bike Australia Mob +61 (0) 412 773500 sharon@bikemedia.com.au
Terra Australis - a beautiful battleground March 19, 2009
Thursday 19 March 2009 Victoria’s High Country is set to host an epic battle on two wheels. From Sunday 29th March through to Saturday 4th April, the inaugural Terra Australis Great Southern Land Mountain Bike Epic will roll through North East Victoria.
A high class field will tackle the 550 km over the seven stages. Riders from all states of Australia plus overseas riders from Colorado and the United Kingdom will compete. Heading the field are three well credentialed teams. Dan McConnell (VIC) who represented Australia at the 2008 Beijing Olympics in Cross Country Mountain Biking has teamed up with elite cyclist Luke Fetch (VIC) as part of the Torq Performance Nutrition Team.
Hot on their heels will be the BMC Racing team of Troy Bailey (VIC) and Joel Donney (NSW) Troy Bailey has been a fixture on the Australian mountain bike scene for over a decade and recently became the World Solo 24 hour Champion at the World Championships in Canada in the 35-39 male category. His race partner for Terra Australis, Joel Donney finished second in the under 25 male category after riding the race of his life at the same event.
Troy’s commitment to his training has seen him gain the reputation as one of the hardest trainers in the sport. Terra Australis Event Director, Iain Moore explains. “We were trying to get in contact with Troy just after Christmas. We eventually tracked him down and while I was finishing off what was left of the Christmas turkey, Troy was making his way home from Sydney to Melbourne on his bike! This preparation for Terra Australis should see this BMC sponsored team challenge for the overall race win."
The Pink jerseys of the Total Rush team will also be vying for overall honours with Mark Fenner (NSW) and Sam Bach (VIC) confident of a good showing. Both are extremely competent mountain bike riders with Mark collecting a bronze medal at the recent World Championships.
Moore said, “It is great that we have been able to attract such a high quality field for the inaugural event. The seven stages will see a combination of elite riders and weekend warriors travel through the pristine wilderness of Victoria’s High Country. Falls Creek, Dinner Plain, Bright, Beechworth and Wangaratta will all host stage finishes where the riders, their families and support crew will be able to relax and enjoy the hospitality of these wonderful North East Victorian towns.”
Not only has the event attracted the best mountain bike riders from Australia, it has also attracted some ambitious recreational riders.
“One of the unique features of Terra Australis is that guys who normally battle through their weekend rides will get to spend seven days with the elite of the sport. It is truly unique to mountain biking,” Iain said.
The inaugural Terra Australis Great Southern Land Mountain Bike Epic starts in Falls Creek on Saturday 29th March and concludes seven days later in Wangaratta on Saturday 4th April. Anyone wishing to know more about the event can go to www.terraaustralismtbepic.com.
For media information/interviews or photos please contact:
Sharon Payne - Bike Media
0412 773500
sharon@bikemedia.com.au
2009 UCI MTB International Calendar March 14, 2009
Check out all the action dates for the UCI International MTB Calendar here
MTBA and CA seek Technical Director March 11, 2009
MTBA has grown significantly since its inception in 1999 with its membership currently standing at around 5000. MTBA coordinates and oversees the conduct of a National MTB Series and Australian Championships each year in XCO, DHI, 4X, OT, XCC and XCM. Recently it has also gained accreditation for Commissaire courses at club/state and national level and has been actively involved in the development of a level 1 MTB specific coaching course.
MTBA is looking for a person to take on some of the duties currently being performed by the MTBA Executive Officer and to coordinate and provide coaching and management support to the National 4X/ DH athletes in their preparation for the UCI MTB World Championships, with a particular focus on Elite and U19 development.
This position replaces the former Cycling Australia DH/4X National Coach and will be jointly funding by MTBA and CA.
If you are the person we are looking for then download the EOI here. We look forward to hearing from you.
Details for entry to the 2009 Oceania MTB Championships to be hosted in Thredbo, NSW on March 20-22 are now available.
The entry form can be downloaded below.
As a consequence of non-UCI race classes being added to the schedule it has changed from that previously published. The new schedule is available below and full details for the program and other information are available on the website.
Rescheduling process for 2009 MTBA Australian XCM Championships March 6, 2009
As you may be aware the devastating bush fires in Victoria have decimated the Wandong forest area and have resulted in the canvellation of the scheduled MTBA Australian XCM Championships there.
Expressions of interest are called from MTBA clubs and private promoters to host the Australian MTB Marathon Championship in 2009. The timeline has been opened up and includes marathons after the World Marathon Champs in late August 2009.
In your EOI, please write short answers (no more than 250 words each) on these questions: - Tell us about the history and track record of your marathon. - Tell us about your track record in running MTBA events. - How will your event benefit mountain biking?
The executive will assess the EOI and decide by 30th March, using the answers to the three questions.
The original bid document will be sent to the chosen event organiser who agrees by signing the contract.
Cory captures series final and Douglas upsets March 3, 2009
In the women’s downhill national series final in Hobart today, Tasmania's, Leigh Douglas caused an upset when she beat national champion, Claire Whiteman from Canberra. Douglas won in 3 min 59.67 sec and took out the national series title Whiteman after a three year domination of the series. A former Canadian, Douglas, competed in her first season in elite class and impressed by qualifying fastest in the first run at the Glenorchy Mountain Bike Park.
After holding the monopoly for three years, Whiteman had to be content for second overall.
Fellow Tasmanian, Emma Lewis, placed second while Whiteman claimed third.
Canberra’s Ben Cory turned the tables in the elite men’s race by taking the win in 3 min 11.03 sec. Series leader Joshua Button from Coffs Harbour was able to maintain the lead by placing second just half a second behind Cory. At 19, Button claims his first national series overall title.
Third was former World Junior Champion, Amiel Cavalier from Wollongong. Local rider Kaine Cannan placed eighth.
Ben Cory from Canberra qualified in the fastest time all day with a 3 min 9.99 sec run.
After taking some time off Cory has returned stronger than ever and claimed his first win of the national series. Although Cory joked about training and explained he just loved riding it did seem the upcoming UCI Mountain Bike And Trials World Championships in September has sparked some interest.
"The idea of racing World Championships in your home town would be unbelievable." stated Cory. "It would be great to be selected but whether or not that’s a possibility I’m not sure yet."
In one of the closest races of the season was in the Under 19 division with any three riders such as Shaun O’Connor, Rhys Willemse or Tamryn Murrell. O’Connor won and takes the series win for a second time. National Champion, Willemse was unlucky to strike a tree but finished in second place claiming second overall in the series. Willemse was unharmed.
Third in under 19 was local talent, Antony Moore.
For more info/interviews with riders/photos/ vision details/ results contact:
Sharon Payne Media Manager Mountain Bike Australia Mob +61 (0) 412 773500 sharon@bikemedia.com.au
South Australia to Host 2010-2012 Australian MTB Championships March 2, 2009
South Australia has secured the rights to host the Australian Mountain Bike Championships at Eagle Mountain Bike Park for the next three years.
Recreation and Sport Minister Michael Wright and Tourism Minister Jane Lomax-Smith today announced that Mountain Bike Australia (MTBA) had chosen South Australia to host the five-day championships from 2010 to 2012.
The first event will be held at Eagle Mountain Bike Park, at Leawood Gardens in the Adelaide Hills, from 13-17 January 2010.
“Mountain bike riding is increasingly popular both here in Australia and around the world and I’m thrilled that South Australia is going to be home to the sport’s national championships for the next three years,” said Minister Wright.
“It is a hugely challenging sport for participants and an exciting spectacle for non-participants and predictions are that up to 900 riders will be competing, with up to 10,000 spectators viewing over the five days.”
A series of significant infrastructure improvements will be made to Eagle Mountain Bike Park in preparation for the championships.
This will include an upgrade of the park’s internal access road, establishment of a permanent, world-class four cross (4X) track, expansion of a downhill finish area and minor upgrades to existing courses.
“This is another great result for South Australia and further strengthens our reputation as the centre of cycling in Australia,” said Minister Lomax-Smith.
“The Australian Mountain Bike Championships will kick-start a fortnight of cycling action in South Australia, with the event preceding the Tour Down Under.
“The final day of the five-day competition will coincide with the Tour Down Under’s prologue event, the Down Under Classic, on 17 January.
“The opportunity to host two significant events back-to-back is a real bonus for the state and will create a festival of cycling excitement next January.”
The event will be the largest event yet staged at Eagle Mountain Bike Park, following on from the World Police & Fire Games and the Australasian Masters Games, both in 2007.
Mountain Bike Australia Executive Officer, Tony Scott, said he was thrilled that South Australia had been chosen to host the pinnacle of Australian mountain bike competition for the next three years.
“Judging on the professionalism with which South Australia has run the previous two National Series rounds in 2007 and 2008, we have all the confidence in the world that the championships will be a great success.”
The event will decide the national mens, womens, junior and other category champions in each of the five main disciplines of mountain biking – Cross Country Olympic (XCO), Short Course Cross Country (XCC), Downhill (DH), Four Cross (4X) and Trials (OT).
The 2012 event will also serve as a major qualifier for selection of Australian representatives in the cross country event for the London Olympic Games.
Beijing Olympian back in front March 1, 2009
Victorian, Daniel McConnell, had his first mountain bike win since representing Australia at the Beijing Olympics. The 23 year old returned to form to win the National Mountain Bike Series Final in Hobart today.
McConnell managed to stay ahead of a fast finishing national champion, Chris Jongewaard from Adelaide. McConnell rode an impressive 2 hours 3 min 34 sec..
“We just all wanted to go out there and see how fast we could rider,” said McConnell. “On the fifth lap I was struggling. I definitely feel a bit tired now.”
McConnell was relieved to have his first national win since Beijing under his belt.
“I just wanted it a bit really. It was good to come out and get the win,” said McConnell.
For 20 year old Jongewaard it was a race that did not go right even from the start.
“I got off to a good start, I got my foot in the pedal straight away and it was all going well then about the third or fourth pedal I unclipped and couldn’t quite get it back in,” he said.
:I guess I got a bit impatient and went up the climb and tried to overtake a whole heap of riders. I went down the downhill a bit too fast. I think I took a wrong line and double punctured. The rear tyre just kept going down and I had to go into the pits.”
Jongewaard lost over two minutes in the first lap after suffering two flat tyres (double flatted) and found himself at the ‘wrong’ end of the elite men’s field.
“One thing after the next just kept going wrong,” explained Jongewaard. After crashing and gaining some ground Jongewaard progressed through the field to eventually finish in second place.”
I did it a couple of times in Europe, explained Jongewaard. "Once you loose in touch with the leaders you’ve got no show to usually get onto the podium.”.
I had fun out there. I just really enjoyed going hard. I’ve had it my own way for the whole year so far. To have that level of uncertainty is good for me I guess”
In what turned out to be the most unpredictable race of the series, early leader Dylan Cooper, held the lead for the first two of seven laps. Cooper could not maintain the momentum into the third lap and withdrew.
Jongewaard’s second placing gives him the national series overall win while Bendigo’s Lachlan Norris placed third and also takes out the Under 23 overall series title.
The elite women’s winner was Rowena Fry from Launceston. The 26 year old, current national champion, led the elite women's field through five laps but was challenged in the first three by Bendigo’s Katherine O’Shea.
“I had to work for it,” admitted Fry. “Katherine O’Shea made me work for it."
She actually was in front of me on the third lap then I just snuck past her,”
The local favourite, Fry was cheered along by her how crowd.
“It was great having a few friends and family out on the track cheering me on. Definitely I didn’t want to disappoint on home turf,” stated Fry.
Third was Zoe King from Sydney.
Fourth place was taken out by Bendigo’s Jo Wall and fifth was Brisbane’s Jodie Willett.
Willett had led the series coming into the final round but Katherine O’Shea now lays claim as the national series overall winner. The Under 23 series overall winner was Canberra’s Gracie Elvin.
For more info/quotes/interviews contact:
Sharon Payne Media Manager Mountain Bike Australia Mob +61 (0) 412 773500 sharon@bikemedia.com.au
Tassie mountain bike could end in tussle February 28, 2009
The AdvantageCard Tassie National in Hobart over this weekend could see a tussle between top ranked riders. The fifth and final round of the National Mountain Bike Series gets underway on Saturday with Cross Country followed by Four Cross later in the day. Downhill riders will race on Sunday.
On home turf, Tasmania's Leigh Douglas could upset the current national champion, Claire Whiteman in the downhill final on Sunday. Kingston currently trails by only eight points and is in good form following a win at the previous round in Mt Buller. Douglas is expected to use her recent form and local track knowledge to her advantage.
In the elite men’s current series leader, Joshua Button, has a more comfortable buffer of 31 points may get challenged by former World Junior Champion, Amiel Cavalier Button currently holds a comfortable 31 point lead.
The Under 19 men’s downhill will be the closest race of the season with only 12 points separating all top three riders. Current leader, Queensland’s Tamryn Murrell, is closely followed by last year’s series leader Shaun O’Connor Currently in third place is national champion, Rhys Willemse. The winner on the Glenorchy course will be sure to take out the series.
The Cross Country Olympic series winner will be decided tomorrow. An early lead in the season by Queensland’s Jodie Willett could hold off Victoria’s Katherine O’Shea. Willett’s narrow margin of six points may be ample if she places in front of O’Shea. National Champion, Rowena Fry from Launceston, is also in the line up along with last round’s winner Zoe King, however the pair are not in line to take out the overall series. The strong women’s field could see several of this season’s top riders with the potential to win.
Three time national champion, Chris Jongewaard from South Australia, looks like a certainty to take the series after winning three of the four previous rounds. Ben Henderson from Canberra is the closest rival but a full 56 points looks impossible after seeing Jongewaard’s current form. Henderson also sits second in the cross country criterium series.
The Under 23 series leaders are Canberra pair, Gracie Elvin and Nathan Haas. Elvin hopes to maintain her 27 point lead over South Australia’s Terri Rhodes while Haas has to starve off Victoria’s Neil van der Ploeg also trailing by 27 points.
Four Cross elite men’s series leader, Thomas Hubert has withdrawn due to recent injury which leaves the series lead open for BMX Olympian, Luke Madill.
The current elite women’s leader, Caroline Buchanan, also suffered an injury last week and is not competing which should allow Sarsha Huntington to secure a series win.
For further information Sharon Payne Media Manager Mountain Bike Australia Mob +61 (0) 412 773500 sharon@bikemedia.com.au
2009 MTBA Australian MTB Marathon Championships - Wandong - Cancelled February 19, 2009
Big Hill Events regret to announce that due to the devastating fires that have recently swept the Wandong area, the FELT MTBA 2009 Australian National Marathon Championships has been postponed.
A new date, venue and host for the 2009 Championships are yet to be confirmed by MTBA. All current entrants will be contacted directly by Big Hill Events regarding the process for refund or credit.
Due to the severity of the damage caused by the fires, it is unlikely that Big Hill Events will be able to run a race in Wandong in the following year. However, Big Hill Events are very busy with plans for a new Victorian race venue for March 2010 and are hopeful of being given the opportunity to host the 2010 MTBA Australian National Marathon Championships.
Big Hill Events are also planning to co-host a 6hr Enduro as part of the Victorian Enduro Series and host a stage race that will include a Hill Climb, XC race and Mini Marathon.
We thank you for your patience and understanding. We would also like to share our great appreciation towards our many sponsors and supporters of the 2009 event.
Our thoughts remain with all of those who have been affected by the Victorian bush fires.
Regards,
Rohin Adams Bruce Dickey Race Director Race Director
MTBA donates $10,000 to Victoria Bush Fire Appeal February 18, 2009
Mountain Bike clubs around the country responded to the offer from MTBA to donate $10 each for the first 1,000 riders at any MTBA events so well that our target of $10,000 has already been achieved.
Thanks goes to Brisbane South MTB Club, Canberra Off Road Cyclists, Western Sydney MTB Club and Rocky Trails Events, Launceston MTB Club, Coomella-Mildura Mountainless MTB Club and of course all the clubs and participants at the You Yangs 6 hour enduro.
MTBA has now sent the RedCross a cheque for $10,000 to help all those affected by the Bush fires.
Victorian Mountain Bike Clubs and Mountain Bikers donate to Victoria Bush Fire Appeal February 18, 2009
A message from Steve Clausen from Geelong MTB Club:
On behalf of all the Victorian Mountain Bike Clubs and Mountain bikers in general we would like to thank all of you for your unbelievable support of the Bushfire 6 Hour. Combined you guys gave goods and services in excess of $17,000 which helped us raise just over $37,000 for the Bushfire Relief Fund.
Amongst the crowd of mountain bikers there to support the race was Nick Gaynor, Nick turned up to race on a borrowed bike and wearing borrowed gear as he was one of the many Victorian's who lost everything in the fires. Nick turned up to race and support an event set up to support people like him, but for Nick it gave him the chance to focus on something positive and gave him the chance to get back to what he enjoyed doing. At the end of the day we donated some goodies to Nick to help refill his bike shed but he also won multiple raffles, as he was like the rest of us and purchased as many raffle tickets as our wallets would allow in the hope of winning one of the many prizes donated. So he walked away with a frame, forks, bike carrier, clothing, MTB subscriptions, wine, shoes ect ect the list goes on. I must have purchased tickets from the wrong book. But nobody there was more deserving than Nick. So on behalf of Nick and all Bushfire victims, thank you for donating all that you could.
In alphabetical order:
2624Bikes Anaconda Australian Mountain Bike Magazine Australian Mountain Biking Belgrove Hire Bicycle Superstore Bike Sportz Body Torque Brunswick St Cycles Cannibal Croydon Cycleworks Dirt Works Endura Enduro Magazine First Aid @ Events Freewheel Magazine GoldCross GripSports Groupe Sportif Icebreaker iRide Bikes Kaos Custom Bikes KWT Maximum Adventure Monza Imports Moonlight Cinema Mt Buller Parks Victoria Rapid Ascent Sports Recovery Sram SuperSports Torquay Cycle Factory Trailhead Bike Co Trek Vaughan Springs Vineyard Yarra Valley Cycles
Cash donations were given from the following:
Russell Baker Croydon Cycleworks Dirt Riders Western Sydney MTB Club Hobart & Launceston MTB Clubs Xpresso FTF DH
Mountain Bike to assist Bush Fire Appeal February 12, 2009
Mountain Bike Australia has today announced a contribution towards the bush fire appeals following the devastating events in Victoria.
From this weekend, (February 14 -15th) Mountain Bike Australia (MTBA), on behalf of its members and clubs, will contribute $10 for each of the first 1000 participants in any MTBA sanctioned activity anywhere in Australia. This assistance will continue until the end of March. All clubs or affiliated private promoters are requested to send MTBA the results list or participation list for their activity - competitive or social.
“We encourage our clubs and private promoters to also contribute to the Victorian Bush Fire Appeal being conducted by the Australian Red Cross,” said Tony Scott, EO of Mountain Bike Australia.
The recent bushfires in Victoria have highlighted to all Australians the challenges of living in rural areas. Mountain bikers, having a connection to rural and bushland areas can empathize with those who have suffered so much.”
MTBA recognizes the massive loss of life, property and community as a result of these fires. Since we are closely associated with the regional areas affected we wish to join the rest of Australia in assisting.”
We hope all Australians who have the pleasure of riding their mountain bikes, enjoying the outdoors, will think of those who have suffered losses. Mountain bikers all over Australia wish those affected by the fires all the best in the months ahead.”
MTBA can be contacted through their website: www.mtba.asn.au or by phoning the Executive Officer on 07 4959 1913.
Any other donations to the Victorian Bushfire Appeal 2009 can be made directly with the Australian Red Cross.
OR Freecall 1800 811 700 from anywhere within Australia to make a credit card donation.
Australian mountain bikers take Tasmania to the world February 12, 2009
Media Release 12 February 2009
Cycling Australia today announced the members of the newly formed Cycling Australia discovertasmania.com UCI cross country mountain bike team that will promote Tasmania to the world.
The team is sponsored by the Tasmanian Government and will be based at the Tasmanian Institute of Sport. The six riders who will compete and train this year under the guidance of Cycling Australia Cross Country Mountain Bike Coach, Neil Ross, are
- Charlton Durie (NSW) - 2008 U19 Australian XC Champion - Gracie Elvin (ACT) - 2009 U23 Australian XC Champion - Rowena Fry (TAS) - 2009 Australian XC Champion - Nathan Haas (ACT) - silver medallist 2009 U23 XC Australian Championships - Lachlan Norris (VIC) - 2009 U23 Australian XC Champion - Paul van der Ploeg (VIC) - 2008 U23 Australian XC Champion
"Cycling Australia discovertasmania.com has been designed to expose Australia's talented young mountain bikers to an intensive training and competition environment," said Ross. "They will be racing the World Cup circuit alongside the professional teams and that will give our athletes the experience and race results to gain professional contracts with the best teams in the world.
"The team is a big step on the path to the top level of the sport and if we can keep top athletes in the sport for longer we have a much greater chance of posting medal winning performances at future World Championships and Olympic Games."
The team concept has developed out of the existing High Performance Program that last year involved three cyclists.
"The support we're receiving for the Cycling Australia discovertasmania.com team means we have expanded to six athlete including Fry and Elvin who were both identified by the 'Dirt Roads to London' National Talent Identification program," said Ross. "It is also the first year we'll be registered as a UCI MTB team and that ensures our riders will gain valuable exposure in international events.
"Australian cyclists have a reputation for being hard working and committed to their sport and one of the aims of the Cycling Australia discovertasmania.com team is to continue that reputation through our professionalism both on and off the bike."
The team will compete on the UCI MTB World Cup circuit from April to September including racing in Europe and North America. Those selected in the Australian team will also line up at the UCI MTB World Championships being staged at Canberra's Mt Stromlo Forest Park from 1 to 6 September.
"We greatly appreciate the support and resources being put behind the team," said Ross. "It's a solid investment in our cycling future and I'm very excited to be involved with the team."
Cycling Australia discovertasmania.com will benefit from the sponsorship and support of:
Tourism Tasmania Tasmanian Institute of Sport University of Tasmania Felt Bicycles SRAM and Rockshox componentary Scody clothing GEAX Tyres Bell helmets Skins compression garments TORQ nutrition and energy bars Photos of team members are available on request for editorial use.
For further information (media only) please contact: Gennie Sheer, Sheer Rhetoric , Communications Director, Cycling Australia Tel: +61 (0) 418 863 533 Email: gennie.sheer@cycling.org.au Cycling Australia website www.cycling.org.au
On Sooty Park tomorrow night, 7.30pm Melbourne February 11, 2009
On Sooty Park tomorrow night, 7.30pm Melbourne, episode 10, Our 4th series coming soon to Brisbane (March), Adelaide (soon), Sydney (soon-ish) and Dunedin will get all 4 series'!
Please note, there is an MTB 6hr event (relay or solo) Bushfire Fundraiser set to go at the You Yangs this Sunday, Feb 15, gmbc.com.au for more info. We'll be there.
Tomorrow's show features: - Kona 24hr race at Forrest, which takes up nearly the whole show, it includes - Two interviews with Trent Lowe, former junior world champion XC rider and now Team Garmin GC rider - An interview with Team Sally - An interview with Jeff Fox, master trail builder and long time Forrest local - Lots of footage from the 24hr, day light, dusk and dawn - Capped off with a TT for amateur riders up Alpe d'Huez, just to keep up the road content
In fact, this is one of our best shows of the season, no joke.
New SP website, coming soon, stand by your PC (or Mac!).
Thanks, as always to Brunetti, Brunetti, Brunetti, Divella pasta, MTBskills.com.au, San Benedetto mineral water, Videocraft, Channel 31 and Giant bikes.
Keep watching, and please get your buddies to contact us, as we need to 'grow' our email list, it helps with attaining sponsorship.
Remember, rollers are easy.
Thanks for being fans, David.
David Olle
Topbike Tours www.topbike.com.au
Sooty Park TV www.sootypark.com <http://www.sootypark.com>
Bush Fire benefit 6hr Enduro February 10, 2009
Hi fellow MTB'ers,
The scheduled FTF HDATO has been cancelled. Instead it has been re-located to You Yangs regional park 15th Feb 10.00am - 4.00pm
GMBC , FTF, Bendigo, Dirt Riders and several other Victorian clubs are banding together this weekend to run a 6 hour Enduro at the Stockyards You Yangs Regional Park to raise money for the Fire Relief Fund to help those who lost everything in the recent fires across the State. All the Entry fees charged will be donated to the fund. This race will still earn you points for the State Series, but this is a time where you can give back to all the communities who have helped us run races. So please tell everyone you know and come along and help those in need.
Check your Club, GMBC, FTF and MTBV websites for further details.
Final National round in 2008-2009 MTB Series - Hobart February 6, 2009
National level mountain bike competition will see a welcome return to Tasmania (February 27 - March 1) with the Hobart Dirt Devils hosting the final round of the MTBA 08/09 XC, XCC, DH and 4X at the well respected Glenorchy Mountain Bike Park.
Get all the info, including registration and the schedule here.
Champions in training: 2009 NSW Interschools Mountain Bike Championships. February 3, 2009
Rider registration for the 2009 NSW Interschools MTB Championships is now open.
The 2009 NSW Interschools Mountain Bike Championships will be held on Friday 20th February to Sunday 22nd February 2009 in Thredbo, and will feature three events including; Downhill (DH), 4X and Cross-Country (XC). The 2009 NSW Interschools MTB Championships gives riders a special chance to experience mountain biking and the enthusiasm and energy of this popular sport in a competitive, educational and supportive atmosphere. Mountain bike clinics are now available from Thursday 19th Feb before the event for all riders wanting to touch up on their skills – book now via the website.
The best junior riders from all over Australia and will compete on some of the best country MTB terrain. Don’t miss the opportunity to watch history in the making with the junior competitors of the mountain biking scene battle it out at the 2009 NSW Interschools Mountain Bike Championships in Thredbo, NSW. Mountain bike clinics are now available on Thursday 19th Feb before the event for all riders wanting to touch up on their skills. Check out www.mountainbikingco.com.au for riders rego, clinic info and event info.
MONT 24hr - Update 2 February 3, 2009
There is only a few weeks left before entries close and right now the entries are coming in pretty fast. We may fill up before the cut-off date of Sunday 22nd February 2009. Get your entries in now!
If you do miss a place to race in this years Mont, why not come down for a fun weekend anyway. Hang out or even help out, we'd be glad to see you there. There's going to be a band on Friday night to welcome riders, bike demos and a range of food vendors on hand so you can cater less and kick back more.
World Champ whiz and Douglas claims career first February 2, 2009
Two-time World Champion, Sam Hill, annihilated his opposition in a blinding downhill run in the fourth National Series round in Mt Buller today. Hill blitzed down the 3 km run in 3 min 18.84 sec beating national champion, Mick Hannah from Cairns, by 6 seconds.
"It was pretty hard," admitted Hill. "I wanted to give it everything I had to see what time I could do.”
It's a fairly technical and a loose and dusty and dry course, really."
Third was Amiel Cavalier from Wollongong while fourth by just 0.16 seconds was Bryn Atkinson from the Blue Mountains. Fifth was Hill's team mate and British professional, Brendan Fairclough, again just 0.13 sec further down.
Both Hill and Fairclough will now spend two months in Perth to prepare for their assault on the World Cup series which has been dominated by Hill in previous years.
"I've got two months before the first World Cup. I will just get as fit and strong as I can," explained Hill.
Joshua Button from Coffs Harbour finished a respectable sixth but retained the series lead.
While there was little surprise in the men’s winner, the women’s race was the exception when Tasmanian downhiller, Leigh Douglas, took the win from national champion Claire Whiteman from Canberra.
The 30 year old Canadian claimed the first win in her career after placing on the podium only once in the second round of the series.
"It feels awesome especially when I called my parents back in Canada it felt really, really good," smiled Douglas.
After qualifying fourth fastest, Douglas knew she had to post a far better time in the final.
"I had a mistake at the beginning and thought I had to make up for it," she explained.
Douglas posted a 4 min 31.68 sec which was 13 seconds faster than Whiteman.
Third was also an unexpected podium finish for fellow Tasmanian, Erin Hockey, after crashing in her final run. Whiteman retains the lead in the elite women's series however if the positions are repeated in the final round next month, Douglas will take out the series.
The fifth and final round of the series will be held in Hobart at the end of February.
For photos, full results, interviews, vision access or further information contact: Sharon Payne Media Manager Mountain Bike Australia Mob +61 (0) 412 773500 sharon@bikemedia.com.au
Jongewaard changes mountain temperature and King conquers January 31, 2009
Newly crowned national champion, Chris Jongewaard, backed up his win at the titles last Sunday by winning the fourth National Series round today in Mt Buller in Victoria. The soaring temperatures elsewhere in the southern states given over 400 mountain bike riders a ten degree cooler respite..
Jongewaard rode the five laps in an impressive 2 hour 9.17 min. The 8 km newly developed cross course was unrelenting and according to Jongewaard, today’s race was tougher than winning the championships last weekend in Canberra.
“I reckon last weekend was a little bit easier for me,” he said.
“The first couple of laps were good but the course is so rough it gets you every lap so it’s very fatiguing out there,” Jongewaard admitted.
Many riders succumbed to the heat or conditions and even for Jongewaard it was the rocks that cause him to struggle in sections of the course.
“It’s so rocky out there it’s unpredictable and you can’t always see all the rocks. You’ve just got to be smooth and hold your line sometimes you hit a rock and it sends you a different direction! It’s pretty tough,” he said.
Still Jongewaard did not regret a chance to race to depart his Adelaide base where temperatures soared..
“It was a perfect opportunity to get away from Adelaide. I heard it was ten degrees cooler up here. A mate and I decided to come up so we are just enjoying the nice scenery and the good air up here,” he said.
Jongewaard also keeps his series lead with only one race remaining. Hobart will host the final national round at the end of February.
Zoe King from Manly won her first race of the national season after sitting behind national champion, Rowena Fry from Tasmania, early in the four lap race. King pounced on Fry on the second last climb and gained a minute on Fry to secure a victory.
"Feels great , it's a really long day out in the heat/ Two hours is along race anyway and just to be in these temperature s it was ohard work. I wcertainly went out conservatively and tried to stay strong," explaned King.
The heat took its toll with the women riding longer than officials expected stretching it to a 2 hour 4.47 min time for top finisher, King.
“It was just important to save yourself in this heat,” said King.
The women’s race went over the two hour mark even though officials expected it to be quicker.
Fry claimed second in a sprint for the line with Mt Beauty rider, Tory Thomas, in third. Fourth was silver national champion, Jo Wall from Bendigo.
A respectable placing by Brisbane’s Jodie Willett in seventh place allowed her to keep the series lead.
Downhill practice will continue on Sunday with racing getting underway at 12 noon. Racing in this national round are two time world champion, Sam Hill and British team-mate, Brendan Fairclough.
Defending their elite category series leads will be Coffs Harbour’s Joshua Button and Canberra’s Claire Whiteman.
For other photos/interviews of vision details contact: Sharon Payne Media Manager Mountain Bike Australia Mob +61 (0) 412 773500 sharon@bikemedia.com.au
The mountain biking competition heats up at Mt Buller January 29, 2009
Australia’s best mountain bikers, including World Champion Downhill rider Sam Hill, will be competing at Mt Buller next weekend, January 31 and February 1, in the Australian MTB National Series Round Four. The three disciplined event is not to be missed by competitors or spectators alike.
Cross-country olympic competition will be held from 9am on Saturday, with entrants competing on the picturesque 8km course, which starts in the Mt Buller Village, goes over to Corn Hill and Howqua Gap and then back to Mt Buller.
All the action moves to the resort’s northern slopes on Sunday with riders competing in the fast paced Short Course Cross Country event and Downhill rider’s on the challenging International course from 12 pm. Competition will be held in elite and sport classes, with age categories from U15 to veterans.
Mt Buller’s Horse Hill Chairlift will be open for sightseers and mountain bikers over the weekend. The International track will be closed for the MTBA competition on Sunday, but the ABOM downhill track will be open to the public. The chairlift will operate from 9 am – 6 pm on Saturday, 9 am – 5 pm on Sunday and 10 am – 4 pm on Monday. The chairlift will operate both days earlier for competitor practice.
One-way sightseeing tickets are $12 for adults and children, or $18 for an adult all-day ticket and $10 for a child all-day. Mountain biking lift tickets are $47 for a day. Altitude Sports, located in the heart of the Mt Buller Village, is open everyday with bike rental and retail. Cross country bike hire ranges from $40 for a half-day (4hrs) or $60 for a full-day. Downhill rental ranges from $80 for a half-day (4hrs) and $120 for a full-day hire - inclusive of a full-faced helmet, gloves and downhill bike. Competition entry prices are listed on the website.
To complement the biking action, Mt Buller plays host to the Buller Beerfest, located in the Village Square on Saturday from 12-6pm. Now in its third year, the event offers beer aficionados (and those just out for a drink) a chance to sample some of Victoria’s finest amber fluid from microbreweries including Coldstream, Buffalo and Grand Ridge.
For more information and event schedules or to enter the National MTBA event log onto www.mtbuller.com.au under the ‘Events’ section or for a wide range of summer accommodation options, contact High Country Reservations on 1800 039 049.
For Mountain Bike media information contact:
Sharon Payne Media Manager Mountain Bike Australia Mob +61 (0) 412 773500 sharon@bikemedia.com.au
For Mt Buller media/marketing information contact:
Olympics far from mind of national champ January 26, 2009
Missing out on the Beijing Olympics was far from Chris Jongewaard's mind as he claimed his fourth national title in Canberra today. Jongewaard’s win makes it his third consecutive national cross country title.
The Adelaide rider dominated from the start and posted an impressive 1 hr and 57.08 sec over the five lap course.
The 28 year old annihilated his opposition from the start and the race for second became a tussle between two Canberra riders Ben Henderson and Dylan Cooper. Henderson claimed second place with Cooper just seven seconds behind.
In the elite women’s race Launceston’s Rowena Fry claimed her first national title. The 26 year old was unable to break away from Bendigo’s Jo Wall until the fourth and final lap.
“I’m really stoked,” said a surprised Fry. “I was going to be happy with a top five. I’ve been dreaming about it for a year and a half now.”
After recent returning to training after suffering chronic fatigue, Fry surprised herself with a national jersey in her first race back.
“I haven’t raced for quite a long time so I didn’t know what to expect. I got the break a couple of times. In the last lap I managed to get the break and hang onto it.”
Wall finished just 35 seconds behind Fry to claim second while Brisbane's Jodie Willett placed third. Another favourite, Katherine O'Shea, had mechanical trouble which left her out of contention and in 20th place.
In the Under 23 race it was local rider, Nathan Haas who set the early pace but Victoria’s Lachlan Norris landed the title while Haas claimed a respectable second.
In observed trials the Pro 20 inch title eventually went to Brisbane’s Jack Mullaly after a count back. Second was Melbourne’s Andrew Dickey and third place went to Morgan Driessens also from Brisbane.
In the downhill elite seeding run, Mick Hannah, displayed a good return to form with the fastest time while Jared Graves qualified in second place. All eyes will be on two-time World Champion, Sam Hill after he qualified in third place. English rider, Brendan Fairclough, qualified in thirteenth spot while French rider, Emmeline Ragout, posted the fastest women’s time.
For more information contact:
Sharon Payne Media Manager Mountain Bike Australia Mob +61 (0) 412 773500 sharon@bikemedia.com.au
Olympian relieved with Mountain Cross win January 24, 2009
CANBERRA: Jared Graves claimed his first national four cross title today after a four year drought. The BMX Olympic finalist was elated after a convincing win at the National Mountain Bike Championships in Canberra in the first day of competition. The Toowoomba rider can now add this win to his recent World Cup win on the same course.
Often on the podium at World Championships and World Cups, the 26 year was equally delighted with an Australian jersey.
“I haven’t won one since 2005,” he explained. “I was a touch late on the gate but I got the gas down and just really tried to rider smooth with elbows wide.”
Second was Graves’ protégé, Sam Willoughby, in only his second mountain bike race.
According to Graves, Willoughby has proven he is ready for the big league.
“It’s unreal to have him (Willoughby) up there. He’s an awesome kid too and he’s like a little brother I'd. never had. He’s beaten me at BMX a month ago so he’s shown he is ready to step it up.”
Graves win kick starts his World Cup campaign his aim to return to Australia in September to win the UCI Mountain Bike & Trials World Championships.
“It’s a big confidence boost,” said Graves about his win on the World Championship course. “I know what I have to do to win.”
Defending national champion and BMX Olympian, Luke Madill, suffered a puncture and finished behind Ryan Henderson in fourth place.
Canberra’s Caroline Buchanan won her fourth national title in classic style today but the 18 year old admitted she was more nervous than usual.
“Even after winning the World Cup here with over 7 000 spectators, I was actually more nervous today,” she said. “I've only been on a new bike over the last two weeks. Also the track was a bit rough.”
BMX silver world medallist, Lauren Reynolds placed second in her first mountain bike race while Brisbane’s Sarsha Huntington claimed third. Townsville’s Rachel Bracken rode well in her first foray into mountain bike and placed fourth.
4X results are available in the National Championships 4X calendar entry.
The national championships continue tomorrow with the olympic cross country, bicycle trials and the downhill seeding run.
For further information/interviews or photos please contact Sharon Payne Media Manager Mountain Bike Australia Mob +61 (0) 412 773500 sharon@bikemedia.com.au
Course changes little as Stromlo tunes up for World Champs January 23, 2009
While the biggest cycling phenomenon is happening in South Australia, Canberra also plays host to an important cycling event. The 2009 Australian Mountain Bike Championships at Stromlo Forest Park over the Australia Day weekend has attracted over 500 competitors from around the world including riders from Australia, New Zealand, France, Czech Republic and Germany. This weekend gives riders a sneak preview of the course that will be used in this year's 2009 UCI Mountain Bike and Trials World Championships between 1 – 6 September.
There are five disciplines over three days and without doubt all eyes will be on the four events that will return for the World Championship;, four cross, cross country olympic, bicycle trials and downhill,
Elite competition begins on Saturday afternoon with the heats and finals of Four Cross. The BMX style course is expected to see some tight racing and close finishes.
On Sunday morning the elite and under 23 women’s race precedes the men’s. The 8.5 km laps will be similar to the recent World Cup circuit with a fire road start which hooks into the single track. The famous 300 m ‘Cardiac Climb’ is followed by a technical rocky section. The one metre rock drop known as “Hammerhead” will again become popular for spectators. About mid course riders will head into the berm track known as the ‘Weekend at Bermies’. There is a double feed zone followed by a climb known as ‘Blackberry Climb’. The remainder of the course has fast descents and been described as a quick and flowing course. Women will race for approximately 1 hour 45 min while the men’s competition is closer to the 2 hour mark.
Sunday afternoon the downhill riders will complete one seeding run. The 2.2 m track starts from a 2.7 m high scaffold start ramp. Riders head into the first open section which has step downs followed by the fire road jump. Competitors then need to choose the faster ‘A line’ or the easier ‘B line’ through the lengthy rock garden into the traverse. The tricky ‘G 20’ section will sort out the riders before they head through the downhill bridge. The ‘triple treat’ has high speed berms followed by a road gap known as ‘first blood’. As expected on a course like this riders face a pedally “wallaby run” From the busy ‘J walk’ intersection riders then need to pump home with one final jump before the finish line. Winning times are expected to be between 2.30 to 2.45 minutes.
The Mountain Bike Trials will set up and competition will be conducted throughout Sunday.
In amongst the events are Friday's Club Team Relay and the Short Course Cross Country on Monday morning.
For further information, interviews, photos or vision contact:
Sharon Payne Media Manager Mountain Bike Australia 0412 773500 sharon@bikemedia.com.au
STROMLO FOREST PARK PARTNER WITH MULTIPLE TIME NATIONAL CHAMPION January 23, 2009
Stromlo Forest Park today signed a sponsorship deal with Jared Rando, a multiple time National mountain bike champion, coinciding with the 2009 Australian MTB National Championships also being held at the Park this week.
“Territory Venues and Events is extremely excited about Jared Rando signing up with Stromlo Forest Park, a synergy that we feel goes hand in hand,” said Neale Guthrie, General Manager of Territory Venues and Events.
“Jared Rando is very well known amongst fellow MTB champions and within the MTB networks both locally and internationally.
“The relationship with Stromlo Forest Park being home to several mountain bike championship events including last year’s SCOTT Australian 24hr and the UCI Mountain Bike and Trials World Championships to be held in September this year also highlights the fact that this agreement is a perfect match,” said Mr Guthrie.
In tandem with the exciting sponsorship deal, Stromlo Forest Park also welcomes the Australian Mountain Bike National Championships, showcasing the best off road riding in Australia across all disciplines. Australian riders will be challenged in cross country riding, cross country short course action and 4X, competing with world class riders in adrenaline pumping races.
Jared Rando began racing Downhill when he was 15 years old and was first selected for the Australian team for the World Championships when he was 16. He has competed for Australia as a junior for three years and finished third at the 1999 World Championships in Sweden.
His first year as a pro in the US was in 2000 and he finished 7th overall in the US National Series for 2000, as well as winning the Australian National Series for the 1999/2000 season and the 2000/2001 season.
In 2003 Jared Rando signed a two year deal with Giant and has been with Giant ever since.
“In signing the sponsorship agreement with Stromlo Forest Park, Jared will represent Canberra's world class venue on a world stage, also marking a new stage in the parks development. We’re looking forward to the partnership and looking forward to working with Jared,” concluded Mr Guthrie.
Visit www.stromloforestpark.com.au for more information.
Entries for the 2009 MTBA Australian MTB Champs Close 19/1/09 – Enter Now. January 16, 2009
Online race registration for the 2009 MTBA Australian Championships will close midnight on Monday 19 January. You will be able to register at the event but pre-race registrations are appreciated - not to say cheaper; on-the-day entries will cost $30 extra - so get in early and enter now and save! Visit www.mtbnationals.com.au
VOLUNTEERS FOR 2009 MTBA Australian MTB Championships urgently needed January 9, 2009
The Nationals 2009 team urgently require more volunteers for all tasks including course marshalling, set-up and pack-up. If you can volunteer for half or even a full a day between Thursday 22 January and Tuesday 27 January you will have our sincere thanks and also be part of a great event team. Please fill in the details on the Volunteer Registration Form below and email to Sarah at volunteers@mtbnationals.com.au.
2009 BMX Elite Development Squad announced December 31, 2008
Cycling Australia is pleased to confirm the members of the BMX High Performance Program Elite Development Squad for 2009.
Five riders have been selected in the squad that will train and compete under the guidance of Cycling Australia's BMX High Coach and former BMX professional, Wade Bootes. The riders and their key BMX results of 2008 are:
Rachel Bracken (30.06.1991 Aitkenvale, QLD) Junior competition - 3rd World Championships and 2nd Australian Championships Caroline Buchanan (24.10.1990 Kambah, ACT) Junior competition - 3rd Australian Championships. Elite competition - 13th Australian round UCI Supercross World Cup Series Josh Callan (08.04.1991 Healesville VIC) Junior competition - 5th World Championships and third overall BMXA Probikx World CupSeries Lauren Reynolds (25.06.1991 Clifton Park, WA) Junior competition - 2nd World Championships and 1st Australian Championships. Elite competition - 11th Australian round UCI Supercross Series Sam Willoughby (15.08.1991 Trott Park, SA) Junior competition - 1st World Championships, 1st Australian Championships and BMXA Probikx Series champion. Elite competition - 9th Denmark round UCI Supercross World Cup Series.
"The riders show great potential to continue to develop and to reach their best in the years to come," said Bootes. "I am fortunate to be able to work with and guide talented riders who have the motivation and drive to succeed.
"I believe these riders will lead the rest of the nation to a level that will help Australia dominate at the international level on the BMX track."
Bootes says 2009 will be a year for development as the five riders step up from the junior ranks.
"With great results in 2008 as juniors and already mixing it with the best senior riders around the world in BMX and MTB events, I see them continuing on with their success for many years ahead."
Bootes says there has been a very positive impact on the sport from the inclusion of BMX in the Olympic Games.
" For sure there is a lot more talk from the general public about BMX since the Olympic Games and the number of new riders in the sport has grown," said Bootes. "Also the commitment to the top end of riders has increased with people regarding BMX as a major sport and top class riders wanting to make a living out of riding a BMX bike."
The plan for the 2009 BMX Elite Development Squad will include a semi residential BMX program with a daily training program for the riders.
"The Cycling Australia BMX High Performance Program will utilise the Queensland Academy of Sport facilities and will have the support of other State Institutes and Academies," said Bootes."It means we'll have the best resources to support the individual development of the riders to help them qualify for Australian teams for Supercross events and World Championships.
"The aim is to expose them to as much international racing experience as possible so they can improve and excel as we head towards the 2012 Olympic Games in London."
The squad will assemble on the Gold Coast tomorrow for their first training camp which will include competing in the Nerang round of the 2008-09 UCI BMX Oceania series being staged this Friday and Saturday (January 2 and 3).
For further information (media only) please contact: Gennie Sheer, Sheer Rhetoric , Communications Director, Cycling Australia Tel: +61 (0) 418 863 533 Email: gennie.sheer@cycling.org.au Cycling Australia website www.cycling.org.au
2009 MTBA Australian MTB Championshipswebsite now live December 23, 2008
The 2009 MTBA Australian MTB Championships will be held on 22- 26 January at Stromlo Forrest Park, Canberra on the same courses as the 2009 World Mountain Bike Championships. The National Championships will feature the best riders from all over Australia and will showcase the finest off road riding in Australia across all disciplines. Check out the event web site for all rider information including rider registration, event maps, schedule and courses
Rider registration for the 2009 MTBA Australian MTB Championships is
now open. The best riders from all over Australia and will compete on
the course that will decide the World Champion in 2009. Go to www.mtbnationals.com.au, and click though to Riders Registration.
National series in video December 17, 2008
Check out video clips of Illinbah (Series round 2) and You Yangs (series round 3) here:
Keep up to date with all the results and the National Series schedule on the dedicated national series website.
NATIONAL CHAMP OUTCLASSES OLYMPIANS - XCO#3 December 13, 2008
National Cross Country rider, Chris Jongewaard from Adelaide, won the National Mountain Bike Series round held in Geelong today. Despite unexpected rain, Jongewaard led from the first of five laps winning in an overall time of 2.hours 9 min 17 sec. A top class field was assembled including three Olympians, Beijing’s Dan McConnell (Bruthen) and Athens Olympians Sid Taberlay (Hobart) and Josh Flemming (Bendigo).
Jongewaard was unchallenged throughout the race and surprised himself after recently returning from a five week lay off.
“I just went out and wanted to have a good workout. I did fade in last three laps,” admitted Jongewaard. “My front brakes went so I just took it easier on the downhills.”
Jongewaard said the granite tracks at the You Yang’s Regional Park held up surprisingly well despite the deluge.
“It was horrendous conditions but it’s probably the track I would rather ride in the wet,” Jongewaard said. “The conditions didn’t affect the race results overall.”
Second was Aiden Lefmann (Brisbane) and third was Under 23 rider Nathan Haas (Canberra). Jongewaard now takes over the series lead after winning the first round in Adelaide. Haas takes the series lead in the Under 23 division.
Melbourne‘s Katherine O'Shea from Port Melbourne won the elite women’s race proving her growing ability. The 29 year old only started cycling after taking part in a talent identification program. Now O’Shea is one of five women riders in the "Dirt Roads to London” program aimed a developing depth in Australia’s mountain bike riders. Prior to this O’Shea was a softball representative.
Second was Brisbane's Jodie Willett and third was Jo Wall (Bendigo). Wall and O'Shea are both members of the "Dirt Road to London" program as well as hailing from Bendigo and members of the newly formed TORQ team.
The women raced over four laps of the 6.1 km circuit. O'Shea's time was 1 hour 59 min and 48.7 sec a full one minute ahead of Willett. However Willett retains the series lead after winning the first round and placing second in the next two rounds.
There are five national series events with the remaining two being held in Mt Buller at the end of January and Hobart at the end of February. The national championships over Australia Day weekend will be held on the 2009 World Championships course in Canberra.
CORC Merchandise Fire-sale December 12, 2008
CORC is having a massive pre-christmas clear-out of all excess merchandise from past 24 Hour and World Cup events. Includes World Cup gear at 50% - 60% off retail. World Cup and 24 Hour cycling jerseys are only $40 - $45 and drink bottles @ 4 for $10, t-shirts @ 3 for $10 and . All stock is priced way below cost. You dont have to be a CORC club member to take advantage of this special offer - just put your order in quickly to ensure delivery before christmas. Check out the catalogue below.
The producer of Sooty Park, David Olle is pleased to announce that 'Cycling Sooty Park' will return for it's 4th season on Channel 31 this Thursday December 11 in Melbourne, at 7.30pm. With the other major Australian capitals commencing in January.
The unique show presents different aspects of the cycling world in a magazine format, with the Sooty Park crew collecting diverse interviews and footage while visiting many cycling events in Europe and Australia. This season features the original Roller Room 'two-up' sprint, using the Brunswick Cycling Club rollers that appeared on 'World of Sport' many years ago.
Honest product reviews, statistics, fashion, gossip, fun, famous and little known climbs, Annabella intervews Bettini on his knicks, Boonen on his car, Leipheimer on the environment, Sastre on his race musette, New York commuters, MTB, road, track, BMX, Belgium, France, Germany, Spain, Italy, USA, Australia et al, it's all there in weekly episodes, tune in for your share.
Sooty Park was shortlisted in the 2008 Cycling Australia media awards (but fell at the final jump), we aim to go one step higher this season. Go Sooty Park, go.
Set your phone alarms now, Thursdays 7.30pm,
2009 Australian MTB Championships Schedule - Update 1 December 9, 2008
he updated schedule for the 2009 MTBA Australian MTB Championships is available below.
All
athletes intending on participating at the 2009 National Championships
must be aware of the following entry and registration constraints.
ALL XCO entry finishes at 7.30am. Registration for XCO can continue throughout the day.
ALL
4X entry and registration concludes 3hrs before the heats on Saturday
12 noon. Riders not registered by that time will be removed from the
start list for moto development.
ALL DH entry and rego
concludes 90 minutes before the group race and/or seeding. No new
entries for Group A will be accepted after the seeding race on Sunday
afternoon.
ALL XCC entry and registration concludes at 10.30am on Monday.
TIS to be home of National Mountain Bike Program December 4, 2008
The Tasmanian Minister for Sport and Recreation, Michelle O'Byrne, today announced that the Tasmanian Institute of Sport has been selected by Cycling Australia to host Australia's High Performance Mountain Bike Program for the next four years.
Ms O'Byrne said the State Government would contribute $400,000 to the program.
"The State Government is committed to supporting the development of Tasmania's elite athletes, and being chosen to host this elite program in the run-up to the 2012 London Olympics is a great coup for Tasmania and also great recognition of the TIS as an elite sport development body," Ms O'Byrne said.
"It is recognition of the great job done by the TIS this year when it was selected to host the 2008 program.
"The program will be coached by Neil Ross, an experienced, well credentialed coach, who was the Head Coach and Director of Canada's National Cycling Centre and coach of the Canadian National Team.
"It adds another component to the activities of the TIS and further strengthens our contribution to the elite sports system in Australia."
"John Gregory, the TIS Sports Performance Manager and a former National Mountain Bike Cross Country Champion, will provide key sports science support to the program. "
Ms O'Byrne said having the program based in Tasmania would provide an excellent opportunity to help Tasmanian athletes gain selection for the Australian Olympic team to compete in London, in particular, Rowena Fry.
"Accessing this network will help develop a high-performance culture for the athletes participating in the program.
"We believe the program will produce the next generation of mountain bike athletes, rivalling some of the top Tasmanian mountain bike athletes produced in the past.
"The program is further recognition of Tasmania's emergence as a world-class mountain bike destination, attracting national and international interest from elite and recreational riders, and will help grow the tourism benefits we are already receiving form this activity."
Ms O'Byrne said when competing overseas, the cyclists would be racing in uniforms featuring the Tourism Tasmania website address.
"This provides a great way of promoting the State through a sport we are becoming well known for.
"Cycling Australia CEO Graham Fredericks said he was pleased to welcome the Tasmanian Government as a major partner of the Cycling Australia-Discover Tasmania.com national cross country mountain bike program.
"Tasmania is a mountain bike mecca with the facilities and terrain to challenge our cyclists.
"Apart from providing an ideal Australian training base, the support of the Tasmanian Government will also assist our riders to participate in international and national competition."
Ms O'Byrne said the TIS in Launceston will be the base for the program for six months each year, with the athletes heading overseas for competition for the remainder of the time.
For further information (media only) please contact: Gennie Sheer, Sheer Rhetoric , Communications Director, Cycling Australia Tel: +61 (0) 418 863 533 Email: gennie.sheer@cycling.org.au Cycling Australia website www.cycling.org.au
or
Rohan Wade Tasmanian Government Tel: +61 (0) 417 051 255
Local Sporting Champions program - Australian Sport Commission December 4, 2008
Local Sporting Champions: Funding for junior athletes to pursue their sporting dreams
Junior sportsmen and women find it difficult to meet the ongoing and significant costs associated with participation at sporting competitions, particularly sportsmen and women from regional areas.
The Local Sporting Champions program is an Australian Government initiative designed to provide financial assistance for junior sportsmen and women towards the cost of travel, accommodation, uniforms or equipment when competing at an official national sporting organisation (NSO) endorsed state or national sporting competition.
Kovarick claims national series round two December 2, 2008
Downhill release - 30 Nov
World ranked downhiller, Chris Kovarik, won the National Downhill Series race on the Gold Coast today. The 30 year old from Brisbane claimed the win in 3 min 46.75 sec after qualifying fastest earlier in the day.
"I qualified fastest to see where I was at which always takes a lot out of you," Kovarik pointed out. "At the top I was pretty confident I could pull it off if I got through those slippery woods."
After heavy rain the day before riders had to negotiate a slippery rocky section near the top of the 1.7 km course.
"For everyone it was treacherous," admitted Kovarik. "You couldn't get through there with your feet on!"
Despite the wet conditions, Kovarik praised the course saying it was as good as any on the international World Cup circuit.
Second was Joshua Button from Coffs Harbour with 3 min 52.57 sec. Third place was taken out by Perth’s Deon Baker in a time of 4 min 5.30 sec.
A few of the top riders came to grief in the rocky forest descent including series leader, Jared Graves from Toowoomba out of contention after his bike slipped down the hill making him 2 minutes slower than his qualifying run. Graves finished way down in 40th place allowing Button to take over the series lead.
Kovarik’s fiancée Claire Buchar from Canada also claimed the win in elite women despite falling in the slippery forest section.
“I was trying to go a bit too fast,” Buchar said. “The conditions are really unpredictable.”
Buchar rode the course in 5 min 35.63 sec a comfortable 5 seconds ahead of her nearest rival Tasmania’s Leigh Douglas. Securing second place now gives Douglas the series lead. Previous leader, Canberra’s Claire Whiteman, moved down the series rankings after finishing in fourth place.. Third place was taken by Canberra’s Caroline Buchanan.
Under 19 winner, Tamryn Murrell from the Gold Coast rode exactly four minutes. The 17 year old time would have claimed him a third place in elite men with his time. Murrell takes over the series lead from Western Australian, Will Gower. New South Wales rider, Shaun O’Connor placed second while local rider Rhys Willemse placed third.
The Under 19 women’s winner was Emily Hockey from Adelaide.
For a national series, Gold Coast had record entries over the weekend with the largest group being over 350 downhill riders on Sunday.
The third round of the national series continues in Geelong in two weeks time.
FOR PHOTOS/VISION OR INTERVIEWS etc please contact: Sharon Payne Media Manager Mountain Bike Australia Mob +61 (0) 412 773500 sharon@bikemedia.com.au
twenty four hours Sydney mtb race - 14 & 15 February 2009 December 2, 2008
Sydney-based MTB event organiser Rocky Trail Entertainment have launched their latest event by announcing that online registration is open on www.rockytrailentertainment.com for their “twenty four hours Sydney” MTB race. It will take place on the weekend of 14 & 15 February at the Del Rio Riverside Resort in Wiseman’s Ferry, about 1.5 hours North West of Sydney.
“Expect a pure twenty four hour race”, says Rocky Trail’s Martin Wisata. “The track for the race will be finalised in the coming weeks, some parts even newly built, completing a totally new mountain bike track in the Sydney-area! The transition zone and timing will be located directly at the Del Rio resort, which we have hired out for the entire weekend.” Set on lush meadows on the Hawkesbury River, the resort is equipped with a pub & bistro-style restaurant, a swimming pool, as well as a playground and facilities for kids. There are plenty of camping possibilities, and for a more “luxurious” off-track experience, waterfront cabins, waterview holiday villas, deluxe, family and studio cabins.
Start of the race is on Saturday at 12pm and the finish on Sunday at 12pm. “We will have an outstanding mix of athletes – from Elite to Solo riders to Teams of 2, 3 or 4, we have also special offers for junior riders”, adds Martin. There are also options for Open Teams of 6 or Open Teams of 10 riders; for more information visit the Rocky Trail website.
Looking for a team outfit? Rocky Trail Entertainment is encouraging riders to register before Christmas (25 December 2008) to receive a FREE event T-Shirt in a cool design and is offering a fantastic value, high quality racing jersey for only $65 – possibly the most perfect gift for your mate or loved one this Christmas season!
To check out the jersey design, for more event information and to register online go to www.rockytrailentertainment.com now!
National XCO Series Round 2 - Results November 30, 2008
Mountain biker pursues her London Olympic dream November 30, 2008
After her best finish to date, Bendigo’s Katherine O’Shea now has her sights firmly set on the next Olympics in London. The 29 year old business analyst won the Olympic Cross Country race at the national mountain bike round held in the Gold Coast hinterland today. The former softballer only switched to mountain biking just three years ago after being selected for a development program for mountain bikers. The “Dirt Roads to London” program aims to prepare Australian female riders for the London 2012 Olympics.
Hot and humid conditions affected the women's field.
"It was really tough," said O'Shea. "It felt like you were dripping wet. My only reward was when I was at the top of the hill and I could pour the water over me."
O'Shea praised the "Dirt Roads to London" program aimed at building Australia's depth in women's cross country.
"It’s been fantastic. It got me into the sport and it’s great having the other girls around to encourage you to turn up to these races. It was a tough day."
O'Shea will head overseas to race internationally next year and when asked if her long term goal of making the London Olympics was now closer she said, "Yeah for sure. Bring it on."
During the race, O'Shea kept a close eye on series leader, Jodie Willett from Brisbane. "When I turned around on the climb they looked like they were miles back. I thought Jodie was going to come back," she admitted.
Willett was disappointed with second place. Willett started the race conservatively but O’Shea gained time every lap eventually winning by over 5 minutes.
Willett thought she had gauged O'Shea's strong start. "I thought she may blow up," admitted Willett. "When the lead was three minutes I thought she's not blowing up!"
Third was fellow Bendigo rider, Jo Wall. Wall's podium finish was her best to date and Wall also celebrated her thirtieth birthday. Wall is also a member of the "Dirt Roads to London" program.
Former national champion, Tory Thomas from Mt Beauty, withdrew due to the intense heat along with Canberra’s Bec Henderson.
The elite men's cross country race started in hot conditions until the dark clouds were followed by thunder and lightning. Officials were forced to shorten the men's distance from seven to six laps due to dangerous conditions.
Early leader, Aiden Lefmann from Brisbane, was unlucky to suffer a broken chain mid-way through the race. Eventual winner Adrian Jackson from Melbourne won in 1 hour 52 min 54 sec. Brisbane's Mark Frendo took over the lead after Lefman’s mechanical trouble however it wasn’t long until Jackson put on the pressure pulling ahead by 2 min 10 sec. Third place went to Canberra's Shaun Lewis just over 1 minute further behind.
The storm delayed the four cross racing while downhill practice was stopped. All downhill and short course cross country racing on Sunday will go ahead as usual with fine weather predicted.
For photos vision and info contact: Sharon Payne Media Manager Mountain Bike Australia Mob +61 (0) 412 773500 sharon@bikemedia.com.au
2009 MONT 24hr entries now open November 25, 2008
Entries for the Mont 24 Hour Race to be held at Sparrow Hill on 4-5 April 2009 are now open. Teams of 4, 6 or more are invited to this classic weekend of mountain biking and enjoy flying around Sparrow Hill's famously flowing single track wearing a big silly grin. Go to www.mont24.com.au and click through to online entry.
MTB/ BMX - Meares awarded the 'Oppy' - Cycling Australia Media Release November 25, 2008
Canberra's Caroline Buchanan won an impressive two categories last night at the 2008 Australian Cyclist of the Year awards in Melbourne. The 18 year old won the elite and junior females Mountain Bike Cyclist of the Year. She was a finalist in the junior female BMX Cyclist of the Year but that award went to Lauren Reynolds from Bunbury.
Apart from Anna Meares who won three categories, the Sir Hubert Opperman medal, the people's choice and the female track cyclist of the year Buchanan and Sam Willoughby (Adelaide) both claimed two awards each. Willoughby doubled up by winning the junior BMX and junior Mountain Bike Cyclist of the Year.
Reynolds and Willoughby are currently overseas racing BMX in the American ABA races.
For the fifth year in a row, Sam Hill (Perth) has taken out the male Mountain Bike cyclist of the year award. Hill is currently in America testing his new equipment for the upcoming season.
For the second year in a row Nicole Callisto (Perth) took out the female BMX cyclist of the year award but was unable to attend.
Buchanan will compete in the National Mountain Bike Series second round this weekend on the Gold Coast along with other award winner, Jared Graves (Toowoomba).
For further info/photos/interviews contact
Sharon Payne Media Manager BMX Australia & MTB Australia Mob +61 (0) 412 773500 sharon@bikemedia.com.au
Cycling Australia Media Release 23 November 2008
Meares awarded the 'Oppy' Medal as Cyclist of the Year
Olympian Anna Meares was tonight awarded the Sir Hubert Opperman medal as the 2008 Australian Cyclist of the Year at a ceremony in Melbourne. The 25 year also took out honours as the 2008 Toshiba Elite Female Track Cyclist of the Year and in a public acclamation of her inspirational efforts in 2008 was also voted the Scody People's Choice Cyclist for the Year.
A tearful Meares was overwhelmed by the honour as the room of dignataries and cycling champions of all generations stood to applaud her.
2008 was a tumultuous year for the Queenslander who sustained a potentially fatal fracture to her C2 vertabra, or in simple terms a broken neck, in a race crash the Los Angeles round of the World Cup in January.
But the world record holder and 2004 Olympic gold and bronze medallist fought back to not only return to racing but earn selection for Beijing where she collected an Olympic silver medal in the women's sprint. Her performance inspired the nation.
The Awards were presented at a gala celebration at the Grand Hyatt Melbourne Hotel.
The complete list of winners in the respective Award categories are listed below. For more detailed infomation on each of them please go to the Cycling Australia website.
Winners in the 2008 Cyclist of the Year Awards
Toshiba Elite Track Cyclist of the Year - Male - Cameron Meyer (WA) Toshiba Elite Track Cyclist of the Year - Female - Anna Meares OAM (QLD) Elite Road Cyclist of the Year - Male - Cadel Evans (VIC) Elite Road Cyclist of the Year - Female - Vicki Whitelaw (ACT) Elite Mountainbike Cyclist of the Year - Male - Sam Hill (WA) Elite Mountainbike Cyclist of the Year - Female - Caroline Buchanan (ACT) Elite BMX Cyclist of the Year - Male - Jared Graves (QLD) Elite BMX Cyclist of the Year - Female - Nicole Callisto (WA) Para-cyclist of the Year - Male - Chris Scott OAM (QLD) Para-cyclist of the Year - Female - Lindy Hou OAM & pilot Toireasa Gallagher (NSW) Masters Cyclist of the Year - Male - Keith Oliver (NSW) Masters Cyclist of the Year - Female - Elizabeth Randall (VIC) cyclingnews.com Junior Cyclist of the Year - Male Track - Luke Davison (NSW) cyclingnews.com Junior Cyclist of the Year - Female Track - Megan Dunn (NSW) cyclingnews.com Junior Cyclist of the Year - Male Road - Michael Matthews (ACT) cyclingnews.com Junior Cyclist of the Year - Female Road - Lauren Kitchen (NSW) cyclingnews.com Junior Cyclist of the Year - Male MTB - Sam Willoughby (SA) cyclingnews.com Junior Cyclist of the Year - Female MTB - Lauren Reynolds (WA) cyclingnews.com Junior Cyclist of the Year - Male BMX - Sam Willoughby (SA) cyclingnews.com Junior Cyclist of the Year - Female BMX - Caroline Buchanan (ACT) SBS Television Coach of the Year - Brian Stephens Scody 2008 People's Choice Cyclist of the Year - Anna Meares OAM Keith Esson Regional Media Award - Ballarat Courier Cycling Australia Media Awards - Best Photo - John Veage - Fairfax Media Cycling Australia Media Awards - Best Story - Mark Heintz - Ride Cycling Review Australian Sports Commission Cycling Volunteers of the Year ACT – Simon Dwyer NSW – Mike O’Reilly NT – Alex Foster QLD – Stan Brims SA – Eddie Smith Tasmania – David Walker Victoria – David James WA – Robert Barnes BMXA – Barbara Darrell (ACT) Norm Gailey Trophy for Champion State - New South Wales Australian Club Premiership – Carnegie-Caulfield Women’s Tripleplay National Road Series Champion – Carly Hibberd Men’s Tripleplay National Road Series Champion – David Pell SBS Television National Road Teams Series Winner – Praties Cycling Team
For further information (media only) please contact: Gennie Sheer, Sheer Rhetoric , Communications Director, Cycling Australia Tel: +61 (0) 418 863 533 Email: gennie.sheer@cycling.org.au Cycling Australia website www.cycling.org.au
UCI announces Team registration process for 2009 November 21, 2008
The necessary documentation concerning the 2009 UCI MTB Teams registration is available here.
Freecaster video of Adelaide national DH Round - Elite and Junior finals November 17, 2008
"That Computer Bloke's National Mountain Bike Series Downhill Round #1
downhill practice with men and junior men's finals are edited & up
on Freecaster. Also the men's final is up so click on the links below
to check it out!
Finalists in the 2008 Cyclist of the Year Awards November 14, 2008
Cycling Australia is pleased to announce the finalists in the 2008 Cyclist of the Year Awards.
The Awards will be presented at a gala celebration being staged at the Grand Hyatt Melbourne Hotel on Sunday 23 November. The night will culminate with the presentation of the Sir Hubert 'Oppy' Opperman Medal and Trophy to the 2008 Australian Cyclist of the Year.
"I congratulate all the nominees who have been and will continue to be outstanding ambassadors for cycling and for Australia," said Mike Victor OAM, President of Cycling Australia. "We have a wealth of talent in our sport from masters to juniors and across all the disciplines and we continue to rank amongst the world's top nations in the sport.
"I look forward to enjoying a night of celebration to mark the great achievements of our cyclists in 2008."
The complete list of finalists in the respective Award categories are listed below. For more detailed infomation on each of the finalists please go to the Cycling Australia website.
Awards will also be presented in the following categories:
- Australian Sports Commission Volunteers of the Year - Cycling Australia Event Merit Award - Tripleplay National Road Series Champions (men's and women's) - SBS Television National Road Teams Series Champion - Australian Club Premiership - Norm Gailey Trophy for Champion State - Finalists in the 2008 Cyclist of the Year Awards
Toshiba Elite Track Cyclist of the Year - Male Leigh Howard (VIC) Mark Jamieson (TAS) Cameron Meyer (WA)
Toshiba Elite Track Cyclist of the Year - Female Belinda Goss (TAS) Katie Mactier (VIC) Anna Meares OAM (QLD)
Elite Road Cyclist of the Year - Male Cadel Evans (VIC) Simon Gerrans (VIC) Robbie McEwen (QLD)
Elite Road Cyclist of the Year - Female Rochelle Gilmore (NSW) Vicki Whitelaw (ACT) Oenone Wood (ACT)
Elite Mountainbike Cyclist of the Year - Male Jared Graves (QLD) Sam Hill (WA) Nathan Rennie (QLD)
Elite Mountainbike Cyclist of the Year - Female Caroline Buchanan (ACT) Dellys Starr (VIC)
Elite BMX Cyclist of the Year - Male Jared Graves (QLD) Kamakazi (QLD) Luke Madill (NSW)
Elite BMX Cyclist of the Year - Female Tanya Bailey (WA) Nicole Callisto (WA) Melissa Mankowski (NSW)
Para-cyclist of the Year - Male Michael Gallagher (VIC) Kieran Modra OAM & pilot Tyson Lawrence (SA) Chris Scott OAM (QLD)
Para-cyclist of the Year - Female Lindy Hou OAM & pilot Toireasa Gallagher (NSW) Felicity Johnson & pilot Katie Parker (SA) Jayme Paris (NSW)
Masters Cyclist of the Year - Male Ron Boyle (QLD) Peter Coulson (VIC) Keith Oliver (NSW)Masters Cyclist of the Year - Female Michelle Crawford (NSW) Elizabeth Randall (VIC) Janelle Smith (TAS)
cyclingnews.com Junior Cyclist of the Year - Male Track Luke Davison (NSW) Rohan Dennis (SA) Tom Palmer (ACT)
cyclingnews.com Junior Cyclist of the Year - Female Track Ashlee Ankudinoff (NSW) Megan Dunn (NSW) Sarah Kent (WA)
cyclingnews.com Junior Cyclist of the Year - Male Road Luke Durbridge (WA) Michael Freiburg (WA) Michael Matthews (ACT)
cyclingnews.com Junior Cyclist of the Year - Female Road Chloe Hosking (ACT) Lauren Kitchen (NSW) Sophie Ootes (SA)
cyclingnews.com Junior Cyclist of the Year - Male MTB Shaun O’Connor (NSW) Rhys Willemse (QLD) Sam Willoughby (SA)
cyclingnews.com Junior Cyclist of the Year - Female MTB Caroline Buchanan (ACT) Rebecca Henderson (ACT)
cyclingnews.com Junior Cyclist of the Year - Male BMX Josh Callan (VIC) Stevie Janssen (QLD) Sam Willoughby (SA)
cyclingnews.com Junior Cyclist of the Year - Female BMX Rachel Bracken (QLD) Caroline Buchanan (ACT) Lauren Reynolds ( WA)
SBS Television Coach of the Year Darryl Benson Brian Stephens Garry Sutton OAM
Scody 2008 People's Choice Cyclist of the Year The finalists nominated by popular vote are:
Cadel Evans Simon Gerrans Anna Meares Stuart O'Grady
Keith Esson Regional Media Award Ballarat Courier Barossa & Light Herald Sooty Park - Channel 31
Cycling Australia Media Awards - Best Photo Simon Hayes - Bicycling Australia Sarah Reed - Adelaide Advertiser John Veage - Fairfax Media
Cycling Australia Media Awards - Best Story Mark Falahey - SBS Television Mark Heintz - Ride Cycling Review Amanda Lulham - Daily Telegraph
For further information (media only) please contact: Gennie Sheer, Sheer Rhetoric , Communications Director, Cycling Australia Tel: +61 (0) 418 863 533 Email: gennie.sheer@cycling.org.au Cycling Australia website www.cycling.org.au
2009 Felt MTBA Australian Marathon Championships - Entries now open November 10, 2008
Mountain Bike Australia (MTBA) and Big Hill Events are pleased to
announce that entries to the 2009 Felt MTBA Australian Marathon
Championships and Felt Marathon Challenge are now open.
The 2009 Felt MTBA Australian Marathon Championships will be run in
conjunction with the 2009 Felt Marathon Challenge (previously known as
The Gut Full) on Sunday 29 March in Wandong and Mt Disappointment State
Forest, Victoria.
Riders will be able to chose from 100km, 69km and 38km course distance
options ensuring that the event is challenging yet achievable for
riders of all levels. Those who enter the 100km course will be riding
amongst Australia’s top mountain bike riders in the 2009 Felt MTBA
Australian Marathon Championships.
Only one hour from Melbourne, this event offers everything you want
plus a little more… European-style feed stations, on-course bike
servicing, a huge prize pool, supportive and friendly event staff,
affordable race entry, a compressive event website…. and more to come!
With a mix of 4WD tracks, fire roads and great single track the 2009
Felt MTBA Australian Marathon Championships and 2009 Felt Marathon
Challenge is set to reward, thrill and excite!
Riders are encouraged to enter early as the event will be limited to a field of 750 riders. Enter online at www.bighillevents.com.au.
Joint statement concerning DH/4X High Performance Program November 6, 2008
Please read the joint statement from Cycling Australia and MTBA
concerning the departure of Scott Sharples from the DH/4X High
Performance program and the future for the program.
Just two months after making the finals of the BMX race at the Beijing Olympics, Jared Graves (Toowoomba) has returned to mountain biking. Graves won the first national series downhill race in Adelaide today. The 25 year old had a clean run to win in a time of 2 min 2.44 sec.
“I made some mistakes up the top it’s getting a bit blown out and sandy but I had a good solid bottom and had good legs to the line. There are a few things to work on after twelve months off the bike (downhill) but I’m very happy," said Graves. "I’m starting to feel like my old self on the bike. I haven’t done a lot on the bike."
After switching from Four Cross to BMX in the lead up to the Olympics, Graves found the return to mountain bike a lot tougher than expected.
“I’m really struggling with anything over 30 seconds,” he admitted. “People think you’re going to strong but I’m suffering like nothing before at the moment.”
Always analytical, Graves still plans to improve his downhill skills and will race the next national round on the Gold Coast.
“There are definitely things I’ve got to work on. They put on a great race here in Adelaide and it’s nice to walk away with the win. I’ll be doing all the series this year.”
Western Australian riders Ben Bell ( ) and Mitchell Delfs (Gracetown) finished in second and third respectively. Canberra elite, Ben Cory placed third while first placed Adelaide rider was the experienced Craig Yates.
Graves qualified fastest today in the seeding run with 2 min 3.31 sec.
Two-time World Champion, Sam Hill from Perth had mechanical trouble in the rock garden and was unable to pedal in the final section of the course. Hill qualified in 67th position leaving him out of the top 40 riders to get into the final run.
However, for spectators from all over Australia, Hill rode the course for a demonstration run and posted a time of 2 min 3.67 sec.
Winner at Eagle Mountain Bike Park in the last national series, Will Rischbieth from Adelaide placed a creditable 7th in 2.06.11.
In the short course cross country Victorian Tory Thomas won the women’s race while Canberra’s 19 year old, Nathan Haas, won the elite race.
The next national round will be on the Gold Coast at the end of November.
Downhill Elite Men 1st Jared Graves #14 Toowoomba Qld ( 2.02.44) 2nd Ben Bell # 50 Perth WA (2.03.77) 3rd Mitchell Delfs #35 Gracetown WA (2.04.87) 4th Ben Cory # 5 Canberra ACT (2.05.15) 5th Craig Yates # 8 Adelaide, SA (2.05.64)
Downhill Elite 1st Clair Whiteman #1Canberra, ACT (2.30.36) 2nd Leigh Douglas #11 (2.34.80) 3rd Sarah Booth #6 South Australia (2.35.40)
Regards, Sharon Payne Media Manager Mountain Bike Australia Mob +61 (0) 412 773500 sharon@bikemedia.com.au
Missing Olympic talent squad no worries for Willett - Australian XCO#1 November 1, 2008
After missing out on applying for the mountain bike talent for the London 2012 Olympics, Jodie Willett aims to put herself up for selection after winning the first national series event in Adelaide today. The 31 year old from Brisbane passed the early leaders Zoe King (Manly) and Tory Thomas (Mt Beauty).
Willett won by 30 seconds to beat former national champion, Thomas, after passing her just before the finals and fourth lap. Willett secured a new course record in 1 hour 33 min 42 sec. The fastest lap was early race leader, King in a time of 23 min 2 sec.
After placing second in last year’s national event in Adelaide, Willett was keen to make amends.
“I got second last year here last year and I really like the course so it was good to get the win,” stated Willett.
Evan after passing Thomas with just one lap remaining Willett did not rest.
“She (Thomas) is not the sort of rider you can pass and she cracks,” explained Willett. “I knew I had the win on the last climb.”
After missing out on being part of a national program called “Dirt Roads to London” Willett did not let it deter her from aiming at the London Olympics in four years time.
In the elite men’s cross country, national champion, Chris Jongewaard, secured a strong lead in the first of seven laps. Jongewaard eventually won in a record time of 2 hr 18 min 34 sec a clear 3 and a half minutes from his nearest. Brisbane’s Aiden Lefmann was in second place until the final lap when he was overtaken by Canberra’s young gun, Ben Henderson. Jongewaard claimed the fastest lap an astonishing 18 min.34 sec.
Jongewaard praised the local clubs and said he will take a well- deserved break from the sport and reassess his season.
An unlucky puncture followed by a crash saw Canberra’s Shaun Lewis exit from the race while in a fourth place.
Four hundred and eighty riders from all states in Australia have headed to Eagle Mountain Bike Park this weekend. Cross Country racing continues tomorrow with short course at 10 am and racing in the downhill gets underway at 1 pm. Two-time Downhill World Champion, Sam Hill from Perth, will race for the first time in Australia and for his first time in Adelaide tomorrow.
For further information, interviews, photos contact:
Sharon Payne Media Manager Mountain Bike Australia Mob +61 (0) 412 773500 sharon@bikemedia.com.au
Selection Documents for 2009 UCI World Championships October 29, 2008
Cycling Australia has released the selection document for rider selection to represent Australia at the 2009 UCI World MTB Championships, to be held in Canberra 1-6 September 2009.
We encourage any athletes who wish to be considered for selection to read the requirements. Any questions concerning the selection document can be directed to Paul Brosnan.
The updated AGM agenda is available below. The main addition is the inclusion into "Other Business" of a discussion on the concept of date reservation for events and the establishment of an event hierarchy.
The discussion paper available here has information on this issue.
Red Ass Australian Four Cross Rounds start the mountain bike season October 14, 2008
The Australian mountain bike season kicks off at the Sydney Olympic Park this weekend with two round of four cross. Rounds one and two of four cross will be conducted at the Monster Mountain Cross track as part of the Festival of Cycling.
Last year’s winner and National Champion, Caroline Buchanan from Canberra will return but to four cross after featuring on the World Cup podium this season. Buchanan won the World Cup round in Canberra in August but will be challenged by Brisbane’s Sarsha Huntington.
The elite men’s field will see last year’s winner at Sydney Olympic Park, Leigh Darrell from Canberra however the in-form World Cup bronze medallist from Canberra, Thomas Hubert from Maitland will be tough to beat. Just two weeks ago, Hubert claimed silver at the NSW BMX Championships in Macarthur.
Red Ass Mexican Food sponsor and rider, Albert Bacci (Concord) will line up in the masters men's division and will be challenged by Western Sydney's Steven Humphreys. Divisions range from Under 15 to veteran.
Over 200 mountain cross riders are expected over the two day event plus BMX racing will be held on the newly opened Monster BMX track alongside on Sunday.
Sponsors for the first two rounds include Red Ass Mexican Food, Anaconda, POW Gloves and Bern Helmets. Riders and spectators are in for two fiery days at Sydney Olympic Park.
Junior categories $35 online per round, $60 cash registration on the day;
Senior categories $44 online, $70 on the day.
There are also offers to race both rounds.
For media queries contact: Sharon Payne Media Manager Mountain Bike Australia Mob +61 (0) 412 773500 sharon@bikemedia.com.au
Solo rider, Jason English and Team GU Sram Nite Riders take out the 2008 Scott 24 hour Australian Mountain Bike Championship October 12, 2008
27 year old, Jason English of Port Macquarie has been crowned “solo king of the hill” after taking out the 2008 Scott 24 hour Mountain Bike race finishing 28 laps of the course in 23:58:06. The Scott 24’s, 2007 champion, Andrew Bell of Melbourne placed second on the podium completing 27 laps in 24: 21: 08, with current European 24 hour champion, Zdenek Kriz of the Czech Republic placing third completing 26 laps, in 24: 27: 28.
It is has been a massive year for the Sydney (Penrith) born, English who also took out 24 hour Australian Solo Championships in March, to then back up and win this weekend’s endurance race.
“The race plan from the start was to keep an eye on everyone but to ride my own race,” said bleary eyed English.
“The quality of the riders at the moment is amazing and Australia continues to produce some of the best 24 hour mountain bike riders in the world.
“I look forward to sleeping the entire way back to Port Macquarie!
“The hour glass course worked especially for the amount of riders on the track and as the courses are shorter it enabled crew contact more often, which really helps when you’re out there by yourself.
“I would love to see a 24 hour World Championships here in Canberra sometime soon,” said English.
In the elite teams, the master combination of Chris Jongewaard, Sid Taberlay, Brent Miller and Perren Delacour racing for ‘Team GU Sram Nite Riders”, have also won their event category in style crossing the finish line in first, completing 37 laps of the course in 24:16:42, ten minutes ahead of World Champion, James Williamson’s team, “Swell Spank” who also completed 27 laps in 24:25:42.Team Merida Flight Centre finished in third place completing 32 laps of the course in 22:20:16.
With the GU team on the lighter side this morning after having team member Chris Jongewaard jump on a plane to race this afternoon’s Herald Sun Criterium in Melbourne, the remaining crew noted the difference in losing of their team mate.
“It was the toughest 24 hour I have done in quite a few years and we had to move away from our usual race plan with Chris flying out to Melbourne this morning,” said Canberra star Brent Miller.
“With only three men remaining the night life became pretty hectic for all of us, but hey, now our gang is finished and Chris is still riding this afternoon.”
Tasmania’s own international star Sid Taberley made up the remaining GU team alongside Perren Delacour.
“We all raced really well, I think between Perren, Chris, Brent and myself it is time for a decent rest.
“I thought I had laid off a bit in yesterdays prologues but in hindsight I may have gone out to hard too early but then I did take out some of the fastest laps in the 24 as well, so all is good,” said Taberley.
In the women’s’ solo division, Victoria’s Jessica Douglas claimed victory completing 21 laps in 23:05:03, with Phillipa Rostin finishing 19 laps in 24:08:11 and Penny Dustow of Casuarina (NSW) finishing her 24 hour journey, completing 18 laps in 23:19:24
“A 24 hour solo is like giving birth really super painful and you know there is a reward at the end of it but there is no way you would turn around and do it again straight away," said an elated Douglas.
Perfect weather conditions were seen right throughout the championships with a spectator crowd reaching over 6000 to cheer on over 2200 endurance riders across the course of the weekend.
Complete results can be found at www.scott24hour.com.au
Note: All times are in 24 hour.
FFI please contact Anna Wallin of IRPR on 0408 832 999 or email awallin@irpr.com.au
Jongeward crushes Taberlay in fastest lap prologue at the Scott 24 hour Australian Mountain Bike Championship October 11, 2008
Australian highest ranked UCI World Cup competitor, Chris Jongeward has taken out the fastest time at this year’s prologue race, ahead of today’s Scott 24 Hour Australian Mountain Bike Championship. Jongeward finished 12 seconds ahead of 2007 Champion and team mate, Sid Taberlay with Canberra’s own rising star Ben Henderson coming in third.
Jongeward, who is racing the 24 hour championships with GU Sram Niteriders, bolted out onto out starting straight, literally smashing the course that lay ahead of him. Going into this morning’s prologue, the Adelaide based rider stated that he was keen to make up as much time as possible in the early stages of the race, a tactic which proved fruitful.
“I started behind Ben Henderson and my aim was to try and catch him and bin him, this didn’t happen, I managed to miss a few corners but still came home with the best time,” said Jongeward.
“It is a super technical course and I found I had to work my arms more than my legs in order to pull off a win, it was a matter of staying upright keeping strong to the end.
“It was a great course, I had a great morning and hopefully my good form stays around and we can pull of a win for Team GU in the 24 hour.”
Sid Taberley who conceded defeat was still positive about this morning’s outcome.
“I guess we are still on the same team, so a win is a win, my priority this morning was to preserve my energy for the big race.”
In the women race Sydneysider, Zoe King claimed victory with a mere five second lead on WA’s, Jo Bennett , while Bec Henderson of Canberra proved that her brother is not the only talent in the family placing third.
“It was really exciting the prologue was a great way to start the day’s racing, I can’t believe the crowd numbers, it’s pretty daunting having so many people watching the race!
“The race was great fun, but there was a lot of climbing which made the descents worthwhile, overall I found the course here at Stromlo really challenging.
King who has been the shining star of the Australian Sports Commission's "Dirt Roads to London" talent identification and development program also attributed her race win today on the experience she has gain training in Europe across the last year.
“I have been training in overseas for the last twelve months and I think it has paid off, I found I managed to make up a lot of time on the hills today.”
All eyes now turn to the course for the start of the 2008 Scott 24 hour Australian Mountain Bike Championship, where 2007 winner, Andrew Bell will attempt to defend his solo title, with team GU Sram Nite riders have fully voiced their intention to retaining their status as Kings of the Hill.
Top three finish times Men Chris Jongeward (SA) 30.46.99 Sid Taberlay (TAS) 30.58.99 Ben Henderson (ACT) 31.22.85
Women Zoe King (NSW) 37.56.97 Jo Bennett (WA) 38.02.60 Bec Henderson (Act) 39.01.08
For further information visit http://www.scott24hr.com.au/ or contact Anna Wallin of IRPR on 0408 832 999 or email awallin@irpr.com.au or Kimberlee Phillip (on ground) on 0405 675 583
Andrew Bell on track for back to back 24 hour title - SCOTT 24hr October 9, 2008
The cream of Australia’s mountain bike community will descend upon Canberra’s Stromlo Forrest Park this weekend to battle it out for the title of King and Queen of the Scott 24 hour Australian Mountain bike Championships, with 2007 champion Andrew Bell returning to the course to defend his 2007 title.
Melbourne based rider, Bell has podium'ed in both 2006 and 2007 with silver and gold respectively, and is currently full swing into his race preparation and ready to travel up north to Canberra.
“One of the keys to riding a good 24 hour solo race is the bike preparation and my preference is to look after the mechanical side myself. I think the better understanding you have of your own equipment the greater the advantage,” said Bell.
“Working on my bike helps to ensure that the set up will suit my riding style and the course. With 24 hour races comfort is definitely one of the most important parts of a successful campaign.
“With endurance racing you need to have patience and be tactical when racing. It is about consistency and timing, you need to conserve energy wherever possible.
“After years of racing 24 hour events I have developed a race formula that works for me, you need to know your body very well, to know when to push or when enough is enough.” said Bell.
In a race that will see elite competitors only stop for few seconds every couple of laps for food and perhaps a bike change, or maybe a little longer to put on lights and change their riding kit, the aim of the game is to clock up as many laps as possible on the two lap course.
According to current world 24 hour Champion, James Williamson the key to racing is in the preparation both mentally and physically. Williamson who won the 24 hour solo division in 2006 in Australia will be competing in the men’s elite teams division for the Swell Spank team alongside Shaun Lewis (ACT), Matt Flemming (NSW South Coast) and Andrew Blair (Cooma).
In July 2008, Williamson became the solo 24 hour world Champion in Canmore, Canada alongside a host of Aussies which took out the top four podium positions in the men’s solo category.
“One of the toughest parts of racing for me is coming into nightfall” said the 23 year old Canberra local.
“It is at this point that you have been on the bike for a fair while and then you know you have to face riding all night. It is well after midnight before you start thinking about the light at the end of the tunnel.
“Physically at this stage I don’t feel ready enough to take on another solo race. Endurance racing takes it out of you for a few months and preparation can be difficult sometimes.
“The competition in the teams racing is definitely strong for this weekend, when you look at the elite men’s team start list, we are in for a great race,” said Williamson.
Teams to look out for include team Rockstar Racing headlined by Craig Gordon, one of Australia’s leading MTB enduro riders. In 2007 Gordon won every marathon race he entered, including the National Marathon MTB Championships in Coffs Harbour.
While Australian World Cup campaigner Chris Jongeward will be leading team GU Sram Niteriders into battle alongside Sid Taberlay, who will be defending his fastest lap crown from 2007, other team members include Brent Miller and Perren Delacour.
Kicking off the weekend will be something new with the traditional ‘fastest lap’ being replaced by a Saturday morning prologue style time race. Thirty of Australia’s top cross country riders will take on one lap of the course in a bid for the title. The rider who finishes with the fastest time must then complete a minimum of four laps of the 24 hours course to be crowned Speed King and Queen of Stromlo.
The starter’s gun for the 24 hour race will be fired at midday on October 11; riders will then compete solo or in teams of up to ten, and are on a mission to complete the most laps in the 24 hour period.
It has been estimated that the majority of riders will take approximately one hour to complete one course respectively, across the 24 hour period the solo riders will then subject themselves to over 400 kilometres of cross country riding.
Riders will take on a track that is shaped in an hourglass configuration, with two separate laps, the Red and Blue.
The distances have been increased slightly this year with each lap now measuring 15 and 13 kilometres respectively, along with some new features and man-made obstacles that have been added.
Both laps have been described as being completely different in character. The Red lap goes to the top of the mountain with a long sustained climb, but then the payback is an incredible 10 minute descent back to transition.
The Blue lap has a similar amount of climbing, but spaced out over the course of the lap. It’s probably a little more technical, but similarly has descending payback. With one of the biggest challenges in the team events being “who does which lap”, as well as keeping count of which colour lap your next rider has to head out on.
Over the weekend an estimated 8000 riders and spectators alike will enjoy a range of exciting entertainment including stunt rides and demonstrations as well as a trade show showcasing the latest must-have mountain biking accessories, gadgets, and bikes.
MTBA releases details of Team arrangements for 2008-2009 National Season October 8, 2008
The details and registration details to form a Team to contest the 2008-2009 National MTB Season have been released. The Team nomination form and background information documents are available here.
2008 Simpson Desert Bike Challenge - Update 2 October 6, 2008
There have been tough years in the past, but in 2008 the Simpson Desert finally won. On the 4th day of the race temperatures in the low 40s and a head wind of up to 90kph took out the only two riders still eligible for the treasured 100% completion medallion. Not a single rider was able to complete the full distance maintaining the required 12kph average speed. In the 22 year history of the race this is the first time that the Desert has managed a clean sweep.
Riders receive a time penalty for uncompleted distance, rather than being eliminated. So there was still a race winner - Lynton Stretton of Queensland, who was also the oldest rider to reach Birdsville. The very determined Warren Quinn, urged on in spirit by a number of previous riders from Parkes NSW, came up to second overall, nudging out Heinz von Holzen from Bali. Slovakian rider Roman Petr hung on for 4th. Stretton won the 50-59yr category, Quinn the 40-49yr category and William Bird (SA) took the 30-39yr category.
This morning's traditional finish at the historic Birdsville Hotel has never been more welcome for a group of exhausted riders. This year's race is one to tell their grandchildren about!
Red Ass Australian 4X Series Rounds 1 and 2 October 3, 2008
Each year Mountain Bike Australia summons the best mountain bikers of Australia for the national mountain bike season and Australian National Championships. The National 4-Cross Rounds 1 & 2 return to Sydney Olympic Park’s “Monster track” on the “Spring Cycling Festival”-weekend of 18 & 19 October 2008, this year sponsored by Red Ass Mexican Food.
“We are looking forward to seeing our Mexican meals at the Nationals this year. Such a hardcore sport calls for some hearty food”, says owner of the Sydney-based food company and passionate Masters 3&4 4X racer Albert Bacci.
Four cross is a specific type of mountain bike racing and one of the four disciplines in the National Series, also known as ‘mountain cross’. Inspired by BMX racing, this event pits four riders on the same course from starting gates to finish.
“The venues for the Australian MTB Series again have been chosen as being high-profile in exciting locations and hosted by very capable event promoters, and as usual the courses have been selected to be fun, achievable and interesting”, says Tony Scott, Executive Officer of MTBA.
The Monster track was built for the Olympic Games in Sydney and is one of the best and most popular tracks in Australia. Spectators will have excellent views of the entire track from any point of the event centre and organisers expect more than 100 riders per day.
Registration will be open at 8am until 9am on both days and practice will be from 9 until 12. First Heats or Motos will start at 12:00 hours and both riders and spectators are some fiery two days at Sydney Olympic Park – no doubt the Red Ass Gringo food will contribute to that…
2008 Simpson Desert Bike Challenge - Update 1 October 3, 2008
After 3 days (6 stages) and a total distance of 383km, just 2 riders have been able to complete 100% of race distance. Leading the event is first-timer, but experienced enduro rider, Lynton STRETTON (rider #14) of Queensland from the 50-59 year category. An hour and 19 minutes behind is race veteran Heinz von HOLZEN (rider #2) from Bali. Heinz turns 50 later this year. After the success of the oldest rider in 2007, Bruce Wood, it seems that riding smart and knowing what your body can handle is the secret to success in this arduous adventure race. In 3rd place, at 355km (93% of race distance) is another "mature rider" - Warren QUINN (rider #7) from Parkes, NSW. And a very creditable 4th place, at 325km (85% of race distance) is being held by former Crocodile Trophy competitor Roman PETR (rider #3) from Slovakia.
Race conditions have been hot (41 degrees today and less than 5% humidity) and sandy, with track conditions similar to the tough 2007 race. Unfortunately this has caused an existing shoulder injury for Mt Isa adventure rider Ron WHITEHEAD (rider #15) to flare up and force him out of the race. Also suffering under the tough conditions were the father and son pairing of Lawrence and Emerson REECE, both first-time entrants, from Paradise Waters, Qld.
Tomorrow will see riders tackling the gibber plains and corrugated tracks from the southern end of the old Birdsville track heading north. Day 4 of the SDBC is often when all the effort from previous days catches up with some riders, while others (especially experienced roadies) revel in the less sandy but stony terrain. However, the weather is expected to be possibly hotter, the UV will be extreme, and it will be a very tough day for all riders and supporters.
Big guns set for ultimate endurance test at the 2008 Scott 24 hour Australian Mountain Bike Championship October 3, 2008
Celebrating a decade of dirt October 11-12 Canberra
International stars and Aussies alike will descend upon Canberra’s Stromlo Forest Park next weekend to take part in the Scott 24 hour Australian Mountain Championship, with more than 8,000 riders and spectators expected to hit Canberra for the event, which is now celebrating a decade of dirt.
Elite riders lining up to take on the dirt and dust across a 24 hours period include current World 24 hour solo Champion James Williamson, 2007 winner Andrew Bell, Australia’s highest World Cup ranked male Chris Jongewaard and German 24 hours champion, Gerald Bauer.
Founded in 1999 “The Scott 24” is a two-day mountain biking event, widely referred to as the Woodstock of mountain biking. For a 24 hour period, over 2,000 riders converge on Stromlo Forest Park to have their skills and endurance tested over one of the most demanding courses in Australia.
Kicking off at midday on October 11, riders compete solo or in teams of up to ten, and are on a mission to complete the most laps in the 24 hour period. Riders will take on a track that is shaped in an hourglass configuration, with two separate laps, the Red and Blue.
Both laps have been described as being completely different in character. The Red lap goes to the top of the mountain with a long sustained climb, but then the payback is an incredible 10 minute descent back to transition.
The Blue lap has a similar amount of climbing, but spaced out over the course of the lap. It’s probably a little more technical, but similarly has descending payback. With one of the biggest challenges in the team events being “who does which lap”, as well as keeping count of which color lap your next rider has to head out on.
The distances have been increased slightly this year with each lap now measuring 15 and 13 kilometres respectively, along with some new features and man-made obstacles that have been added.
Over the weekend, riders and spectators will enjoy a range of exciting entertainment including stunt rides and demonstrations as well as a trade show showcasing the latest must-have mountain biking accessories, gadgets, and bikes.
For further information visit http://www.scott24hr.com.au/ or contact Anna Wallin of IRPR on 0408 832 999 or email awallin@irpr.com.au or Kimberlee Phillip (on ground) on 0405 675 583
AGM Notice - November 1 2008, Quality Hotel, Tiffins on the Park, SA September 30, 2008
At
the January 2008 AGM in Canberra a motion was put and passed for a
change to the financial year for MTBA to change from a calendar year to
a financial year. One of the implications of this is that 2008 will
have two AGMs - the second one being held in conjunction with the
Adelaide round of the National Series. The AGM for the 2008/2009
financial year will be held at the Quality Hotel, Tiffins on the Park,
176 Greenhill Road, Parkside SA at 7.30pm on Saturday 1st November.
At this meeting the current MTBA executive will stand down and a new
executive and MTB format rider representatives will be elected. The AGM
will also endorse nominations for representatives from each State and
Territory to sit on the MTBA Management Committee.
MTBA Executive and MTB format rider representative nomination forms
are available now from the MTBA website. Nominations for the positions
are due into MTBA by October 24th 2008.
If you are wondering what is involved in holding a position on the
MTBA Executive then have a look at the "MTBA Management Committee Roles
and Responsibilities" available on the Policies and Documents section on the MTBA website. As a quick check though there are some basic requirements an executive member must have:
Access to the internet, preferably at home.
An email address which they check frequently, at least daily.
A commitment to respond to emails about MTBA matters, at least within a few days.
Make
a commitment to the role by allocating time to the work involved, which
is largely reading emails, reading material and responding.
The 8 State and Territory representatives, who form part of the
overall Management Committee of MTBA, will be elected at
State/Territory level and their recommendations will be put to the AGM
for ratification. There will be no elections for State representatives
from the floor at the AGM.
Federal Government makes available funds to help Volunteers September 16, 2008
A Volunteer Grants Program 2008 has been released to provide funding for eligible not-for-profit organisations to support their volunteers and encourage volunteering by: * purchasing small equipment and sporting items to help their existing volunteers and to encourage more people to become volunteers * contributing towards fuel costs incurred in their volunteering work, such as when using their cars to transport others to activities, deliver food and assist people in need.
SOUTH AFRICAN GREG MINNAAR BREAKS AUSSIE HEARTS WITH FINAL RUN WORLD CUP VICTORY AT CANBERRA’S MT STROMLO.
South African downhiller Greg Minnaar broke the hearts of local fans twice in one day, pipping Australian Nathan Rennie on the final run, and also grabbing the lead of the UCI Mountain Bike World Cup at Canberra’s Mt Stromlo.
Rennie had the crowd in a frenzy with his dashing 2min46.02second descent of Mt Stromlo – only to have his teammate Minnaar eclipse his time by 4.68seconds on the final run of the day. World champion Britain’s Gee Atherton was third, with Perth’s Sam Hill surrendering his World Cup lead with a disappointing 11th place.
“The Springboks stopped the Australians in the rugby last night and I did again today,” said Minnaar. “I’m sorry to rub it in – but it’s great to win and get the World Cup lead.
Gold Coast’s Rennie looked like he might have snatched the win, with two riders to run on the 2.2km course. His chances improved when Brit Steve Peat nearly crashed within sight of the finish.
“I was feeling pretty confident at that point,” said Rennie, a former World Cup champion. “I knew Greg was strong, but when I saw Steve stack it, I knew I was up there with a good chance.
“In the end – he had it on the day. I had a really solid run until the finish straight – but the last part of the track was so heavy, my legs were killing me. I could barely get over the final jump,” he added.
Over 9,000 spectators turned out on a cold and wet day to watch the event, where riders descend a mountain littered with jumps, tight bends and boulders – racing against the clock.
Early morning rain, doused the track, and the further showers through out the day, made the final 500 metres a steely test of strength for the tiring riders.
Minnaar laid the foundations for his victory with a smooth run through the technical top section of the course, employing some superior fitness to gain the winning edge through final sloppy mud.
“I knew I to put it together to win today,” said Minnaar, who has now notched up three World Cup wins for the season. “I tried to conserve my energy at the top of the course and when I got down I just stepped on the gas.”
Minnaar’s win elevates him to the top of the World Cup standings with a narrow lead over Australia’s reigning World Cup champion Hill. Atherton lies third and Peat fourth. Rennie’s second place takes him to seventh. The final round takes place in Austria in two weeks.
WOMEN’S DOWN HILL
Power pedaling, an ‘uncool’ body suit and some inside knowledge have boosted Britain’s Tracey Moseley to victory in the women’s UCI World Cup downhill.
Moseley conquered the 2.2km wet and sticky decent from Mount Stromlo, beating world champion and fellow countrywoman Rachel Atherton by 4.08seconds, with French former world champion Sabrina Jonnier a further 4.23 seconds behind in third. The best placed Australian was Carolyn Buchanan in 13th position 30.42seconds off the pace.
Mosley later attributed the narrowest of victories to the wearing of a tight body hugging skin suit – scorned by other women riders for being “totally uncool” in the mountain bike world.
“I always get shit for wearing this suit – it doesn’t look cool – but I know wearing it makes a difference,” said 28-year-old Moseley.
Atherton was not convinced the suit would make a difference.
“It’s a bit of a touchy subject,” said 20 year old Atherton. “ If you ask any of the girls you don’t see them busting out skin suits, because that’s not what we feel like doing.
“If you win, we want it to be on skill and training and stuff like that. Fair enough to Tracey, if she wants to do that to win. But for the sport and the longevity of the sport to wear cool race kit and to make an image for yourself is more important than the odd win here and there.”
Looking for extra hundredths of a second, Moseley also reduced her tyre pressure today to gain better traction in the rocky and wet conditions. And a reconnaissance mission on the Canberra course, when she competed and won at the Australian National titles, also aided her victory over Atherton who leads the pointscore.
“One of the reason’s I came in January was to check out the track for this round and the world championships next year,” said Atherton. “Winning on this track in January gave me a lot confidence for today.”
Moseley was the most consistent performers over the course. She won the semifinals in 3mins.06.99, but was unable to improve her finals time (3min10.43secs), due to steady rain leaving standing water on the course, and turning the sandy soil on the sections to sticky mud.
She attacked the top with power and finesse, giving her the vital speed to carry over the many lower jumps and drops. When the course leveled out, she had the strength to drive her way through the slop to the line.
“The wet weather made the course tricker. The first rocks were good, but it got very slippery. The grip was better than I thought – but the spring to the finish was brutal. The bottom was the most horrendous slog I’ve ever done.”
Atherton continues to lead the world cup standings from Jonnier, with Moseley third.
Women’s Final
1. 2 MOSELEY Tracy GBR KONA 3:10.43 200 Course length : 2200 m - Average Speed : 41.59 Kmh 2. 11 ATHERTON Rachel GBR ANIMAL COMMENCAL 3:14.51 +4.08 160 3. 1 JONNIER Sabrina FRA TEAM MAXXIS 3:14.66 +4.23 140 4. 10 GRIFFITHS Fionn GBR NORCO WORLD TEAM 3:23.90 + 13.47 125 5. 4 RAGOT Emmeline FRA SUSPENSION CENTER 3:24.41 + 13.98 110 6. 16 MACLEOD Sheryl NZL 3:24.85 + 14.42 95 7. 7 SUEMASA Mio JPN MS-INTENSE FACTORY-RACING 3:24.92 + 14.49 90 8. 8 GASKELL Helen GBR 3:26.57 + 16.14 85 9. 9 PUGIN Floriane FRA PLAYBIKER - IRON HORSE 3:27.49 + 17.06 80 10. 12 MOLCIK Anita AUT 4 ELEMENTS YET 0.0 3:30.97 + 20.54 75 11. 25 HAGEN Scarlett NZL 3:33.66 + 23.23 71 12. 13 MARGGRAFF Diana ECU 3:34.74 + 24.31 67 13. 22 BUCHANAN Caroline ° AUS 3:40.85 + 30.42 63 14. 15 FRUHWIRTH Helene Valer AUT 3:44.00 + 33.57 59 15. 17 WHITEMAN Claire AUS 3:44.97 + 34.54 55 16. 18 DOUGLAS Leigh CAN 3:45.60 + 35.17 52 17. 19 SMITH Cara AUS 3:46.81 + 36.38 49 18. 14 NZL19820106 LAIRD Amy NZL 3:46.93 + 36.50 46 19. 20 AUS19730119 FOX Joanne AUS 4:11.05 +1:00.62 43 23 BOER Julia HUN DNF
Men’s Final 1. 27 MINNAAR Greg RSA SANTA CRUZ SYNDICATE 2:41.34 200 Course length : 2200 m - Average Speed : 49.09 Kmh 2. 13 RENNIE Nathan AUS SANTA CRUZ SYNDICATE 2:46.02 +4.68 160 3. 4 ATHERTON Gee GBR ANIMAL COMMENCAL 2:47.00 +5.66 140 4. 8 BAREL Fabien FRA SUBARU MOUNTAIN BIKE PRO 2:47.64 +6.30 125 5. 24 KOVARIK Chris AUS CHAIN REACTION CYCLE 2:48.38 +7.04 110 6. 20 NEETHLING Andrew RSA GT BICYCLES 2:48.67 +7.33 95 7. 3 PEAT Steve GBR SANTA CRUZ SYNDICATE 2:48.78 +7.44 90 8. 34 RANDO Jared AUS GIANT MOUNTAIN BIKE TEAM 2:49.19 +7.85 85 9. 40 ATKINSON Bryn AUS GT BICYCLES 2:49.39 +8.05 80 10. 23 BLENKINSOP Samuel NZL YETI FOX SHOX FACTORY RAC 2:50.01 +8.67 75 11. 1 HILL Samuel AUS MONSTER ENERGY 2:50.53 +9.19 71 12. 5 BEAUMONT Marc GBR TEAM BIKE RADAR 2:51.11 +9.77 67 13. 29 POLC Filip SVK KENDA TOMAC 2:51.12 +9.78 63 14. 18 ATHERTON Dan GBR ANIMAL COMMENCAL 2:51.30 +9.96 59 15. 22 LEOV Justin NZL YETI FOX SHOX FACTORY RAC 2:51.55 + 10.21 55 16. 42 GRACIA Cédric FRA COMMENCAL - FURIOUS - OAK 2:51.96 + 10.62 52 17. 25 CANALS FLIX Pasqual ESP MASSI 2:53.36 + 12.02 49 18. 43 DONOGHUE Neil GBR TEAM BIKE RADAR 2:53.47 + 12.13 46 19. 30 COLE Cameron NZL TEAM MAXXIS 2:54.01 + 12.67 43 20. 33 CAVALIER Amiel AUS GIANT MOUNTAIN BIKE TEAM 2:54.29 + 12.95 40 21. 12 FAIRCLOUGH Brendan GBR MONSTER ENERGY 2:54.67 + 13.33 37 22. 39 STROBEL Luke USA TEAM MAXXIS 2:55.20 + 13.86 34 23. 41 SIMMONDS Matthew GBR CHAIN REACTION CYCLE 2:56.09 + 14.75 32 24. 14 PEDEMANAUD Fabien FRA TEAM PYRENEES MOREWOOD 2:56.74 + 15.40 31 25. 37 MASTERS Wyn NZL 2:56.95 + 15.61 30 26. 52 CORY Benjamin AUS 2:57.67 + 16.33 29 27. 53 SCOLES Matthew NZL 2:57.74 + 16.40 28 28. 46 EATON Tim AUS 2:57.80 + 16.46 27 29. 78 MILLS Andrew AUS 2:58.19 + 16.85 26 30. 26 BENNETT Kieran NZL 2:58.65 + 17.31 25 31. 60 SIMS Daniel NZL 2:58.77 + 17.43 24 32. 35 DELFS Mitchell AUS KENDA TOMAC 2:58.92 + 17.58 23 33. 47 CUNNINGHAM Ruaridh GBR CHAIN REACTION CYCLE 2:59.38 + 18.04 22 34. 44 STANBRIDGE Dan GBR MOJO ORANGE 2:59.51 + 18.17 35. 49 RISCHBIETH Will AUS 2:59.62 + 18.28 20 36. 68 MACDONALD Brook ° NZL 2:59.78 + 18.44 19 37. 45 MCGREGOR Hayden NZL 3:00.11 + 18.77 18 38. 62 BOYER Ricky AUS 3:00.82 + 19.48 17 39. 64 KELLY Brad AUS 3:01.41 + 20.07 16 40. 72 BARRETT Aari ° NZL 3:01.56 + 20.22 15 41. 31 BEGGIN Alan ITA 3:01.76 + 20.42 14 42. 36 MILIVINTI Marco ITA 3:02.02 + 20.68 13 43. 32 CATHRO Ben GBR MOJO ORANGE 3:03.58 + 22.24 12 44. 55 MURRELL Darcy AUS 3:04.40 + 23.06 11 45. 71 PATTON Tom ° AUS 3:04.82 + 23.48 10 46. 79 YATES Craig AUS 3:06.08 + 24.74 9 47. 82 LEE Richard AUS 3:06.50 + 25.16 8 48. 75 VINCENT Matthew ° AUS 3:06.51 + 25.17 7 49. 66 SWANN Alex AUS 3:06.63 + 25.29 6 50. 77 LEACOCK Richard ° NZL 3:07.07 + 25.73 5 51. 54 MASTERS Edward NZL 3:07.18 + 25.84 5 52. 76 PROHM Dylan ° AUS 3:07.85 + 26.51 5 53. 61 EICHHORN Cody AUS 3:09.21 + 27.87 5 54. 69 MURRELL Tamryn ° AUS TOMAC FACTORY RACING 3:10.86 + 29.52 5 55. 58 SHARRATT Nathan NZL 3:11.46 + 30.12 5 56. 65 WOOD Brendan AUS 3:11.83 + 30.49 5 57. 74 ALLEN Joseph NZL 3:12.60 + 31.26 5 58. 48 RENNIE James NZL 3:13.33 + 31.99 5 59. 67 HEPPELL Isaac AUS 3:14.03 + 32.69 5 60. 51 MEILINK Daniel NZL 3:15.36 + 34.02 5 61. 59 POWER Thomas IRL 3:16.78 + 35.44 5 62. 80 ROBERTSON Campbell ° NZL 3:20.70 + 39.36 5 63. 70 GARCIA AROS Alexi Feli ° CHI 3:30.93 + 49.59 5 64. 56 BUTTON Joshua AUS 3:34.85 + 53.51 5 65. 81 O'CONNOR Shaun ° AUS SANTA CRUZ SYNDICATE 4:13.18 +1:31.84
Canberra World Cup -4X August 31, 2008
GRAVES EASE OLYMPIC DISAPPOINTMENT WITH WORLD CUP FOUR CROSS VICTORY. BUCHANAN’S VICTORY GIVES AUSTRALIA A FOUR CROSS DOUBLE
Olympian Jared Graves lead Australia to an historic clean sweep in the men’s UCI Mountain Bike World Cup Four Cross (4X) at Canberra’s Mt Stromlo, easing the pain of a Beijing BMX disappointment.
School girl and Australian 4X champion Carolyn Buchanan made it an all Australian double when she won her first World Cup event beating Dutch world champion Anneke Beerton and Hungary’s Julia Boer third.
Racing under lights and in front of vocal local crowd of 3500, Graves was fastest off the start, took the inside line and was never headed to beat home teammate and best friend Sam Willoughby, fellow Olympian Sydney’s Luke Madill and Newcastle’s Thomas Hubert. It is the first time in a World Cup any country has provided the four finalists.
For Toowoomba’s Graves, the victory, his second in as many World Cups this year, went a little way to easing the disappointment of being taken out in the final of the BMX event in Beijing.
“It helps a bit to win,” said 25-year-old Graves who charged his way through the night heat and semifinal victories. “But Beijing was the one we were really focused on.”
“I think the best part of winning was being in front of a home crowd – and the people who have supported me.
“My race went to plan. I got to the front at the start and had a nice smooth run and didn’t let anyone in with a chance.”
Graves was ecstatic for his teammate Willoughy – the world under 19 BMX champion.
“The result for Sam is fantastic,” said Graves. “This is his first ever World Cup and to get second shows what a talent he is.”
Madill was also happy to be on the podium, and loving the 450m course – which differs from a BMX course due to the steeper elevation, tighter corners and shorter straights.
“I know the mountain bikers would hate me for saying this but it was just like a BMX final,” said the Sydneysider who crashed out in the early Olympic rounds.
“It was a great feeling because I hadn’t lost a race tonight until the final, but unfortunately I spun out on the gate and the mud on the tyres made it really difficult, but I guess I was lucky to get third.”
For 17-year-old Buchanan the win was also sweet – with the seven time Australian BMX champion denied the opportunity to race BMX in Beijing because of her age. To be eligible for the Olympics BMX riders needed to be 19.
“I’m so excited because it is only my third World Cup event and it’s amazing to have my first World Cup win so early on,” said the Erindale College Student.
“I am absolutely exhausted it was hard competing at night – but it was the crowd that really got me through to the end.
“I have my family, my friends and even my teachers here to support me. It was a tough competition but being here on my home track I couldn’t be happier,” said Buchanan who will sit her HCS exams soon.
After six events Spain’s Rafael Alvarez De Lara Lucas still leads the men’s 4X pointscore, despite not starting due to a broken wrist. German Guido Tschugg, who finished seventh in Canberra is second and Frenchman Cedric Gracia (13th) third.
Beerten leads the women’s World Cup pointscore, and has wrapped up this year’s title, with Austria’s Anita Molcik (4th) second, and Japan’s Mio Suemasa (6th) third. Buchanan lies sixth.
Results
Women’s Final
Final 1. 3 BUCHANAN Caroline AUS 250 2. 2 BEERTEN Anneke NED MS-INTENSE FACTORY-RACING 150 3. 5 BOER Julia HUN 100 4. 1 MOLCIK Anita AUT 4 ELEMENTS YET 80 Small Final 5. 6 GRIFFITHS Fionn GBR NORCO WORLD TEAM 53.24 60 6. 7 SUEMASA Mio JPN MS-INTENSE FACTORY-RACING 53.96 40 7. 8 MARGGRAFF Diana ECU 54.63 20 8. 4 HUNTINGTON Sarsha AUS 52.23 DNS 10 Qualifications 9. 40 FRUHWIRTH Helene Valerie AUT 54.91
Men’s Final
Final 1. 3 GRAVES Jared AUS YETI FOX SHOX FACTORY RAC 250 2. 6 WILLOUGHBY Sam AUS 200 3. 4 MADILL Luke AUS 150 4. 5 HUBERT Thomas AUS 120 Small Final 5. 1 DARRELL Leigh AUS 100 6. 2 FISCHBACH Johannes GER TEAM GHOST INTERNATIONAL 80 7. 8 TSCHUGG Guido GER 60 8. 7 TATARKOVIC Kamil CZE SUZUKI-RB 50 1/4 Finals 9. 10 POLC Filip SVK KENDA TOMAC 45.26 40 10. 11 ATHERTON Dan GBR ANIMAL COMMENCAL 45.28 35 11. 13 SCARR Terrence AUS 45.96 30 12. 16 DUNN Tim AUS 47.94 25 13. 9 GRACIA Cédric FRA COMMENCAL - FURIOUS - OAK 45.03 20 14. 12 MEYENBORG Sascha GER 45.78 15 15. 14 TWENTYMAN Thomas AUS 47.15 10 16. 15 EICHHORN Cody AUS 47.65 5 Qualifications 17. 17 HUNT Ryan AUS 48.23 18. 18 RADEMAKER Shannon AUS 48.76 19. 19 TURNER Gavin AUS 49.08 20. 20 CASTILLO Daniel COL 49.55 21. 21 SCARR Mitchell AUS 50.24 22. 22 YOUNG Michael AUS 53.40 23. 23 LLOYD Alex AUS 1:00.39 24 ALVAREZ DE LARA LU Rafael ESP DNS 25 RANDO Jared AUS GIANT MOUNTAIN BIKE TEAM DNS
Aussies blitz Four Cross field at 2008 UCI Nissan Mountain Bike World Cup. August 30, 2008
Australia’s top mountain bike riders have blitzed the international field overnight at Canberra’s Stromlo Forest Park, in a chilly night time final held under lights. Canberra’s own Caroline Buchanan has managed to secure her first World Cup podium, after storming to the finish on her home turf leading Anneke Beerten of the Netherlands into the finish area, with Julia Boer of Hungary coming home in third place.
The men’s four cross saw a clean Aussie podium sweep with Olympian Jarred Graves taking gold, followed by best mate Sam Willoughby taking silver, with Graves’s, Olympic cohort Luke Madill taking bronze. To cap of the clean sweep compatriot Hubert Thomas of Newcastle joining his mates at the finish area in fourth.
Wet weather conditions unfortunately took its toll on Australia’s other women’s medal hopeful Sarsha Huntington, who crashed in the earlier heats resulting in a knee injury.
Full report on Sunday 31st August.
SWISS OLYMPIC SPARE TURNS TABLES ON TEAMMATES IN UCI MOUNTAIN BIKE WORLD CUP AT CANBERRA’S MT STROMLO August 30, 2008
Swiss Olympic spare Ralph Naef has turned the tables on his teammates claiming victory in the men’s UCI World Cup X-Country event at Canberra’s Mt Stromlo today.
The win was Naef’s first World Cup podium in a tumultuous season, that included illness, broken toes, marriage, a third place in the World Championships and eventual relegation from the Swiss Olympic team for Beijing.
Naef held off Spain’s Jose Antonio Hermida Ramos, with Canada’s Geoff Kabush third. The top ranked Australian was Chris Jongewaard in 10th position.
Earlier in the day pint sized Russian powerhouse Irina Kalentieva blitzed the women’s field to capture her second X-Country World Cup win of the season.
The former world champion and Beijing bronze medallist controlled the race leading home New Zealand’s Rosara Joseph by 53 seconds, with Canada’s Catherine Pendrel third a further six seconds behind. Czech Tereza Hurikova was fourth.
Queensland’s Jodie Willett was the best placed Australian in seventh place, eight minutes off the pace, with Victorian Katherine O’Shea eighth (11m:15secs behind) and New South Wales’ Zoe King ninth (11m:37second).
Naef’s victory had the precision planning typical of the Swiss. Early in the race he was part of a seven man group that cleverly worked to gain a break from the main 40 man field.
In a see sawing battle, the technically strong climbers swapped the lead with the fast descenders, until on lap three Naef secured what turned out to be the winning break.
In his wake Swiss Olympians Florian Vogel and Nino Schurter, Spaniard Hermida Ramos, Italian Marco Fontana, American Todd Wells, South African Burry Stander were swapping places.
On narrow track, with limited overtaking opportunities, Hermida, Naef’s teammate, focused on controlling the chasing group. This allowed a fast finishing Kabush into podium contention, whilst the technical course started taking a toll on the riders and machinery.
“It’s definitely made my season to win a World Cup,” said Naef, whose team spent much of the week familiarizing themselves with the venue that will also stage next year’s World Championships.
“I was only the spare for the Olympics and I wanted to do well.”
Naef’s homework paid dividends, with the Swiss rider determined to get out front early. “I just always wanted to go out in front onto the single track because I knew the other riders would get tired and make mistakes.
“It’s the best track I have ever ridden because it’s very technical. You have to go your own speed. If you make mistakes you lose seconds.”
After today’s race Naef moves up the World Cup rankings to 18th, Kabush jumps to second behind Frenchman and Canberra absentee Julien Absalon. Hermida lies sixth.
Kalentieva’s victory elevates her to eighth on the World Cup pointscore after eight rounds, behind Canada’s Commonwealth Games gold medallist and Olympic champion Marie-Helene Premont. Canada’s Pendrel lies second with one round remaining in Austria next month.
Kalentieva said she started the race conservatively to feel out her opposition, and when no one took up the challenge she took the lead and pushed all the way to the finish.
“I felt like it was my day today,” said the 31-year-old, who stands a mere 155cm tall. “I felt good, the weather was good, the course was good.
“At the start I began easy. I wanted to wait. I didn’t know what the opposition was going to do. After the first lap on the downhill I rode better, I had a gap and then I was pushing all the time, then I saw the saw the gap increasing and I thought I can win the race.”
With the Russian dominating the field, the real race was for the minor placings with Pendrel, Joseph and Czech Tereza Hurikova just seconds apart. In a strategic move Joseph secured second place with a barnstorming final lap finally overtaking Pendrel at the food station.
“I was very surprised that I did so well,” said the 26-year-old Kiwi. “I was feeling bad after the Olympics and all the travel. I was on the verge of being sick all week so I was just hoping to have a good finish.
“The start wasn’t as hard or fast as I thought and that helped me settle into the race,” said Joseph who secured her first ever World Cup Podium finish, after an eighth place in Beijing.
Pendrel conceded the flatter sections of the course were her undoing.
“Rosara passed me at the feed zone but it was a real yo-yo between the three of us in the last lap,” said Pendrel.
“The technical climb was really hard, but where I lost the most time was the flat, rough feed zone. I will have to work on this weakness,” added the Canadian who will be back on the same course for the UCI Mountain World Championships in September 2009.
Women Olympic Cross-Country
1. 17 KALENTIEVA Irina RUS TOPEAK ERGON RACING TEAM 1:39:34 Distance : 31.00 kms - Average speed : 18.68 km/h 2. 42 JOSEPH Rosara NZL TEAM GHOST INTERNATIONAL 1:40:27 + 53 3. 2 PENDREL Catharine CAN LUNA WOMENS MTB TEAM 1:40:33 + 59
7. 48 WILLETT Jodie AUS 1:47:36 +8:02 8. 50 O'SHEA Katherine AUS 1:50:49 + 11:15 9. 44 KING Zoe AUS 1:51:11 + 11:37 10. 54 WALL Joanna AUS 1:52:03 + 12:29 13. 52 THOMAS Tory AUS 1:56:24 + 16:50 14. 55 WILLIAMS Naomi AUS 1:57:28 + 17:54 18. 47 RHODES Therese* AUS 2:02:16 + 22:42 19. 58 WEBB Kylie AUS 2:03:36 + 24:02 20. 57 ELVIN Gracie* AUS -1Lap 21. 53 O'BRIEN Erica AUS -1Lap
Men’s Olympic Cross Country
1. 37 NAEF Ralph SUI MULTIVAN MERIDA BIKING TE 1:45:28 Distance : 38.70 kms - Average speed : 22.02 km/h 2. 6 HERMIDA RAMOS José Antonio ESP MULTIVAN MERIDA BIKING TE 1:45:44 + 16 3. 3 KABUSH Geoff CAN TEAM MAXXIS 1:45:56 + 28
10. 38 JONGEWAARD Chris AUS DOLPHIN-TREK MOUNTAINBIKE 1:49:35 +4:07 12. 62 MCCONNELL Daniel AUS 1:51:41 +6:13 19. 64 NORRIS Lachlan* AUS 1:55:24 +9:56 20. 75 COOPER Dylan AUS 1:55:58 + 10:30 23. 68 BRITTEN Cal* AUS 1:56:21 + 10:53 25. 76 BLAIR Andrew AUS 1:57:12 + 11:44 27. 71 BOTH Nick AUS 1:58:19 + 12:51 28. 79 HAAS Nathan* AUS 1:59:21 + 13:53 29. 78 SPINK Murray AUS 1:59:28 + 14:00 31. 73 LEWIS Shaun (1981) AUS 2:01:09 + 15:41 32. 65 HENDERSON Ben* AUS 2:02:31 + 17:03 33. 72 PRICE Brian AUS 2:03:40 + 18:12 35. 80 ANDERSON Brett* AUS 2:04:41 + 19:13 37. 82 MAEBUS James AUS 2:05:02 + 19:34 38. 84 GRIEVE-JOHNSON Ben* AUS -1Lap 39. 81 ADAMS Rohin AUS -1Lap 40. 85 FRISBY Travis* AUS -1Lap 83 FENNER Mark AUS DNF
WORLD CUP MOUNTAIN BIKE RACING HEADS TO CANBERRA’S MT STROMLO – AUGUST 30-31 August 28, 2008
BUT TO SUCCEED ON THE MOUNTAIN FIRST YOU’VE GOT TO CLIMB OVER HILL – SAM HILL
Two time world downhill champion Sam Hill, Olympian Jared Graves and Australian 4X champion Caroline Buchanan spearhead the local challenge when World Cup mountain bike racing heads Down Under to Canberra’s Mt Stromlo Forest Park this weekend (August 30-31).
Over 80 Australians and a world class international contingent of over 200 will contest the three mountain bike disciplines: downhill, X-Country and 4X, in the penultimate round of the UCI World Cup.
Elite racing action gets underway at 9am on Saturday with training for the big guns of the downhill, ahead of the women’s X- Country at 11am and the men’s X-Country at 2pm. The action continues into the evening with live entertainment ahead of the four cross finals (4X) held under-lights at 8pm.
Sunday’s racing will see the semi-finals of the World Cup downhill at 10.30am followed by best local short track Cross Country riders. At 2.30pm the world’s best downhill riders take on the mountain for the finals.
The event is the first time Mt Stromlo has staged a World Cup round, with Canberra’s cool climate and technical reconfigured courses bound to test the skills and skins of athletes.
The event also offers Australian stars the chance to shine at home, at the venue which also hosts next year’s UCI Mountain Bike World Championships (September 1-6,2009).
However if two time world downhill champion, and the current World Cup frontrunner , Aussie Sam Hill was looking for some assistance from the course designers – he will be disappointed.
The Perth rider confessed today the 2.3km course, with its flatter lower sections would favour the power pedallers, including Aussie rivals Nathan Rennie and Chris Kovarik, and internationals Steve Peat (GBR) and Greg Minnaar (RSA).
“It’s going to be pretty difficult, because there’s a lot of pedalling and it’s a smaller mountain than I’m used to,” said 23 year old Hill. “It’s not going to be as easy to generate speed, so it will favour the powerful peddlers who can carry their speed and momentum into the lowers section of the course.
“However I’m going to give it my best shot,” added Hill, who missed out on a world title hat-trick after crashing in Italy.
Hill’s track record on this layout is also not great, with the 23-year-old crashing the last time he raced at the venue for the Australian Championships in 2007.
He will also need all his renown ‘line’ reading skills to hold off, Britain’s Gee Atherton, who is looking to add the World Cup trophy to his newly acquired World Championship title. Only 128 points separate the two on the World Cup point score with a maximum of 500 points on offer over the final two rounds.
The men’s and women’s downhill will be contested over a 2.3km course which starts at the Mount Stromlo Observatory and winds down through a testing series of natural and man-made jumps, berms and kamikaze like corners. Taking less than three minutes to complete – success and survival depend upon a rider’s technique, power and ability to suppress fear.
Rennie is using the Stromlo race as a make or break for his season. Currently 10th, the former World Cup champion has been plagued by a knee injury all season.
“I’ve only had one podium finish this season, so I want to make amends for it here,” said the Gold Coaster who will have surgery at the end of the season.
Unlike Hill, twenty-eight-year old Rennie is relishing the prospect of a power trip in the lower end of the course. “If you don’t carry speed into the finish straight, you’ve got a really hard task in front of you,” predicted Rennie.
“But because this course is so short you’ve got to get every bit right. The top riders are only separated by a millisecond on some of the longer (World Cup) courses, to the racing is going to be even closer here.”
Other Australians in action include local hero’s Jared Rando and Ben Cory, along with Joanna Fox and Jane Rutter-Randall.
In the 4X Aussie Olympic BMX aces Jared Graves and Luke Madill will be looking for redemption when they line up for their first outing post Beijing at the World Cup 4X on Saturday night. 26-year-old Graves finished 6th in Beijing after being taken out in the final, but is back in the saddle for the 4X, as is Sydney’s Madill whose Olympic campaign ended in the quarter stages. Although not in the hunt for the World Cup title, Aussie 4X champion Madill and Graves will be eager to disrupt the ambitions of others.
Their main opposition will come from Spanish World Champion Rafael Alvarez De Lara Lucas, who also heads the World Cup standings, Germany’s creative Guido Tschugg and perennial American Brian Lopes – who boasts six World Cup titles and four World Championships.
Unlike BMX, 4X involves only four riders in a 450m downhill duel over jumps, traps and break neck berms and corners.
The women’s 4X race will be no less hotly contested with Aussies Olympian Tania Bailey (BMX) and current champion Carolyn Buchan eager to stamp their authority on the course ahead of next year’s World Championships also at Stromlo. Buchanan lies seventh in the standings behind Dutchwoman Annke Beerton.
All eyes will be watching the ever popular Geoff Kabush (Can) with his trade mark sideburns and Olympic Bronze medallist and under 23 World Champion Nino Schurter . The technical nature of Stromlo will provide New Zealander Kashi Leuchs with his chance to shine on the world stage in the men’s X-Country event.
Check out the UCI MTB World Cup website for more information and all news on the event.
Spectator Event program listed below, for full schedule please contact IRPR.
Media Accreditation form attached.
FFi: Anna Wallin or Siena Dixon at IRPR on telephone 02 9360 1166/ 0408 832 999 or email awallin@irpr.com.au or sdixon@irpr.com.au
Only 3 days until the Australian World Cup! August 27, 2008
Fast, Furious and Free for spectators!
Entry to the 2008 Nissan UCI Mountain Bike World Cup will be FREE for spectators, and there will be free bus transport from the Woden and City interchanges.
Spectators will be treated to a weekend of action-packed speed, skill and adrenalin at Canberra's renowned Stromlo Forest Park on August 30 -31 as the world's top mountain bikers battle it out on the cross country, downhill and four cross (4X) racing courses.
Whether you are a keen rider or have never been in the saddle, you will be entertained with a weekend jam packed full of entertainment. The weekend of August 30-31 will not only see amazing action on-course, but also in the event village where all of the off track entertainment will take place. Entertainment in the event village will include live music, children's entertainment, food and drink stalls, support competitions and the Expo area with trade stands offering all the latest mountain bike goodies.
The World Cup will be Australia biggest mountain biking event for 2008 - be part of the action!
Aussie to watch! Heading the Aussie bill, will be two times (2006-2007) World Cup champion, 23 year old Samuel Hill of Perth returning to defend his title, along with fellow statesman Mitchell Delfs. Downhill powerhouse Nathan Rennie of Merrimac, Queensland is heading south to compete, with local boy Jarred Rando and local girl Caroline Buchanan of Canberra getting ready to defend their home turf.
The internationals will be out in full force with German four cross racer, Guido Tshugg, American speed racer Brian Lopes and Swiss World Champion and Olympic medal favourite along with European Downhill champion, the UK's Gee Atherton and Christoph Sauser of Switzerland. The international women's counterparts include French 2007 World Cup overall winner, Sabrina Jonnier; former World Cup Champion Dutch Anneke Beerten and current world champion, Britain's Rachel Atherton.
Support races include the ACT School MTB Championships on Tuesday, along with U17, U19, Sport, Veteran and Masters XCO races on the Thursday and Friday. Keen riders are encouraged to have a punt around the track and can register via the website or at the event.
And check out the website for great accommodation deals at the Crowne Plaza Canberra - Official Hotel
Information regarding the 2008 UCI World MTB Cups and how to register for them August 25, 2008
ENTRIES CLOSE 1pm (Adelaide time) MONDAY AUGUST 25th
If you are thinking about entering any 2008 World Cup event, including the Australian round in August 30-31 then you must read and respond to these two documents.
Further clarification can be gained from any of the contacts listed or by contacting MTBA.
Note that wildcard entries (for those riders who do not have the 20 UCI points) has closed.
Sabine Spitz wins women's mountain bike, Australia's Dellys Starr burns out August 23, 2008
From Fox Sports: Leo Schlink in Beijing | August 23, 2008 02:06pm
AUSTRALIA's Dellys Starr has succumbed to heat stress and failed to finish the mountain bike race at Laoshan. The Victorian, 31, was lapped by her rivals on a baking course and was ordered out of the race by commissaires because she was too far behind.
Starr was then taken to a recovery area by doctors to rehydrate.
The gold medal was claimed by German Sabine Spitz, who covered the 25.8km course in 1hr 45m 11sec.
Poland's Maja Wloszczowska was second with Russian Irina Kalentyeva third.
Delayed by a day because the course was too wet on Friday, the race tested riders to the limit.
Canadian Marie-Helen Premont was among the early casualties after the Athens silver medallist fell, landed on her elbow and was unable to recover.
Spain's Margarita Fullana was another of the elite riders to abandon early in hot, dusty conditions.
The reigning world champion and Sydney bronze medallist pulled out after three of the scheduled six laps.
Remarkably, the first fall of the race came within 10 seconds of it starting.
Two riders bumped, causing local idol Ying Liu, winner of the Good Luck Beijing race here year, to fall.
New Zealand's Rosara Joseph suffered a bruising tumble after her bike caught in a gully on a descent.
The men's race is due to be held at 3pm (Beijing time) in the hottest part of the day.
Victorian Daniel McConnell is Australia's sole entrant.
Graves Medal hopes dashed August 22, 2008
Australia's BMX medal chances ended in bad luck today when both Jared Graves and Nicole Callisto crashed in their respective finals.
Graves, the world number two, qualified easily for the final claiming 2nd, 5th and 3rd in his three semi-final runs and drawing gate three on the final starting ramp. He launched out of the gate overcoming a slow start to surge ahead of his rivals and lead into the first corner. But disaster struck on the second corner when American Donny Robinson clipped South African Sifiso Nhlapo who crashed taking down Frenchman Damien Godet and Graves in the process.
Latvian Maris Strombergs won gold with Americans Mike Day and Donny Robinson taking silver and bronze. A bruised and battered Graves limped over the line for sixth place.
"I've got a pretty bad cork over the top of my thigh which is giving me a bit of curry right now and I'm sure I'll be pretty sore tomorrow," said a disappointed Graves whose rear tyre punctured in the pile up. "I didn't get the best start but put myself in a good position in the first corner.
"I was just leaning into the second corner in behind Maris (Strombergs) and I got hit from behind and was on my head before I knew it," said Graves. "It's pretty frustrating when it's out of your control but that's racing.
"I gave it the best go I could and didn't leave anything behind so I'm happy with that but would have liked a medal."
Team mate Kamakazi missed the final after a mixed performance in the semi finals.
"I definitely wasn't on fire like I was the other day, but I got out there and gave it a go so no regrets," said Kamakazi. "This whole experience has been right up there in the clouds for me and this has been the biggest day of my life and if I can get another chance at this I'll be there (London 2012)."
In the women's competition Callisto lost her chance of a medal when she crashed on the first corner.
"I slid out on the first turn and I just sort of sat there and a few tears ran down my face... it was a race that could change your life," said the 20 year old who says she'll now aim for 2012 in London. "This Olympics has been a big learning experience and I still have a lot to learn but I'm really looking forward to it."
She wasn't the only one to hit the dirt with pre-race favourite and reigning World Champion Shanaze Reade of Great Britain losing it on the final turn into the home straight to finish last. Anne-Caroline Chausson of France was outstanding all day to claim the gold with her compatriot Laetitia le Corguille second and American Jill Kintner third.
Australia's other starter Tanya Bailey also missed the final. She was relegated to last place in her first run and crashed in her second.
Kindly Supplied by AOC/Gennie Sheer
Important information regarding Visas for International riders intending on entering the Canberra UCI World Cup August 22, 2008
Each Federation/Team/individual competitor is responsible to obtain for their delegation or themselves the appropriate entry documentation. For information on obtaining visas visit the Australian Immigration Office which lists all Australian missions overseas.
Australia’s Immigration Department has been alerted of this event and will assist with visa applications where applicable. It is recommended you apply for your visas as a matter of urgency to avoid any delays.
If you require an official invitation issued to assist with the visa process please contact Cycling Australia immediately on acf.info@cycling.org.au or fax: +61 2 9644 3006. Please advise the following information for all your team members: full name, date of birth, passport number (if possible), position within the team (ie athlete, manager, coach etc) and your arrival and departure details when you contact Cycling Australia.
Olympic MTB schedule - Women and Men on Saturday August 22, 2008
MOUNTAIN BIKE
Mountain Bike: Olympic Cross Country -Women’s has been changed from Friday to Saturday with the men’s race. The women’s race is scheduled to start at 1000 (Beijing time) and the men’s race is scheduled to start at 1500 (Beijing time).
12.00 AEST SATURDAY Women’s Olympic Cross Country includes Dellys Starr (Melbourne/Denver)
1700 AEST SATURDAY Men’s Olympic Cross Country includes Dan McConnell (Bruthen/Melbourne)
For sports specific information in Australia contact:
Regards,
Sharon Payne Media Manager BMX Australia & Mountain Bike Australia Mob +61 (0) 412 773500 sharon@bikemedia.com.au
Mountain Bikes to descend upon Canberra’s City Centre for twilight battle August 20, 2008
On August 22nd, event organisers for the upcoming 2008 UCI Mountain Bike World Cup to be held at Canberra’s Stromlo Forest Park will deliver all the action and racing of next weekend’s event, straight to Canberra’s city centre, with a sensational demo event to take place at Garema Place.
“The nights racing style is to highlight just how spectator friendly and exciting mountain biking is to watch," said Anthony Burton, President of CORC (Canberra Off-Road Cyclists).
“We really want our Canberra locals to be treated to an early taste of what will take place next weekend when the international World Cup circuit hits town. It’s about fun, amazing action and skill, all being delivered right to our doorstep.
The entertainment will kick off at 5:00pm with racing to start shortly afterwards. A short course urban style criterium will take place right on the city streets with riders hitting a 500m circuit to complete up to six laps.
Event Schedule: 1715 Course Open/ Registration Open/ Event Introduction 1745 U13 Kids Race 1800 C Grade Race 1815 Sponsors/Media Relay 1830 B Grade Race 1845 World Cup presentation/ Course re-open for practice session 1855 Women Race 1910 A Grade Race
FFI please contact Anna Wallin for IRPR on 0408 832 999, Event on-ground contact: Kimberlee Phillips for Early Bird Marketing on 0405 675 583
Dellys Starr takes out 8th Tour VTT - le hexagonal August 16, 2008
The 8th Tour de France mountain biking (VTT) has concluded, with the 5th and final stage of the Hexagonal taking place in the town of Evry.
Jean-Christophe Peraud blitzed the field on this last stage leaving every other rider including Sauser, Lakata and Soto in his wake. But Lakata, who finished 3rd had enough of a lead to attain the famous "sun" jersey in the overall standings.
In the women's race Laurence Leboucher was a victim of a mechanical problem which left her more than 15 minutes behind her main competition, Australian Dellys Starr, who claimed the pink jersey (Black Transport Company - Integra).
Women 1 7 Starr Dellys Team National Australie AUS19761002 05:48:29 + 2 3 Leboucher Laurence Team New Cycling FRA19720222 05:58:05 + 00:09:36 3 68 Potter Kate Team Composée Australie AUS19780305 06:07:12 + 00:18:43 4 102 Lamastra Giuliana Team Italie 2 ITA19740817 07:01:20
Men 1 69 Lakata Alban Team Composée Australie AUT19790625 06:38:49 + 2 24 Soto Catriel Team Info Lee Cougan ARG19870429 06:43:30 + 00:04:41 3 54 Zamuner Alessio Team Italie 1 ITA19860801 06:44:59
15 66 Both Nick Team Composée Australie AUS19820149 07:04:52 + 00:26:03 20 8 Jackson Adrian Team National Australie AUS19830718 07:07:09 + 00:28:20 22 9 Blair Andrew Team National Australie AUS19790609 07:11:24 + 00:32:35 25 6 MC Connell Daniel Team National Australie AUS19850809 07:13:24 + 00:34:35 36 67 Keep Josh Team Composée Australie AUS19860814 07:48:08 + 01:09:19
Research into injuries in Endurance Mountain biking August 15, 2008
A major analysis of injury rates in cross country endurance mountain biking has concluded that just a quarter of a per cent of those who do it are seriously hurt.
"It [MTB] has a reputation as an extreme sport that is quite dangerous but we have shown that that's really not the case," said lead researcher Dr Nick Taylor, from the emergency department at Canberra Hospital.
"In fact, it's much safer than it's given credit for." Only 0.25% of all riders were referred to hospital and of an even smaller percentage (0.06%) were actually taken to hospital by ambulance.
World’s top Mountain Bike riders head to Canberra for the 2008 UCI Mountain Bike World Cup, August 30 – 31, 2008 August 13, 2008
Action packed speed, skill and adrenalin are on the agenda at Canberra’s renowned Mt Stromlo Forest Park on August 30 -31 for the annual UCI Mountain Bike World Cup, where the world’s top mountain bikers will battle it out on the cross country, downhill and four cross (4X) racing courses.
Straight from Beijing, the best riders from around the globe will converge on Stromlo for the two day bike fest and sports fans are invited to the party. Spectator entry is free, with action starting at 9am until 9pm, with all the night action under-lights on Saturday and 9am until 5pm on Sunday, with plenty of top locations to view the spills and thrills of mountain bike racing.
However, the on-course action is not only reserved for Saturday and Sunday with a huge line up of support races including the ACT School MTB Championships on Tuesday, along with plenty of riding on Thursday and Friday with U 17, U19, Sport, Veteran and Masters XCO races. Although the elite spectacle is one not to be missed, non elite, but keen riders are encouraged to have a punt around the track and can register via the website.
Australia has an all-time record line up of male and female riders ready to hit the massive gap jumps, technical corners and sharp climbs. Heading the bill will be two times (2006-2007) World Cup champion, 23 year old Samuel Hill of Perth returning to defend his title, along with fellow statesman Mitchell Delfs. Downhill powerhouse Nathan Rennie of Merrimac, Queensland is heading south to compete, with local boys Dylan Cooper and Jarred Rando of Canberra getting ready to defend to their home turf.
Australia’s strong female contingent will put the heat on their international competitors with local girl, former BMX racer and Australian U19 Women’s downhill and four cross champion Caroline Buchanan, cross country medal contender, Dellys Starr of Melbourne and Australian National Champion, 20 year old Tracey Hannah of Cairns, all ready to hit the dirt in their respective course disciplines.
The internationals will be out in full force with German four cross racer, Guido Tshugg, American speed racer Brian Lopes and Swiss World Champion and Olympic medal favourite. European Downhill champion Gee Atherton and Christoph Sauser are ready to make their mark in the Men’s competitions, while the international women’s counterparts include French 2007 World Cup overall winner, Sabrina Jonnier; former World Cup Champion Dutch Anneke Beerten and current world champion, Britain’s Rachel Atherton.
Stromlo Forest Park’s 7.5 million multi-use outdoor sporting complex was officially reopened in 2007, after a firestorm in 2003 devastated thousands of hectares of the state’s natural bushland, pine plantations and homes. Stromlo Forest Park includes a running track, a paved cycling circuit, equestrian tracks and now a complete mountain bike park catering for all three circuit types: cross country, four cross and downhill.
“The great thing about Stromlo is it has got a lot more people enthusiastic about the sport. There is so much variety; there’s the berm section, the hills section and out the back there’s this whole other descent. It’s insane!” said Australian junior champion, Caroline Buchanan.
“You can’t beat Stromlo. Where else in Australia do you have all this? When the trees grow a bit more, it’s going to one of the best places in the world.”
With three disciplines to choose from, there is a mountain bike course for all types of biking enthusiasts. Four Cross (4X) offers an exciting action packed course with four riders going head-to-head over massive gap jumps, through bermed corners and technical rhythm sections, while trying to fend off the three other riders.
Downhill is skill driven, with one rider against the clock for three intense minutes- said to be the formula 1 of mountain biking. Aussie legend, Sam Hill is the downhill bike king, although Australia’s dominance has been recently threatened by an incredible host of British riders.
Finally, the true heart of mountain bike competition is the Olympic sport of cross country racing, where a mass start of riders, battle it out over multiple laps, testing both balance and endurance on steep climbs and long descents. The Mt Stromlo course is particularly challenging with loose rock and rough climbs, and only the fiercest of competitors are expected to finish.
The weekend of August 30 – 31, will see the world’s cream of the crop in mountain bike riders come together in their first major competition after the Olympic Games excitement has settled. Check out the Canberra MTB World Cup website for more information and all news on the event. For all the current rankings go to the UCI website.
UCI Mountain Bike World Cup, Canberra Australia 30 - 31 August 2008 World Cup Schedule
Saturday 30 Aug 08 8:00 Village open to spectators 9:00 Mountain Bike Trials Australian National Round 11:00 Women's World Cup XCO 13:05 Awards ceremony Women's World Cup XCO 14:00 Men's World Cup XCO 16:20 Awards ceremony Men's World Cup XCO 16:45 Mountain Bike Trials Australian National Round , 17:45 Presentation - Mountain Bike Trials Australian National Round 18:00 Live entertainment 20:00 World Cup 4X Finals Women and Men 21:05 Awards Ceremony 4X World Cup Women and Men
Sunday 31 August 08 8:00 Village open to spectators 10:30 World Cup DHI Semi Finals 13:05 Short Track Cross Country - Women 13:35 Short Track Cross Country - Men 14:05 Prize Presentation, Short Track Cross Country 14:30 World Cup DHI Finals Women and Men 16:35 Awards Ceremony DHI World Cup Women and Men 16:55 Closing Ceremony
Nissan UCI MTB World Cup - Canberra August 30-31 August 13, 2008
With only a few weeks to go the progress in transforming the Stromlo Forest park venue to the standards required by the UCI is starting to reach fever pitch.
Will you be there? If so drop around to the MTBA EXPO site and collect your copy of the 2008-2009 National season guide. We are more than happy to have a chat about any aspect of Australian MTB activity.
If you are still thinking about attending the most important MTB event in Australia for almost 8 years but have not made up your mind then maybe the follwing trailer will convince you to make the trip.
More World 24hr Solo MTB Championships reports - UPDATE1 August 4, 2008
Mark Fenner:
Well now that the swollen legs have started to recover everything has started to settle down it’s time for the race report.  Pit lane 2nd lap The race started in awesome conditions with temps in the mid 20’s. The gun went off and the World 24 Hour Champs started with the classic sprint running start with a 400m loop back to transition to collect the bikes and a starting loop that saw the field drop down into town and back up to the Nordic Centre. As usual the pace was fast from the start and an initial selection was made with Willo, Claxers, English, Toohey and myself amongst Tinker and Kelly. This lead group was moving fast and with my power meter on board I was holding around 340 - 440 watts! I was a little concerned and Willo also commented on how his heart rate was through the roof. I was sure that the guys couldn’t hold this sort of pace and after the first climb it settled a little. Through first halfway feed our group was well clear and we all settled in.  Transition I can only say that what happened next has never happened to me before in such a long race and that is that I don’t remember much of it!!!! Yes after 7 hours the rain and storms came, but I didn’t really feel it or take it in. I have never been so focused and totally in the moment before. I continued to focus on my race, internally focusing and not focusing on the riders in front or behind. I sort of remember Simon from Total Rush giving me time checks and positions but the battle was to be won inside my head as much as on the trails. The night was amazing super muddy and very technical on the rooty descents and slogs up the climbs, riders were dropping out left right and center and I managed to complete very consistent laps time after time. As morning came and the light filtered through the trees I first became aware that I was up into 3rd and closing on Jason in 2nd place. I continued to ride my own race and with about 4 hour to go gained 2nd place coming through transition. I then had my only bad spell of the race as Jason came back up to me and attacked opening up a 15 minute advantage in one lap. I again internalised and fought back with a last lap effort that brought me to within 6 minute of Jason. Willo was in a class of his own and rode the most amazing race well done mate you were awesome. I have analysed the time differences and will hatch a plan of attack for next year. Well done to all the Aussies we dominated the World Champs and showed that the Aussie Enduro scene is the best on the Planet. Katrin you are a super star, Troy you da man, Fellows good on ya bro and Craig your effort and dedication paid off again for the 3rd time in a row.  Mud mud mud Stats for the race. Average power 178 Watts (Normalised 220), 16 laps x 20km with 35,000ft of climbing. 18,000 cals. 2 x bikes changed every lap with new pads and cables in the race. No stops longer than to put on Knee warmers (no toilet stops ;o( (but a very smelly pair of shorts) I would like to thank my sponsors Total Rush, HIGH5, SKINS, Hid Technologies, Oz Riders. Without your help and support it would not be possible for me to do what I do, special thanks to Simon and Jen from Total Rush. Simon came out to Canada to support me and I thank you for that mate you are a star. Thanks to all the support from my local club South Coast United Mountainbike (SCUM) Your rock. And last but not least thanks to my long suffering wife Sally. I love you babe and with out you I couldn’t have done any of it. Fenz
John Wadell:
Let the adventure begin!
The question of why would you race off road and be active for 24hrs always intrigues me. Preparing for the 24hrs of adrenalin solo world champs in Canmore Canada was intense and I was feeling fit and strong until a week prior to flying overseas I collided with a car whilst training, breaking my thumb. Not letting this injury deter me and give up I just 'kept on keeping on'. Endurance racing is such a mind game so leading up to my event I made many sacrifices in my normal living routine making sure I prioritised my training and keeping it separated from the rest of my duties. These sacrifices and the preparation that was organized by my Elite Sportz Specialist Andrew Ivey kept me focused and gave me confidence to continue. Red Bull Energy had organized for me to arrive in Calgary a city 110km away from the race venue in Canmore. I was so nervous not knowing whether my injured thumb would withstand 24hrs of battering throughout the Canadian technical terrain. Arriving in Canmore and getting accustomed to my surroundings and hanging with my new friends from the Bicycle Cafe my nerves were calming and I was getting amped to endure pain in the weekend ahead. With typical Canadian mountainous terrain the course was filled with plenty of steep climbing, technical descents and not much room for rest.
Saturday July 26 12 noon let the pain begin. My race plan was not to chase other competitors but just to race my own race and keep on knocking out the laps throughout the duration of the 24hrs. Though once I was 8hrs into it I was feeling like I had nothing, the sky's had opened up soaking the course and making continuing to ride throughout the night not fun to say the least. The rain made the course un ride-able in some sections and the tree roots were like riding on ice. The people that were supporting me and keeping my Santa Cruz Blur bikes running smooth couldn't believe how determined I was and they could see how much pain I was in. I was only able to finish in 15th place but with this result I was happy and satisfied because towards the end my body was so ruined that I just wanted to finish. Canmore is a great place, great people and amazing scenery so to have this time I have after the event is a great time to relax and unwind. I do feel as though the pain was worth it because not much beats pushing yourself to limit to find out what your physically capable of doing.
Thanks to all the people and companies that were right behind me and making this adventure happen.
Craig Peacock won his 3rd World 24hrs Solo Mountain Bike Championships last weekend (July 26 & July) in the 45 to 49 age group. Craig won the same category at Conyers Georgia USA in 2006 and Laguna Seca California USA in 2007.
The World Solo 24 Hours of Adrenalin™ Championships took place on July 26 and 27, 2008 at the Canmore Nordic Centre in Canmore, Alberta, Canada, one of the sites for the Winter Olympic Games in 1988.
Craig completed 14 laps, riding an astonishing 280km and climbing over 8,600 vertical meters to win his age group. Craig’s time would have placed him equivalent to the 8th placed Elite Male. The nearest competitor was some 2 laps or 4 hours behind.
The race started in great conditions with temperatures in the mid 20’s. The gun went off and the World 24 Hour Championship started with the Lemans running start and a prologue loop into the town of Canmore. The course was a 20km figure of eight loop through the Canadian wilderness/rockies.
There were frequent bear sightings during the race, so each rider had to be very careful as one month earlier during a 24hr race a rider was killed by a black bear in Alaska.
During the race two major thunderstorms dramatically changed the course, turning the hard packed soil into thick mud. The lap times for the 20km loop quickly rose from 1 hour to 2 hours. The muddy night laps were very hard, with technical mountain bike riding on rooty descents that were only lit up by your own bike lights. Many riders dropped out of the race during the night however Craig managed to keep on pushing out the laps and extend his lead.
Craig was supported by his wife Karen, who looked after his nutrition and Shane Munro an Aussie now living in Canmore who was responsible for keeping each bike in top racing condition.
Craig trained for 28 weeks, riding up to 25 hours per week to prepare himself for the event. The training included 8hr mountain bike rides and riding at 5am before each work day during the cold winter months.
Lessons Learnt • Developing and following a structured training program based on scientific training principles enables you to compete at your best • Following that structured training program (doing the work) enables you to compete at your best • During heavy training programs you need to prevent all those overuse injuries you typically get; so you need to focus on building your endurance, strength and flexibility through cross training activities such as Yoga, Pilates and Remedial Sports Massage • Ultra endurance events such as 24hr solo you can truly only peak for one event per year. The results at this year’s Worlds again prove this point. The elite men and women winners only did one 24hr race in the last 12 months. I also followed this; which vindicates my decision to only do 12hrs of the Australian 24hr Solo Championships (a World Championship is a much bigger prize than the Australian Championship). This principle is followed by other sports such as marathon racing. • A 24hr racer is only as good as his / her support crew. It is a team event with one rider. You are as only as good as your team • Planning, planning and planning – everyone has a plan to follow (pit crew plan, lightning plan (battery life), nutrition plan (carbohydrates, protein, caffeine), race strategy plan (how hard at the start, lap time decay, when to bring in caffeine) etc. Without a plan nobody knows what to do – the pit crew is waiting on instructions from the rider who is fatigued, sleep deprived, cold, and hungry. You can’t run a business this way and you can’t win a World Championship without a plan! • Harness the camaraderie spirit of your fellow Australians at these international events (riders, pit crew members and repats); helping each other out before, during and after the race. This year and last year we had an Aussie team dinner. The year before at Conyers we got together for many pre‐race discussions over non‐alcoholic drinks. This bonding was a great help in getting to know each other and form some deeper friendships. These friendships are very important from a support crew perspective ‐ how can I help you, looking out another crew’s rider, etc; and from a riders perspective where there is nothing like at 2am when you cross paths with a fellow Aussie and they give you lots of encouragement which helps you stay focused.
Craig is sponsored by the Flight Centre, Geax Tyres, Genuine Innovation Inflation Products and NightRider.
Craig has a PhD; he also has a Grad Diploma in Sport Science and can be contacted by email if you would like to know more about the strategy of training and racing for 24hr events. Craig.Peacock@chasegroup.com.au
Check out a photo of most (if not all ) the Australian team to contest the event here:
2008/2009 Felt MTBA Australian MTB Marathon Championships August 4, 2008
Mountain Biking Australia (MTBA) and Big Hill Events are pleased to announce details of the 2009 Felt MTBA Australian Marathon Championships.
After a competitive tendering process, MTBA awarded the 2009 Felt MTBA Marathon Championships to Big Hill Events and their Wandong race. Big Hill Events has seen this event become a prominent feature on the racing calendar over the last two years and are excited to host the Championships in 2009.
Wandong, just a one hour drive from the Melbourne CBD, is a superb location for the event which will see the hugely popular European style of mountain bike marathon racing come to Australia. Less than eight months away, the Championships will be held on Sunday 29 March.
The race course stretches over 100kms and has 2500m of vertical gain with a mix of fire road, 4WD tracks, double tracks and, of course, some great single track sections. The course is challenging yet achievable with the average rider time expected to complete the course in between five and six hours. At the elite end, competition is set to be fierce and the estimated winning time for Elite Male just over the mandated 4hours.
If 100kms sounds a little too long in the saddle, riders can participate in the 2009 Felt Marathon Challenge. Challenge riders will chose between a 69km and 38km race course. The 2009 event will also include a Team option as part of the 69km course.
All competitors will enjoy the European marathon racing experience, with feed zones at this event like no other in Australia. Over the 100km course there are four fully catered feed zones where riders are given water bottles, sports drinks, food by Degani Bakery, Gels and Energy bars by Endura as well as fruit and snacks. Further to this, each feed zone will offer free mechanical support by Croydon Cycle Works.
Cash and prizes totaling over $20,000 will be on offer with a huge range of spot prizes up for grabs.
The event will be limited to a field of 750 riders and entries will open early October.
For further information please call Big Hill Events (Rohin Adam - 0416 083 460, Bruce Dickey – 0418 345 833) or email
Mont 24hr at Sparrow Hill in 2009 August 1, 2008
The Mont 24 Hour Mountain Bike Race will be run on the first weekend in
April 2009 (April 4-5) and be held amongst the famously flowing trails
of Sparrow Hill, ACT. Teams of 4 and 6 riders are again invited to soak
up the Mont atmosphere for a weekend of racing that is sure to put a
smile on the face of every rider.
April is a perfect time of year for a 24 hour race and riders rate
Sparrow Hill as some of the best tracks in the ACT, if not Australia.
Paul Cole and Alan Anderson (who design and maintain all the tracks at
Sparrow Hill) are excited about having the Mont on their trails in 2009
and with over 30kms of single track to choose from, you can be assured
the track will be something special. Entries open in early October
2008, so mark your diary now as this event is sure to sell out.
Race reports and accolades from World Solo 24hr Championships July 31, 2008
Read all about James Williamson's feat in being the second Australian to take the coverted title of World 24hr Solo Champion:
The 24hr World Champ's were held in Canmore, Canada over the weekend. I had a dream race with everything going perfectly despite a tough course and terrible weather. After the toughest 24hrs of my life I came away as 2008 World Solo 24hr Champion!
Read James's report here.
Pro photographer John Gibson was on course and has kindly allowed me to distribute this quality album from the weekend:
Australians dominate at 2008 World Solo 24hr MTB Championships July 29, 2008
A record team of 26 endurance riders contested the 2008 World Solo 24hr Championships in Canmore on the weekend a.
We did pretty well. The organiser went so far as to say "After a disappointing Worlds in 2007 at Laguna Seca, your mates have crushed the field in a number of categories."
MTBA congratulates all the riders for their awesome efforts.
Here is a summary of the results:
RANK BIB NAME CITY SOLO CATEGORY TOT TIME LAPS Single Speed 12 47 Brendan Den Kununurra 4:10:04 3
Elite - Male 1 5 James Williamson Canberra 22:49:09 16 2 6 Jason English Port Macquarie 23:53:56 16 3 28 Mark Fenner Gerringong 24:00:49 16 4 8 jeff toohey Mooloolaba 24:27:25 16
Chris Jongewaad not going to Beijing July 25, 2008
From The Australian:
CHRIS Jongewaard's last hope of competing in Beijing has been quashed, with his 11th-hour appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport dismissed in Sydney.
A CAS panel comprising Justice Tricia Kavanagh, Bob Ellicott QC and Alan Sullivan QC rejected Jongewaard's final appeal against a decision by the Australian Olympic Committee to omit him from the Beijing squad for bringing the sport and team into disrepute.
Jongewaard, Australia's top-ranked mountain biker, was left out of the team because he is facing criminal charges arising from an alleged hit-and-run incident near Adelaide in February last year.
The accident left former training partner Matthew Rex in a coma and with several other serious injuries. Rex said last week that his Olympic aspirations had been ruined as a result of the collision. SA Prosecutors allege that Jongewaard had a blood-alcohol reading of .094 at the time. The case is listed for December.
The CAS decision leaves Victorian 22-year-old Daniel McConnell free to take his place in the 28-rider cycling team.
CAS's reasons for the dismissal will be made public over the next 24 hours.
The decision sees Jongewaard's Olympic dream ended in a hearing room for the second time in four years, as he was dropped from the team for Athens in 2004 after a successful appeal by Tasmanian Sid Taberlay [actually it was Josh Flemming who appealed - MTBA].
Jongewaard, 29, said his plans were "uncertain".
Jongewaard, a professional mountain bike rider, said he was "really disappointed" that his appeal had failed. "This is the end of my (Olympic) dream," he said. "It's over. I don't know what the future now holds. I'll just have to sit down and talk to my coach. I got a fair hearing."
Jongewaard's lawyer, Bruce Cuthbertson, said he felt disappointed for the cyclist. "The boy is shattered," Cuthbertson said outside the hearing room."I don't think it has quite sunk in that this is the end of his Olympic dream."
Jongewaard is the second athlete after butterflyer Nick D'Arcy to be excluded from the Olympic team on character grounds.
Cycling Australia originally overlooked Jongewaard because of concerns over how the AOC would view his nomination in light of the D'Arcy controversy. But Jongewaard successfully appealed against the Cycling Australia ruling and was then named in the team by CA - subject to AOC approval.
The AOC has the final say in such matters, and the committee argued that Jongewaard's conduct was contrary to its charter.
Buchannan on the “The NRL Footy Show” tonight. July 24, 2008
Exciting footage of Caroline Buchanan (Canberra) from the UCI Mountain Bike and Trials World Championships held in Val Di Sole, Italy last month will air tonight on the Nine network program, “The NRL Footy Show” starting at 9.30 pm (in each state) nationally tonight. Buchanan, the current National Champion in Four Cross placed fifth overall. Her quarter final was impressive when she successfully jumped the pro-section allowing her to win that round. A true “That’s Gold” moment!
Thanks must go to the UCI for access to the footage.
For further info contact: Sharon Payne Media Manager Mountain Bike Australia & BMX Australia Mob +61 (0) 412 773500 sharon@bikemedia.com.au
Allocation of National Federation discretionary team entries to the 2008 UCI World Cup rounds - UPDATE3 July 17, 2008
UPDATE: The deadline for lodgement of an application to be considered for a discretionary team place at the Canberra World Cup in August has been extended to August 4th. Final notification of the successful athletes will be made on August 11. (note change in final submission date)
Athletes are reminded that entry to the 2008 UCI World Cup rounds - including the Australian round in August - is strictly on the basis of: (a) being member of a UCI registered trade team, (b) having accrued at least 20 UCI points in the athletes chosen MTB discipline by the closing date of each World Cup round (for Canberra in August this will be 5th August 2008), or (c) being selected to enter on the basis of six (6) discretionary entries each UCI National federation has for each MTB discipline.
This posting is in regard to how the 6 discretionary entries will be allocated.
For DH and 4X the six (6) spots in each discipline will be allocated as follows: (a) four (4) from the 2007-2008 National series rankings after those that have achieved entry through (a) or (b) above have been removed, and (b) two (2) coaches picks.
For XCO the six (6) spots will only be allocated on the basis of: (a) misfortune through injury or other reasons for non-performance (for instance mechanical problems) in the National and Oceania championships, (b) for riders with previously demonstrated performance, or (c) for athletes that have been identified as having development prospects.
Important Notes:
- Discretionary places for the World Cups will be decided by the National Head discipline coach, in consultation with National selectors. - The Head coach will notify individuals of their selection. - As there is no selection policy for World Cups these positions can not be appealed. - Official UCI MTB World Cup entry forms (see previous posting) are to be completed and sent to Sonya Simpson at the Cycling Australia HPP office in Adelaide two (2) months prior to the event. - Once discretionary places have been awarded Sonya will contact the selected individuals - if they do not have a National team jersey they will have to purchase one for $50.
Cycling Australia nominates Jongewaard back to AOC July 14, 2008
The Cycling Australia High Performance Management Committee (HPMC) today met via teleconference to review the male mountain bike nomination for the Olympic Games.
The review came after the Cycling Australia Appeals Tribunal last week upheld an appeal by Chris Jongewaard against his non-nomination to the Australian Olympic Committee (AOC) for team selection consideration.
In accordance with the AOC Team Selection By Law the nomination was referred back to Cycling Australia for review.
The HPMC considered the Statement of Reasons provided by the Tribunal, in particular the following two items;
The Tribunal determined the HPMC did not have enough material to rely upon to exercise its decision as to whether it honestly believed Jongewaard had met all the requirements of the Selection Criteria and thereby, had failed to properly implement the criteria.
There is a further legal view, expressed in part by the Tribunal, that a decision on the conduct of the athlete can only be made “in the absolute discretion of the President of the AOC or otherwise by the Chef de Mission or the Secretary-General exercising his powers pursuant to the Ethical Behaviour By-Law” or by Cycling Australia after “the AOC President has exercised his discretion”.
back to represent In the circumstances the HPMC felt that there was sufficient doubt as to the authority of CA to exclude Chris Jongewaard on character grounds suggesting that a successful defence in any subsequent hearing could not be assured.
Therefore, the CA HPMC agreed to recognise the decision of the Tribunal to uphold the appeal and has now nominated Chris Jongewaard to the AOC for selection in the Team, replacing Daniel McConnell.
The Cycling Australia and Australian Olympic Committee nomination criteria for the 2008 Olympic Games can be downloaded in pdf format from the Selection Policies section of the Cycling Australia website: www.cycling.org.au
For further information (media only) please contact: Gennie Sheer, Sheer Rhetoric - Communications Director, Cycling Australia Tel: +61 (0) 418 863 533 Email:gennie.sheer@cycling.org.au Cycling Australia website www.cycling.org.au
Jongewaard Appeal Upheld July 11, 2008
The Cycling Australia Appeals Tribunal today upheld the appeal of Chris Jongewaard against his non-nomination to the AOC for Australian Team for the Olympic Games in Beijing.
The Tribunal will therefore, in accordance with the AOC Team Selection By Law, refer the nomination decision back to Cycling Australia for review.
The Tribunal has indicated written reasons will be provided as soon as possible. When the written reasons are available the Cycling Australian High Performance Committee will meet to consider the Tribunal's findings.
The Cycling Australia and Australian Olympic Committee nomination criteria for the 2008 Olympic Games can be downloaded in pdf format from the Selection Policies section of the Cycling Australia website: www.cycling.org.au
For further information (media only) please contact: Gennie Sheer, Sheer Rhetoric - Communications Director, Cycling Australia Tel: +61 (0) 418 863 533 Email:gennie.sheer@cycling.org.au Cycling Australia website www.cycling.org.au
2008 UCI World MTB Marathon Championships July 7, 2008
Rohin Adams has given us a report of this event.
World mountain bike marathon championships 2009 Villabassa Italy.
Australian fielded 6 riders in total in the 2009 marathon world championships. The 5 guys were Lachlan Norris, Josh Keep, Andrew Blair, Ryan Hawson and Rohin Adams. The women were represented by Jodie Willett. The course was a brutal 120kms with 3800 high meters of climbing. In total there would have been less than 10kms of single track with the majority of the riding made up of forest tracks and bike paths. The climbs were not easy in any stretch of the imagination. The first climb lasted for 15kms and had a 6 km section that was about 14% in gradient with loose rocks to make picking lines difficult. The rest of the climbs weren’t any easier than this one. At the 90 km mark the course graced riders with a 10 km stretch of climbing that was 50/50 of bitumen to gravel. The descents were dangerous at best. Some of the faster road descents were loose rocky fire roads with the rocks being up to tennis ball size. One hit on the bigger rocks could see your front wheel jump nearly a meter off your line whilst cornering which didn’t leave a feeling of confidence. The women’s course was 90kms in length skipping the first brutal climb giving a 20 km undulating roll out to a 3.5km 14% climb to get them all warmed up.
The start was electric. The little town of Villabassa which probably only hosts 800 residents, 3 hotels and 15 shops had been turned into a mountain biking Mecca with beer stands, bands playing, massive food marquees, trade shows and grand stands beside the start line. The riders were called up according to UCI rank which gave Lachlan the 60th starting place whilst the rest of us ranged from 104 to 118. Still with 120kms it really wasn’t going to be decided in the start line, well not for us anyway. The count down was up, gun was fired and we raced out of town to the cheers of the crowd. It was less than a km before the first climb and the moves were on to try to get up the field for us all. Josh Keep was making some great moves and soon was up with Lachie. The rest of us were sitting in the 70s to 80s part of pack. Over the first climb Josh was showing the strength with Lachie close behind him and 2min back to Rohin followed closely by Andrew and Ryan. The 2nd feed came at 40kms in after the 2nd climb. Josh and Lachlie were holding positions well with Andrew moving up through the field and Ryan holding strong. Rohin on the other hand was experiencing muscular problems and feeling a complete lack of power, he was dropping positions fast and questioning with 80kms to go just what may happen. As the race went on, climb after climb Josh held is position in the low 60s and never looked in doubt of a strong finish. Lachlan started feeling the distance with 35kms left but pushed on with everything he had. By feed zone 3 65kms into the race Ryans day was over. His body for the last 20kms had been expelling salts all over, His knicks, jersey and face were covered in salts. He had been throwing up all water that he drank and continuing for another 55kms was not physically possible nor a wise decision.
The finish of the mens race was pretty much unheard of in Marathon racing. After 120kms Christoph Sauser and Roel Paulissen emerged from the bush side by side with just a sprint to sort it out. As the line came close they were side by side giving it everything when they both came down in spectacular fashion just 50 meters before the line. Christoph quickly jumped on his bike but was unsteady and rode into the barrier whilst Roel picked up his bike and ran across the line to take the win. A remarkable 4hrs and 45mins finishing time and just a sprint denying Christoph of the XC and Marathon double. Josh Keep finished the first Aussie in 61st place with Lachlan in 72nd, Andrew in 78th and Rohin 87th
Jodie Rode a strong race holding position all day in the mid 30s. She give it everything she had a got a well deserved 31st place.
Looks like Sauser crossed the line first after the crash, then Paulissen walked his broken bike across the line - then the finger-pointing started.
Sauser was relegated for riding dangerously in the sprint - pushing Paulissen into the barriers or off his bike - because its Paulissen in the #1 spot on the podium. (Thanks to Russ Baker for pointing this out).
Men Results (130 starters)
Position Race number Name Equipe Nationality Race time and offset 1 24 PAULISSEN Roel BELGIUM / BELGIQUE 4:46.56,3 2 1 SAUSER Christoph SWITZERLAND / SUISSE +0.00,0 3 10 HUBER Urs SWITZERLAND / SUISSE +5.00,5 4 19 PAEZ LEON Hector Leonardo COLOMBIA / COLOMBIE +8.17,8 5 2 NAEF Ralph SWITZERLAND / SUISSE +9.14,5 6 9 BUCHLI Lukas SWITZERLAND / SUISSE +10.31,4 7 3 FRISCHKNECHT Thomas SWITZERLAND / SUISSE +11.58,6 8 21 CATTANEO Johnny ITALY / ITALIE +13.37,5 9 33 KESSIAKOFF Fredrik SWEDEN / SUEDE +14.08,6 10 13 SPAETH Sandro SWITZERLAND / SUISSE +15.19,9
61 104 KEEP Joshua AUSTRALIA / AUSTRALIE +48.57,6 72 60 NORRIS Lachlan AUSTRALIA / AUSTRALIE +1:04.04,1 78 111 BLAIR Andrew AUSTRALIA / AUSTRALIE +1:11.40,1 87 115 ADAMS Rohin AUSTRALIA / AUSTRALIE +1:28.47,4
Women results (53 starters) Position Race number Name Equipe Nationality Race time and offset 1 2 DAHLE FLESJAA Gunn-Rita NORWAY / NORVEGE 4:09.56,5 2 3 SPITZ Sabine GERMANY / ALLEMAGNE +1.44,4 3 5 SUNDSTEDT Pia FINLAND / FINLANDE +3.39,1 4 6 SÜSS Esther SWITZERLAND / SUISSE +11.53,1 5 35 DICHT Erika SWITZERLAND / SUISSE +13.35,2 6 15 GADDONI Elena ITALY / ITALIE +16.34,4 7 31 FERRARI Anna ITALY / ITALIE +18.34,6 8 27 SANER-GUINCHARD Marielle SWITZERLAND / SUISSE +19.21,6 9 18 WIPFLI Antonia SWITZERLAND / SUISSE +21.42,1 10 8 SCHWING Katrin GERMANY / ALLEMAGNE +24.20,4
31 50 WILLETT Jodie AUSTRALIA / AUSTRALIE +55.14,0
Newton's Playground on the Box July 2, 2008
Newton's Playground is bound for your loungeroom this coming weekend......
If you have Pay TV, tune in to Fuel TV on Saturday 5th July @ 2:30pm or Sunday 6th July @ 5pm for our Newton's Playground one-hour special.
If you don't, tune into Channel 10 on Sunday 6th July @ 3pm for a Totally Australia documentary titled "Panorama Punks".
Both shows are well worth a watch!!
Cheers,
Simon Rollin Major/Special Events Manager Bathurst Regional Council
Cycling Australia Nominations for the 2008 Olympic Games June 27, 2008
Cycling Australia today named the 28 cyclists it intends to nominate to the Australian Olympic Committee for selection in the Australian team for the 2008 Olympic Games to contest the road, track, mountain bike and BMX cycling events in Beijing.
Track Sprint Ryan Bayley OAM (Alexander Heights, WA 09.03.1982) Daniel Ellis (Ngunnawal, ACT 07.10.1988) Mark French (Elwood, VIC 13.10.1984) Shane Kelly OAM (Ararat, VIC 07.01.1972) Anna Meares OAM (Gracemere, QLD 21.09.1983)
Track Endurance Jack Bobridge (Mt Pleasant, SA 13.07.1989) Graeme Brown OAM (Menai, NSW 09.04.1979) Mark Jamieson (Acacia Hills, TAS 04.05.1984) Brett Lancaster OAM (Shepparton, VIC 15.11.79) Katie Mactier (St Kilda, VIC 23.03.1975) Bradley McGee OAM (Wentworthville, NSW 24.02.1976) Cameron Meyer (Helena Valley, WA 11.01.1988) Luke Roberts OAM (Walkerville, SA 25.01.1977)
Road Katherine Bates (Northmead, NSW 18.05.1982) Sara Carrigan OAM (Nerang, QLD 07.09.1980) Cadel Evans (Barwon Heads, VIC 14.02.1977) Simon Gerrans (Jamieson, VIC 16.05.1980) Matthew Lloyd (Brighton, VIC 24.05.1983) Stuart O'Grady OAM (Unley Park, SA 06.08.1973) Michael Rogers (Garren, ACT 20.12.1979) Oenone Wood (Watson, ACT 24.09.1980)
BMX Tanya Bailey (Mariginiup, WA 15.03.1981) Nicole Callisto (Beechboro, WA 12.11.1987) Jared Graves (Toowoomba, Qld 16.12.1982) Kamakazi (Jimboomba, QLD 08.03.1981) Luke Madill (Cranebrook, NSW 28.05.1980)
Mountain Bike Daniel McConnell (Bruthen, VIC 09.08.1985) Dellys Starr (Smith's Gully, VIC 02.10.1976)
The nominations have been endorsed by Cycling Australia's High Performance Management Committee (HPMC). The nominees have qualified for nomination as per the 2008 Australian Olympic Team Nomination Criteria but selection of the Olympic Team will be conducted solely by the Australian Olympic Committee (AOC). Selection may also be contingent on the outcome of any appeals lodged against non-nomination.
The timeline for Cycling Australia's nomination process is below:
23 June 2008 - Monday (5pm AEST) Deadline for recording a performance and/or times and submission of information pertaining to results and performances. 25 June 2008 - Wednesday (5pm AEST) Deadline for National Selectors to lodge final nominations for the Olympic Team with the Cycling Australia CEO 26 June 2008 - Thursday (5pm AEST) Deadline for HPMC to review and endorse the nominations of the CA National Selection Committees 27 June 2008 - Friday (10am AEST) CA to commence advising Shadow Team members of the nominations (day of public release of full list of nominees) 1 July 2008 - Tuesday (5pm AEST) Closing date for athletes to lodge an appeal against non-nomination 2 July 2008 - Wednesday (5pm AEST) CA will nominate athletes to the AOC for selection in the 2008 Australian Olympic Team, including nominations subject to an appeal 4 July 2008 - Friday (10am AEST) Final date for nomination of athletes to the AOC. AOC will formally confirm team selections within 48 hours, subject to outstanding appeals
The Cycling Australia and Australian Olympic Committee nomination criteria for the 2008 Olympic Games can be downloaded in pdf format from the Selection Policies section of the Cycling Australia website: www.cycling.org.au
For further information (media only) please contact: Gennie Sheer, Sheer Rhetoric - Communications Director, Cycling Australia Tel: +61 (0) 418 863 533 Email:gennie.sheer@cycling.org.au Cycling Australia website www.cycling.org.au
Mummery finishes 34th in Bike Trials at 2008 UCI MTB World Championships June 24, 2008
Watch the Athertons do the Double at the World Championships June 24, 2008
Freecaster.tv continues it's coverage of the UCI World Championships. The Athertons continue to dominate the season with both Gee and Rachel taking comfortable firsts in the men's and women's downhill respectively. There was a surprise win for Spain's Rafael Alvarez de Lara Lu in the men's 4X. Watch all the winning runs and highlights from Val di Sole on Freecaster.tv
Men's DH results: 1. ATHERTON Gee (GBR) 3:12.12 Course length : 2250 m / 1.40 Mile - Average Speed : 42.16 Kmh / 26.20 Mph 2. PEAT Steve (GBR) 3:14.74 3. HILL Samuel (AUS) 3:15.27
Keep up to date with coverage including behind the scenes footage and interviews with all the big names on the UCI Pro Channel on Freecaster.tv http://freecaster.com/1000188 ------END------
DH Men 1st Gee Atherton World Championship http://freecaster.com/live/1000188_1004965
DH Men 2nd S. Peat World Championship http://freecaster.com/live/1000006_1005143
DH Men 3rd Sam Hill World Championship http://freecaster.com/live/1000006_1005144
DH Women R. Atherton 1st World Championship http://freecaster.com/live/1000006_1005125
DH Women S. Jonnier 2nd World Championship http://freecaster.com/live/1000006_1005126
DH Women E. Ragot 3rd World Championship http://freecaster.com/live/1000006_1005127
4X Men Final World Championships http://freecaster.com/live/1000006_1005142
4X Women Final World Championship http://freecaster.com/live/1000006_1005135
2008 UCI World MTB Championships - Elite XCO Men June 23, 2008
SWITZERLAND DOMINATES IN THE LAST, CLOSING RACE Val di Sole (Trentino, Italy), 22th June 2008
The Swiss athletes dominate the Elite Men’s Cross-Country race, the last one of the Val di Sole World Championships, winning first, second and third place on the podium. The 32 year old Christoph Sauser fulfils his career with a gold medal in front of Thomas Vogel end Ralph Naef. Absalon gives up.
The Championships of the records ends with another primacy. In fact, it has never happened before that a single nation has monopolized the men’s Cross-Country podium. This is the case of Switzerland that today concludes its Championships demonstrating that, investing resources in the youth and national sector, it is possible to obtain very good results. A podium characterized by different techniques: Sauser and Vogel gave an extraordinary rhythm to the run, with a partial time of 16’45’’. According to the tests it was impossible to go under 17 minutes. Ralp Naef started slowly and maintained the 20th position for the first two runs. But, in the following runs, he gradually gained ground on the other athletes and, all the others, who had been combating since the very beginning, paid their efforts. At the beginning the Swedish Kessiakoff did his best to follow the two Swiss bikers. In the meantime, the world champion Absalon, surprised by their unspected accelerations, could not reach them. All the others, like Hermida and Fuglsang, did their best to stay close paying for their extraordinary efforts. During the third run Sauser visibly accelerated and Vogel let him go. But, the victim of this attack was Kessiakoff. He lost one minute in one run, Absalon reached and surpassed him. In the meantime Naef was preparing his recovery. In the fifth run he was in fifth place and in the sixth he reached and surpassed Absalon, completely destroyed and with no oxygen left. That is why he decided to give up.
The triple podium was done and all the others had to accept it. This also means that Naef has to renounce posticipating to the next Olympic Games, because of the other two Swiss athletes and because of the U23 world champion Schurter. This is enough to understand the importance of Switzerland in the Mtb world.
Elite Men - Final Result
1. 2 SAUSER Christoph SUI 1:58:26 2. 6 VOGEL Florian SUI 2:01:21 +2:54 3. 12 NAEF Ralph SUI 2:02:46 +4:19 4 78 KILLEEN Liam GBR 2:03:09 +4:42 5. 4 KESSIAKOFF Fredrik SWE 2:03:14 +4:47 6. 9 SOUKUP Christoph 2:03:34 +5:07 7. 7 PAULISSEN Roel BEL BEL 2:04:06 +5:39 8. 19 LEJARRETA ERRASTI Inaki ESP 2:04:30 +6:04 9. 42 MILATZ Moritz GER 2:05:18 +6:51 10. 28 BECKINGSALE Oliver GBR 2:05:24 +6:57
The Australian Elite men XCO team finished as:
29 29 JONGEWAARD Chris AUS 2:10:27 + 12:00 32. 55 MCCONNELL Daniel AUS 2:11:32 + 13:05 57 TABERLAY Sid AUS DNF
To download photos about today’s race, link to the following address: http://valdisole2008.pentaphoto.it
Four Cross favourite forced off track - 2008 UCI World MTB Championships June 23, 2008
Four Cross rider Jared Graves from Australia was favourite to win the Four Cross event at the UCI Mountain Bike and Trials World Championships in Val di Sole, Italy late last night. Graves was leading the final until Mickael Deldycke (France) took him over the embankment early in the race. The 25 year old Toowoomba rider rejoined the race but crashed again trying to make up ground removing his medal hopes and finishing in fourth place overall.
Graves is still hopeful of making the Australian BMX Olympic team this week and is currently ranked number two in the world.
With all three of the early leaders crashing and forced to remount their bikes, the win was secured by little known Spanish rider, Rafael Alvarez De Lara Lu. Swiss rider Roger Rinderknecht finished second and third was Mickael Deldycke from France.
Six-time World Champion, Brian Lopes (USA) and Graves met in the semi-finals with Graves winning convincingly while Lopes placed fourth. Lopes won the small final to place fifth overall.
In the elite women’s race it was America’s Melissa Buhl who claimed the win ahead of Jana Horakova and Romana Labounkova both from the Czech Republic in second and third respectively. Fourth was Dutch rider Aneke Beerten with Australian youngster, Caroline Buchanan from Canberra, winning the small final which placed her in fifth position overall. The national title holder impressed spectators by jumping the challenging doubles section of the track to gain an advantage.
Buchanan will be local favourite when the UCI Mountain Bike World Cup is conducted in Canberra at the end of August this year. Next year's UCI Mountain Bike and Trials World Championships will also be held in Canberra.
Graves will now await the Australian BMX team nomination announcement this Friday to see if he his number two World ranking is ample to give him an Olympic berth when the sport debuts in Beijing.
Full results men's four cross http://www.uci.ch/UciDoc/MTB/2008/CM/4X_ME_RESULTS.pdf Full results of women's four cross http://www.uci.ch/UciDoc/MTB/2008/CM/4X_WE_RESULTS.pdf
Downhill disappointment for 2007 World Champ - 2008 UCI World MTB Championships June 23, 2008
Two time World Downhill Champion, Sam Hill (Perth) was visibly disappointed after crashing in the finishing strait at the UCI World Mountain Bike & Trial Championships in Val di Sole, Italy on Saturday
Defending World Champion, Sam Hill from Australia was ahead by over five seconds when a crash in the last turn just 100 metres from the finish line relegated him to third place. Hill finished just 3.15 sec off the eventual winner's time of 3 min 12.12 sec over the steep and technical 2 250 metre long course.
Great Britain downhill riders dominated with brother and sister, Gee Atherton and Rachel Atherton, both claiming the World Championship titles in the elite men’s and women’s respectively.
Steve Peat, also from Great Britain, claimed silver with only 2.62 sec off the winning time.
Hill qualified fourth fastest on Thursday but the 22 year old from Perth could not back up his third consecutive World Championship win.
Scott Sharples, Australian Downhill Head Coach says Hill had been the fastest rider on the track all week.
“He was going fast enough to win it. It was just that last launching jump that saw him come unstuck,” explained Sharples. “It was not on his radar. It was so wide and open and predictable but Sam can go just so much faster than other people. When a mountain bike hits that at 70 kph anything can happen.”
Sharples accepted that Hill was not overconfident in his preparation. “All his practice sessions were spot on and he was focused. He had some creative lines all week. He was a bit humbled by this track but definitely had a grip on it and he approached it methodically,” said Sharples.
With still the World Cup Series title to defend Sharples thinks that Hill still has a strong chance of claiming that prestigious title a second time. With four World Cups races remaining Hill is expected to use today's disappointment to focus even harder. The sixth round of the downhill series at the end of August will be held in Canberra. After three World Cup rounds Hill currently leads the series with the new World Champion, Gee Atherton, in second place.
Fellow Australian Chris Kovarik (Gold Coast) has returned to form with a 12th place while former World Junior Champion Amiel Cavalier (Wollongong) claimed 18th in elite men. National Downhill Champion, Nathan Rennie (Gold Coast) placed a respectable 21st.
In the junior downhill race Shaun O'Connor (Bowral) placed 8th and Rhys Willemse (Gold Coast) 9th.
With the 2009 UCI World Mountain Bike and Trial Championships to be held at Mt Stromlo Forest Park in Canberra all hopes will be on Australia’s Sam Hill for his third World Championship win.
Full results are available: http://www.uci.ch/UciDoc/MTB/2008/CM/DHI_ME_RESULTS.pdf
2008 UCI World MTB Championships - Elite XCO Women June 23, 2008
IN VAL DI SOLE FULLANA IS THE QUEEN OF CROSS-COUNTRY Val di Sole (Trentino, Italy), 22th June 2008
The last day of the Val di Sole World Championships, the most important, starts with the Cross-Country victory of the Span’s Fullana, second place for the German Spitz, third for the Russian Kalentieva. This is the third wold tilte for Fullana, after eight years from the last one.
After eight years from her last world title, Span’s Margarita Fullana comes back on the Mtb podium winning the Elite Women Cross-Country race in Val di Sole. She was able to manage a very difficult race, five laps around the circuit characterized by two severe hill climbs. Actually it was the ideal track for her, considered one on the best climbers in the Mtb world. During the first part of the track the German Spitz dominated the race together with Fullana and Kalentieva. But, the Russian biker evidently demonstrated her weariness, especially in the most impervious track parts. In the meantime, from the back, Polish Wloszczowska was recovering her distance, she was the fastest during the third run. This is why Fullana, fearing to be reached, attacked on the second climb of the fourth run. A decisive assault that compromised the resistance of the other bikers. In fact, during this run Fullana registered her best time, one minute and a half less that the others. In the last run the Spanish athlete managed her victory finishing in 1h35’01’’, with 1’43’’ difference on Spitz (1h40’44’’) and 2’20’’ on Kalentieva (1h41’21’’).
For Fullana this is absolutely a great result thinking about next the Peking Olympic Games where she will race to forget her disappointment during the 2000 Sydney Games. On that occasion she finished third after being surpassed by Paola Pezzo and after a fall she never accepted.
Elite Women - Final Result
1. 5 FULLANA Margarita ESP 1:39:01 2. 2 SPITZ Sabine GER 1:40:44 +1:43 3. 1 KALENTIEVA Irina RUS 1:41:21 +2:20 4 3 PREMONT Marie-Helene CAN 1:41:53 +2:51 5. 40 WLOSZCZOWSKA Maja POL 1:42:47 +3:45 6. 11 PENDREL Catherine CAN 1:43:52 +4:51 7. 29 DAHLE FLESJAA Gunn-Rita NOR 1:44:17 +5:16 8. 9 OSL Elisabeth AUT 1:44:30 +5:29 9. 7 GOULD Georgia USA 1:45:19 +6:18 10. 12 KLEMENCIC Blaza SLO 1:45:39 +6:37
Australia's only athlete finished as:
37. 36 AUS19761002 STARR Dellys AUS 1:55:57 + 16:56
INTERVIEWS:
Margarita Fullana – SPA/1:39:01 “My tactics were totally different from those I used during the Wold Cup. I decided to wait behind to see the performances of the other athletes. Than, during the fourth run, I understood I could make it and I continued until the finish line doing my best”.
Sabine Spitz – GER/1:40:44 “I aimed to win the gold medal, than I realized there was somebody faster than me. I just accepted it. Anyway, I can be satisfied with this second place. Congratulations to the winner!”.
Irina Kalentieva – RUS/1:41:21 “I think my race was really good. I really didn’t expect the third place, I’m very satisfied even thinking about the next Peking Olympic Games. This was a very important test. But today, it was too hot for me. I felt too weak and, during the hill climb I was 20-30 metres behind gaining ground downhill. Anyway, the third place is a good result”.
2008 UCI World MTB Championships - DHI June 22, 2008
TWO SIBLINGS ON THE DOWNHILL PODIUM
Val di Sole (Trentino/Italy) 21.06.2008
For the first time in the history two siblings win a world downhill podium: English Gee Atherton awards a captivating men’s race while Peat, from the same country, obtains the silver medal for the fourth time in his career. Rachel Atherton triumphs in the women’s race followed by three French athletes.
It has never happened before that, in the same day, two siblings graduated with a Mtb World Championships title. The Val di Sole boasts this primacy thanks to Gee and Rachel Atherton, from Great Britain, that today have won two gold medals. The men’s race was one of the most exciting in history, thank to a perfectly designed and technical track, ideal to highlight biker’s characteristics.
ELITE MEN DOWNHILL - The race was dominated by French Pedemanaud first and by former world champion Barel after. An important result after the serious injury he suffered this season. But, when it was time for the first 15 qualified athletes, the ranking totally changed thanks to the 34 year old Steve Peat, the British champion that has already won 2 European titles and 3 World Championships silver medals. Here in Commezzadura Peat dreamed for a while when the big favorite, the two time world champion Australian Samuel Hill, felt on the next to last bend finishing the race 53’’ behind. It seemed to be finished but, just after that,it was Gee Atherton’s turn. The British champion designing a brave path and dominating his bike like a horse ended in 3’12’’12, with 2’’62 difference from Peat. In fact, this was the fourth time he lost the gold podium in this way. Third place for the unlucky Hill, more disappointed than Peat.
Downhill Elite Men - Final Results
Rank Race Number Surname National code Inter1 Speed Time Gap 1. 2 ATHERTON Gee GBR 2:33.29 64.39 3:12.12 2. 4 PEAT Steve GBR 2:35.35 65.02 3:14.74 +2.62 3. 1 HILL Samuel AUS 2:29.01 65.34 3:15.27 +3.15 4. 3 MINNAAR Greg RSA 2:37.65 63.66 3:17.34 +5.22 5. 5 BAREL Fabien FRA 2:36.80 65.13 3:17.92 +5.80 6. 11 LEOV Justin NZL 2:38.89 64.39 3:17.96 +5.84 7. 16 PASCAL Mickael FRA 2:39.53 65.34 3:20.12 +8.00 8. 7 CAMELLINI Julien FRA 2:40.54 65.34 3:21.31 +9.19 9. 14 PEDEMANAUD Fabien FRA 2:40.42 59.28 3:21.46 +9.34 10. 29 OULEGO MORENO Ivan ESP 2:45.47 61.11 3:26.86 +14.74
INTERVIEWS: Gee Atherton – “I really can’t believe it. It is unbelievable that two siblings have won two world Championships titles in the same day. I’m very satisfied with my result, on the same track where last year I won the European title. But today I thought that it would be Sam’s day. The track was really difficult and I make lots of errors, just in the final part I was able to do my best. Today Samuel was the fastest, he lost the gold medal just because he fell. But, I’m sure that he still is the challenger to beat”.
Steve Peat - “I made couple of mistakes along the track, one of the most difficult of the last few years. Today, it would have been very nice to win the gold medal and beat my challenger Hill. But, Gee did something exceptional. Congratulations to him. Nowadays in Great Britain downhill is becoming more and more important, as demonstrated by today’s results”.
Samuel Hill - “I really thought I could win today. During the race I was very proud of my performance and I felt very comfortable. But, in the end I fell, what a pity! A day to forget!”.
The rest of the Australian team finished as:
12. 32 KOVARIK Chris AUS 2:45.91 58.92 3:27.08 + 14.96 18. 47 CAVALIER Amiel AUS 2:49.91 61.11 3:31.56 + 19.44 21. 9 RENNIE Nathan AUS 2:47.64 58.23 3:31.73 + 19.61 40. 136 RISCHBIETH Will AUS 2:57.05 57.22 3:40.62 + 28.50 41. 58 ATKINSON Bryn AUS 2:46.31 64.18 3:42.18 + 30.06 46. 53 RANDO Jared AUS 2:57.52 59.19 3:42.90 + 30.78
ELITE WOMEN DOWNHILL - A totally different race for women’s downhill. Rachel Atherton dominated from the first intermediate point gaining a 10 seconds advantage with three French athletes behind him. The British champion ended in 3’49’’92, the former champion Sabrina Jonnier 11’’99 behind (4’01’’91). Third place for French Emmeline Ragot in 4’07’’03.
Rachel Atherton – “It was a perfect race, I didn’t expect it. It was a surprise even to make the best time during seeding run. French bikers were favorite and I have be satisfied with any medal. I was nervous all day but, when I started the race I run one of the best race of my entire carrier. I made no mistakes despite the difficulties of the track. It is a very special day for Atherton’s family. We have spent many years sharing everything in the sport fiel and in our lives, today we can share even our world titles”.
Sabrina Jonnier - “This is really difficult to accept, after a year with the world title. I have been the best for years and going back to the silver medal it’s too difficult to accept. A day to forget!”
Emmeline Ragot - “A really positive result for me. I know my competitors and today I didn’t think I would win this medal. To win a bronze title in a world Championship is a pleasant surprise but even a dream”.
Australia had no Elite women Downhill athletes competing at this years' Championships.
JUNIOR MEN AND WOMEN DOWNHILL - English school dominates in downhill. In fact, even today’s junior downhill race has been won by two British athletes. Gold medal for Josh Bryceland in 3’23”55 and silver medal for Sam Dale, just 7’’51 behind (3’31’’06). Third place for French Rèmi Thirion (3’32’’13). French domination for women junior downhill race. First place for Anais Pajot (4’17”71), second for Myriam Nicole (4’23’’44), third for Mélanie Pugin (4’46’’46).
Downhill Men Juniors - Final Results
Rank Race Number Surname National code Inter1 Speed Time Gap 1. 3 BRYCELAND Josh GBR 2:43.05 62.16 3:23.55 2. 49 DALE Sam GBR 2:49.20 59.54 3:31.06 +7.51 3. 5 THIRION Rémi FRA 2:50.99 57.14 3:32.13 +8.58 4. 40 BARRETT Aari NZL 2:50.27 57.39 3:32.47 +8.92 5. 6 MACDONALD Brook NZL 2:49.25 60.55 3:32.77 +9.22 6. 21 HART Danny GBR 2:51.17 61.77 3:33.71 + 10.16 7. 39 COLOMB Yannick FRA 2:52.02 55.69 3:35.23 + 11.68 8. 56 O'CONNOR Shaun AUS 2:53.26 62.95 3:36.24 + 12.69 9. 61 WILLEMSE Rhys AUS 2:54.09 55.00 3:37.40 + 13.85 10. 11 TETZLAFF Boris AUT 2:56.40 59.28 3:39.58 + 16.03
The rest of the Australian team in Junior DH finished as:
13. 2 PATTON Tom AUS 2:59.04 61.68 3:44.12 + 20.57 14. 20 MURRELL Tamryn AUS 3:00.25 57.64 3:45.52 + 21.97 36. 48 VINCENT Matthew AUS 3:16.55 52.17 4:04.19 + 40.64 47. 36 PROHM Dylan AUS 3:06.23 59.01 4:14.24 + 50.69
Downhill Women Juniors - Final Results
Rank Race Number Surname National code Inter1 Speed Time Gap 1. 7 PAJOT Anais FRA 3:27.87 56.97 4:17.71 2. 5 NICOLE Myriam FRA 3:32.23 52.38 4:23.44 +5.73 3. 2 PUGIN Mélanie FRA 3:53.80 42.67 4:46.46 + 28.75 4. 4 MILLER Miranda CAN 4:01.13 4:56.38 + 38.67 5. 9 BUCHANAN Caroline AUS 3:51.98 48.17 4:56.51 + 38.80 6. 3 AGOSTINHO Aurea POR 4:18.35 51.29 5:15.14 + 57.43 7. 8 DROMUNDO Diana MEX 4:46.45 53.87 5:55.91 +1:38.20 8. 10 DICKERHOFF Leoni-Caro. GER 5:01.21 49.74 6:06.24 +1:48.53
INTERVIEWS:
Josh Bryceland - “I’m very enthusiastic about my result because, after last year’s negative experience, I was thinking about ending my career. But, this year I’ve been working very hard to improve my performances and be ready for this appointment, the most important”.
Anais Pajot - “Today is a fantastic day for me and for my Country. I’m very proud of my performance and of my first world title”.
2008 UCI World MTB Championships - U23 XCO Men June 21, 2008
UCI MTB & TRIALS WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS SCHURTER CONFIRMS THE EXPECTATIONS VAL DI SOLE (TRENTINO), 20th JUNE 2008
The Swiss champion Nino Schurter, already qualified for the next Olympic Games, dominates in U23 Men Cross-Country race. First silver medal in a Cross-Country race for South African Burry Stander
It is not surprising that Nino Schurter has already been chosen as one of next Swiss bikers for the Olympic Games. The 22 year old champion boasts an impressive palmares: 2 world junior and 2 world Team Relay titles, 7 European titles between juniors, U23 and Team Relay, not to mention all the other podiums he has obtained during these years. Could he finish his U23 carrier without the first podium? It was almost impossible. In fact, today the Swiss champion disputed an extraordinary race giving honor to Val di Sole Cross-Country World Championships. Even pace, no rushes, managing his strength from the very beginning. The only one to maintain his speed was the South African Burry Stander (now South Africa has won in Cross-Country specialties, not only in downhill…) that sat Schurter’s attacks out during the third and fourth run, before let him go. Schurter’s speed during the three laps was constant, about 17’25’’, slowing down in the last run, when everything was already done. Thus, a very impressive victory for Nino, who even had Italian funs, and a good perspective thinking about next Pechino Olympic Games. To underline the important distance he imposed to his competitors: Stander finished second with a 47’’ difference, but the third one, Swiss Fluckinger, ended with a 3’46’’ difference.
1. 2 SCHURTER Nino SUI 1:44:34 2. 3 STANDER Burry RSA 1:45:15 + 41 3. 6 FLÜCKIGER Matthias SUI 1:48:20 +3:46 4. 13 GIGER Fabian SUI 1:49:28 +4:54 5. 4 TEMPIER Stéphane FRA 1:50:29 +5:55 6. 7 GASCO Dario Alejandro ARG 1:53:00 +8:26 7. 10 GAGNE Raphael AN 1:53:20 +8:46 8. 35 BEEMER Frank NED 1:53:34 +9:00 9. 40 MEYER Pascal SUI 1:53:56 +9:22 10. 20 GEHBAUER Robert AUT 1:54:24 +9:50
INTERVIEWS:
Nino Schurter 1:44:34 “It was a very nice race. I battled since the very first run with Burry but he knew that today he was fighting for the silver medal. My teammate was behind Burry and this psychologically influenced his performance. I just had to maintain my position until the end”.
Burry Srander 1:45:15 “I knew that today Nino was the favorite of the day, the only way to get it was trying to attack and keep the rhythm from the very first lap. Then, the race changed as I expected. At the end he was the best, congratulations to him”.
Matthias Fluckinger 1:48:20 “I can be more than satisfied about my race, today the favorites for the victory were Nino and Burry. I already knew I had to be satisfied with the bronze medal”.
The Australian U23 XCO team finished as:
22. 9 NORRIS Lachlan AUS 1:58:40 + 14:06 49. 39 VAN DER PLOEG Paul AUS -1Lap
In other news:
FRISCHKNECHT AWARDED FOR TWENTY YEARS OF CAREER
Emotional cerimony from the Uci for Thomas Frischknecht’s twenty years of career, since the first world championship in 1990 and still racing next Sunday with the elite. Runs through him a bit of Italy since he spends time in Toscana to care about his winery.
At the end of the under 23 cross country, Uci awarded the swiss Thomas Frischknecht for his twenty years’ career at high level. Frishi, his surname in the field, son of a cyclocross champion (activity usually practice by his son too) is just an example for sport in general: on stage since the first edition, in Durango1990, even Sunday will compete with great chances of finding himself in the first positions. Italy infact is al ucky country for him: at Ciocco 1991 he won the silver for the cross country and some years ago he decided to stay in Tuscany for part of the year to dedicate himself to his big passion after the Mtb: wineries. A passion that transformed in job, thanks to his great Chianti with grapes coming from the Napa Valley in California, his wine is renown overseas and exported. Frishi in Massa Vecchia, in the high Maremma, found a very familiar environment where he spends lots periods with his wife and three sons, to train and cultivate, keeping close relationships with the locals also, thanks to his improved Italian, one of the languages known by him.
2008 UCI World MTB Championships - Junior XCO Men June 20, 2008
CROSS-COUNTRY MEN JUNIOR: SLOVAK PETER SAGAN WINS THE GOLD MEDAL
Val di Sole, (Trentino, Italy) 19th June 2008
Peter Sagan didn't fail to meet expectations and, after the
Cross-Country European title has earned the Championship gold medal.
The race of Commezzadura was long and selective: French Arnaud Jouffroy
earned second place, Swiss Matthias Rupp the bronze medal.
After yesterday women’s Cross-Country races it’s the men’s turn.
Today’s program has been focused on Cross-Country Juniors Men’s race,
divided in five laps. The race wasn’t as exciting as expected but, this
is what happens when there’s an absolute protagonist. This is the case
of Peter Sagan, of Slovakia, the winner of St. Wendel winning the
European title with an impressive advantage to all the others. And,
here in Val di Sole, Peter Sagan did his best again: during the first
run French Jouffroy, that already obtained the gold medal on Tuesday’s
Cross-Country Team Relay race, tried to maintain his speed but soon
understood that he didn’t have enough strength and left the scene. Lap
after lap his advantage increased until the finish line. The Slovak
finished the race about 2 minutes behind Sagan. Third place for Swiss
Matthias Rupp, like what it happened in the last European race, in
Germany.
1. 19 AGAN Peter SVK 1:35:21
2. 6 JOUFFROY Arnaud FRA 1:36:55 +1:33
3. 2 RUPP Matthias SUI 1:38:12 +2:50
4. 81 STRECKER Fabian GER 1:40:55 +5:33
5. 62 WIDMER Mirco SUI 1:41:03 +5:41
6. 74 BRAIDOT Luca ITA 1:41:04 +5:42
7. 8 MOORLAG Henk Jaap NED 1:41:28 +6:06
8. 4 SCHULTE-LUENZUM Marcus GER 1:41:36 +6:14
9. 35 STIRNEMANN Mattthias SUI 1:41:54 +6:32
10. 36 KONWA Marek POL 1:42:22 +7:00
Interviews:
1st place -Peter Sagan
“It was a very difficult race, especially during the first lap when all
the main atletes where ahead and didn’t want to give up. Than, during
the second run there were only two of us and, during the third one even
Arnaud lost ground. Thinking about my competitors I really didn’t think
to win today”.
2nd place - Arnauld Jouffroy
“I can be satisfied with my second place even if I can’t keep it, after
the Cyclo-Cross Championship silver medal, I really aimed at winning
today. Anyway, Peter was the strongest. Congratulations to him, he
really deserves this victory”.
3rd place - Matthias Rupp
“During the first lap I tried to stay close to Sagan and Jouffroy but,
in the second run I understood that today it was impossible, they were
too fast. During the third run I had to slow down as not to risk the
final and loose even third place”.
The Australian team started in the following places and finished as indicated.
32. 73 HUCKER Robbie AUS 1:48:46 + 13:24 34. 51 BRAUNSTEINS Peter AUS 1:49:20 + 13:58 60. 96 JOHNSTON David AUS -1Lap 63. 18 DURIE Charlton AUS -1Lap 65. 88 FETCH Luke AUS -1Lap
2008 UCI World MTB Championships - DH Seedings June 20, 2008
DOWNHILL:IN THE QUALIFICATIONS ARE DOMINANT THE ATHERTHON BROTHERS Val di Sole (Trentino, Italy), 19th June 2008 –
In the downhill qualifications the English brothers Rachel and Gee Atherthon make the best times.The women and men races that will assign the medals saturday afternoon.
Afternoon reserved to the downhill riders that were involved in the seeding run for the qualification. On the 2200 meters of track in Commezzadura today the qualifications were held to define the starting list, all the categories will find themselves racing from 10.30am on Saturday the 21st of june.
The first racing have been the 8 athletes junior, with the french Anais Pajot that stopped the cronometer on 4’:38’’3.5 leaving connational Melanie Pugin with the second time 25’’.56s and the third, the austrian Caroline Buchanan at 37’’08.
Also from the Alps the best for the junior with time 3’:43’’.16 Rèmi Thirion that leaves behind the british Josh Bryceland for 1’’02 whether with the third time (3’:48.’’58) the new zealander Brook Macdonald.
Between the 27 elite women in the list, the english Rachel Atherthon will be last racing because of her record time 4’:05’’.72 giving 10’’.42s to the first of the french girls behind Emmeline Ragot whether with 16’’.44 sthe english Sabrine Jonnier and other 10’’ to the french Gloriane Pugin. The waited race for elite men, great performance of Gee Atherthon, older brother of the temporary leader between women.
The british races with the best time 3’:24’’.81 giving a distance of 3’’71 to the southafrican Greg Minnaar, and 5’’.14s for the newzealander Justin Leov that will start on Saturday the 21st as third to last, great position.
Tactical qualification for the favourite for the discipline Fabien Barel that races with the absolute 33rd time, in line with the first qualified, 2:’48’’.26 against 2’:45’’.68 by Athethon, but a final time of 3’:54’’.41 that will allow him to start at the gate before the direct enemies.
In other places:
DHI Elite Men qualifications, Gee Atherton 1st (3:24:81), Greg Minnar 2nd, Justin Leov 3rd, then Sam Hill 4th 7.51 seconds back. Kovarik 9th, Rennie 13th, Bryn Atkinson 25th, Mitch Delfs 31st, Rischbieth 46th, Rando 58th (damaged wrist and shoulder), Cavalier 96th
DHI Junior Men qualifications, Shaun O'Connor 5th (3:52.66) 9 seconds off the fastest, Rhys Willemse 12th, Tamryn Murrel 23rd, Tom Patton 24th, Dylan Prohm 25th, Matt Vincent 59th (injured).
DHI Junior Women qualifications, Caroline Buchanan 3rd (4:17.63), 37 seconds off the fastest.
2008 UCI World MTB Championships - U23 and Junior XCO Women June 19, 2008
U23 Womens category
SLOVENIAN ZAKELY WINS GOLD IN U23 WOMEN’S CROSS-COUNTRY,
DELUSION FOR THE FAVORITE REN
Val di Sole (Trentino, Italy), 18TH June 2008
Everybody was waiting for the winner of the last World Cup, Chinese Ren
Chengyuan. But today the Asian lost her supremacy since the beginning
of the race. 1st podium for the former Juniores champion, Tanja Zakelj
(SLO), 2nd for Schuetter (SUI) and 3rd for Dawidovicz (POL).
Big surprise during today’s U23 Womens Cross-Country race. In fact,
Chinese Ren Chengyuan, the protagonist of last World Cup and, according
to everybody, the favorite of next Olympic Games, started ahead but
progressively lost ground until the unexpected withdrawal. Thus, big
delusion for anyone expected to see an anticipation of the next Olympic
races: Ren, like all the other athletes of the Chinese team, arrived
here after two months of total absence from racing, months of training
that have contributed to enhance the interest on their performance
during next Games. This is why the race was a direct match between
Slovenian Tanja Zakeli and Swiss Nathalie Schuetter and, like it
happened this morning during the Junior Womens race, we are speaking
about the same names that characterized the last leg of last Saturday
Internazionali d’Italia, a hopeful wishing thinking about the Elite
Mens race. According to many, Schuetter was one of the favorites, ready
to add the World title to the European but, here in Commezzadura,
Zakelj was absolutely the best. The Slovenian, supported by her
enthusiastic public arrived here in Val di Sole from her country,
gained advantage since the very first run and more and more with the
following runs. The second finished the race 2’50’’ behind, 3rd place
for Polish Dawidovicz, in 3’15’’.
1. 5 ZAKELJ Tanja SLO 1:35:31
2. 4 SCHNEITTER Nathalie SUI 1:38:30 +2:58
3. 11 DAWIDOWICZ Aleksandra POL 1:38:46 +3:14
4. 8 KROMPETS Nataliya UKR 1:39:14 +3:43
5. 16 MANI Caroline FRA 1:39:35 +4:04
6. 7 BATTY Emilly CAN 1:40:31 +5:00
7. 9 KRASNIAK Julie FRA 1:41:25 +5:54
8. 21 BRESSET Julie FRA 1:41:42 +6:11
9. 17 POLSPOEL Maalke BEL 1:43:36 +8:04
10. 20 CAMPUZANO DanieleMEX 1:54:40 +8:09
There were no Australian U23 women competing.
Interviews:
1st place - Tanja Zakelj
“I know my challengers very well and I knew that I had to pay attention to Nathalie, the last European champion of S. Wendel.
That is the reason why, together with Natalie, I started with a strong
sprint to gain distance from all the others and make the difference.
I decided to attack before starting the 3rd run and I realized I was
stronger than Nathalie, I had an advantage of one minute at the bell
ring.
I really want to say thank you to all my followers that have come here to support me”.
2nd place - Nathalie Schneitter
“I started fast with my first challenger, today she was in particularly
good form. Tanja managed the race with an impressive strength, from the
very first run.
During the second it was very diffucul to maintain the position and, in
the third one I paid for this effort. Not to mention the fact that,
just before the arrival area, I got a flat tire and was not able to
change it; I was very lucky to maintain the silver medal”.
3rd place - Aleksandra Dawidowicz
“I’m very satisfied with today’s third place. I can’t complain but now
I’m really exhausted. At the arrival area, I spent all my energy. Now,
I really need time to relax”.
Junior Womens XCO Category FIRST COLUMBIAN PODIUM IN CROSS-COUNTRY Val di Sole (Trentino) 18th June 2008
The
Colombian Laura Abril Restreopo, card-carriyng member of the Italian
Infotre Lee Cougan team, has gained the Championships title of the
Junior Women’s category ending the race just before Hungarian Benko and
German Eiberweiser. There was fine weather for the race, but heaps of
mud on the course after the
last few days of solid rain. Lots of the girls were walking through
ankle deep goo..
There is something Italian in today’s
victory. The Columbian Laura Abril Restrepo obtained the podium in the
first World Championships Cross-Country race scheduled in Val di Sole
this week. In fact, the young South American, that today gained the
first gold medal in an Mtb World competition for her country, is
card-carrying for the Infotre Lee Cougan team that includes all the
best Cross-Country and Marathon athletes. And, lots of fans supported
her during the three runs along the race track.
Details about
the competition: Hungarian Barbara Benko dominated the first part of
the race with Abril just couple of seconds behind. The South American
champion maintained this position for the first two runs and, after a
quick sprint, reached and overcome the Hungarian like it happened last
Saturday when she dominated the final ranking during the Internazionali
d’Italia in Vermiglio. The Columbian finished the race in 1h16’07’’,
just 37’’ before Benko, far away from the rest of the riders. The
European champion, German Mona Eiberweiser, gained third place with
2’11’’ gap. Bitter disappointment for the previous champion, Ukrainian
Anna Boyko that quitted the race just after the first lap when all the
others had already gained a big advantage.
1. 9 COL19900128 ABRIL Laura 1:16:08 2. 7 HUN19900121 BENKO Barbara 1:16:46 +0:37 3. 3 GER19910105 EIBERWEISER Mona 1:18:19 +2:11 4. 4 SUI19900504 MEYER Vivianne 1:19:27 +3:18 5. 23 POL19901105 GORYCKA Paula 1:22:40 +6:31 6. 15 CAN19900630 ADOLF Bianca 1:22:54 +6:46 7. 6 CZE19900727 VALESOVA Jana 1:23:54 +7:46 8. 31 ITA19901127 SCHUSTER Cornella 1:24:04 +7:55 9. 8 GBR19900907 LAST Annie 1:24:08 +8:00 10. 5 BEL19901008 CANT Sanne 1:24:19 +8:10
Australia's
sole rider in this category, Rebecca Henderson, and came 22nd out of 45
starters in the Junior Women's World Championships, 14:58 behind the
leader (about half a lap). She faded on her last lap and lost about 5
places, including being passed by Samara Sheppard (who beat her at
Oceanias) who came in 1:50 ahead of her. Bec had a good first lap,
starting from 44th on the grid and moving up into 10th at the end of
lap 1.
22. 44 HENDERSON Rebecca AUS 1:31:06 + 14:58
Interviews:
Laura Arbril/COL 1:16:08 “I
started in front of all the others to understand the strongest athletes
and stand over the race, that was my strategy. This morning everybody
was here to win, like me. During the race I realized that Barbara Benko
was at my level, the last two runs have been decisive and, as soon as I
was able to get advantage, I speeded up as fast as I could and I did
it”.
Barbara Benko/HUN 1:16:46 “I’m very happy about the
track. During the first two laps I felt very good and I thought I could
make the difference but, after that I had some problems with my legs
and I felt twice, that is why I can be satisfied with this second
place”.
Mona Eiberweiser/GER 1:18:19 “At the beginning I had
some problems, I realized to be “slow” and I temporarily was in eight
position. I had to react to get concentrated and find again my
strength, at the end I gained the third place, I’m very happy with the
bronze medal”.
To download photos about today’s race, link to the following address
Australian team for UCI World MTB Marathon announced June 18, 2008
The Australian team members to contest the 2008 UCI World MTB Marathon race in Villabassa - Italy on 5th July 2008.
The riders are:
Lachlan Norris Dan McConnell Ryan Hawson Jo Willett Josh Keep Andrew Blair Rohin Adams
The team will be managed by Dave McPartland and the National XC coach Neil Ross.
2008 UCI World MTB Championships - Team Relay June 18, 2008
FRANCE WINS THE TEAM RELAY SILVER FOR SWITZERLAND AT SPRINT OVER ITALY
The mountain bike world championships in Val di Sole (Trentino - Italy) have started with the Team Relay opening race that has seen France, Switzerland and Italy on the podium
VAL DI SOLE ( TRENTINO - ITALY) 17th JUNE 2008 – The cross country team relay has been dominated by France, followed by Switzerland and the Italian Team. 20 National teams competed in wet/ muddy (15deg) conditions.
The French team has confirmed its leadership in this race as shown by the recent European title in St. Wendel with a team that has demonstrated not to have weak points: the elite Jean Christoph Peraud has closed his first part of the race with 15 seconds of advantage on the major competitor Switzerland lead by Elite Florian Vogel, meanwhile Italy due to a bad day of Fontana, closed its stage at the 8th position at 1’23” to the leader.
In the second part of the race a big speed up for the Italians thanks to the junior athlete Kerschbaumer who carried the Italian team at the 4th place when the French Leboucher was improving his advantage. In the third part, the race was almost closed by the French advantage but Eva Lechner did her best lap carrying up the Italy at the bronze medal. Meanwhile Ukraina lost its position having the female rider at least in the fourth part of the race allowing Italy to gain the second place. In the last part the French Vouillermoz defended his place when the Italian Cominelli lost his second position due to the strength of Switzerland with Schurter who, at the end of a spectacular sprint took away the second place of the Italian team.
High resolution image of the podium available at the following this link. A further selection of images availabe here
AUSTRALIA finished in 11th place
Team in order: 1. Lachlan Norris (U23) 2. Daniel McConnell (Elite) 3.Charlton Durie (U19) 4.Dellys Starr (Elite) Charlton Durie moved us into 4th place with Dellys Starr completing the final lap. A great effort by the entire team.
Races to come: Wed June 28 U19 women XCO - Rebecca Henderson
Thurs June 29 U19 men XCO - Charlton Durie, Robbie Hucker, Peter Braunsteins, Luke Fetch, David Johnson Elite 26" Trials - Nathan Mummery
News from Italy - Update 1 June 16, 2008
Some of the Australian team for the World MTB Championships contested a round of the Italian National Race series on the weekend. The race was held at Vermiglio (about 12Km up the valley from the World Champs site at Commezzadura). The course was lots of grass and mud, heaps of firetrail, and only one real mountain biking section - pretty much about 150m of DH type track.
Full resuts from the are below:
UOMINI OPEN: 1. Marco Aurelio Fontana (Hard Rock Frw) 2h08’32"; 2. Julien Absalon (Orbea) 2h08’32"; 3. Tony Longo (Team Full Dynamix) 2h08’37"; 4. Yader Zoli (Giant Italia Team) 2h08’56"; 5. Johnny Cattaneo (Diquigiovanni-Androni) 2h09’27"; 6. Emil Lindgren (Sve, Team Full Dynamix San) 2h10’23”; 7. Johann Pallhuber (Team Silmax Amd Kona) 2h10’40”; 8. Andrea Tiberi (Giant Italia Team) 2h10’54”; 9. Stephane Tempier (Fra, Gewiss Bianchi) 2h10’56”; 10. Jhon Jairo Botero Salazar (Col, Infotre- Lee Cougan) 2h11’54”; 11. Fredrik Kessiakoff (Sve, Team Full Dynamix) 2h13’02”; 12. Giuseppe Lamastra (Hard Rock Frw Asd) 2h14’06”; 13. Ivan Alvarez Gutierrez (Spa, Giant Italia Team) 2h14’07”; 14. Mirko Pirazzoli (Team Progress Frm) 2h15’26”; 15. Cristian Cominelli (Gewiss Bianchi) 2h15’42”; 16. Leon Hector Leonard Paez (Col, Gewiss Bianchi) 2h16’03”; 17. Mirko Celestino (Asd Team Alba Orobia) 2h16’19”; 18. Sidney Taberlay (Cycling Australia) 2h18’01”; 19. Henrique Da Silva Avancini (Team Brazil) 2h18’22”; 20. Catriel Auer Soto (Arg, Infotre- Lee Cougan) 2h18’23”.
DONNE OPEN: 1. Annabella Stropparo (Ideal Bikes Romania) 1h57’36"; 2. Laurence Leboucher (Francia) 1h59’00"; 3. Blaza Klemencic (Giant Italia Team) 1h59’17"; 4. Sandra Walter (Felt Women’s Mtb Team) 1h59’51"; 5. Tanja Zakelj (Slovenia) 2h00’17"; 6. Elena Gaddoni (Team Progress Frm) 2h01’48”; 7. Alexandra Hober (Profi Bike Team) 2h02’52”; 8. Daniela Campuzano (Mes, L'Arcobaleno Carraro) 2h04’43”; 9. Claudia Sieder (Sud Tirol Rainer-Wurz) 2h05’00”; 10. Michela Benzoni (Bicimania Lissone Mtb) 2h05’26”; 11. Evelyn Staffler (Colnago Arreghini Fila) 2h05’56”; 12. Roberta Gasparini (Top Race Team) 2h06’48”; 13. Jolande Speedy (Rsa) 2h07’19”; 14. Judith Pollinger (Sunshine Racers Asv Na) 2h09’12”; 15. Anna Ferrari (Adv Team Asd) 2h09’31”; 16. Sara Muhl (Rsa) 2h12’51”; 17. Sabrina Di Lorenzo (Team Eurobici Orvieto) 2h13’00”; 18. Julie Krasniak (Fra) 1h37’09”; 19. Barbara Oberdorfer (L'Arcobaleno Carraro) 1h41’36”; 20. Sibylle Werth (L'Arcobaleno Carraro) 1h50’30”.
UOMINI UNDER 21: 1. Cristian Cominelli (Gewiss Bianchi) 2.15’45”; 2. Henrique Avancini Da Silva (Team Brazil) 2.18’24”; 3. Sebastien Carabin (Belgio) 2.19’52”; 4. Paul Van Der Ploeg (Cycling Australia) 2.20’53”; 5. Samuele Porro (Cbe Merida) 2.23’10”.
UOMINI UNDER 23: 1. Stephane Tempier (Fra, Gewiss Bianchi) 2.10’59”; 2. Catriel Andres Soto Auer (Arg, Infotre-Lee Cougan) 2.18’26”; 3. Guenther Huber (Südtirol Rainer-Wurz Team Asv) 2.18’46”; 4. Rodolfo Andres Torres Agudelo (Col, Infotre-Lee Cougan) 2.19’02”; 5. Alessio Zamuner (Team Silmax Amd Kona) 2.21’01”.
DONNE UNDER 23: 1. Tanja Zakelj (Slovenia) 1.58’52”; 2. Daniela Campuzano (L'Arcobaleno Carraro Team) 2 02’03”;.3. Claudia Sieder (Südtirol Rainer-Wurz Team Asv) 2.03’36”; 4. Judith Pollinger (Sunshine Racers Asv Nals) 2.07’49”; 5. Julie Krasniak (Fra).
UOMINI JUNIORES: 1. Gerhard Kerschbaumer (Asv St. Lorenzen) 1h41’06"; 2. Arnaud Jouffroy (Francia)1h41’39"; 3. Nicholas Pettinà (Adv Team Asd) 1h42’10’’; 4. Elia Silvestri (Alpin Bike Edilbi Sondri) 1h42’53”; 5. Michael Pesse (Cicli Lucchini As) 1h43’00”; 6. Daniele Braidot (L'Arcobaleno Carraro) 1h43’33”; 7. Olof Jonsson (Sve, Corratec World Team) 1h43’43”; 8. Blaz Znidarsic (Slovenia) 1h43’46”; 9. Luca Braidot (L'Arcobaleno Carraro) 1h44’19”; 10. Charlton Durie (Cycling Australia) 1h44’22”.
DONNE JUNIORES: 1. Laura Abril Restrepo (Infotre-Lee Cougan) 1h36’19"; 2. Barbara Benko (Ltv Merida Racing) 1h37’59"; 3. Anna Oberparleiter (Asc Olang) 1h44’04"; 4. Cornelia Schuster (Ssv Pichl Gsies Raiffeise) 1h46’10”; 5. Rebecca Henderson (Cycling Australia) 1h46’41”; 6. Catalina Corral (Cile) 1h47’58”; 7. Martina Giovanniello (Cbe Meridia Asd) 1h50’02”; 8. Michela Battaglia (Team Bikes Ragusa Frw) 1h50’19”; 9. Marta Pastore (Team Gebi Sistemi) 1h55’40”; 10. Caitlin De Wet (Rsa) 1h58’14”.
Thanks to Russ Baker who has kindly offered to report back to MTBA on the progress of the Australian Team at Val de Sol.
The Australian members of the Team Relay are: Dan McConnell (Elite Man) Lachlan Norris (U23 Man) Dellys Starr (Elite Woman) Charlton Durie (U19 man)
The Team Relay races on Tuesday. U19 women race Bec race on Wednesday and Junior Men on Thursday.
Russ baker reports that There has been solid rain here for the last 3 weeks so lots of work was delayed. Looks like it is going to be a muddy race.
Gold to Graves at Fort William MTB World Cup June 8, 2008
Queensland's Jared Graves has backed up from last weekend's seventh place at the BMX World Championships in China to claim victory in the 4X (four-cross) final in the third round of the UCI Mountain Bike World Cup Series in Fort William, Scotland.
“I haven’t won here for a couple of years," said Graves. "I love this course but it’s always hated me and with so many quick guys you never know what’s going to happen, so to get the win is just great.”
Graves, 25, is ranked number two in the world in BMX, in which he hopes to gain selection for the Olympic Games in Beijing, but also boasts a solid resume of MTB results including a silver medal in the 4X at the 2005 World Championships.
The 4X event in Fort William was raced in warm, dry conditions not usually experienced on the Nevis Range course and Graves made the most of it to qualify fastest. He headed into the final as the man to beat despite admitting last weekend he would be training through this World Cup and the World Championships (17 -22 June in Italy) in preparation for BMX in Beijing.
Australia is also favoured to collect a win in the downhill event on Sunday when current world ranked number one Sam Hill takes to the mountain. The West Australian is the reigning World Champion claiming his second crown last year when the event was raced at Fort William. He also won the World Cup round raced here in 2006.
Hill won the first round of this year's World Cup Series in Slovenia but at the second round last weekened in Andorra was second behind Britain's Gee Atherton.
In other news Delly Starr placed 30th, Potter in 33rd, King at 43 in the Elite Women's XCO and Jongewaard placed 18th in front of Taberlay (38th), Norris (56th), Van der Ploeg (68 and McConnell in 76th in the Elite men XCO
Cycling Australia website www.cycling.org.au
For further information (media only) please contact: Gennie Sheer, Sheer Rhetoric - Communications Director, Cycling Australia Tel: +61 (0) 418 863 533 Email:gennie.sheer@cycling.org.au
Bid process to host the 2009 Australian MTB Marathon Championships May 30, 2008
The 2009 Australian MTB Marathon Championships will be used as one of the key selection events to assemble an Australian team to contest the UCI World Marathon Championships. The 2009 UCI World MTB Marathon Championships will be hosted in Graz, Austria on 23rd August 2009.
To bid to host the 2009 Australian MTB Marathon Championships download the document here. Further information can be obtained from MTBA.
Information about the 2009 Oceania MTB Championships May 27, 2008
The Oceania Championships ranks as the third most important MTB event on the world calendar (after the World Championships and World Cup) in terms of attaining a world rank. The Oceania countries are Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, Guam and New Caledonia. The Oceania Mountain Bike Championships are hosted biannually in Australia with New Zealand hosting every-other year.
The 2009 Oceania Mountain Bike Championships will be hosted by Australia.
Potential hosts for the 2009 event are encouraged to download and respond to the document below. Bids to host the 2009 Oceania Mountain Bike Championships are due into MTBA by 23rd June 2008.
Australian Team for 2008 UCI MTB World Championships - UPDATE May 23, 2008
Cycling Australia is pleased to announce the Australian team to contest the 2008 UCI MTB World Championships being staged from 17 to 22 June in Val di Sole, Italy.
XCO Elite Women Dellys Franke-Starr (Smith's Gully, VIC 02.10.1976) XC
XCO Junior Men Peter Braunsteins (Kew, VIC 24.02.1990) XC Charlton Durie (Bowral, NSW 10.05.1990) XC Luke Fetch (Bittern, VIC 06.07.1990) XC Robbie Hucker (Bendigo, VIC 13.03.1990) XC David Johnston (Alice Spring, NT 25.09.1990) XC
DH Junior Men Tamryn Murrell (Mudgeeraba, QLD 21.07.1991) DH Shaun O'Connor (Barrengarry, NSW 13.07.1991) DH Tom Patton (Belrose, NSW 14.11.1990) DH Dylan Prohm (Helensburgh, NSW 05.06.1990) DH Matthew Vincent (Red Hill, ACT 10.07.1991) DH Rhys Willemse (Chambers Flat, QLD 11.09.1991) DH
XCO Junior Women Rebecca Henderson (Monash, ACT 27.09.1991) XC
DH Junior Women Caroline Buchanan (Kambah, ACT 24.10.90) DH
Cycling Australia website www.cycling.org.au
For further information (media only) please contact: Gennie Sheer, Sheer Rhetoric - Communications Director, Cycling Australia Tel: +61 (0) 418 863 533 Email: gennie@compuserve.com
2008 Nissan UCI Mountain Bike World Cup in Canberra - WEBSITE LIVE May 23, 2008
The website for the 2008 Nissan UCI Mountain Bike World Cup in Canberra is now live.
Canberra is gearing up to host the 2008 Nissan UCI Mountain Bike World Cup Canberra, presented by Shimano, at Stromlo Forest Park on the 30/31 August and CORC World Events are pleased to announce the launch of the official event website.
The website contains everything you need to know about the biggest Mountain Biking event that Australia will host in 2008. The website includes racing schedules, course information, support events, where to ride in Canberra, how to volunteer, travel and visa information. Companies wanting to showcase their products, technical support teams, UCI official teams and individual riders can all purchase space in the village online via the website. You can also register to be part of our volunteer team.
The World Cup is brought to you by CORC World Events a subsidiary of the Canberra Off-Road Cyclists (CORC), Australia’s largest Mountain Bike Club. CORC delivers over 60 races throughout the year in and around Canberra.
Well known course builder Glen Jacobs has been busy crafting new tracks and making changes to existing ones at Stromlo Forest Park in preparation for the World Cup. To stay in touch with all the World Cup developments sign up for the newsletter. The monthly newsletter will keep you up to date will all of the course developments, who is riding and exhibiting, village activities, our sponsors and you could even get a chance to win VIP tickets and other prizes.
The World Cup weekend is not just about the elite riders, although they will be a great spectacle, if you don’t have the UCI points or just want to have a punt around the track you can register via the website for the non elite races. Or if you want to help CORC deliver a race that no one will forget register to volunteer.
The World Cup is being held at Stromlo Forest Park on the 30/31 August and will be Mountain Bikings biggest party for 2008.
MEDIA CONTACT Kimberlee Philip Earlybird Marketing and Events P: 0405 675 583 E: media@theearlybird.com
S E A S O N S - A new film by The Collective - Australian Tour May 8, 2008
“When The Collective burst onto the scene a few years ago with their first mountain bike film, they redefined the standards. The creativity of this crew spawned a film that inspired like no MTB film had ever previously. ‘The Collective’ had an ambience and soulfulness that blew minds, and the cinematography and riding were simply stunning. ‘Roam’, the team’s second film, was equally well received and now things seem set to make another leap forward with the release of the third instalment ‘SEASONS’. The best news for us here in Australia is that a there will be a massive screenings tour held in late May and early June. If you can make it to Canberra, Sydney or Melbourne to catch the action, then be there for sure. Not only will you get to see the most anticipated release of the year, but there’ll be fantastic giveaways from all the film’s sponsors too. This is one to put in your diary right now.” Chris, Sub-Ed, AMB.
Screening details:
Monday, May 26: Canberra Dendy Cinema, Canberra Centre Level 2, North Quarter, Canberra Centre, 148 Bunda Street Entry at 6:45pm. Show at 7:00pm (Tickets from the cinema)
Thursday, May 29: Sydney Dendy Cinema, Opera Quays Shop 9, 2 East Circular Quay Entry at 6:45pm. Show at 7:00pm (Tickets from the cinema)
Sunday, June 1: Melbourne Kino Dendy Cinema 45 Collins Street Entry at 6:45pm. Show at 7:00pm (Tickets from the cinema)
The DVD release will be around the same time, so be sure to grab yourself a copy from your local. But you’ve really gotta see this film on the big screen as well. Not to mention the chance of getting some of the sponsors’ giveaways...
TWP events in SE Queensland May 2, 2008
WEEKEND WARRIOR FESTIVAL - 10TH/11TH MAY
Speed, Thrills, & Endurance, 2 days of action packed mountain biking fun at our new venue in Canungra. Saturday is adrenelin day with downhill, dual slalom & observed trials demo with Sunday being endurance day with the Matrix 6 Hour Challenge.
THERE ARE STILL SOME PLACES AVAILABLE - Entries must be in by Midnight Monday 5th May
Entries are open for the Boonah Marathon. 2008 sees a new course for the Marathon starting and finishing at Boonah. The course is suitable for all riders and travels on mainly country dirt roads & some bitumen. Much of the course goes through private properties that we can only access once a year for this event. Take on the "Infamous Wall" the mother of all hillclimbs. Kilometres of gruelling climbs, heart stopping descents and awesome scenery. There are 3 distances Full, Lite & Skinny. The skinny course does not climb "The Wall".
Last year's MTBA Marathon Championship course was very popular being a mountain bikers dream course with heaps of sweet single track set in the beautiful Coffs/Bellingen region. Much of last years course will be used with some changes for 2008 and a new start/finish area. Ride through beautiful rainforest. The event has moved from the colder months of July to the longer daylight & warmer month of September. Riders have a choice of 3 distances depending on their fitness. Why not have a holiday or short break Coffs Harbour is ideally situated halfway between Sydney & Brisbane with plenty of accomodation & activities.
6 Hours of Blood, Sweat and Gears: Avanti Plus Kellevie 6hour Mountain Bike Race May 2, 2008
Kellevie Mountain Bike Park May 4th(be with you) 2008 Race start; 11am, Race finish; 5pm.
For more information contact Race Director, Duncan Giblin on 0448 599 612 or by email or visit the official race website
Building on the success of the 2007 and 2008 Kellevie 12/24hour Mountain Bike race, the Hobart Dirt Devils Mountain Bike Club are pleased to announce another great event for 2008. To be held at the Kellevie Mountain Bike Park on May 4th, the inaugural Ray Appleby – Avanti Plus Kellevie 6hour Mountain Bike Race will see mountain bikers from around the state battle it out for six long hours. The race caters for all skill levels from beginners to professionals with the option to race solo or in a team of up to four riders.
The event represents the largest individual prize cheque for any Mountain Bike race in the state. The winner of the solo Female and Male category will walk away with $1000 cash, no doubt well earned after 6 long hours in the saddle. One lucky rider will also win the main spot prize of a $2,500 Avanti bike, proudly supplied by Ray Appleby cycles, just for turning up and racing.
Total entries exceed 200 riders, making this one of the largest mountain biking events in the state. Winner’s of the recent Kellevie 12/24hour race, Mathew Hope, Dion Shaw and Jen Brodie are expected to be hard to beet in the slightly shorter format. Mountain biking is one of the fastest growing sports in Australia and this is represented by the large number of entries already received. Schools will also make a strong appearance at the Avanti Plus Kellevie 6 hour with a strong Mountain Biking rivalry now developing between several Tasmanian schools. With the number of female riders increasing across all mountain biking disciplines, a large contingent of female only teams are also entered for the new event.
The track has been lengthened to 9.5km of purpose built track in scenic bushland in the South East of the state, ensuring a testing but enjoyable loop around the race village.
Located in the Sorell Municipality, Kellevie is only 25 minutes from the Hobart International Airport.
Australian team for 2008 BMX World Championships - Graves and Madill make the cut April 28, 2008
Cycling Australia and BMX Australia are pleased to announce the team to contest the 2008 BMX World Championships being raced in Taiyuan, China from 29 May to 1 June.
Elite Women Tanya Bailey (Mariginiup, WA - 15/03/1981) Nicole Callisto (Beechboro, WA -12/11/1987) Melissa Mankowski (Moranbah, QLD -25/08/1988)
Elite Men Jared Graves (Toowoomba, Qld -16/12/1982) Kamakazi (Jimboomba, QLD -08/03/1981) Luke Madill (Cranebrook, NSW -28/05/1980) Khalen Young (St Helens Park, NSW -20/11/1984)
Junior Men Joshua Callan (Healesville, VIC - 08/04/1991) Michael Chasteauneuf (Croydon, VIC - 15/01/1991) Steven Janssen (Nerang, QLD -17/01/1990) Sam Willoughby (Trott Park, SA - 15/08/1991) Junior Women Rachel Bracken (Aitkenvale, QLD - 30/06/1991) Lauren Reynolds (Clifton Park, WA - 25/06/1991)
For further information (media only) please contact: Gennie Sheer, Sheer Rhetoric - Communications Director, Cycling Australia Tel: +61 (0) 418 863 533 Email: gennie@compuserve.com Website: www.cycling.org.au
Northern Rivers (Victoria) 2008 BMX/Mountain bike series April 28, 2008
The Northern Rivers BMX Associating has been running a successful BMX
series in Victoria for many years. This year we have decided to include
a mountain bike class to be run in conjunction with our BMX race
competition. Basically it’s BMX on a mountain bike but is not too
dissimilar to 4X. It is a seven race series run on Sunday mornings with
a Saturday night final in Shepparton. Competitors who race 6 of the 7
rounds (including the final) receive a series trophy.
You can however race as many of as few of the rounds as you wish including the final round.
Round 1, Sunday the 4th of May at Sunbury
Round 2, Sunday the 25th of May at Bendigo
Round 3, Sunday the 22nd of June at Wodonga (2008 Vic State Titles venue)
Round 4, Sunday the 13th of July at Melton (subject to possible change of venue)
Round 5, Sunday the 3rd of August at Werribee
Round 6, Sunday the 17th of August at Wodonga (2008 Vic State Titles venue)
Final round, Saturday (evening) the 30th of August (under lights) at Shepparton
For riders who currently hold a Mountain Bike License you can add a BMX
endorsement for just $36 through your club, (you don’t need to join a
BMX club).
If there is enough interest in the series BMX Victoria may add a
mountain bike class to the state BMX championships to be held on the
last week end in November.
Download the entry form for the 1st round below Subsequent entry forms will be posted on the Sunbury BMX website
The Nissan UCI Mountain Bike World Cup goes live! April 18, 2008
A computer. This is all you need to follow the Nissan UCI Mountain Bike World Cup live. Each leg of the World Cup will be covered live on www.universalbikeracing.com, www.massive-mag.tv, www.ucilive.com (worldwide, except USA) and www.wcsn.com (USA only). The first transmission will be next Sunday at 10:30am (GMT +2) for the start of the Womens race in Houffalize.
Two other websites www.freecaster.com and www.mtbcut.tv will also be at the World Cup to cover the Downhill and Four-cross events.
The highlights will be available on YouTube’s official World Cup channel: www.youtube.com/ucimtb.
As for television coverage, the World Cup will be broadcast in the following countries: Australia : Fuel TV Brazil : ESPN Czech Republic : Ceska Televise (XCO only) France : ESPN Classic France Italy : Sport Italia Pan Africa : Supersport International Pan Asia : Eurosport Asia / Pacific Pan Europe: Eurosport 2 (DHI and 4X only) Poland : TVP Sport South Africa : Supersport International Spain : TVE United States : WCSN
News of each day of competition will also be sent to agencies such as the European Broadcasting Union, Reuters, SNTV and Gillette World Sports, who provide footage to numerous channels around the world.
A few events will also be broadcast live by national channels. This will be the case for the four-cross events in Maribor and Vallnord.
In addition, widely distributed programs such as « Road to Beijing » (29 countries on 4 continents) and « Sports Unlimited » will feature the World Cup.
2008-2009 MTBA National MTB Series dates and venues announced - Quick News April 14, 2008
The MTBA management committee has carefully considered the 6 bids received for the 5 rounds but have now confirmed the following schedule:
Round 1: November 1-2 - Adelaide XCO#1, XCC#1, DH#1 Round 2: November 29-30 - Gold Coast XCO#2, XCC#2, DH#2, 4X#3 Round 3: December 13-14 - Geelong XCO#3, XCC#3, DH#3 Round 4: January 31 - February 1 - Mt Buller XCO#4, XCC#4, DH#4, 4X#4 Round 5: February 28 - March 1 - Hobart XCO#5, XCC#5, DH#5, 4X#5
4X rounds 1 and 2 are expected to be hosted at Sydney Olympic Park in October.
More details will be published after the weekend's promoter forum in Adelaide.
Selection process for UCI World Marathon Championships: 5th July 2008, Villabassa - Italy April 11, 2008
Up to this point entry to the UCI World Marathon MTB Championships has been largely on the basis of individual entry. With the growth of the stature of this MTB discipline around the world and in Australia MTBA, Cycling Australia (CA) and the High Performance Program have been considering the way to ensure that Australian marathon athletes will be able to maximize and enhance their performances at the XCM Worlds. The main consideration was to formalize the team selection processes and appoint a team manager.
With this in mind the following is the first draft of a selection regime for XCM World Championships.
1. CA and MTBA will jointly select and approve a Manager for this event. 2. Participation at this event will be entirely at the athlete's own cost, including but not limited to travel, accommodations, meals, uniform, and any costs associated with management of the team. 3. Participation in either MTBA XCM National Championships or MTBA XCO National Championships is mandatory. 4. If the Australian Championships in either discipline is held at a later date then is appropriate for selection purposes, the Championships of the previous year shall be considered instead. 5. Exceptions may be considered on the basis of an injury, sickness or other circumstance approved by the selection committee. 6. Athletes must formally indicate their intent to compete and identify where they have met the performance standards by email to the MTBA Executive Officer by the selection deadline of (23rd June 2008). The team will be announced (1st July 2008). Selection will be made by the established CA MTB selection committee.
Minimum Performance Standards - Athletes must meet ONE of the following standards: 1. Finish within 110% of the overall winner's time at either MTBA XCM or MTBA XCO National Championships. In the case where U23 riders at XCO Championships complete less laps than the Elite riders, the time standard will apply to a comparison of all laps completed by the U23 field against same number of laps in the elite field, beginning with the first elite lap. 2. Finish within 105% of the winner's time at another MTBA XCM event (see MTBA calendar) 3. Possess a minimum of 10 UCI XCM points by the selection deadline date - 23rd June 2008
Due to the late development of these criteria for 2008, and the lack of any previous criteria for attendance, the selection committee will consider applications from athletes who have not met the above criteria but are able to demonstrate previous performance in the XCM discipline.
In the event that more Australian athletes apply then than the maximum allowed by the UCI, priority will be given to the highest ranked athletes on the UCI XCM individual classification as of the team selection date.
Final Junior MTB team roster for 2008 World MTB Championships March 26, 2008
Following the completion of the 2008 Oceania Championships and in accordance with the 2008 selection policy, the National MTB selectors have added the following additional athletes to the MTB World Championships Junior Team.
Downhill - U19 Men Tamryn Murrell (21/07/1991 Mudgeeraba) Tom Patton (14/11/1990 Belrose NSW
Cross Country – U19 Men Peter Braunsteins (24/02/1990 Kew VIC)
These athletes are now added to those already selected and endorsed.
DOWNHILL - Junior Men Dylan Prohm Matthew Vincent Shaun O’Connor
DOWNHILL - Junior Women Caroline Buchanan
CROSS COUNTRY – U19 Men Charlton Durie Luke Fetch Robbie Hucker David Johnston
CROSS COUNTRY – U19 Women Rebecca Henderson
2008 NZO Australian Solo MTB Championships - UPDATED March 23, 2008
English and Van Der Spiegel dominate in the Majura dust Courtesy James Williamson
Mild weather and dry conditions produced an enthralling battle for the ’08 Solo 24hr Champ’s with Jason English gaining the upper hand in the dying hours of the race for a hard fought win. In the Women’s race Katrin Van Der Spiegel dominated from early in the piece, cementing her position as our top Aussie female soloist.
From the moment the gun went the race was on! Key contenders John Claxton (Giant), Jason English (BMC), Mark Fenner (Specialized-Total Rush), Joel Donney (Onya Bike Warehouse) and Troy Bailey (BMC) were all eager for the crucial early mental upper-hand.
Donney and Claxton started setting the pace early but it didn’t take long for English to bridge the gap to the pair. Claxton and English controlled the pace at the front, slowly opening up an increasing margin to the rest of the field, with Donney looking to have spent too much too early. Further back, Fenner and Bailey worked together to try to minimise the gap as English and Claxton continued to tighten the screws.
The race continued like this through the night, with the two swapping the lead at the front and opening up an ever-increasing gap to the chasers. The big mover during the night hours was Dan Mackay, who opted for a slower start but made his way through the field, passing a flailing Bailey, Donney and Fenner.
Morning broke and English had a two minute lead on a chasing Claxton. Claxton brought the gap down to 30 seconds by 9am but crashed hard, losing valuable time and that mental edge. English went on to put time into his rival as the fight washed from Claxton, having given everything he could.
The last few hours were a formality, with English having broken his competition in a thrilling battle. He had enough energy for a wheelie coming through to the finish of a well deserved 24hr solo crown, contrasting a visually broken Claxton.
English was happy to take the win, unsure of how Claxton was going for most of the race. “He would attack of the front and get a bit of a gap and then come back to me, I thought he was doing some sort of weird training for the World Champ’s. So yeah, I was pretty scared at some points, it was great to take the win!”
“My goal was to try to average 160 heat rate for the first few hours but I ended up sitting on 180! I was just having too much fun out there, it obviously cost us all at the finish though”
With the win under his belt, English plans to do the green and gold proud in Canada in July for the Solo World 24hr Champ’s. “I would never have considered it before this but now I’ve won the ticket I’ll definitely go. I’ve just got to get into some specific 24hr training”
The Women’s race started fast with Katrin Van Der Spiegel (Clarence Street Cyclery), Alex Kiendl (Kona) and Claire Graydon (Mal Adjusted) tearing it up for the first few hours. It didn’t take long for Katrin to stamp her dominance all over the race, going into the night with a decent gap to the chasers. The three spread out through the night with Kiendl staying ahead of Graydon for 2nd place.
Katrin thanked her support crew for her success. “I had such a great team behind me I really had to do my best out there – I didn’t want to be the weakest link in such a great team.”
With another green and gold jersey for the wardrobe, Katrin plans to head overseas again for the Solo World 24hr Champ’s. Having raced the event in 2006 at Conyers, Georgia and finishing a credible 4th place, Katrin feels her experience will work for her the second time around. “The first time I raced the World’s was just to get experience. This year I feel like I can do better and hopefully land on the podium.”
Hometown rider wins Oceania Mountainbike downhill March 17, 2008
Nelson’s Kieran Bennett gave the hometown crowd plenty to cheer about when he took out the downhill title on the final day of the UCI Oceania Mountainbike Championships today.
It proved a New Zealand double with Queenstown’s Scarlett Hagen claiming the Oceania elite women’s honours, although she finished a close second behind visiting Great Britain rider Tracy Moseley, who was ineligible for the title.
The rugged Kaka Hill course in Nelson provided plenty of spectacular action, especially the 7m jump midway down the course, which drew the attention of most of the big crowd today.
Bennett, third in yesterday’s seeding run, upstaged his rivals to scorch down the course in 2m 57.06s. The 2007 national champion finished 14 seconds ahead of the in-form Christchurch professional Justin Leov, who won the South Island Cup round on the same course in January.
Experienced Levin rider Nathan Rankin was third 42 seconds behind the winner while top seed, Sam Blenkinsop (Wanganui) completed a disappointing competition when he crashed out and finished well down in the finishing order.
The best of the visiting Australians was Tim Eaton (Canberra) in seventh.
English professional Moseley, the 2006 World Cup downhill series champion and runner-up last year, enjoyed a superb weekend to take fastest time in the downhill, after second place in the dual slalom and a win in the four cross.
Hagen, who headed yesterday’s seeding run, was happy to finish so close to top rating Moseley and claim the Oceania title. Moseley won in 3m 32.08s, with the New Zealander only 3.8 seconds behind.
Hagen won’t have much time to savour victory, heading home tonight to resume university studies at Otago University tomorrow.
“I was pretty happy. Obviously it was good to top the seeding run but I am pleased with the performance today to finish so close to Tracy who is world class,” Hagen said.
“Yes I am back to university lectures tomorrow. But I am looking forward to competing in some World Cup races later this year.”
Blenheim’s Harriet Harper was third and Sheryl Macleod (Dunedin fourth).
Havelock North’s Aari Bennett won the junior men ahead of Queensland’s Tamryn Murrell in a time that would have given him fourth in the elite men while Canberra’s Caroline Buchanan completed a brilliant weekend by claiming the junior women’s honours.
A short course crosscountry was also staged today, won by another outstanding Australian prospect Dellys Starr, who was again in a class of her own in the elite women’s competition.
The men’s winner was American professional Barry Wicks although he was not eligible for the Oceania title, which went to runner-up, Australian Daniel McConnell.
Kawerau rider wins at UCI Oceania Mountainbike Four Cross March 17, 2008
Kawerau’s Matt Walker gave the Kiwis something to shout about when he took out the Four Cross title at the UCI Oceania Mountainbike Championships in Nelson today.
Walker produced a superb run in the final to edge out compatriot and dual slalom winner Edward Masters (New Plymouth) in the final.
The Australians, who dominated yesterday’s cross country, had to be content for the final placings with Ryan Hunt third and Terry Scarr fourth in a closely fought final with only two seconds covering the four riders.
Visiting Great Britain rider Tracy Moseley won the women’s final, following on from her second placing in the dual slalom.
Moseley edged out Australian Caroline Buchanan, reversing the result of the dual slalom.
Australia’s Sarsha Huntington was third and Nelson’s Harriet Carson fourth.
It proved an exciting final with only 4/10ths of a second separating the top three in a blanket finish.
Four Cross is similar to the dual slalom competition but with four riders in each wave in an elimination format.
The Oceania championship finishes with the downhill tomorrow.
Australia' Olympic shadow team rule at Oceania Champs March 14, 2008
Both Australian National Cross Country Champions won the Oceania Mountain Bike Championships in Nelson, New Zealand today. Adelaide’s Chris Jongewaard and Melbourne’s Dellys Starr reconfirmed their current positions as two of only four Australian rider in the shadow team for the Beijing 2008 Olympics.
Jongewaard had to fight for the lead which was taken by former Athens Olympian, Sid Taberlay from Tasmania. Taberlay led convincing during the first four of six laps of the 8.4 km course. In the final two laps, Jongewaard reclaimed the lead winning in a record 2h00.19. Taberlay placed second with Victorian, Dan McConnell claiming third. All three riders are currently on the men’s shadow team.
Australia’s national champion and only female rider to qualify for the shadow team, Dellys Starr, won the elite women’s race. The 31 year old from Melbourne powered over the four laps in just 1 hour 37 min 43 sec. In a standout ride Starr headed out quickly and was not challenged. New Zealand’s Kaytee Boyd (Auckland) placed second with Tasmania’s Rowena Fry in third.
“I pushed up the climbs and pulled away and lead from the start,” stated Starr. “I always go out as hard as I can.”
I was happy with the win because my preparation and training is heading in the right direction.”
Starr said she had done some threshold training before this event however with a long season of World Cups ahead, Starr says she will return to strength training.
The Australian mountain bike team for the Beijing 2008 Olympics will consist of one female and one male cross country rider but they are not expected to be nominated until after the World Mountain Bike Championships in Val Di Sole in Italy in late July.
Starr will race the remaining short course cross country in Nelson before returning to Melbourne for one day with her family before heading overseas to start her assault on the World Cups in Europe.
The under 23 men’s race was also won after an early charge up the initial climb by Lachlan Norris from Victoria. A return to form for the young 21 year old university student saw him cover the 5 laps in 1h 20.29.
“The win today will mean I get a good starting position at the World Cups and World Championships,” explained Norris. Norris will depart Australia at the end of this month along with the three members of the men's shadow team, Jongewaard, McConnell and Taberlay.
Australians travel in force for Oceania Mountainbike in Nelson March 14, 2008
Courtesy of BikeNZ.
New Zealand mountainbikers face a super-strong challenge from across the Tasman in the UCI Oceania Mountainbike Championships in Nelson starting on Thursday.
The Australians have sent a powerful contingent to contest the four day event which begins with the Hill Climb and Dual Slalom on Thursday, cross country and 4X on Friday – all at Banford Park – and the downhill at nearby Kaka Hill on Sunday.
Beijing Olympic hopefuls Chris Jongewaard and Sid Taberlay lead the Australian cross country team after finishing first and second in their national championship. Jongewaard, a member of the international Dolphin professional team, will defend the Oceania title he won last year although he has been mixing his time with a highly promising move to road cycling. He placed seventh in the Australian time trial championships recently.
Taberlay is a multi Australian champion who finished 23rd at the Athens Olympics and sixth in the 2006 Commonwealth Games.
New Zealand, without leading rider Kashi Leuchs who is racing in Europe, will look to the likes of national champion Stuart Houltham (Lower Hutt) to lead the way along with Commonwealth Games representative Mike Northcott (Mangakino).
It will be as tough in the women’s ranks with the top six Australians from their national championships all competing, including cross country champion Dellys Starr (Victoria), favoured to win an Olympic berth, with New Zealand led by Kaytee Boyd (Auckland) who rode impressively in the recent women’s road tour.
There is also a strong Australian contingent in the under-23 and under-19 ranks but the strongest of the New Zealand chances is in the under-19 division where Wellington’s Samara Sheppard will defend her Oceania title.
New Zealand can expect a strong showing in the downhill events led by multi national champion Nathan Rankin (Levin), current New Zealand champion Kieran Bennett (Nelson) and world top 20 ranked Justin Leov (Christchurch).
Current national champion Sheryl MacLeod (Dunedin) and former world junior champion Scarlett Hagen (Queenstown) lead the charge in the women’s downhill.
Leov, who rides the Yeti/Fox professional team, will be chasing success in the four cross with the women’s favourite, three-time Australian champion Caroline Buchanan.
The Oceania championships also provides as a trial for the New Zealanders to qualify for June’s world championships in Italy.
There are also entries from New Caledonia in the four-day event.
12hr Hard Knocks Postponed due to heat and total fire ban March 14, 2008
Due to the extreme heat and likelihood of a total fire ban on Saturday, the 12hrs of Hard Knocks has had to be postponed, the new date will be Saturday 24th May.
Contact me if you have any questions contact John Harvey
UCI News: Mountain Bike World Cup: Kalentieva and Näf at their best! March 9, 2008
31.08.2008
Irina Kalentieva (Topeak Ergon) and Ralf Näf (Multivan Merida) won the Australian round of the World Cup. Both absent in Canberra, Julien Absalon (Orbea) and Marie-Hélène Prémont (Rocky Mountain) are nevertheless assured of winning the 2008 World Cup. Victorious without even racing!
Everything has been said. Or almost. In two weeks’ time, the Austrian final round in Schladming will simply be a prize-giving for the winners of the Nissan UCI World Cup presented by Shimano. The suspense ended today at the penultimate round of the international series in Canberra (Australia), site of next year’s World Championships. Canadian Marie-Hélène Prémont was not in the southern hemisphere. She leads the overall standings but it was Irina Kalentieva who won in Australia, her sixth World Cup victory. Not far from home, the New Zealander Rosara Joseph (Team Ghost International) signed the best performance of her career with second place. Fourth in China last week, Catherine Pendrel (Luna Women MTB Team) took the third place just ahead of the Czech Tereza Hurikova who takes the lead in the Under 23 standings.
Going into the last leg in Austria, Prémont is 287 points ahead of Catherine Pendrel and cannot be reached! After a silver medal at the Olympic Games in 2004 and a bronze medal at the 2006 World Championships, the Canadian, who is set to retire at the end of this season, wins the World Cup for the first time.
Having failed to qualify for the Olympic Games because of his irregular results at the beginning of the season, Swiss rider Ralf Näf (Multivan Merida MTB Team) won on the Australian East coast. It was his second World Cup victory after Fort William in 2005. It was a good day for the Multivan Merida team with second place for José Hermida. In third place, Geoff Kabush (Team Maxxis) took advantage of an off-day for Christoph Sauser (11th) to move up to second place in the overall standings. Back in France after his second Olympic title, Julien Absalon is assured to win the World Cup for the fourth time (after 2003, 2006 and 2007). An absolute record!
UCI news: Mountain Bike World Cup: Minnaar ignites the end of the season! March 9, 2008
31.08.2008
The downhill rider from the Santa Cruz Syndicate, Greg Minnaar, wins the Australian leg and thus reclaims the World Cup lead. His South African teammate Nathan Rennie is second, and Gee Atherton, third. Second victory of the season for Tracy Moseley.
Incredible! One year before the World Championships to be held on the same track, Greg Minnaar showed he will be a main contender for the rainbow title after his victory in Canberra this weekend. The deal was clear for the former World Champion (2003). If he wanted to keep his hopes alive of winning the overall standing in two weeks at Schladming, he should beat Sam Hill (Monster Energy Iron Horse). He did much better than that! Fourth in Val Di Sole World Championship but winner at Fort William, Minnaar won this penultimate round with a comfortable advance. In second place, Nathan Rennie, performing in front of his home crowd, claimed his best performance this season. This brought back memories of his second place in Schladming two years ago. Gee Atherton took third place. But the big news of the day was the 11th place of Sam Hill. Already deprived of his world title, Hill, who is now 116 points behind his rival, must pull out all the stops in the final. Four-time winner on the Austrian course, the man from Perth cannot afford to play with his destiny.
The English – French battle continues in the women’s category. After one victory for Sabrina Jonnier and three victories for Rachel Atherton, Tracy Moseley took her turn with a second World Cup victory. The British rider has ensured her third place overall. With her second place, seventeen hundredths in front of Jonnier, Rachel Atherton accentuates her overall lead by just a little. If Jonnier wants to deprive the English of a double victory (World Cup and World Championships) she must win both races in Austria. And pray that the World Champion has an off-day!
UCI News: Mountain Bike World Cup: Kalentieva and Näf at their best! March 9, 2008
31.08.2008
Irina Kalentieva (Topeak Ergon) and Ralf Näf (Multivan Merida) won the Australian round of the World Cup. Both absent in Canberra, Julien Absalon (Orbea) and Marie-Hélène Prémont (Rocky Mountain) are nevertheless assured of winning the 2008 World Cup. Victorious without even racing!
Everything has been said. Or almost. In two weeks’ time, the Austrian final round in Schladming will simply be a prize-giving for the winners of the Nissan UCI World Cup presented by Shimano. The suspense ended today at the penultimate round of the international series in Canberra (Australia), site of next year’s World Championships. Canadian Marie-Hélène Prémont was not in the southern hemisphere. She leads the overall standings but it was Irina Kalentieva who won in Australia, her sixth World Cup victory. Not far from home, the New Zealander Rosara Joseph (Team Ghost International) signed the best performance of her career with second place. Fourth in China last week, Catherine Pendrel (Luna Women MTB Team) took the third place just ahead of the Czech Tereza Hurikova who takes the lead in the Under 23 standings.
Going into the last leg in Austria, Prémont is 287 points ahead of Catherine Pendrel and cannot be reached! After a silver medal at the Olympic Games in 2004 and a bronze medal at the 2006 World Championships, the Canadian, who is set to retire at the end of this season, wins the World Cup for the first time.
Having failed to qualify for the Olympic Games because of his irregular results at the beginning of the season, Swiss rider Ralf Näf (Multivan Merida MTB Team) won on the Australian East coast. It was his second World Cup victory after Fort William in 2005. It was a good day for the Multivan Merida team with second place for José Hermida. In third place, Geoff Kabush (Team Maxxis) took advantage of an off-day for Christoph Sauser (11th) to move up to second place in the overall standings. Back in France after his second Olympic title, Julien Absalon is assured to win the World Cup for the fourth time (after 2003, 2006 and 2007). An absolute record!
2008 Oceania MTB Championships - Nelson (NZ) March 13 - 16 - Update March 6, 2008
BikeNZ have published the technical guide for the 2008 Oceania Championships. Note that although 4X is not mentioned as a UCI points event it has been confirmed that it is.
12 Hrs of HARD KNOCKS - Sedgwick (Vic) March 15 February 28, 2008
Where? Weiners and Cavagnas Rd Track Sedgwick click here for directions and here for a map to the venue.
When? Saturday March 15th, 2008 Start: 10.00am Finish: 10.00pm
News(21/2/08)
- Sunday the 9th March there will be a social ride on the 12hr track, meet Cavagna's Rd at 9.30. - 1st prize for the proteams of 3 will be $1000. (providing there are 3 or more teams entered more teams more $$) - A Masseur will be onsite $10 for 15min all proceeds raise go to junior development at the club. - Remember after 6.30pm riders will need to have lights on their bikes (preferable two an helmet and bar light) - The track is in great condition, new berms, and MTB specific groomed single trials.
The following categories will be available.
Solo Open Men and 40+ | Solo Open Women Male Pairs | Female Pairs | Mixed Pairs Proteam male three | Male Three's | Mixed Three's | Female Three's Male Fours | Mixed Fours Secondary Schools teams of four Corporate teams of six.
Online entry closes on Wednesday 12th March. Ten dollars from your entry goes to a charity of your choice and profits from this event will go towards supporting juniors in the club (travel costs to the World’s etc).
More details? Contact:
John Harvey Bendigo Mountain Bike Club Ph (03) 54396385 Mob 0418390602 www.mtbbendigo.com
Queensland MOUNTAIN CROSS SUPER SERIES ROUND #2 February 28, 2008
The Queensland MOUNTAIN CROSS SUPER SERIES Round 2 takes place at the Underwood BMX Track (which has been converted into a very interesting, rough 4X track) on Sunday 9th March. This is the last MTNX race before the Oceania Championships in New Zealand. So make sure your there to get some last minute racing practice in.
MTNX Rego & Practice is from 12:30pm till 2:30pm, with racing starting at 3pm. Anaconda are one of the Sponsors of the event and each entrant receives a free Entry Show bag. Prizes for the category’s have been Sponsored by For The Riders.com. Flash Point Promotions who are organising the event are putting up the prize money for the Elite Men.
$30 Race Entry ($15 for MTBA licence if required). Food and Drink will be available for purchase on the day. For more details please contact Sarsha Huntington. The final of the series takes place on the 6th April (Toowoomba).
Please note, that a MTBA license is required to race the series. You can acquire this by upgrading your BMXA license to both a BMXA & MTBA license for only $36, but you must have at least 3 months left on it. You can do this on the day with Brisbane South Mountain Bike Club. All you need is to bring a photocopy of your BMXA license and your BMXA license. Please speak to your BMX club for more details. If you do not wish to use this option, you can purchase a day MTBA racing license for only $15, at registration.
Bike Requirements: All bikes must be presented upon registration and riders will note be given a start plate until their competition bike fulfils the requirements as stated below.
1. All bikes used in mountain cross competition must have two working brakes, one front and one rear 2. All bikes must be fitted with handlebar plugs. 3. All bikes must, additionally, have at least 2 of the following 3 characteristics: 26"" wheels front and rear Functional front suspension More than one working rear gear
2008 Australian Solo 24hr MTB Championships - Entries now open February 26, 2008
The 2008 Australian Solo 24 Hour Mountain Bike Championship will be held on the Easter long weekend at Canberra's Majura Pines in the ACT. The event will be staged by Canberra Off-Road Cyclists from the Innabaanya Guide Camp.
Camping is available onsite with hot showers and full town facilities. The Australian jerseys are up for grabs, plus cash prizes and are qualifying spots and air tickets to the 2008 24Hrs of Adrenalin World Solo Championships to be held in Canmore, Alberta in late July. This is the last 2008 Worlds qualification race in Australia.
New for 2008 is the introduction of an Open 6+6 Hour race for solo riders who don't wish to ride 24 hours, or who don't have the necessary lights - 6 hours Saturday afternoon, rest overnight and 6 hours Sunday morning.
For more information and on-line entry, go to the Solo Champs website.
TIS Hosting Cycling Australia’s National XC Mountain Bike Program February 20, 2008
The Tasmanian Institute of Sport (TIS) has been selected by Cycling
Australia to host Australia’s National Cross Country Mountain Bike Program at the TIS
Silverdome complex in Launceston during 2008.
Minister for Sport
and Recreation Michelle O’Byrne, today attended the announcement at the
TIS Silverdome Complex and said she is excited that the TIS is the
first Cycling National Training Centre to support a National Olympic
discipline program.
“The program will provide an excellent
opportunity to help Tasmanian athletes currently striving for selection
in the Australian Olympic team to compete in Beijing, in particular,
Sid Taberlay and Rowena Fry, as well as the next generation of mountain
bike athletes,” Ms O’Byrne said.
“The program will be coached
by Neil Ross, an experienced, wellcredentialed coach, who was the Head
Coach and Director of the National Cycling Centre and coach of the
Canadian National Team.
“John Gregory, the TIS Sports
Performance Manager and a former National Mountain Bike Cross Country
Champion, will provide key sports science support to the program.
“Accessing this network will help develop a high-performance culture for the athletes enrolled in the program.
“We
believe the program will produce the next generation of mountain bike
athletes, rivalling some of the top Tasmanian mountain bike athletes
produced in the past, such John Gregory, Eleanor Patterson and Sid
Taberlay.
“Tasmania has an ideal training environment for mountain biking as the TIS is located next to the Kate Reid Reserve.
“The
state has also hosted popular mountain bike competitions such as the
national mountain bike championship round held in Glenorchy and the
renowned Wildside mountain bike race held on the west coast.
“Having
this program based in Launceston is recognition of the level of service
the TIS deliver to elite athletes through its support network and will
provide national and international recognition for Tasmania and the
TIS,” Ms O’Byrne said.
Minister O’Byrne said the training
camps will be held in Tasmania using the TIS in Launceston as a base
over summer 2008, prior to the athletes heading overseas for
competition from May onwards.
2008 Oceania MTB Champions - some details February 18, 2008
Where: Nelson New Zealand
When: March 14 - 16 2008
Why: The Oceania Championships offers UCI points all the way down to 40th place, but placing better than 26th will give you the 'magic' 20 UCI points that will allow entry into the Canberra round of the UCI World Cup in August. Note, however, that UCI points are only allocated to athletes entering the Elite/Open (or U23 in XCO) race categories - no UCI points are allocated to Juniors racing in an U19 age class.
How: Enter on-line here and then click on on-line entry menu. Entry fees (NZ dollars) are: - XCO (Friday 14th March): $40 - DHI (Sunday 16th March): $60 - 4X (Friday 14th March): $20 - XCC (Sunday 16th March): $10
Details:
- A complete event program will be available shortly. Go to www.bikenz.org.nz/Article.aspx?ID=2575 for all the latest details as BikeNZ makes them available.
- The cut-off date for pre-entries is the 5th March. There is a late fee for entries recieved after the 5th March of between $10 and $20 depending on category and discipline.
- Bike NZ will probably not accept on-the-day entries in Elite/U23 or Open categories unless a registration has been completed the day prior the competition (although this is still to be confirmed by BikeNZ).
- There is no Australian National MTB Team per se, so entry is available to anyone with the appropriate license. Note that the age cut-off date is 31/12/2008 and that you must be 19 and over to enter Elite/U23 XCO and open XCC and 17 and over for Elite DHI and open 4X. Your age is determined as follows: 2008 - year of birth.
- If you are intending on entering you are reminded that you must have a UCI international license. To get one from your MTBA membership follow these simple steps:
1. You will first need a CA license (available through a value add from your MTBA membership for $132). Download a CA application form here Fill it in, photocopy your MTBA membership card (with more than 3 months of membership left!) and post both (with payment) directly to Cycling Australia. Note on it that you are also after international endorsement.
2. Then have it internationally endorsed and arrange for medical insurance. The details for international endorsement are here
Good luck in New Zealand.
Junior selections for 2008 World MTB Championships February 14, 2008
memo from Cycling Australia
The following cyclists have been selected to represent Australia in the World Mountain Bike Championships to be held in Val di Sole, Italy 16 – 22 June.
CROSS COUNTRY U19 Men Charlton Durie (NSW) Luke Fetch (VIC) Robbie Hucker (VIC) David Johnston (NT)
U19 Women Rebecca Henderson (ACT)
DOWNHILL U19 Men Dylan Prohm (NSW) Matthew Vincent (ACT) Shaun O’Connor (NSW)
U19 Women Caroline Buchanan (ACT)
As per the Selection Policy, a review of non-selected juniors will take place the week
commencing 17 March in light of performances at the 2008 Oceania Championships.
Elite and U23 men and women Cross Country, Downhill and 4X selections will be finalised by
20 May - as per the selection policy.
Further information can be obtained from Tony Scott through the MTBA contacts page.
SE Queensland MTB events February 14, 2008
Two wheel Promotions have announced dates for some major MTB events in the near future - Read all about them here:
AY-UP DUSK TO DAWN - NEW DATE ANNOUNCED 1ST MARCH ENTRIES RE-OPEN
With over 40 days straight of rain & very heavy rain prior to the Dusk to Dawn it was decided to postpone to a later date. We are happy to announce the new date for the Ay-Up Dusk to Dawn as the 1st/2nd March starting at 7pm Saturday night 1st March and finishing at 7am on Sunday morning. For all you night riding addicts this is your dream event. We have had many requests from riders who can now make the new rescheduled date for the Dusk to Dawn on the 1st/2nd March. We have now re-opened entries until Friday 22nd February to give those riders a chance to be part of this great event & our first big endurance event of the year. (Unfortunately we will not be able to supply a tee-shirt with entry as they have already been printed)
Our much awaited On-Line entry forms are now up and running with many riders eager to get their entries in for their chance to win our fantastic earlybird prize a Merida 900 FLX mtb valued @ $2,720
You will see when you go and enter our new style form. Not only can you enter the Merida 24 Hour but you can also enter our other events just by ticking their respective box and then putting what class you wish to enter etc.
WEEKEND WARRIOR FESTIVAL - NEW DATE ANNOUNCED 10/11TH MAY
The constant rain we have been having has reaked havok on all our event preparations, & building of courses at our brand new venue at Canungra so we have moved the advertised date of the Festival from March to now being the 10/11th May. Canungra is located just 30 minutes inland from Nerang on the Gold Coast.
Speed, Thrills & Endurance. 2 days of action packed mountain biking fun whether you do the downhill & slalom on the saturday or the 3 or 6 hour cross country endurance events on the Sunday. We have a brand new cross country course never before raced with much excitement and anticipation. The downhill is at the same venue where we host our Twin Peaks downhill but we have built a brand new downhill just for the Festival.
You will be able to camp over & take part in one or all the events whether as a competitor or spectator.
A WEEKEND NOT TOO MISS!
S.E. QLD SUNSHINE SERIES - STARTS FEBRUARY 24TH
Now in it's 5th season the first round of the Sunshine Series starts next week at Illinbah hosted by the Gold Coast Mountain Bike Club. Good numbers are expected and the event is open to all ages and abilities. There are 5 rounds of the Sunshine Series each hosted by different S.E. QLD MTBA clubs at their venue giving great variety in racing culminating in the State Championships You can take part in all rounds or if you would just like to take part in an event near you that's o.k. too. Be part of the fun & meet new riding buddies.
For more information & Entries for all these go to www.twowheelpromotions or Phone 07-55435-122
24 Hours of Mountain Biking Pleasure and Pain, Tasmania February 7, 2008
Building on the success of the inaugural 2007 Kellevie 12/24hour Mountain Bike race, the Hobart Dirt Devils Mountain Bike Club are pleased to announce the next instalment of this great race. To be held at the Kellevie Mountain Bike Park on March 29th, 2008. The race will incorporate both 12 and 24 hour events catering for all skill levels from beginners to professionals, with the option to race solo or in a team of up to six riders.
With an improved track and larger prize purse including cash prizes for the fastest Male and Female solo riders, the event is expected to easily exceed last years 200 competitors. Last years event had riders braving strong winds and a storm, to ride through the night and into the next day but nothing could dampen the amazing atmosphere and vibe around the race track and village.
Entrants from around Australia are expected for this years event, including defending solo champions Andrew Fellowes and Eleanor Patterson. Fellowes, completed an amazing 290 kilometres in last years event to take out the male solo crown. Mountain biking is one of the fastest growing sports in Australia and this is represented by the large number of entries already received. Entries include interstate solo and team entries, as well as school teams able to compete in their own category. With the number of female riders increasing across all mountain biking disciplines, a large contingent of female only teams are also expected for this years event.
The track has been lengthened to 9km of purpose built track in scenic bushland in the South East of the State, ensuring a testing but enjoyable loop around the race village.
The event continues to attract a large group of generous sponsors, including 4 Lunch, Foot and Playstead, Jeanneret Electrical Technologies, Statewide Skylights, Ayup Lighting, Endura and local bike shops. Extra prizes include $250 cash for the fastest female and male lap. The winners of the male and female solo categories will each win $750 cash with cash and prizes on offer for all other categories.
Located in the Sorell Municipality, Kellevie is only 25 minutes from the Hobart International Airport. Registration for the event closes on March 7th.
In brief:
Kellevie 12/24hour Mountain Bike Race
Kellevie Mountain Bike Park
March 29th 2008
For more information contact Race Director, Duncan Giblin on Mob: 0448 599 612 Email: dgiblin3@bigpond.com Web: www.kellevie24.com
“We are looking forward to another great event that occurs as a result
of the generosity of the land owner and support of the mountain biking
community. The event is suited to anyone who loves riding a mountain
bike, with great prizes for the more serious and plenty of great fun
prizes for the less intense.”
(Duncan Giblin, Race Director)
8hr of Downhill - Lidsdale Saturday 9th February February 7, 2008
Just a quick reminder about the 8hr of Down Hill at Lidsdale State Forest (Lithgow) this Saturday.
Entries are still available and we will take on the day entries if they don't sell out before hand.
The weather is looking OK, We have missed most storms that have hit Sydney and the Hunter. The tracks are looking great and the forecast is for a cool but dry day. Perfect riding weather:o)
So how does it all work?
We have 3 short tracks, 2 of them used at last years State race, all starting and finishing in the same spots. Teams of 2 or 3 riders take to the Trails, 1 rider on each track. All the trails a about the same length so you get to race your friends to the bottom.
Each rider will get a minimum of 2 timed runs on each track, that is 6 timed runs each throughout the day, and the times are added together to give a team total.
Entry costs are $135/team (That's $45 each for a team of 3) or $105 for a junior team.
For full information about the event go to http://www.brightorangeevents.com/ and follow the link to 8hrs of DownHill
Toyota 2008 MTBA Australian MTB Championships - day 2 January 27, 2008
On the second day of the Toyota 2008 MTBA Australian MTB Championships most of the age categories in Olympic format Cross Country (XCO) were raced and the day finished with the exciting 4X.
Toyota 2008 MTBA Australian MTB Championships - day 1 January 25, 2008
Four teams contested the Club Team Relay today (January 24). Based on a similar model used at the UCI World MTB Championships each rider of the four person team, consisting of an Elite/Expert/Sport man, a Veteran/Master/Supermaster man, a Woman and an U19/U17 man, racing one lap of the XCO course.
The first event of the Championships on day one was ultimately won by Canberra Off Road Cyclists (The CORC ‘Geese: Graeme Allbon, Brendan Johnston, Rebecca Henderson and Ben Henderson). Canberra also picked up a second place (The CORC Giants: Jason Chalker, Michael Baker, Rosemary Barnes and Andrew Blair) with the team from Manly Warringah Cycling Club (Aiden Lefmann, Zoe King, Hugh Suttor, Warren Burgess) a close third.
Briefing on Australian round of the 2008 Nissan UCI World Cup January 23, 2008
CORC and MTBA will be conducting a briefing on preparations for the 2008 Nissan UCI MTB World Cup Canberra presented by Shimano and the 2009 UCI MTB and Trials World Championships during the 2008 MTBA Australian MTB Championships.
The briefing will be held at the Embassy Hotel, Hopetoun Circuit, Deakin from 1900 to 2030 on Friday 25 January. For those who wish to arrive early, the room will be available from 1800.
Contact Tony Scott (0416 228 016) to register your interest in attending.
2008 World MTB Championships Selection Process announced January 23, 2008
Cycling Australia has announced the selection process for athletes to represent Australia at the 2008 World MTB Championships to be hosted in Italy 17 - 22 June.
All athletes intending on being considered for selection are encouraged to read the documents below closely.
Please contact MTBA if any clarification of the process to selection is needed.
On-line Entry for National Championships extended January 21, 2008
The on-line registration for the 2008 Toyota Australian MTB Championships has been extended till 9pm Tuesday 22nd January.
For all the information you need to enter or to spectate at the Championships go to www.mtbnationals.com.au
MTBA AGM, January 27, 7.30pm Embassy Motel January 21, 2008
As at close of business 17/1/2008 MTBA received the following nominations for positions on the MTBA Executive
President: Gillian Duncan - Proposed John Forbes, seconded Tom Richards - Elected Treasurer: Vanessa Medder - Proposed joff Medder seconded Greg Pitt - Elected Secretary: Stuart Plant - Proposed Steve Podmore, seconded David Lynch - Elected XCO Rider Representative: Andrew Blair - Proposed Rosemary Barnes seconded Amiel Cavelier - Elected Bike Trials Rider Representative Stuart Colla - Proposed Kleat Wilson, seconded Tim Mullay Elected
- No nominations were received for 4X rep or DH rep - these will be up for election at the AGM.
- There are two nominees for VP: Vice President: Kristjan Snorasson - Proposed Ben Howells, seconded Niall O'Brien
Vice President: Steve Humphreys - Proposed Eden Humphreys, seconded Seaton Humphreys Cycling Australia Board Representative: Nigel Walker - Proposed Kristjan Snorasson
An election will take place for these positions at the AGM.
The
proxy form is found below. Note that the proxy forms MUST be with me
no later than Saturday 26th to be valid. As opposed from the previous
statements on this matter NO proxy forms will be accepted at the AGM.
Constitutional Change for 2008 AGM January 21, 2008
At the MTBA Annual General Meeting, the following Special Resolutions will be proposed to alter the Constitution.
1. Addition of name (currently not in constitution)
The name of the incorporated association is “Mountain Bike Australia Inc.”
Comment: The current constitution does not specifically name Mountain Bike Australia as the association.
2. Addition of purpose (currently not in constitution)
(a) administer and govern the sporting aspects of mountain biking in Australia in a manner that allows the sport to be safe, competitive and fair; (b) encourage, promote, advance and generally raise the profile of recreational mountain biking in Australia; (c) actively work for the environmental sustainability of mountain biking.
Comment: The purposes of MTBA’s existence is not defined in the current constitution and these three objects of purpose encapsulate all that MTBA has been doing since it’s inception.
3. Change financial year back to the year ending on 30 June.
Comment: Our current financial year is January 1 to December 31 each year - ie a calendar year. This presents some difficulties with reporting financial records and for budget planning when our major expenditure (support of the national series and Championships) occur in a different year to when the financial recording began. The current end of year (december 31) is also too close to the AGM date (sensibly held in conjunction with a major event) to have audited financial reports prepared for the AGM - we have always issued caveats on the reports presented to the effect that they need to be audited and thus will change - albeit in a minor fashion. A change to normal practice ( the traditional financial year) will resolve this. This change will also bring with it a more considered scheduling of the AGM at a time outside of the frantic Christmas/New Year holidays and allow the AGM to have a little more flexibility of venue.
4. Addition of membership categories (currently not in constitution)
The association has the following categories of membership: Individual membership, Club membership, Private promoter entities, and Any other categories of membership determined by the management committee.
In addition to this clause some minor changes to the subsequent membership wording will occur for consistency.
Comment: No mention is made of clubs, private promoter entities as members in their own right in the current constitution.
5. Voting (at general meetings) Current wording Upon any question arising at a general meeting of the association a member has 1 vote only.
Proposed addition Clubs and private promoters, which are members of the association, are not entitled to vote.
Comment: The addition of this clause is to ensure that only individual members can vote and is a result of the preceding resolution
6. How to vote Current wording All votes shall be given personally or by proxy but no member may hold more than 5 proxies.
Proposed change All votes shall be given personally, electronically or by proxy.
Comment: The current arrangements of a member only holding 5 proxy votes effectively prevents members in states other than where the General Meeting is being held on exercising their will in an equitable way. It was part of the ACT model rules, but in reality was probably never meant to accommodate an entity that operated outside the ACT borders in the same way MTBA does. With the development of our on-line membership system we will have the opportunity for all members to exercise their wishes no matter where the General Meeting is being held. Proxy voting will be retained, although the number of proxy votes capable of being held by an individual member will be unlimited. At the end of the day members will only be able to vote once, either electronically, in person or through a proxy. This is the way forward for a National Organisation such as MTBA.
7. Notice given Current wording ...the secretary shall, at least 7 days before the date fixed for the holding of the general meeting, ...
Proposed wording ... the secretary shall, at least 21 days before the date fixed for the holding of the general meeting, ,,,
Comment: In concert with the previous resolution there needs to be ample time for the MTBA membership to reflect upon the nominations so as to be able to make an informed choice. The current wording only allows 7 days in which to do this and it is considered that this is not enough for members all over Australia to vote in a considered manner, to organise proxies if not able to attend the meeting or prepare travel arrangements. Extending the notice to 21 days will resolve this matter.
8. Surplus property Current wording At the first general meeting of the association, the association shall pass a special resolution nominating another association for the purpose of paragraph 92 (1) (a) of the Act; or a fund, authority or institution for the purpose of paragraph 92 (1) (b) of the Act, in which it is to vest its surplus property in the event of the dissolution or winding up of the association.
An association nominated under paragraph (1) (a) must fulfill the requirements specified in subsection 92 (2) of the Act.
Proposed change If the association is wound up or its incorporation is cancelled, the remaining assets of the association must not be distributed to any member.
The remaining assets must be given to an entity that: has a similar purpose to the association; is not-for-profit; and also prohibits the distribution of profit, income and assets to its members.
Comment: This change simply cleans up the wording to make it clearer what will happen to MTBA’s assets should it discontinue to exist.
UCI points for World Cup entry in 2008 January 16, 2008
If you are thinking about entering any 2008 World Cup event, including
the Australian round in August 30-31 then you must read and respond to
the two documents available one the MTBA website posted eain late 2007.
In there you will see a reference to the fact that there are 3 ways of gaining entry to the 2008 World Cup rounds. One of these is to accumulate a minimum of 20 points by the close of enries for the World Cup round you wish to enter.
There are two opportunities to do this at a local level (well if you consider new Zealand local!). Both the Australian MTB Championships and the Oceania MTB Championships offer UCI points as follows.
Australian MTB Championships Place Points 1 110 2 90 3 70 4 60 5 50 6 45 7 40 8 35 9 30 10 25 11 20 .... decrease by 2 for each place 16 10 17 9 .... decrease by 1 for each place 25 1
Oceania MTB Championships Place Points 1 200 2 150 3 120 4 100 5 95 6 90 7 85 8 80 9 75 10 70 11 65 12 60 13 55 14 50 15 45 16 40 17 38 18 36 19 34 ..... decrease by 2 for each place 29 14 30 13 .... decrease by 1 for each place 40 3
For example to gain 20 points at the Australian Championships you must finish better than 11th place in Elite (male or Female), while at the Oceania Championships a finish of 26 or better will give you the 20 points. You can also combine the points, for example, a 15th finish in Elite (male or female) at the Australian Championships and 35th place at the Oceania Championships will give you 23 UCI points (12 + 8 = 23 UCI points.).
Note however, that to be eligible for the points you must contest the Elite male or Female race category. MTBA will be happy to clarify any aspect of this - just use the contact page on this website.
National Series final - Mt Beauty Feb 1-3 January 16, 2008
On line entry is now available for the "GRAND FINALE" round of the MTBA National Series in Mount Beauty, February 1 -3
Visit www.tmb.org.au for all your event information including course maps, Event Schedules and Entry Fees. Accommodation enquiries can be made through the Alpine Discovery Centre on 1800 808 227 or go to www.visitmtbeauty.com.au. For any other enquiries contact Iain Moore at info@tmb.org.au
In an effort to make the 2008 final round of the series more accessible to interstate riders MTBA have taken the initiative of assigning the round to the weekend after the National Championships being held in Canberra. Mount Beauty is a just a cruisey 5 hour drive from Canberra so it makes good sense to make the most of your travel budget and take in two of the most prestigious races of the 2007/08 season. For those riders and their families that do take the opportunity for an extended week There will be will be plenty of stuff organized to keep you all occupied. For those family members who don’t ride there’s plenty of stuff to do, With wineries, walks, great café’s, fishing in crystal clear alpine rivers all with the backdrop of the magnificent Kiewa Valley, Mount Bogong and the Alpine National Park.
Stromlo DH course closed in preparation for Australian MTB Championships January 14, 2008
The Nationals DH Course will be closed from 1800 (6pm) on Friday 18 January to 0900 on Thursday 24 January to conduct maintenance and begin marking it out for the National Championships. The beginner DH course on the western side of Mt Stromlo is still open for riding. The beginner DH course starts about 300m north of the start of the Nationals course, and is at the top of a small crest near a gate. Remember, both XC and DH riders use the beginner DH course.
Final 4X National round - Canberra Captures National Series January 14, 2008
Canberra mountain bike riders dominated the final of the National Four
Cross at Kurrrajong, west of Sydney today. National Four Cross
Champion, Caroline Buchanan won and now claims wins in every series
round. The 17 year old did not have an easy run in the sixth round
today with national downhill champion Joanne Fox in the field. But it
was fellow Canberra rider, Julia Boer, who laid down the challenge by
passing Buchanan in the first 20 metres of the women's final. “In
the third moto Julia did the same move so I knew she could do that,”
explained Buchanan. “I just knew there were four different spots on the
track I could pass her and the first one worked.” For Buchanan the
variety of tracks over the six round series has boosted her confidence
as she heads into defend her national title in two weeks time at Mt
Stromlo. “We’ve had rocks, really flat ones like BMX tracks and
really steep ones like this one,” Buchanan said. “Going into the
nationals I feel really confident with all the different practice on
different tracks which has been good.”
Brisbane rider, Adam
Nicholson (The Gap) , 30 won the men's final despite crashing along
with four finalists. However after crashing Nicholson saw his bike land
past him and was the quickest to get underway and sped down the steep
course with series leader, Leigh Darrell in hot pursuit. "It's the first elite after a lot of years racing. It was a long time coming. I knew I had it in me,"said Nicholson.
Canberra
based, Darrell claimed the elite men’s overall series but was unlucky
to crash while in the lead today. Even with second place, Darrell had
ample points after winning three of the six national rounds earlier in
the season. “This is my first time in elite and the first year I have done a whole series,” grinned Darrell. Darrell
will now face riders like current national champion, Luke Madill at the
championships but not before fine tuning his bike. “I’ll just do a few bike modifications and see how I go,” said Darrell.
Other
Canberra riders, Mic Longhurst won his race today and the overall
veteran series while 13 year old Max Hughes placed third but had ample
points to take out the 15 boys overall series.
In other races
today Danielle Beecroft and Matt Walker and won the Under 19 women and
men's respectively. Ryan Henderson won the Under 17 race and takes out
the series overall.
Riders now prepare for the Toyota MTBA
National Mountain Bike Championships over the Australia Day weekend.
Full information on the Nationals are available here.
For more info please contact: Sharon Payne Media Manager Mountain Bike Australia Mob +61 (0) 412 773500 sharon@bikemedia.com.au
Mountain Bikers crash and run in fifth 4X National Series round January 13, 2008
It was more like a running race in the final 10 metres of the elite women’s mountain bike race today at the National Four Cross round at Ebenezer just west of Sydney. In the fifth round, early leader Caroline Buchanan, 17 year old from Canberra crashed just metres from the finish line. Buchanan was then passed by Brisbane’s Sarsha Huntington however Huntington suffered the same fate. Both riders ended the race by running with their bikes over the finish line with Buchanan winning and Huntington running across the line to claim second. Third was Canberra’s Julie Boer and Gracie Ireland (Mt Annan) rode in for fourth place.
The elite men’s race had some change of placing throughout the race but it was last year’s series winner, Terrance Scarr (Raby), who made sure he got a clear run. Current series leader, Leigh Darrell (Canberra) had mechanical trouble in the first straight but regained some ground to place third. Second was Queensland’s Adam Nicholson while Tom Hubert’s earlier clash with Nicholson saw him relegated to fourth.
After being gripped by fear in practice today it was Courtney Taylor’s determination to ride the tricky downhill section of the course that scored her accolades plus a win in the junior women’s race with local favourite, Danielle Beecroft, in second. Taylor Barnes and Emmy Tatum placed third and fourth respectively. First event to put in rock drops and dusty sections which suited the downhillers
Under 19 men’s division saw an upset as downhillers, Shaun O’Connor, won over current national series leader Ryan Hunt. Matt Walker gained third place while James Horton got fourth.
It was the Under 17 men’s race that amazed spectators with their speed. Ryan Henderson took the win over Benjamin Clark with Blake Neilson able to finish in fourth and unlucky Graeme Mudd (Lake Macquarie) to loose his earlier lead to finish last.
The veteran men’s category was eventually won by Canberra Mic Longhurst. Local Steven Humphreys ended with second while newcomer Albert Bacci placed a respectable third.
Racing in the final four cross round in the National Series gets underway tomorrow at Koorajong Grass Ski Park just west of Sydney.
For further information, photos or interviews contact:
Sharon Payne Media Manager Mountain Bike Australia Mob +61 (0) 412 773500 sharon@bikemedia.com.au
Club/State level MTBA Commissaire Course in January January 8, 2008
Each year at the National Championship MTBA has delivered National MTB Commissaire courses. This year, recognizing that clubs around Australia are keen to have their own official commissaire, MTBA is offering the opportunity to gain full accreditation for club/State commissaires at this year’s Nationals in Canberra.
The course will be conducted over one day, Thursday 24th January with the requirement to complete practical tasks over the weekend of racing. The fee is $50 and bookings are essential so course materials and venue can be organized. The content of the course being offered is available as a dowload below.
To book simply contact the MTBA office through the contacts page on this website by Friday January 18th
2008 Oceania MTB Championships - Nelson (NZ) March 13 - 16 January 8, 2008
The 2008 Oceania Mountain Bike Championships will be held in Nelson from Thursday 13th March to Sunday 16th March. (Please note the XCO will be held on Friday 14th March.)
Accomodation Those needing accommodation, vehicle hire, flights etc, please send your enquires to lea@nzdirect.co.nz (Nelson Tourism Services) a free booking service running in Nelson:
Pre-bookings have been made for a range of options and this is the best contact for anyone travelling to the Oceania Championships.
Timetable Wednesday 12th March All courses open for orientation
Thursday 13th March XCO Practice Dual Slalom Practice/Race Presentations (DS) 4X Practice Hillclimb Race Presentations (HC)
Friday 14th March XCO Race Presentations (XCO) 4X Practice/Race DHI Practice (Slow) Presentations (4X)
Saturday 15th March Rainbow Rage complimentary event DHI Practice
Sunday 16th March XC Short Course Race DHI Practice/Seeding DHI Race Presentations (DHI, XC Short)
2008 AGM nominations date extended January 8, 2008
MTBA has extended the deadline for Executive position nominations and nominations for the 4 discipline representatives to the MTBA management committee till January 16.
Check out the previous news item on the AGM for the nomination form.
For further information please contact the MTBA office through the contactsd page on this website.
National 4X rounds 5 and 6 - details December 31, 2007
The Australian Mountain Bike 4X 2007-08 series will close in the Hawkesbury in the outskirts of Sydney at Ebenezer and finally Kurrajong and brought to you by Western Sydney Mountain Bike Club. Round 5 will be at Ebenezer on Saturday January 12th 2008 and the next day Round 6, and final, at Kurrajong on Sunday January 13th 2008. The Championships will be held at Mt Stromlo Canberra on the Australia Day Weekend. The Series started at Sydney Olympic Park with Rounds 1&2 in October then to Illanbah on the Gold Coast for Round 3 in November, to Thredbo in December for Round 4.
Round 5 Site: Ebenezer Date: January 12th, 2008 Saturday Times: Registration 08:00 Hours till 09:30 Hours Practice 08:00 till approximately 10:30 Hours Racing 11:00 Qualifiers Semis and or finals 13:00 hours Cost: $50 or $85 for both January 12 & 13th
Located: 142 Tizzana Road Ebenezer 2756 NSW
Directions: Travel to Windsor then take Wilberforce Road across the Hawkesbury River to Wilberforce. After passing The Butterfly Farm Go Carts, The Caravan Park and Service station take King Road or Sackville Road to Sackville on the Right. Keep driving past Woodlands Industrial area and park up the hill to King and Sons Hardware, the Ebenezer Public School is next on the left so you will turn right into Tizzana Road. Drive past Coromandel Road and after about 500 meters you will see 142 on the right. Turn in an then right the parking area, the track is below the parking area. You will see the start mound in the corner of the parking area. The event will be catered with a Bar-B Que hot plate and drinks available. Water will be available from tanks.
Round 6 Site: Kurrajong Grass Ski Park Date: January 13th, 2008 Sunday Times: Registration 08:00 Hours till 09:30 Hours Practice 08:00 till approximately 10:30 Hours Racing 11:00 Qualifiers Semis and or finals 13:00 hours Cost: $50 or $85 for both January 12 & 13th
Located: 1380 Bells Line of Road Kurrajong Heights 2758 NSW
Hotels Australian Hotel Corner Pitt Town Road & Windsor Road McGraths Hill 0245 773104 The Heritage Hotel/Motel 10 Rose Street Wilberforce 0245 751603 Royal Family Hotel Richmond 163 Windsor Street Richmond 0245 45781011 Richmond Inn Hotel Motel 90 March Street Richmond 0245 781044
Motels Colonial Motel Best Western 161 March Street Richmond 0245 781166 Kurrajong Heights Hotel Motel 1349 Bells Line of Road Kurrajong Heights 0245 677140 Richmond Inn Hotel Motel 90 March Street Richmond 0245 781044 The New Inn Motel 51 Bosworth Street Richmond 0245 780520 Windsor Terrace Hotel 47 George Street Windsor 0245 775999 Sebel Resort & Spa Hawkesbury 61 Richmond Road Windsor 0245 774222
2008 Australian MTB Championships schedule - revision 2 December 22, 2007
We have listened to the comments for Australian mountain biking
community and have made a few tweaks to the complicated schedule for
the 2008 Nationals.
In short we have:
1. Added more DH practice time on Friday for Group C and B 2. Changed U19 XCO women's race to Sunday after the Elite Women's race 3. Moved U15 men to an earlier start time on Saturday
Change
1 were made to allow a more equitable practice sessions for B and C
groups onearlier in the schedule. A total of of 30 minutes has been
added for Group C and 60 minutes for group B. This is in line with
expected group numbers.
Changes 2 and 3 have been made to allow
the Saturday's women's race to use a truncated course as a group. All
other start groups will use the full course. Course maps and profiles
are available on the national's website: www.mtbnationals.com.au
1. Non-Australian citizens entering the 2008 Australian MTB Championships
Non-Australian citizens are allowed to enter subject to the following: 1. They must either have a photo-ID UCI license or purchase a MTBA day permit 2. They will be eligible for any award they may achieve as a result of their efforts. This will include the appropriate podium medal and prizes but will not be awarded the Australian Championship jersey or be eligible to accrue UCI CN points.
2. Call up order for XCO events and start order for DH.
(a) The order for allocating start positions in the Olympic Format XC and DH competitions will be (for all classes other than Elite, U23 or U19): - Defending National Champion - Athletes, in order, that have a top 20 National ranking derived from the current 2007-2008 National Series in the respective discipline if they have not already been allocated a start position above - All other athletes.
(b) The order for allocating start positions in the Olympic Format XC and DH competitions will be (Elite and, for XCO, U23): - Defending Elite National Champion - Defending U23 National Champion (XCO only, and if still in U23 age category) - Current Elite World Champion - Current U23 World Champion (XCO only, and if still in U23 age category) - Athletes, in order, that are listed in the top 200 of the overall standings as at 31/12/2007 published by the UCI (for Elite men and women) - Athletes, in order, that have a top 50 National ranking derived from the current 2007-2008 National Series in the respective discipline if they have not already been allocated a start position above - All other athletes.
(c) The order for allocating start positions in the Olympic Format XC and DH competitions will be (U19): - Defending U19 National Champion (if still in U19 age category) - Current U19 World Champion (if still in U19 age category) - Athletes, in order, that have a top 50 National ranking derived from the current 2007-2008 National Series in the respective discipline if they have not already been allocated a start position above - All other athletes.
(d) Number Plate allocation Number plate allocation that reflects the above scheme will be only made on the basis of those pre-entered. In other words to get the number plate you are eligible to, based on the above scheme, you must be entered the 2008 Australian MTB Championships by the close of pre-entries, 21st January 2008. On-the-day entries will be assigned arbitrary number plates that may not reflect their position as indicated in the above scheme.
Queensland Government funds MTBA development initiatives December 22, 2007
Government funding has been secured from Sport and Recreation Queensland to deliver MTB coaching and commissaire courses for the next three years.
Queensland Minister for Sport, Judy Spence congratulated MTBA saying 'your organisation was one of 87 to receive funding under the Sport and Recreation Development Program 2008-2010, which attracted 230 applications. The Program affirms the Bligh Government's dedication to creating opportunities for Queenslanders to get active.'
Gillian Duncan, President of MTBA said "We are very grateful for this funding which is a significant milestone in the recognition of MTBA and mountain biking as a discipline of cycling. Never before has MTB received government funding at this State development level.'
The funds will be used to organise and deliver MTB CycleSkills and Level 1 MTB Coaching courses in SE Queensland and regional centres as well as the recently NOAS accredited MTBA Commissaire course. Funds have been granted to MTBA for three years.
MTBA encourages other States to investigate applying for State Sporting Association Development Grants. Contact the office for further information about this successful application.
Successful International Cycling Union (UCI) visit to Mt Stromlo Mountain Bike and Trials World Championships sites in Canberra. December 17, 2007
Senior mountain biking delegates of the International Cycling Union (UCI) were hosted by the Canberra Off-Road Cyclists (CORC) Organising Committee to inspect the progress of the courses in the lead up to the 2008 UCI Mountain Bike World Cup and 2009 UCI Mountain Bike and Trials World Championship events.
The UCI delegation led by Melanie Leveau, UCI Mountain Bike Events Coordinator included Beat Wabel (UCI Cross Country Technical Delegate) and Helen Mortimer (UCI Downhill and 4X Technical Delegate). The Canberra Off-Road Cyclists Organising Committee team hosting the visit was led by Club President Anthony Burton, with Event Bid Coordinator Russ Baker, Cross Country Race Director John Graydon, Downhill Race Director Dave McKinlay and 4X Race Director Jeff Hughes spending the weekend with the delegation. Mountain Bike Australia (MTBA) Executive Officer Tony Scott was present for the visit and MTBA President Gillian Duncan visited Stromlo Forest Park on Sunday Afternoon.
The UCI delegates were able to see the Mt Stromlo Forest Park in action as part of the Brindabella Challenge. Canberra Downhill rider and current National Downhill Elite Women series leader Claire Whiteman took Helen Mortimer (a former downhill World Cup racer) through the paces of the Stromlo Downhill course – two runs which had Helen wanting to register for the race! The courses received a very positive reaction from the delegation, with only some minor course adjustments needed in preparation for the World Cup and World Championships events. Both events will see world class riders come to Canberra to compete. The large open nature of Stromlo Forest Park and Canberra’s extensive accommodation, transport and support infrastructure were viewed as considerable advantages by the UCI.
“It’s a very good venue," stated Melanie Leveau, “it's very wide and open so we have many options for the tracks and the set up of the village. We still have to decide where to put what, but we have many options and that’s the most important thing.”
“There are a few small changes that we’re going to make on the downhill course”, said Mortimer, appraising the track, “we’re looking to put in some tricky drop offs and bigger jumps as well – to meet the standards of the world’s best. Already there has been a huge amount of work put in with the 4X and the downhill tracks. The bobcat will be up on the hill digging and putting some strategic rocks in place. It looks to be pretty good once it’s finished.”
Mortimer recognises the advantages of hosting lead-up events at Stromlo like the MTBA National Mountain Bike Championships on 24-28 January 2008, allowing feedback from those taking part in them. “You’ve got quite a few races out here so it’ll be good to get some of the riders’ input as well. Australian riders are some of the world’s best and it will be good to get their feedback once the new sections get put in,” says Mortimer.
At the conclusion of the visit, CORC President Anthony Burton said that, “It was a really successful visit and we are in great shape to pull together a fantastic couple of weekends of mountain biking. The delegates have been there and done it all before and everything they had to say was really positive”.
Rain forces cancellation of final downhill run in Thredbo December 17, 2007
Heavy rain forced the cancellation of the final runs in the national series downhill mountain bike round in Thredbo today. Heavy rain overnight and again throughout the day caused track conditions on the famous Cannonball run to deteriorate. Officials cancelled the final downhill runs for the elite at 1.30 pm (DST). With elite riders aware that their qualifying run could be the final run of the day many took advantage to get their best time.
World ranked Nathan Rennie (Gold Coast) won the elite men’s event in 6 min 47.21 seconds well clear of current series leader Amiel Cavalier. Cavalier rode a 6 min 55.52 sec keeping him in the series lead. Adelaide youngster, Will Rischbieth placed third with a creditable time of 7 min 3.23 sec.
Rennie was pleased to back up his win after the previous national round on the Gold Coast last month but claimed the wet conditions were close to the worst he had ridden within Australia. . “There were holes everywhere and they were just filled up with water,” said Rennie. “My aim was to just keep ticking it over and keep up the speed.”
“I ran full spikes instead of regular tyres so I think I made the right choice,” he claimed.
The elite women’s final run was also cancelled leaving the world bronze medallist, Tracey Hannah from Cairns, as the eventual winner with a time of 7 min 47.89 sec. Hannah also backed up her win in the previous national series. Newcastle’s Emma McNaughton placed second with junior sports award winner, Caroline Buchanan in third.
"It was a fairly fast run but I had a bit of a slide out, lost my footing and then I crashed again," Hannah explained. Conditions were not ideal for the far North Queensland based rider. "It was cold after coming from Cairns with record high temperature and humidity near 100 percent," she said.
"Overseas they would have still run the race but I think it was a good decision though," said Hannah."Everything was wet and the track was beaten up."
On Friday night both Hannah and Buchanan were awarded the elite and junior women's cycling awards for mountain bike at the Australian Cyclist of the Year Awards in Adelaide however both were competing in Thredbo. Buchanan also won the BMX junior women's award as well as racing and winning the fourth round of the national four cross in Thredbo on the same evening. Hannah rode her first four cross event in two years and impressed spectators to finish in second place beating rising star, Brisbane's Sarsha Huntington.
Downhill riders now prepare for the National Championships in Canberra on the Australia Day weekend. The fourth and final round of the downhill national series will be in Mt Beauty on 3 February.
Buchanan wins two awards and one race in one night December 17, 2007
Canberra’s Caroline Buchanan capped off a successful evening winning two cycling awards in both mountain bike and BMX. The 17 year old National Four Cross Champion was unable to attend the Cycling Australia Awards held in Adelaide last night instead preferring to race the National Series Four Cross event in Thredbo.
The current National Four Cross Champion, Buchanan, won the elite women’s race beating World silver medalist downhiller Tracey Hannah from Cairns after a close contest in the preliminary heats. Buchanan now leads the national series with third placed, Sarsha Huntington (Brisbane) retaining second place overall.
Buchanan and Hannah were close in the heats but according to bystanders Buchanan raised the bar in the final.
“I think I just got adrenaline in the final,” explained Buchanan. “I tried a different line in the first corner and it worked. I had a good start as well.”
“I knew if I got around the first corner I could hold it from there,”she said.. With only two rounds remaining in the national series Buchanan is favourite to take out the series title for a second year in a row.
Leigh Darrell, made it a Canberra double when he won the elite men’s class securing a firm hold on the series lead. Darrell did not let his guard down winning every race throughout the night. Darrell rode the first off camber sweeper to perfection and got the edge over his opponents. Second was Thomas Hubert (Merewether) and third was Queenslander, Adam Nicholson.
Tim Dunn (Warrimoo) had the best gate starts all night and placed fourth in the final.
Under 19's was won by Shaun O'Connor while Under 17 rider Ben Clark won against a top field. Adelaide's Connor Fearon won the Under 15 class.
For more info, interviews or photos please contact: Sharon Payne Media Manager Mountain Bike Australia Mob +61 (0) 412 773500 sharon@bikemedia.com.au
Cadel Evans crowned 2007 Australian Cyclist of the Year December 15, 2007
Victorian cyclist Cadel Evans has been crowned the 2007 Australian Cyclist of the Year and presented with the coveted Sir Hubert 'Oppy' Opperman Medal at a gala celebration at Adelaide's National Wine Centre.
The Tour de France runner up and ProTour road cycling champion also claimed the cyclingnews 2007 Male Road Cyclist of the Year Award and the inaugural Scody 2007 People's Choice Cyclist of the Year category.
The 2007 Awards have celebrated another year of outstanding success by Australian cyclists on the world stage with awards being presented in a range of categories.
Reigning World Champion and world record holder, Anna Meares, collected the NAB Female Track Cyclist of the Year Award for the third time and West Australian teenager Cameron Meyer marked his first year in the senior ranks by being named the NAB Male Track Cyclist of the Year. The cyclingnews Female Road Cyclist of the Year is Oenone Wood.
In the mountain bike categories Sam Hill's world number one ranking and wins in the World Championships and World Cup Series saw him named Shimano Male Mountain Bike Cyclist of the Year while World Championship downhill bronze medallist Tracey Hannah collected the Shimano Female Mountain Bike Cyclist of the Year Award.
The Hilbrick Racing BMX Awards were claimed by Khalen Young and Nicole Callisto. The Jetset Glynde Disability Cyclists of the Year are Michael Gallagher and Angela Fleming.
Gary Sutton was named the SBS Television Coach of the Year.
Awards were also presented in the categories of Australian Sports Commission Cycling Volunteers, Cycling Australia Media, Sportscover Junior Cyclists, Majestic Hotels Masters Cyclists, Event Merit, Champion State and Champion Club.
More information can be found on the Cycling Australia www.cycling.org.au
2007 Australian Cyclist of the Year - Sir Hubert Opperman Medal Cadel Evans
Scody 2007 People's Choice Cyclist of the Year Cadel Evans
Hillbrick Racing BMX Cyclist Awards
Male Khalen Young
Female Nicole Callisto
Shimano MTB Cyclist Awards
Male Sam Hill
Female Tracey Hannah
Sportscover Junior Cyclist Awards
Junior Male BMX Joshua Webb Junior Female BMX Caroline Buchanan
Junior Male MTB Mitch Delfs
Junior Female MTB Caroline Buchanan
For further information (media only) please contact: Gennie Sheer, Sheer Rhetoric , Communications Director, Cycling Australia Tel: +61 (0) 418 863 533 Email: gennie.sheer@cycling.org.au Cycling Australia website www.cycling.org.au
Date for 2008 World Solo 24hr Championships announced December 6, 2007
24Hrs of Adrenalin have announced the 2008 World Solo 24Hr Champs date as 26/27 July in Canada at Canmore, Alberta. This is the site of their first race ten years ago which makes the 2008 event even the more special.
Full text from 24Hrs of Adrenalin, plus the full list of 58 riders who qualified from the CORC hosted 2007 Scott Australian 24Hr MTB Champs are available for download. The Easter Solo-Only 24Hr in Canberra will present another qualification opportunity. Ten spots were also obtainable from the recent Kona 24hr hosted by Full Gas promotions
Australian riders have featured well in the previous events and in 2006 Craig Gordon took out the Open Men title.
Finalists announced for the 2007 Australian Cyclist of the Year Awards December 5, 2007
Cycling Australia is pleased to announce the finalists for the 2007 Australian Cyclist of the Year Awards.
The awards will be presented at a gala being staged at the National
Wine Centre in Adelaide on Friday 14 December and will celebrate
another year of outstanding success by Australian cyclists on the world
stage. The night will culminate with the presentation of the Sir Hubert
'Oppy' Opperman Medal and trophy to the 2007 Australilan Cyclist of the
Year.
"Cycling has enjoyed another spectacular year of achievement across all
our disciplines and age categories," said Mike Victor OAM, President of
Cycling Australia. "We have some of the finest cycling talent in the
world and their dedication and professionalism inspire us all.
"Our medal tally for 2007 was astounding with Australians claiming 55
gold, 53 silver and 55 bronze medals at World Championships in road,
track, BMX and MTB across junior, elite, Paralympic and masters
categories," said Mr Victor. "Add to that two riders, Cadel Evans and
Sam Hill, ranked number one in the world and 2007 has certainly been a
year of which we can be very proud.
"I congratulate all the nominees and wish them every success as they continue their cycling careers."
In 2007 Australia also celebrated it's status as a premier location for world ranked cycling events.
"Australia's reputation in the sport has been recognised with the
awarding of hosting rights for the 2010 Road World Championships to
Victoria and ProTour status for South Australia's Tour Down Under,"
said Mr Victor. "Plus this year Sydney hosted the Masters Track World
Championships, in 2008 South Australia will host a BMX Supercross
round, Canberra an MTB World Cup round and in 2009 the BMX World
Championships will be in Adelaide and the MTB World Championships in
Canberra."
The complete list of Finalists in the 2007 Australian Cyclist of the
Year Awards is below (more information about the finalists can be found
on the Cycling Australia www.cycling.org.au).
From a MTB (and BMX) perspective the nominees are:
Scody 2007 People's Choice Cyclist of the Year
Cadel Evans
Sam Hill
Anna Meares
Stuart O'Grady
Michael Rogers
Hillbrick Racing BMX Cyclist Awards Male
Jared Graves
Luke Madill
Khalen Young
Female
Tanya Bailey
Nicole Callisto
Melissa Mankowski
Shimano MTB Cyclist Awards Male
Jared Graves
Sam Hill
Dan McConnell
Female
Tracey Hannah
Sportscover Junior Cyclist Awards
Junior Male BMX
Steven Janssen
Joshua Webb
Matthew Willoughby
Junior Male MTB
Joel Bain
Mitch Delfs
Paul VanDerPloeg
Junior Female MTB
Caroline Buchanan
SBS Television Coach of the Year
Martin Barras
Scott Sharples
Gary Sutton
Cycling Australia Media Awards
Best Photo
Mark Gunter
Evan Jeffrey
Sarah Reed
Best Story
For further information (media only) please contact:
Gennie Sheer, Sheer Rhetoric , Communications Director, Cycling Australia
Tel: +61 (0) 418 863 533
Email: gennie.sheer@cycling.org.au
Cycling Australia website www.cycling.org.au
2008 MTBA AGM, January 27, ACT December 4, 2007
The 2008 AGM will be held in conjunction with the 2008 National Championships on Sunday 27th January 2008 at the Embassy Motel Hopetoun Circuit, DEAKIN ACT at 7.30pm.
At
this meeting the current MTBA executive will stand down and a new
executive will be elected. The AGM will also elect discipline rider
representatives and endorse nominations from each State and Territory
for representation on the MTBA Management Committee.
MTBA
Executive and Rider Representative Nomination forms are available now
from the MTBA website. Nominations for the positions are due into MTBA
by January 4th 2008.
If you are wondering what is involved
in holding a position on the MTBA Executive then have a look at the
"MTBA Management Committee Roles and Responsibilities" available on the
Policies and Documents section on the MTBA website. As a quick check though there are some basic requirements an executive member must have:
Access to the internet, preferably at home.
An email address which they check frequently, at least daily.
A commitment to respond to emails about MTBA matters, at least within a few days.
Make
a commitment to the role by allocating time to the work involved, which
is largely reading emails, reading material and responding.
In
a departure from previous years the 8 State and Territory
representatives, who form part of the overall Management Committee of
MTBA, will be elected at State/Territory level and their
recommendations will be put to the AGM for ratification. There will be
no elections for State representatives from the floor at the AGM.
Once
the nominees are announced, proxy forms, for those unable to attend the
AGM in person, will also be available on the MTBA website on or about
January 5 2008.
World Class Downhillers take National Series, Illinbah 25th November November 27, 2007
World Ranked downhillers, Tracey Hannah (Cairns) and Nathan Rennie (Gold Coast) competing in the second round of the National Mountain Bike Series on the Gold Coast proved too hard to beat. Hannah currently ranked third in the world dominated the women’s field and rode a respectable 3 min 49.33 sec. The 19 year old beat second place getter Emma McNaughton (Newcastle) by a massive 34 seconds over the 2.3 km course. “I love racing the local Australian races,” said Hannah. “There is so much support.”
Hannah admitted she found some sections of the world class course tricky but is determined to compete at the National Championships in Canberra late in January.
“It was tight in the woods with rocks and roots. I was struggling but I’m happy with my run,” she said.
Series leader, Claire Whiteman (Canberra) placed third and retains the series lead.
World number 7, Nathan Rennie, left nothing to chance when he barrelled down the Illinbah course in record time of 3 min 13.74 sec. He took a full 6 seconds off another professional rider, Bryn Atkinson (Blue Mountains).
With a near perfect run Rennie improved on his qualifying time of 3 min 20.34 sec. “I’ve had a perfect run just one little falter,” he explained. Coming into the finish at a blistering pace Rennie admitted he was going too fast. “I had to break a bit near the finish I was cooking. The track had dried out a bit and I wanted to keep both wheels on the ground,” he stated.
Spectators crowded the bottom of the course awaiting Rennie’s speedy descent. “I was wondering where everyone was at the top,” said Rennie, “then I came into the finish. It was awesome.”
“It’s great to win on the Gold Coast in my own backyard. I’m a local boy here and I’ve had a few more runs than the other guys,” he explained.
Rennie praised the course at Illinbah, saying it has potential. “This is a great course it’s got a bit of everything. The course here could suit a World Cup. All the riders loved it.”
Third was young Western Australian, Mitch Delfs (Bunbury), while fourth place getter, Amiel Cavalier (Wollongong) takes over the series lead from young Adelaide rider, Will Rischbieth, after he placed 13th .
Another favourite, Jared Rando (Canberra) was unlucky to hit the dirt in the final run.
Local downhillers, Rhys Willemse (Chambers Flats) won the Under 19 division. The 16 year old also claimed the second fastest qualifier of the day. Willemse rode an impressive 3 min 23.97 with only Nathan Rennie bettering his time in qualifying. Second was Tamryn Murrell (Gold Coast) and third place went to Shaun O’Connor (Sydney).
Adelaide’s James Shepherd won the under 17 division.
Four Cross
On Saturday night spectators witnessed one of Australia’s best four cross riders, Jared Graves (Toowoomba) in action. Graves did not put disappoint his home crowd and won the third round of the National Mountain Bike Series at Illinbah near Canungra. Graves put aside his aspirations to make the BMX Olympic squad but claims that it is still his main focus. “The closer it gets to the Olympics BMX becomes more and more of a focus,” he explained.
Elite women’s winner was National Champion, Caroline Buchanan from Canberra). A strong challenge came from Brisbane’s Sarsha Huntington (Bulimba) and a crash in the final let Buchanan take the win.
The next rounds of downhill and four cross will be in Thredbo on the 15 - 16 December.
Elite Men Downhill 1st # 85 Nathan Rennie (Gold Coast) course record – 3 min 13.74 sec 2nd # 52 Bryn Atkinson (Blue Mountains) 3.19.95 3rd # 80 Mitch Delfs (Bunbury) 3.22.97 4th # 2 Amiel Cavalier (Wollongong) 3.23.42 – new national series leader
Elite Women Downhill 1st # 309 Tracey Hannah (Cairns) 3 min 49.33 sec 2nd # 302 Emma McNaughton (Newcastle) 4.16.19 3rd #301 Claire Whiteman (Canberra) 4.19.62 – retains the series leader
King is king of women’s cross country, Illinbah Round 2 November 26, 2007
The olympic event of cross country started in wet conditions for round 2 of the National Series on the gold Coast. Slippery conditions made it tough for women hoping to make it to Beijing. With one Olympic spot up for grabs already the Australian season has witnessed close racing. Eventual winner, Zoe King (Manly, Syd) led in the first lap and retained her lead for four laps of the 5.5 km circuit.
“It was a really tough race,” admitted King, “the hills certainly did hurt.” King appeared keen to dominate the race early however she claims otherwise. “My plan was to go out a bit conservatively,” she said. “I passed them on the inside and my legs felt good. I was pretty comfortable being out there.”
When asked about pursuing the single women’s Olympic spot she said, “There’s a chance, so I’m certainly going to give it a shot.”
Second was Canberra’s Rosemary Barnes just three minutes off King’s blistering pace.
Favourite for the event, Tasmanian Rowena Fry, (Launceston) finished in third but stays in first place in the series equal on points with Zoe King.
In the men’s elite cross country an early break by Aiden Lefmann (Harbord) at the gun gave him a clear lead into the first of six laps. The Sydney rider stayed away from the chasing group and split the field. Lefmann again gained the series lead which is a repeat of his early series lead last season.
Like the first round last year I was really stoked. I didn’t know what to expect coming into the race,” he admitted. “I would’ve been happy with top five. I just felt consistent.”
Cal Britten (Bright) stayed away from the chasing Shaun Lewis (Watson). Britten placed second in elite and claimed the Under 23 win. Lewis secured third while Adrian Jackson (Ferny Creek) took out the fourth spot and Dylan Cooper (Downer) finished fifth.
1 #5 Aiden Lefmann (Harbord, SYD) 2 hr 7 min 05 sec 2 #7 U/23 Cal Britten (Bright, VIC) 2 hr 9 min 59 sec 3 #4 Shaun Lewis (Watson, ACT) 2 hr 10 min 53 sec 4 #26 Adrian Jackson (Ferny Creek, MEL) 2 hr 11 min 10 sec
Finalists announced for Scody 2007 People's Choice Cyclist of the Year November 19, 2007
The finalists have been decided and now the voting is open to decide the winner of the Scody 2007 People's Choice Cyclist of the Year to be presented at the Australian Cyclist of the Year Awards on Friday 14 December 2007.
Who will be the Scody 2007 People's Choice Cyclist of the Year?
Cadel Evans, Sam Hill, Anna Meares, Stuart O'Grady or Michael Rogers
Votes can be lodged on the Cycling Australia website www.cycling.org.au with voting open until midnight Tuesday 27 November.
The Scody People's Choice Cyclist of the Year will be presented at the cycling's gala presentation of the Australian Cyclist of the Year Awards being staged at the National Wine Centre in Adelaide on Friday 14 December 2007.
Awards will be presented in a range of categories and the night will celebrate the outstanding achievements of Australia's cyclists on the world stage in 2007. The final award of the night will be the presentation of the "Sir Hubert Opperman Medal" to the 2007 Australian Cyclist of the Year.
The Scody 2007 People's Choice Award has been added to encourage Australian cycling fans to have their say and to give them the chance to win the ultimate evening with some of Australia's champion cyclists as part of the Scody prize pack:
Return economy air travel for two adults from the winner's closest Australian capital city to Adelaide on Friday 14 December 2007. Returning Saturday 15 December 2007 Two tickets to attend the 2007 Australian Cyclist of the Year Awards on Friday 14 December 2007 Overnight twin share accommodation at Adelaide's Majestic Roof Garden Hotel An autographed photo of the Scody 2007 People's Choice Cyclist of the Year A Scody cycling jersey and knicks Tickets are also now on sale for the Australian Cyclist of the Year Awards gala.
For further information (media only) please contact: Gennie Sheer, Sheer Rhetoric , Communications Director, Cycling Australia Tel: +61 (0) 418 863 533 Email: gennie.sheer@cycling.org.au Cycling Australia website www.cycling.org.au
2008 Australian MTB Championships, January 24-28 - website now live November 15, 2007
The
website for the 2008 Australian MTB Championships is now live. On-line
entry will be available through this website as well as all the
information you need to get the most of Australia's competitive
flagship event.
The venue, Stromlo Forest Park has greened up
considerably since January 2007 and the trees around the XC course have
grown! Together with a some new DH alignments and some other
innovative changes this event will be bigger and better than 2007 - so
make sure you are there.
And
don't forget that this venue will host a round of the 2008 UCI World
Cup (August 30-31) and the 2009 UCI World MTB and Trials Championships,
September 1-6 2009.
The schedule for the 2008 National Championships has been decided.
The dates of official practice and competition extend from Thursday
24th January to Monday 28th of January 2008.
There are two items of note that are new for 2008.
1. Club Team Relay.
The club team relay will be staged on Friday 25th. This event will be
reminiscent of the team relay at the World Championships. The rules for
the club team relay will be:
(a) The team will comprise 1 Elite/Expert/Sport man, 1 Veteran/Master/Supermaster man, 1 Woman and 1 U19/U17 man. (b)
All members of the team must be registered members of the same club
which is affiliated to MTBA. If the rider(s) are not MTBA members (ie a
CA member) then other documentation to support this needs to be given. (c) The team can start their riders in any order (d) All team members must be also entered for another National Championship event (d) The course will be 1 lap of the standard XCO course for each team member (e) Team member change-over occurs by a physical contact at the start/finish area between team members (f) The winner is the team who completes the 4 laps in the fastest time 2. New DH practice and competition group. In an effort to make DH practice safer and competition fairer MTBA have introduced a Group C for DH.
The make up of the DH groups for the 2008 National Championships now becomes:
Group A: Elite men and women and U19 men Group B: Expert men, Veteran men, Master men, U17 men Group C: (a) all women other than Elite (b) SuperMaster men, U15 men, sport men and hardtail.
Voting at Illinbah, Saturday 24th November November 14, 2007
If you are attending the 2nd round of the National MTB Series at Illinbah (Gold Coast) over the weekend of the 24-25th November there are a few options available for casting your vote for the Federal Election on the 24th.
1. If you are a resident in Qld you can vote at the closest polling place:
Moriarty Park Community Sporting Complex (Forde) Monarch Dr CANUNGRA, 4275
2. If you are an interstate resident, or are listed on the electoral roll as residing outside Queensland then you can vote at one of the closest interstate polling locations as follows:
Piazza On The Boulevard 3221 Surfers Paradise Boulevard SURFERS PARADISE, 4217
Southport Central 56 Scarborough St SOUTHPORT, 4215
2453 Gold Coast Highway MERMAID BEACH, 4218
Runaway Bay Shop 15/459 Oxley Dr RUNAWAY BAY, 4216
Burleigh Heads Library Park Ave BURLEIGH HEADS, 4220
Alternatively you can vote at an early polling centre (check out www.aec.gov.au for locations near your place of residence) or you can make a postal vote (before Thursday 22nd November) by visiting your local post office. Remember that if you are on the election roll it is compulsory to cast your vote.
Rischbieth runs away with downhill win in DH#1 November 5, 2007
In a surprising victory on Sunday local downhill rider Will Rischbieth (#23 Adelaide) beat last year’s national series winner, Amiel Cavalier (#1 Wollongong) by one second. Recording a course record of 2 min 31.02 sec. By winning the first round of the National Series, Rischbieth leads the rankings. The 17 year old blasted out of the start and made up time in the middle section of the course at Eagle Mountain Bike Park in Adelaide After heavy rain overnight the course had dried out for the final run but it did not deter Rischbieth who qualified fastest on the first run with a respectable 2:36.18.
“I didn’t know I was going to qualify that good,” he admitted. “But after my practice run in the morning in the mud I knew I had to step it up a bit.”
Rischbieth who rides for the same team as Cavalier has high regard for the 2005 World Junior Champion who has now turned professional.
“To Amiel’s credit,” he said, “he’s been overseas and been training pretty hard.”
Having ridden the track on a regular basis, Rischbieth did agree that was an advantage on the day. “I do know the track pretty well.” he admitted.
The elation of winning on his home track was made more precious by the local support he received by hundreds of spectators lining the course.
“It was awesome,” he said, “all my mates were on the side of the track all the way down.”
Cavalier also praised the talented youngster.
“I’m pretty happy to be that close to Will here. I was a bit scared he was going to destroy the field!”
Third was Tim Eaton (#4 Canberra) with a time of 2.34.32. Alex Swann (#50 Victoria) made fourth while fifth place went to Adelaide favourite, Craig Yates (#6).
The unluckiest rider of the day was Ricky Boyer who lost grip on the track and failed to qualify for the final run.
Cavalier’s riding partner, Brad Benedict from California placed sixth. The 21 year old on the verge of becoming a professional rider next season rode a 2:36.1.
Downhill racing was fast and furious in the elite women’s field with Sarah Booth qualifying fastest but the win was taken by Claire Whiteman (Canberra). Second was Newcastle’s Emma McNaughton with last year’s series winner, Caroline Buchanan (Canberra), in third.
Booth made it into fourth while South Australian state champion, Jane Rutter claimed fifth.
Earlier in the day the Short Course Cross Country racing was tight and muddy with the lead changing several times in the women’s race. Zoe King (Manly, NSW) and yesterday’s winner Rowena Fry (Launceston, TAS) fought it out over the 20 minute race. A surge in the final laps was enough to secure Fry her second win of the weekend. King claimed second with Katherine O’Shea (Port Melbourne, VIC) in third.
The elite men’s race saw Dylan Cooper (Canberra, ACT) improve his third placing yesterday as he took the win convincingly. Second was Ben Mather (Launceston,TAS) and third was Neil Van der Ploeg (Tawonga, VIC).
Round 2 of the National Mountain Bike Series will be held on the Gold Coast on the 23-25 November.
Photos/interviews available (vision also may be available). Contact: Sharon Payne Media Manager Mountain Bike Australia Mob +61 (0) 412 773500 sharon@bikemedia.com.au
Double National Round of Trials in SA November 3, 2007
This weekend in South Australia has become one of the biggest weekends in the National Bike Trials calendar this season. For the first time in Australia there are two National Rounds for Bike Trials in the same state on the same weekend. This gives riders who compete in both a chance to get double the national points in the series leading up the National Championships in Canberra at the end of January. Riders also get to compete at two world class venues. Saturday gets underway at the custom built Eagle Mountain Bike Park (the first MTB park in Australia to have a designated bike trials area) and on the Sea Side Rocks at Port Elliot on Sunday.
Riders to Watch The hot favourite rider to watch in the Trials this weekend will be Joe Brewer (Melbourne) just back from training in Europe and the World MTB Championships in Scotland where he placed 19th. Brewer only this year moved up from juniors after qualifying 2nd and finishing 5th in the junior 26” trials finals at the 2006 World Champs in New Zealand. (The best ever result for an Australian Trials Rider on the World Stage!)
Some of the other top riders to watch for their moves and style are Lindsey Colla. Joel Whitburn (SA), Peace McCormac, Adam Kelley (NSW), and Andrew Dickey and Kleat Wilson (VIC). Riders are aiming to qualify for World Championship team selection for 2008 and look forward to the MTB World Championships in Canberra 2009.
Results for round 5 of the National Bike Trials series are here:
Tasmania's new talent takes first series and Jongewaard defies wet conditions November 3, 2007
Tasmania’s Rowena Fry won her first National Cross Country Olympic race today in just her second season by winning the first round of the National Mountain Bike Series at Eagle Park in Adelaide today. Despite muddy conditions, the 24 year old from Launceston set the pace in the first of four laps and won in a time of 1 hr 42 min. Since joining the Australian Sports Commission program to develop females in the sport for the London Olympics, Fry has blossomed under the “Dirt Roads to London Program” winning the national marathon championship in July.
Pleased with her current form and results Fry predicts that the women’s racing this season will be close. “There is going to be good racing all season. We are all close,” she said.
“Tory (Thomas) came past me a few times and we were jostling to get onto the single track first.”
“I’m riding technically a lot better and I’m a lot fitter so now I can concentrate on what I’m doing.”
Fry praised the “Dirt Roads to London Program saying, “I would never have gotten into the national series otherwise.”
Newcomer to the national season, Jodie Willett from Brisbane placed second after passing Sydney’s strong Zoe King and National Champion, Victorian Tory Thomas in the final lap.
Sydney’s Zoe King was unable to repeat last year’s performance by winning the first race of the season and placed third. King is also in the “Dirt Roads to London” program. Current National Champion and last season's overall leader, Tory Thomas finished in fourth after suffering mechanical trouble
Local “Dirt Roads to London” rider, Terri Rhodes, made it into sixth place in the early laps but the exertion saw her fade and finish a creditable 20th. In the men’s race current National Champion, Chris Jongewaard, proved local course knowledge was an advantage. Jongewaard took over the lead in the first lap but started to suffer in boggy conditions.
“I thought I might have gone out too hard at the start,” he said. “On the second lap I backed it off a bit. Then Sid (Taberlay) caught me.”
The 28 year old professional rider then decided to ride his own race with challenges coming from Tasmania’s Taberlay in the second and third lap. However Jongewaard pushed ahead in the last half of the sic lap race to win in 2 hr 5 min.
Athens Olympian Sid Taberlay found himself in second place with Dylan Cooper threatening to gain time in the second last lap. Taberlay was last season’s overall leader with Dylan Cooper second overall and positions remained unchanged.
In the under 23 division Canberra’s Ben Henderson stayed away from Victoria's Cal Britten to take the win. Gold Coast’s Dave Whitney showed good form by taking third.
Downhill practice was cancelled one hour before expected in the Downhill however racing will start as expected at 1 pm on Sunday with Amiel Cavalier (Wollongong), last year's series winner expected to podium.
Also a chance in the elite men's downhill race is Ricky Boyer and Adam Smithson both from Newcastle. Local riders Dave West and Craig Yates could have a home town advantage on the fast descent.
The elite women's downhill race could show some new Adelaide talent up against last year's series winner, Caroline Buchanan from Canberra.
Results Highlights:
Elite Women 1st Rowena Fry #303 Launceston, TAS 1:42.29.6 2nd Jodie Willett #318 Brisbane, QLD 1:42 55.0 3rd Zoe King # 316 Manly, NSW 1:43.20.0 4th Tory Thomas #301 Mt Beauty, VIC 1:46.53.4 Elite Men 1st Chris Jongewaard #6 Parra Hills, Adelaide, SA 2:05:32.00 2nd Sid Taberlay # 28 Blackman’s Bay, Hobart, TAS 2:07:33.2 3rd Dylan Cooper, #1 Downer, Canberra, ACT 2:08:04.5
Under 23 (in the same race as elite men) 1st Ben Henderson #4 Canberra, ACT 2nd Cal Britten # 23 Bright, VIC 3rd David Whitney #18 Gold Coast, QLD
Images from the XCO race are here: www.amtbc.com/Races/Photos/tabid/65/Default.aspx Full results are here.
Cross Country close to home for Jongewaard November 1, 2007
For National Cross Country Champion, Chris Jongewaard the best part of this weekend’s race in Adelaide will be not travelling to another city. For the first time in his mountain bike career the 28 year old will race on his home turf at the new Eagle Mountain Bike Park.
“It’s going to be a different feeling waking up and heading to a race from your own home,” said Jongewaard.
“This is break through for Adelaide,” he said. “Every day it’s becoming a high class cycling city.”
Jongewaard recently returned to Australia after racing the World Cups, World Championships and the mountain bike test event in Beijing. HE is the highest ranked Australian in 26th position with 643 points.
Team mate, Sid Taberlay from Tasmania will also start his Australian series assault in Adelaide after winning the overall series last season. Lining up will be Canberra’s Dylan Cooper after claiming second in last year’s season and competing at the World Championships he could be a threat.
Adelaide’s Shaun Lewis will not compete this Saturday but instead is working to raise enough money for his overseas campaign for season. His counterpart with the same name from Canberra is on the start list and is expected to challenge the leaders.
Last season’s early leader, Aiden Lefmann is expected to put the pressure on early in the 6 or 7 lap race along with young under 23 series winner Cal Britten from Victoria.
The women’s race numbers have exceeded the men’s and means National Cross Country Champion, Tory Thomas from Victoria will have to get into the lead group early. A strong group of developing riders that are part of the “Dirt Roads to London” program including National Marathon Champion, Rowena Fry from Launceston could challenge Thomas’s domination of last year’s series.
The “Dirt Roads to London” initiative is in its second year and already the selected riders have shown massive improvement. One such rider, Terri Rhodes from Adelaide is elated to have the event in the Adelaide hills.
“I can’t wait to show my coach how much I’ve improved,” she said. “The majority of the course is single track which I like. The climbs are technical and single track climbs which I like as well.”
For Rhodes who rode her first mountain bike at the first testing session for the program knows her skills have improved dramatically since then. “I showed a bit of potential but in terms of mountain bike specific skills I didn’t have any,” she admitted.
“I want to show my coach how much I’ve improved. I know this track so that will help.”
Last year’s first series race winner, Zoe King from Manly, also has podium potential on this course.
Women’s cross country gets underway at 11:00 am on Saturday and the men’s cross country to start at 1 pm. According to the Olympic format the men’s race should take approximately two hours with the women’s just under the two hour mark.
Downhill practice will be run on Friday and Saturday. Racing starts at 1 pm on Sunday.
For further information and media arrangements - photos/vision/interviews contact: Sharon Payne Media Manager Mountain Bike Australia Mob +61 (0) 412 773500 sharon@bikemedia.com.au
The Eagle has taken off for mountain biking October 30, 2007
South Australia’s new Eagle Mountain Bike Park will host its biggest event to date when the first round of the 2007-2008 National Mountain Bike Series gets underway this weekend. Although the park was opened in December 2006, this will be the largest competition held at the venue and now adds mountain biking to the prestigious list of South Australia’s major cycling events.
Over 400 competitors from around the country are set to race in the first round for Cross Country Olympic and Downhill and will create history by being the first national cross country event ever held in South Australia.
Saturday’s elite women’s and men’s events will attract riders aiming for Olympic selection. Adelaide’s Chris Jongewaard along with fellow Commonwealth Games rider, Sid Taberlay from Tasmania will headline the men’s field. Jongewaard, the current National Champion, will race in his home town for the first time in his career.
With South Australia hosting other major cycling events such as the professional Tour Down Under and the BMX Supercross World Cup in 2008 the Eagle Mountain Bike Park will assist in raising the profile of mountain biking throughout the nation and in particular in South Australia.
After six year’s in the planning, after planning for the facility started with the two Adelaide mountain bike clubs, Bike SA and government bodies. Now the two Adelaide clubs, Adelaide Mountainbike Club (AMBC) and Insideline Downhill Mountainbike Club (IL), along with the Office of Recreation and Sport will take the venue to a new level of event. Already it has hosted many state events as well as the World Police & Fireman Games and recently the Australasian Masters Games.
According to event manager, Nick Rudzki, this event will showcase some of the talented riders in the discipline of downhill.
“We have upcoming talent with enormous potential from 15 to 19 years and some of them will certainly follow Sam Hill’s path to becoming a World Champion,” he said. “In fact I think one of the future World Champions will come from South Australia.”
Over the past two years the discipline of downhill has seen an increase of 30 percent in South Australia. Along with that Adelaide riders have claimed many high national rankings and elite riders such as Craig Yates (Camden Park) and Dave West (Rostrevor) leading the state. West also claimed second place overall in last year’s national series.
The younger ranks of downhill are swelling with talent with riders such as national under 15 champion, Troy Brosnan (Secombe Heights) and Will Rischbieth (Stirling). Rischbieth claimed the Oceania Championship title and also the under 19 national series title. He recently represented Australia at the World Championships in Scotland.
According to Rudzki, the Eagle Mountain Bike Park facility has helped to increase local racing numbers but the difficulty for recreational riders is that a shuttle service is not available to get downhillers from the base to the top of the course. "For events like this we can run buses and shuttles,” he stated, “but for training and recreational use no vehicles are allowed at present."
With Australian downhill riders among the best ranked in the world race times are expected to be close during competition on Sunday. "With top riders expecting to near the two and a half minute mark there could be a huge advantage for the local riders,' claimed Rudzki. "For them knowledge of the local track and could save precious seconds."
Official practice begins on Friday morning while Cross Country racing starts on Saturday morning. Downhill qualifying begins on Sunday at 1 pm with final runs starting near 4 pm.
For further media information/photos/interviews and preview opportunities contact: Regards, Sharon Payne Media Manager Mountain Bike Australia Mob +61 (0) 412 773500 sharon@bikemedia.com.au
2007 Dirt Criterion Series, Mt. Penang NSW Central Coast October 25, 2007
The Edge Cycles and Pushy Galore present in celebration of daylight savings in association with the Central Coast Ourimbah Mountain Bike Club and Mt Penang Parklands the inaugural 2007 Dirt Criterion Series
What: A Dirt Bike Criterion Series is a shortcourse off road track ideal for spectators closely located to Gosford. It is a short loop course race, which is non-technical, but high tempo and all must be done on a mountain bike. Where: Event Park Area Mt Penang Parklands, Kariong . When: 6pm- 8pm Tuesday 30th October 2007. Racing starts at 6:30pm Who: Open to all over the age of 16years with a keen interest in 4X and mountain bike riding. It is of special interest to those who are casual riders and short on time. We especially welcome women cyclists as well. Why: It offers a great recreational activity for those keen to get some fat tyre fun after work within close proximity to Gosford. This race format will be a great way for people to compete in a very casual environment. It offers the chance for some great fun with prizes on offer as well as the chance to win place categories.
What do I need? In order to run this event each entrant is required to be a member of the Central Coast Ourimbah Mountain Bike Club and pay an entry fee of $10. It covers the required insurances and use of the parklands.
Bring water and other bike equipment. For supplies visit the stores below. In addition you will require a helmet and bike in working order. Those with Mountain Bike membership are required to being it on the day.
For more inquiries or interviews on this scheduled event please call Dean of The Edge Cycles (43211566) or Dan of Pushy Galore 4324 0266
Canberra dominate first National 4X Mountain Bike Series October 20, 2007
Canberra duo, Caroline Buchanan and Leigh Darrell took out the first round of the National Four Cross Series at Sydney Olympic Park today. Current National Four Cross Champion, Buchanan proved her recent crash at the World Championship had not got in the way of her gutsy riding style. Buchanan led early and stayed out of a crash between Sarsha Huntington (Brisbane) and Shannon Jobson (Blaxland). Sydney rider, Grace Ireland stayed out of trouble to finish second. Huntington rode in to claim third and Jobson fourth.
The men’s race was won by Leigh Darrell (Canberra) in a tough line up alongside inaugural winner, Alex Lloyd (St Clair); Thomas Hubert (Mereweather) and Timothy Dunn (Warrimoo).
“Thomas (Hubert) got a good start too. I wasn’t quite in front to block him into the first corner to block him right out,” explained Darrell.
A loss of control by Thomas Hubert in the third corner gave Darrell the lead he needed.
“.I just gave it everything I got in the last bit,” Darrell said.
With top riders like Luke Strom (East Blaxland) and defending national series winner, Terry Scarr (Raby) eliminated today in the quarter finals , Darrell will be certain to get challenged in tomorrow’s second round of the National Series.
“I’m going to try and come back and back it up,” said Darrell.
In the Under 19’s Canberra’s Aiden Nemet was a clear winner while only two hundredths of a second separated second and third. Adam Thalor (Oakflats) narrowly got second place with Queensland’s Rhys Willemse (Chambers Flat) being relegated to third. Fourth was Ryan Hunt (Mt Annan).
The second round of the National Mountain Cross Series continues tomorrow afternoon also at Sydney Olympic Park.
For photos/interviews or information contact: Regards, Sharon Payne Media Manager Mountain Bike Australia Mob +61 (0) 412 773500 sharon@bikemedia.com.au
Simpson Desert Bike Challenge 2007 October 18, 2007
When it comes to ultra-endurance MTB riding there is no substitute for experience and knowledge of how your body will respond. In the 2007 Simpson Desert Bike Challenge only 2 competitors were able to ride the full 100% of the course – 592 km in 9 stages over 4½ days. First on aggregate time was the tenacious and vastly experienced Bruce Wood from Queensland, an Epic regular who admitted that even entering the gruelling event was the result of a last-minute “brain explosion” on his part. He established a lead early in the challenge with strong sand riding and marathon pace, and he hung onto that lead for the remainder of the event despite riding in considerable pain (at least when seated!). The only other 100% medallion recipient was Andrew Koop, from Alice Springs, a 5-time veteran of the Simpson Desert who knows what it takes to complete each stage even when pre-race training is not all that it could it be.
Several riders “blew up” very early in the hot and soft conditions, with two thirds of the field eliminated from full-distance contention by the end of the first stage. Weather conditions during the 2007 event were hotter than in recent years, with some punishing head winds and difficult tracks to contend with. Traditionally relatively pleasant sections such as the lakeside track on stage 5 were this year made more difficult by drift sand on the track. Support vehicles had their own challenges with some of the dunes, especially in a 10km section just before Kuncherinna Junction, and the support crews were as relieved as the riders to see the end of the stage.
Outstanding female rider was Kathy Moylan (Alice Springs), who was a victim of mechanical problems but rode strongly throughout the challenge to good stage placings and has vowed to return and deal with “unfinished business”. Mick Harvey, fulfilling a long term ambition to ride the Simpson, spent a lot of time off his bike seat after doing himself some serious early damage, then produced the traditional finish-line crash in Birdsville to the delight of the spectators. Audax-experienced Leon Malzinskas of Inverloch, Victoria, has now declared himself a retired rider and plans to return in future as medical support. But his approach to the event made him the unanimous choice of race organisers for the “Bean Attitude Award”. The 2008 event dates have been set as 30 September – 4 October. Entries will open early in the new year online at www.desertchallenge.org
Results
Place Rider Name Total Time Total Dist. %age Distce. Gap to Leader 1 20 Bruce WOOD QLD 38h46'58” 592 100%
2 14 Andrew KOOP NT 40h46'00” 592 100% 1h59'02” 3 4 Matthias AXT NSW 47h09'51” 557 94% 8h22'53” 4 13 Mathew DICKERSON NSW 47h23'45” 527 89% 8h36'47” 5 3 Leon MALZINSKAS VIC 48h23'26” 535 90% 9h36'28” 6 18 Ron WHITEHEAD QLD 51h51'15” 500 85% 13h04'17” 7 16 Kathleen MOYLAN NT 52h03'12” 491 83% 13h16'14” 8 17 Matt O’NEILL VIC 54h04'51” 472 80% 15h17'53” 9 8 Andrew ARMSRONG-TAYLOR WA 55h45'18” 455 77% 16h58'20” 10 12 Ryan HYDE WA 56h36'16” 433 73% 17h49'18” 11 19 Gregg BERRY ACT 58h38'38” 441 75% 19h51'40” 12 11 Rick NEALE SA 63h27'48” 375 63% 24h40'50” 13 5 Cara MALZINSKAS VIC 63h39'45” 374 63% 24h52'47” 14 10 Michael HARVEY NSW 63h48'37” 350 59% 25h01'39” 15 15 Tim SULLIVAN WA 69h28'36” 310 52% 30h41'38” 16 9 Stuart WIGFALL UK 74h28'41” 255 43% 35h41'43” 17 6 Neville NOTTLE SA 82h33'41” 158 27% 43h46'43”
The BAgear 4X Round 1 & 2 of the MTBA National Series 2007-2008 October 17, 2007
Last minute news
It’s going to be another huge year at the Monster Mountain X track at Sydney Olympic Park for the baGEAR Round 1 of the MTBA 4X National Series – and that’s not just because this year we have twice the racing with Round 2 on the Sunday!
With a Sunny 29 degree average predicted for the weekend, we’re again looking forward to some great racing at the Homebush site. Again Bicycling Australia via their BAgear brand have contributed cash prizemoney, this will be distributed across both rounds for the Elite Men & Open Women’s categories.
The Track
Is about to go through the final stages of preparation. Australia’s leading duo in 4X track design and building – Brett Barnes and Geoff Cartwright – will be polishing the course with it’s final surfacing over the coming days ready for the weekend. Brett and Geoff tell us that the track will be in the best condition it's ever been for the race weekend.
BMX and more
Riders should also be aware that Saturday morning will mark the opening of the Sydney Olympic Park Monster BMX facility, which now shares the same site for the 4X. BMX riders keen to race the 4X event should be aware that they can upgrade to an MTBA licence for only $36, assuming they have more than 3 months left on their current BMXA licence and they bring their membership card to the event.
MTBA have also supported less regular riders by making a ‘day licence’ for this event last for BOTH rounds, one $15 licence will cover riders for the whole weekend. We at BrightOrangeEvents have also offered riders wanting to ride in both rounds extra value, discounting the entire weekend fee by 15% for riders racing both days. Riders can enter online at www.brightorangeevents.com before the weekend (methods are available for pre-entry with or without a credit card). There will be a late fee applicable to entries on the weekend ($10 for 1 Round, $15 for both Rounds), so we encourage riders to enter before the weekend! Online entries will stay open until 6pm on Friday 19th October.
Free Parking!
As part of the Festival of Cycling, we’re also happy to announce that the Sports Development Manager of Sydney Olympic Park will be making parking free for all competitors this year! P5 Pod C – the closest carpark to the venue – will be open for all competitors to park for free on both days.
Schedule
The schedule for both days is the same: registration will be open from 7:30am to 10:30am. Practice (for registered riders only) will be available from 9:00am to Midday. Heats will be from 1pm to 3:30pm, and Finals will be at 4pm for riders who qualify. Presentation ceremonies will follow finals, with anticipated time for these being 5pm.
STOP PRESS – Under 13 Category: Due to popular demand, not least from the many BMX riders keen to bring their 4X bikes and compete on the ‘other track’, we’ve decided to add an Under-13s category. This won’t be a National Series category, but it will be recognised on the podium on the day, and there will be some small product prizes on offer for this category too.
Sharon Payne Media Manager Mountain Bike Australia Mob +61 (0) 412 773500 sharon@bikemedia.com.au
The Kiendl and Bell show - Winners in Solo for 2007 SCOTT24hr October 15, 2007
Kiendl calls for a beer after 24 hours on mountain bike
German mountain bike rider Alexandra Kiendl only wanted an Australian beer after she crossed the line at the Scott 24 hour Mountain Bike Championships in Canberra today. The 34 year old suffered from the cold when temperatures reached 1 degrees C throughout the night. “I had everything on I owned,” she said. Kiendl completed 23 laps finishing 48 minutes in front of nearest rival, Justine Leahy (Coffs Harbour).
The men’s race was left down to the wire with National 24 hour Solo Champion, Andrew Bell taking the victory. After being put on a drip at the World 24 hour Solo Championships just last month, Bell was keen to clear away the demons that haunted him after racing in 40 degree C heat in California. The 34 year old from Melbourne only led after six hours of racing. A calculation of opponents laps near the end of racing forced Bell to ride his 29th lap while his challenger, Jason English (Port Macquarie), finished on 28 laps.
Bell checked on his condition throughout the night so as to avoid dehydration. “I weighed myself and I was the exactly the same weight. That means that I’m hydrated whereas at the Worlds I was four kilograms lighter,” he explained.
Early leaders, Thomas Lindup(Taranaki, NZ) and Hugh Stodart(North Bakgiwlah, NSW) were overtaken by Bell with a quick bike lights transition on Saturday evening. Lindup and Stodart finished finished with 28 laps and 27 laps respectively giving them the thrid and fourth position.
“I knew there were quite a few a guys in front early in the race, I didn’t expect that,” said Bell. “A lot of the people were having a crack. I knew more about Jason’s (English) ability than anyone else so he was the one I kept an eye on.”
English suffered a mechanical problem in the third lap of the race loosing valuable time however he regained ground over the following 20 hours to finish a creditable second.
Young Canberra rider, Ben Henderson lost his fastest lap gained early on Saturday to Athens Olympian, Sid Taberlay (Hobart). Taberlay’s team mad a last ditch effort to better Henderson's 31min 46 seconds. The GU/SRAM/Nite Rider team allowed Taberlay to rest and at sunrise the attempt was made. In a blistering time of w 31 minutes and 38 second Taberlay took 8 seconds off Henderson's time taking the prize of $ 4000. The fastest women’s lap went to the Dirt Roads to London rider,Rowena Fry from Launceston, with 37.11.
Taberlay was also a member of the fastest overall team with 38 laps secured. Second team overall were Flight Centre with 37 laps and third was the Orbea Pro Team with 35 laps.
For further information. Regards, Sharon Payne Media Manager Mountain Bike Australia Mob +61 (0) 412 773500 sharon@bikemedia.com.au
Solo Male 1 Andrew Bell 29 24:33:09 2 Jason English 28 23:58:03 3 Thomas Lindup 28 24:05:39 4 Hugh Stodart 27 24:05:34
Solo Female 1 Alexandra Kiendl 23 23:50:41 2 Justine Leahy 19 23:02:50 3 Penny Dustow 17 23:02:47
Bell planing to rectify his World disappointment at Scott 24 hour October 12, 2007
Endurance mountain biker, Andrew Bell (Burwood, VIC) will draw inspiration for this weekend’s Scott 24 hr Mountain Bike Championships from his disappointing 24 hour solo World Championship last month in California. The 32 year old from Melbourne had to receive medical attention after just 17 hours of racing in temperatures that reached 40 degrees C during the race.
“I went there to podium,” he said. “Even with a 19th overall it was really a disappointment for me.”
The current Australian 24 hour Solo Champion, Bell, intends to redeem himself this weekend in the 2007 Scott 24 hour Mountain Bike Championships. Recovery has been slow for Bell with short six hour rides causing aches and pains.
Bell will use this weekend's event to fine tune his fluid and food intake.
“It’s an ongoing experiment,” he explains. "I plan to knock 10 to 20 percent off the effort and concentrate more on hydrating and on my food intake.”
However winning is never far from Bell’s mind. If a challenge comes from Port Macquarie’s Jason English or Brendan Den (Wingello, NSW), Bell will be ready to counter any move.
“I can’t help myself. I am there to compete,” states Bell.
After placing second in last year’s event to Canberra’s James Williamson, Bell places this event on his 'must win' list. “If I miss this I don’t get another solo race until December,” he said. “For exposure it’s a huge event.”
The ‘Scott’ as it is commonly known is one of the biggest 24 hour events on the world calendar with a massive 2 400 participants. This year sees the event return to its original location at Mt Stromlo after the Canberra fires destroyed the area. The venue will also host next year’s World Cup and the 2009 World Mountain Bike Championships. With a record prize pool of $ 125 000, the event has attracted many of Australia’s shorter distance mountain bikers.
Athens Olympian, Sid Taberlay (Blackman’s Bay, TAS) will race in a four person team alongside the 2006 24 hr Solo World Champion, Craig Gordon (Wollongong). Perren Delacour (Gymea Bay, SYD) and Brent Millar (Canberra) complete the team who are aiming for an overall team prize and the fastest lap, a prize purse of $ 9000. Taberlay recently returned to Australia after racing World Cups, the World Championships and the Olympic test event in Beijing. The fastest lap is expected to be achieved in the first 4 laps after race start at 12 noon on Saturday.
The battle for fastest team could also come from the Pro Team with two Canberra riders Angus Harding and Nathan Haas. Joining them are Scott Chancellor (Glenn Iris, VIC) strong Launceston rider,Ben Mather.
Last year’s solo winner, James Williamson has paired up with fellow Canberra rider Dylan Cooper and could use the advantage of knowing the course to secure the fastest lap of the race.
German rider, Alexandra Kiendl (Fitzroy) is expected to dominate the women’s solo race while riders like Coffs Harbour’s Justine Leahy are aiming to podium. The fastest women’s lap could see a tough tussle between Canberra’s team riders Niki Fisher and youngster Rebecca Henderson. National Marathon champion, Rowena Fry (Launceston) could also challenge for the $ 4000 prize on offer.
Racing gets underway at 12 noon and Saturday with 600 riders lining up for the “Le Mans’ run start before heading out into the hourglass shaped circuit. For event updates go to: : www.scott24hr.com.au/
For further information/vision/photographs or interviews contact: Sharon Payne Media Manager Mountain Bike Australia Mob +61 (0) 412 773500 sharon@bikemedia.com.au
Central Tablelands MB Club social ride on the Mt York Convict Trails October 3, 2007
When: Sat 20 Oct (11:30) - for approx. 3 hours
Meeting Place Memorial park Mt Victoria
Time: Meet 12 leave 1pm
OK this is a CTMBC ride but open to everyone (you'll need to sign the disclaimer but there are no entry fees). It is part of the Celebrations of the 175 anniversary of the opening of Victoria Pass.
There will be plenty of things to do and see besides the ride, including Historical re-enactments at both Mt Victoria and Heartly Historic village so use it as an excuse to bring to family/better half up to the mountains for a bit of culture (the duck off for a ride while they are not looking).
Mt Vic School will be providing a BBQ lunch for a gold coin donation and the will be various spots to grab scones and tea (including mid ride.)
Official proceedings to mark this great occasion will begin at 11.30 and we will be starting the actual ride along with the historic car rally at about 1pm.
We will head out towards Mt York and then descend Lockeyers trail into Heartly Vale with a possible Devonshire tea stop at the Commit Inn depending on what people want.
From there back out to the highway to the base of Victoria Pass and thus up the easier Berghoffers Pass and back to Mt Vic
All up it's a 20km loop with a mix of Fire Rd, Techinecal Single Track and highway riding.
All welcome
2007- 2008 Cycling Australia BMX High Perfomance Squad September 20, 2007
Cycling Australia and BMX Australia are pleased to announce the 2007-2008 BMX High Performance Squad.
Elite Women Tanya Bailey (Mariginiup, WA - 15/03/1981) Nicole Callisto (Beechboro, WA – 12/11/1987)
Elite Men Jared Graves (Toowoomba, QLD – 16/12/1982) Jamie Gray (Beenleigh, QLD – 24/04/1981) Kamakazi (Jimboomba, QLD – 08/03/1981) Luke Madill (Cranebrook, NSW – 28/05/1980) Khalen Young (WA – 20/11/1984)
For further information (media only) please contact: Gennie Sheer, Sheer Rhetoric - Communications Director, Cycling Australia Tel: +61 (0) 418 863 533 Email: gennie@compuserve.com Website: www.cycling.org.au
'Play it again Sam' - Hill wins second straight downhill crown at UCI MTB World Championships September 11, 2007
West Australian Sam Hill has claimed his second successive Elite Men's Downhill World Championship after successfully defending his title at the 2007 UCI Mountain Bike World Championships in Fort William, Scotland.
Hill posted a time of 4m52.01s for the 2820m course down the slopes of Ben Nevis, the UK's highest mountain. Silver medallist Fabien Barel of France was 0.64s slower in 4m52.65s while Great Britain's Gee Atherton was more than four seconds off Hill's pace with his bronze medal time of 4m56.38s.
22 year old Hill, the world ranked number one, went into the final as the 24th seeded rider after posting a time more than 15 seconds slower than his finals ride but his slow qualifying round proved to be a tactical advantage.
"Everyone has their cameras out there and they're filming each other's lines so I take different lines (in qualifying) and they're a lot sneakier," said Hill who despite his seeding run time had gone into the event as the hot favourite. "I wanted to keep them to myself for the race and I didn't want the pressure of being the last rider to start"
The Scottish HIghlands delivered rain, mist and wind for the final turning the course into a slippery slope of mud and rocks.
"I had a good run," said Hill who had to sit in the leader's hot seat and wait for 23 other riders to tackle the Ben Nevis course before knowing he had won. "I think it worked out (for me) with the wind because it got stronger towards the end so the last few guys had a bit of a disadvantage but that's the way worlds go.
"Maybe because I don't know what it's like (riding in the rain) I go out and try and ride it like it's dry and it worked for me," said Hill after local media asked how the Australian rider could be so dominant in the wet when West Australia is renowned for hot, dry and sunny weather.
Australia placed four other riders in the top 20 with fourth fastest qualifier Michael Hannah finishing in 11th position in a time of 5m02.37s and 2006 bronze medallist Nathan Rennie placing in 12th 5m03.19s.
The riders now head to Slovenia for the final round of the UCI Nissan MTB World Cup Series being raced in Maribor this weekend. Hill, who has won two of the four rounds contested so far, is tipped to be crowned World Cup Series Champion after being the runner up for the past three years.
In the women's downhill 2006 Junior World Champion Tracey Hannah (5m39.89s) performed strongly in her first year at elite level to claim the bronze medal. French defending champion Sabrina Jonnier won gold with her time of 5m28.35s and Great Britain's Rachel Atherton posted a time of 5m32.36 to finish in second place.
Queensland's Hannah, 19, has, despite her youth, risen to number three on the world rankings this year and claimed victory in the Austrian round of the World Cup Series.
“I was happy with the time,” said the petite Hannah who acknowledges the course was more suited to stronger women. “It was better than I expected it would be and at world titles you’ve always got to pedal anyway so it was no surprise."
In the junior men's downhill three Australians finished in the top six with West Australian teenager Mitchell Delfs closest to the mark with his time of 5m09.63s just 0.36s off the bronze medal pace. Joel Bain and James Maltman finished fifth and sixth respectively.
In the 4X (Four Cross) competition Australia's medal hopes were dashed when Toowoomba's Jared Graves suffered a mishap whilst leading his semi-final heat. The tyre on his rear wheel came off the rim relegating him to the minor final for 5th to 8th place. Unfortunately his bike could not be repaired in time for the next race and he was awarded eighth place. Graves was also unlucky in the men's downhill finals where a crash into the banking put him out of contention.
Reigning 4X Australian Champion, Caroline Buchanan, 16, ended her World Championships with a 24 hour stay in hospital under observation after suffering grazes and concussion in a crash during her semi-finals ride. It was her second crash of the Championships but, unlike in the quarter finals where she recovered to finish second and earn a place in the next round, her crash in the semi-finals sent her to the hospital. She was released after observation.
In the XCO (Cross Country Olympic) competition Australia's best results came in the U23 men's event where Daniel McConnell placed tenth, 5m46s off the time of Danish winner Jakob Fuglsang.
For further information (media only) please contact: Gennie Sheer, Sheer Rhetoric - Communications Director, Cycling Australia Tel: +61 (0) 418 863 533 Email: gennie.cycling@cycling.org.au Cycling Australia website www.cycling.org.au
Sharon Payne , Media Manager - Mountain Bike Australia Tel: +61 (0) 412 773 500 Email: sharon@bikemedia.com.au
2007 World Championships - DH Elite Men - Sam Hill World Champion September 10, 2007
1. Sam Hill (AUS) 4m52.01s 2 Fabian Barel (FRA) 4m52.65s 3 Gee Atherton (GBR) 4m56.38s
11 Mick Hannah 5m02.37s 12 Nathan Rennie 5m03.19s 17 Amiel Cavalier 5m06.38s 18 Jared Rando 5m07.45s Jared Graves crashed after rubbing a bank Chris Kovarik crashed
Steve Peat lost his seat and rode almost all the track on a seat post. The race saw heavy rain and wind about halfway through the seeding list which perhaps makes Hill's win even the more perfect.
Race times will be updated when the UCI publish final placings.
In the meantime celebrate that Australia and Sam Hill is once again on top of the World!
2007 World Championships - DH Junior Men and Elite Women September 10, 2007
Junior Men DH: 1 Ruaridh Cunningham (GBR) 5m06.82s 2 John Swanguen (USA) 5m 08.89s 3 Matthew Scoles (NZL) 5m09.27s
4 Mitchell Delfs (AUS) 5m09.63s 5 Joel Bain (AUS) 5m13.24s 6 Matthew Maltman (AUS) 5m14.72s
10 David Hetherington 5m19.68s 16 Tom Patton 5m24.15s 37 Joshua Button 5m45.87s Will Rischbieth DSQ
Hill holds best medal chance for Australia September 9, 2007
Defending World Mountain Bike Downhill Champion, Australian Sam Hill, is expected to dominate the final event in Fort William in Scotland today. The 22 year old from Perth is currently ranked number 1 in the world after winning two of the four World Cups to date.
Also in the running is last year’s bronze medallist, Nathan Rennie (Gold Coast). However in the seeding run on Thursday it was Cairns rider, Michael Hannah, who qualified as the fastest Australian in fourth position.
Rennie and Michael Hannah are currently ranked fifth and eighth in the world respectively. Hill rode conservatively in the seeding run to finish in 24th position preferring to ride conservatively and qualify. Hill has performed well on the Fort William course in 2006 winning the World Cup round.
According to National Downhill Mountain Bike coach, Scott Sharples, Hill is the ‘favourite’. "The talk here is who can stop Sam from winning," said Sharples. "But Sam is approaching this like any other race where he thinks about the track and the other riders and tries to practice fast and do what he has to be at his best when it counts."
Hill isn't the only Australian with medal potential. At last year's Championships the Australians secured four of the top ten places with Rennie claiming bronze, Chris Kovarik (Brisbane) fifth and Hannah in sixth. Rennie, (Santa Cruz Syndicate) has good credentials on the Fort William course where he placed second earlier this year in a round of the Scottish Downhill Series.
Sharples believes all the Australians have the potential to perform well on Sunday.
"All of the 'Aussies' have a good shot at a top five finish because everyone's capable," said Sharples.
Current National Downhill Champion, Jared Graves (Toowoomba) will be out to rectify a disappointing Four Cross race when mechanical problems relegated him to eighth position. Also in the running is the National Series Downhill winner, Amiel Cavalier (Wollongong).
In the women's elite downhill, the 2006 Junior Women's Downhill World Champion, Tracey Hannah (Cairns), will be Australia's only starter. Even after qualifying fourth fastest in the Junior Women's Downhill, Caroline Buchanan (Canberra) decided to withdraw after crashing in the Four Cross on Friday night. Hannah also qualified fourth fastest on Thursday in the elite women’s seeding run.
"Tracey is riding fast and she's a chance for a medal," said Sharples of the Cairns teenager who in her first year in the senior competition. Hannah has risen to number three on the world rankings and claimed victory in the last round of the World Cup Series on a similar course in Austria. "She's pretty tiny though and this course has a few flatter sections where the stronger riders will benefit.”
"The steeper the better for Tracey but she's fit and she'll work hard so you never know what will happen on the day," said Sharples.
In the junior men’s downhill, National Champion, Mitchell Delfs (Gracetown) qualified as the top Australian in fourth position. Fellow Western Australian Joel Bain was the next highest placed Australian in 8 th position. Three other Australian juniors also claimed the top twelve positions following the seeding run.
Canberra will host one round of the World Cup in 2008 and the World Championships in 2009 For further information - vision, interviews or information (see below):
Contact:
Sharon Payne Media Manager Mountain Bike Australia Mob +61 (0) 412 773500 sharon@bikemedia.com.au
2007 World Championships - Elite Mens 26in Trials September 9, 2007
A hard day at the office for Australia's only Trials competitor, Joe Brewer. Thirty two competitors started the competition of 8 sections, done twice. The sections ranged from a natural creek bank to one with a Nissan 4x4 and a telephone box. Mostly the sections were big - and tricky and tough.
Joe finished the competition in 19th place on 27 points (16 for 1st run and 11 for 2nd run). Unfortunately he missed the cut-off for the finals of 8 riders - he needed to accumulate only 14 penalties or less.
The winner, French rider Gilles Coustellier (2 penalty points) only collected 2 dabs on the second run, having cleaned all sections on the first attempt. His brother, Giacomo, placed 3rd (7 penalty points), while Belgium rider Kenny Belaey placed second going into the finals tomorrow (local time). In fact the entire finals consists of Europeans from France, Belgium or Spain.
2007 World Championships - Elite Mens XCO September 9, 2007
The last XC event was held this afternoon in overcast weather - something we have come to expect in this part of Scotland - and only very slight drizzle.
Australia had three entries; Chris Jongewaard, Sid Taberlay and Dylan Cooper. Jongewaard at ranked rider number 15 started in the second grid line while Taberlay and Cooper started mid-pack at 50 and 62 respectively.
116 riders started and the race was dominated by French rider Julien Absalon who completed the 6 laps (51.4km) in 2h17m06s (22.48km/h average speed). Absalon led the race for its entire distance after being 5th through the finish at the close of lap 1 and gaining 3 places in lap 2. Close behind was Ralph Naefs from Switzerland (+25s), followed by one of his countryman Florian Vogel (+54).
Australia's riders finished in 38th place (Chris Jongewaard: 2h26m38s, +9m31s), 58th place (Sid Taberlay: 2h29m36s, +12m29s after a flat tire on lap 1) and Dylan Cooper in 74th place (2h34m50s, +17m43s).
Ride of the day must have been from Liam Killeen (GBR) who, although being struck down by a virus most the season, still managed to take his 112th starting position and finish 44th.
Full Results to come.
2007 World Championships - Elite Women XCO September 8, 2007
The Women's Elite XCO race was contested in fine weather at long last. And the domination of Russian rider Irina Kalentieva was almost absolute with the fastest laps on all but one lap - and for that one she did was only 2 seconds behind (Chinese rider Jingling Wang). Seasoned German rider Sabine Spitz completed the trifecta for the podium and all these riders rode in touch for the entire race.
New Zealand rider Rosara Joseph, who has been undertaking a Rhodes scholarship at Oxford in Law, finished in 5th place, consistently managing 4th or 5th fastest laps for the entire race was the best placed rider from our region.
In the end Kalentieva completed the 4 laps (34.2km) in 1h44m08s (19.72km/h average speed). Spitz finished 39s later with Wang a further 1m3s back in third place
Australia had no women entered.
Full results
1. 2 RUS19771110 KALENTIEVA Irina RUS 1:44:08 2. 3 GER19711227 SPITZ Sabine GER 1:44:47 + 39 3. 8 CHN19810913 WANG Jingjing CHN 1:45:50 +1:42 4. 5 CAN19771024 PREMONT Marie-Helene CAN 1:47:24 +3:16 5. 21 NZL19820221 JOSEPH Rosara NZL 1:47:42 +3:34 6. 23 CAN19800930 PENDREL Catherine CAN 1:48:19 +4:11 7. 26 POL19810216 SZAFRANIEC Anna POL 1:48:45 +4:37 8. 15 NOR19821125 BYBERG Lene NOR 1:48:58 +4:50 9. 4 USA19800105 GOULD Georgia USA 1:49:11 +5:03 10. 19 SLO19800311 KLEMENCIC Blaza SLO 1:50:07 +5:59 11. 14 CAN19751112 BISARO Kiara CAN 1:50:31 +6:23 12. 6 USA19710624 MC CONNELOUG Mary USA 1:51:02 +6:54 13. 12 SUI19691014 HENZI Petra SUI 1:51:17 +7:09 14. 11 FRA19810106 RODE RAVANEL Cécile FRA 1:51:34 +7:26 15. 9 USA19771212 KOERBER Willow USA 1:51:47 +7:39 16. 37 SUI19740613 RUSCA Maroussia SUI 1:51:49 +7:41 17. 29 SUI19820208 LEUMANN Katrin SUI 1:51:56 +7:48 18. 73 GER19840802 MORATH Adelheid GER 1:52:20 +8:12 19. 13 FRA19720222 LEBOUCHER Laurence FRA 1:52:22 +8:14 20. 33 POL19820317 SADLECKA Magdalena POL 1:52:52 +8:44 21. 20 USA19790531 IRMIGER Heather USA 1:53:08 +8:59 22. 32 AUT19840124 OSL Maria AUT 1:53:30 +9:22 23. 48 SUI19840719 KOBA Sarah SUI 1:53:41 +9:33 24. 28 FRA19780401 ENAUX Sabrina FRA 1:53:48 +9:40 25. 64 USA19830519 DAVISON Lea USA 1:53:49 +9:41 26. 61 USA19770407 EMMETT Kelli USA 1:53:58 +9:50 27. 57 NZL19780802 BOYD Kaytee NZL 1:54:02 +9:54 28. 24 SWE19710318 ENOCSSON Anna SWE 1:54:07 +9:59 29. 52 NED19740916 VAN MEURS Arielle NED 1:54:21 + 10:13 30. 40 ITA19841224 STAFFLER Evelyn ITA 1:54:46 + 10:38 31. 31 RSA19761230 SPEEDY Yolanda RSA 1:54:54 + 10:46 32. 50 GER19720321 SCHWING Katrin GER 1:55:01 + 10:53 33. 10 CZE19771209 NASH Katerina CZE 1:55:24 + 11:16 34. 17 NED19781226 TURPIJN Laura NED 1:55:33 + 11:25 35. 16 GER19700708 KRAFT Ivonne GER 1:55:38 + 11:30 36. 46 FRA19810205 HANSEN Séverine FRA 1:55:40 + 11:32 37. 27 GER19830728 GÖHL Nina GER 1:56:27 + 12:19 38. 74 MEX19820109 MORFIN MACOUZET Laura MEX 1:56:35 + 12:27 39. 69 COL19840718 MAYA Viviana COL 1:56:54 + 12:46 40. 43 NZL19801226 MCDONALD Anja NZL 1:57:19 + 13:11 41. 36 NED19710508 BOOG-RAUWERDA Bernardine NED 1:57:36 + 13:28 42. 54 ESP19740520 MOLL MARQUES Ruth ESP 1:57:52 + 13:44 43. 22 SVK19760204 STEVKOVA Janka SVK 1:58:31 + 14:23 44. 34 RSA19810822 MUNDY Amy-Jane RSA 1:58:40 + 14:32 45. 39 JPN19790913 KATAYAMA Rie JPN 1:58:48 + 14:39 46. 63 EST19830222 MEIER Maaris EST 1:59:32 + 15:24 47. 53 GBR19751119 COPNALL Jenny GBR 1:59:33 + 15:25 48. 56 RUS19830915 RYBAKOVA Oxana RUS 2:00:08 + 16:00 49. 41 RUS19710827 CHERNYKH Ksenia RUS 2:00:43 + 16:35 50. 30 ESP19790225 GAMONAL FERRERA Rocio ESP 2:00:50 + 16:42 51. 59 LAT19770329 EIDUKA Ivanda LAT 2:01:19 + 17:11 52. 70 NZL19760303 O'CONNOR Jennifer NZL 2:01:50 + 17:41 53. 49 RSA19760418 RAATS Tania RSA 2:03:08 + 19:00 54. 35 BRA19761227 MOURAO Jaqueline BRA 2:03:14 + 19:06 55. 47 IRL19710727 MCCLUSKEY Beth IRL 2:03:33 + 19:25 56. 60 GBR19761225 MCGAVIGAN Ruth GBR 2:04:29 + 20:21 57. 44 ISR19730722 RONEN Inbar ISR 2:05:06 + 20:58 58. 42 IRL19770525 OWENS Tarja IRL 2:05:16 + 21:08 59. 55 CHI19810917 BUNZLI Daniela CHI 2:07:59 + 23:51 60. 58 RSA19811201 MUHL Sara RSA 2:08:29 + 24:21 61. 38 TUR19840208 GULER Senem TUR 2:13:29 + 29:21 62. 71 GBR19740424 SCALIA Elizabeth GBR -1Lap 63. 67 CRO19620511 RUSZKOWSKI Ivana CRO -2Laps
18 POL19831109 WLOSZCZOWSKA Maja POL DNF 51 CYP19780111 SOPHOCLEOUS Elina CYP DNF 25 NED19730125 VAN ROOIJ-VINK Elsbeth NED DNS 45 ITA19800505 GADDONI Elena ITA DNS 62 CZE19780106 CHMUROVA Sarka CZE DNS 65 SVK19820211 KALINOVA Lubomira SVK DNS 66 FRA19790708 FERRIER-BRUNEAU Christelle FRA DNS 68 SUI19790315 ROETHLIN Franziska SUI DNS 72 RUS19821007 VINOGRADOVA Olga RUS DNS
2007 World Championships - 4X Men and Women September 8, 2007
The World champions in 4X was applauded yesterday evening in a race that was full of magnificent riding and bitter disappointment. Australia's hopes lay in Caroline Buchannan (Women) and Jared Graves (Men) who both qualified into the finals as 4th fastest on the hill. Jared Rando and Luke Strom also qualified in 23rd and 36th place respectively.
Buchannan displayed her grit and determination in the quarter finals when she crashed out, picked up her bike and in a passing move over a jump passed 2nd and 3rd placed riders to take her place in the semi-final. Her elation was short lived however when she crashed again after a touch with another semi-final rider and she was carried off the course to medical attention. Her condition is stable.
The race was eventually won easily by Jill Kinter.
Final 1. 3 USA19811024 KINTNER Jill USA 2. 4 NED19820707 BEERTEN Anneke NED 3. 2 USA19820125 BUHL Melissa USA 4. 1 CZE19830904 HORAKOVA Jana CZE Small Final 5. 8 JPN19830401 SUEMASA Mio JPN 6. 10 SUI19820323 SEYDOUX Rachel SUI 7. 6 GBR19810130 GOUGH Joey GBR 8. 5 AUS19901024 BUCHANAN Caroline AUS 1/4 Finals 9. 7 GBR19820827 GRIFFITHS Fionn GBR 48.99 10. 11 GER19850819 MARTH Steffi GER 52.55 11. 13 ECU19840319 MARGGRAFF Diana ECU 56.57 12. 16 HUN19770803 BOER Julia HUN 58.06 13. 9 AUT19801112 MOLCIK Anita AUT 50.48 14. 12 USA19770520 STEINMETZ Neven USA 56.25 15. 14 GER19870802 BRETHAUER Laura GER 57.46 16. 15 ITA19860416 CANEPA Elisa ITA 57.94 Qualifications 17. 48 HUN19860215 SZEGHALMI Orsolya HUN 59.97 18. 53 USA19821004 VOGT Jessica USA 1:00.19 56 RSA19791124 PETTERSON Joanna RSA DNS
In the men's 4X race all the Australian riders progressed through to the 1/8 finals which also saw second fastest rider on the hill, Michal Prokop, crash out and not progress. For the Australian's, only Jared Graves progressed through to the quarters and to the semis where crowd favorite Cedric Gracia crashed and appeared to suffer from an injured wrist. Australia's only remaining rider Jared Graves, leading the semi-final race, just stopped on the course not far from the race finish when his rear tyre came off the rim. The bike was not fixable for the minor finals and he did not contest them and was relegated to 8th place.
The race was won by Brian Lopes. So America took both Mens and Womens 4X Titles
Big Final 1. 3 USA19710906 LOPES Brian USA 2. 1 FRA19861010 SALADINI Romain FRA 3. 20 NED19830330 MEIJER Jurg NED 4. 7 SUI19810504 RINDERKNECHT Roger SUI Small Final 5. 18 ESP19810301 ALVAREZ DE LARA LU Rafael ESP 6. 11 CZE19870612 SLAVIK Tomas CZE 7. 9 GBR19780602 BEAUMONT Scott GBR 8. 4 AUS19821216 GRAVES Jared AUS 1/4 Finals 9. 5 CZE19850705 TATARKOVIC Kamil CZE 42.84 10. 6 FRA19800826 DELDYCKE Mickael FRA 43.02 11. 8 GBR19850226 ATHERTON Gee GBR 43.15 12. 15 GER19880304 FISCHBACH Johannes GER 44.02 13. 10 FRA19780323 GRACIA Cédric FRA 43.37 14. 12 NED19780519 WICHMAN Joost NED 43.47 15. 14 SVK19820410 POLC Filip SVK 43.93 16. 17 GBR19890907 LACEY Lewis GBR 44.11 1/8 Finals 17. 16 GBR19820125 ATHERTON Dan GBR 44.10 18. 19 USA19781205 MILAN Ross USA 44.31 19. 21 SUI19870716 GSPAN Dominik SUI 44.58 20. 25 SVK19870522 VITKO Matej SVK 44.81 21. 26 GBR19741123 LONGDEN Will GBR 44.99 22. 27 HUN19780526 PRAJCZER Peter HUN 45.14 23. 29 HUN19820728 DELI Gabor HUN 45.20 24. 31 SLO19870518 FRANK Tilen SLO 45.46 25. 2 CZE19810401 PROKOP Michal CZE 42.15 26. 22 CZE19800104 HNIDAK Jakub CZE 44.75 27. 23 SLO19871023 STAPIC Matej SLO 44.77 27. 24 AUS19810622 RANDO Jared AUS 44.77 29. 28 USA19801229 WORK Jeremiah USA 45.19 30. 30 GER19780620 MEYENBORG Sascha GER 45.26 31. 32 GBR19720201 PAGE Nigel GBR 45.48 32. 36 AUS19840229 STROM Luke AUS 47.01 1/16 Finals 33. 13 GER19760514 TSCHUGG Guido GER 43.58 34. 33 GER19830421 AUERSWALD Daniel GER 46.31 35. 34 SWE19880704 WALLNER Robin SWE 46.48 36. 37 NZL19850320 BOE Reon NZL 47.67 37. 38 USA19831001 TOKARCZYK Thomas USA 48.42 38. 39 AUT19870908 SIEDER Mario AUT 48.57 39. 40 ECU19850214 RICARDO Jijon ECU 55.10 40. 41 USA19890325 SWANGUEN John USA 1:00.71 41. 35 SWE19840223 WESTMANN Jonas SWE 46.79 Qualifications 42 AUT19871013 PEKOLL Markus AUT DNS 43 AUS19831121 HANNAH Michael AUS DNS 44 AUS19780301 KOVARIK Chris AUS DNS 45 BRA19800209 BERCHTOLD Markolf BRA DNS 46 BRA19841225 GIACOMOZZI Nathaniel BRA DNS 47 AUT19891002 SIEDER Georg AUT DNS 48 ITA19880412 SOMVI Elias ITA DNS 49 AUS19870324 CAVALIER Amiel AUS DNS 50 POL19860122 BORODAJKO Grzegorz POL DNS
2007 World Championships - U23 Mens XCO September 8, 2007
Both of Australia's riders (Daniel MacConnell (13) and Lachlan Norris (14)) lined up next to each other today in grid line 2 of the U23 men XCO race at the 2007 World Championships. With drizzle continuing, despite clear weather yesterday, the track was still as muddy as the day before, if not more so, and, like the U19 mens race, tested all the riders to the maximum. Both were in great shape after impressive days in the Hexagonal VTT (see earlier articles on the MTBA website).
The race of 5 laps of the 8 km course and with 81 starters meant that any problems and loss of place would make the race even harder because of congestion. Although the track is well balanced with long up-hill section with good passing opportunities the return to the finish, which includes a downhill section with about 20 berms, makes passing difficult. This was thought to be so important that the XC managers enlisted the help of Australian DH coach, Scott Sharples, to coach the riders on the fastest way to negotiate this section of the track - even fractions of seconds lost in each berm would add up over the length of the race.
In continuous rain Daniel McConnell reached 4th position till the third lap where a slow puncture and the subsequent repair relegated him to 12th place, from which he recovered slightly to 10th place the following lap and where he remained for the remainder of the race. Australia's other rider, Lachlan Norris, rode a steady race but did not have the punch needed to maintain his 14th starting order position and ultimately finished in 22nd place.
The race was, in the end, a two way contest between Danish rider Jakob Fuglsang who rode the fastest laps in all but the first, slightly shorter start lap, and Swiss rider Nino Schurter, who consistently lapped second fastest. Both riders started the final lap together after being within touching distance of each other for all the previous laps. Schurter suffered mechanical problems on the last lap but still had enough time to keep his second position.
Overall a steady and satisfying result for Australia.
Results were:
1 Jakob Fuglsang (DEN) - 1h54m04s 2 Nino Schurter (SUI) - 1h55m48s +1m43s 3 Jaroslav Kulhavy (CZE) - 1h57m25s +3m20s
Hill favourite to defend world crown at MTB World Championships September 6, 2007
World ranked number one and 2006 downhill MTB World Champion, Sam Hill, 22, is the hot favourite to defend his title at this year's Championships currently underway in Fort William, Scotland.
Hill (Iron Horse - Monster Energy) goes into the event on the back of a superb run of results including victory in the last two rounds of the World Cup Series which he currently leads. He has also performed well on the Fort William course in the past winning the World Cup round staged there in 2006.
"The talk here is who can stop Sam from winning," said Australian MTB Coach, Scott Sharples. "But Sam is approaching this like any other race where he thinks about the track and the other riders and tries to practice fast and do what he has to to be at his best when it counts."
Hill isn't the only Australian with medal potential. At last year's Championships the Australians secured four of the top ten places with Nathan Rennie claiming bronze, Chris Kovarik fifth and Michael Hannah sixth. Rennie, (Santa Cruz Syndicate) currently ranked fifth in the world, has good credentials on the Fort William course where he placed second earlier this year in a round of the Scottish Downhill Series.
Sharples believes all the Australians have the potential to perform well this week. "All of the 'Aussies' have a good shot at a top five finish because everyone's capabale," said Sharples.
In the women's elite downhill 2006 Junior Women's Downhill World Champion, Tracey Hannah, will be Australia's only starter. "Tracey is riding fast and she's a chance for a medal," said Sharples of the Queensland teenager who in her first year in the senior competition has risen to number three on the world rankings and claimed victory in the Austrian round of the World Cup Series. "She's pretty tiny though and this course has a few flatter sections where the stronger riders will benefit.
"The steeper the better for Tracey but she's fit and she'll work hard so you never know what will happen on the day," said Sharples. In the 4X (four cross) competition world ranked number two, Jared Graves, is taking strong form into the event. The 24 year old from Toowoomba last month claimed second place in the UCI BMX Supercross round in Beijing but since returning to his training base in Denver, Colorado has been concentrating on preparing for Scotland.
"My form's been good since Beijing and I've managed to get in some good training days," said Graves. "I'm trying not to think about results just working on doing the best ride I can one run at a time because everytime I think too far ahead I stuff it up.
"We've had a practice session on the course and they've made some changes to how it was for last year's World Cup," he said. "They've added a few extra straights and there's not much opportunity for passing so it'll be pretty important to get to the front early. "We won't really know how it is until we race on it but it seems to have a bit of everything," said Graves who will also contest the downhill event.
In the XCO (cross country Olympic) competition Australian Coach Damian Grundy believes the Fort William course will be a tough one for everyone involved. "The course has a very, very solid climb and the descending is really gradual with lots of prepared burns (corners)," said Grundy. "Normally you'd expect ten minutes to climb and three to descend but here it's a very demanding, gradual descent with very little rest. "There won't be any following wheels or rolling down a hill here - the riders will be working the whole course."
Australia has already qualified one place in both the men's and women's cross country events for the 2008 Olympic Games but performances this week could snare a second place in the men's competition in Beijing.
"If both Sid and Chris run top twenty and one of them manages top ten we'd go very close to getting a second place but it all depends on what the other nations can do," said Grundy. "In the U23 competition both Lachlan and Dan have shown they have the capacity to get in the top twenty but it is a very competitive field in their division so the objective will be for them to put themselves with the front group early in the race and see how it goes from there."
2007 World Championships - U19 Mens XCO September 6, 2007
The under 19 XCO men had their bite at the Fort William 2007 World Championships course this morning. Two Australia riders lined up to start; Paul van der Ploeg (Mt. Beauty) and nathan Haas (ACT) along with 88 other junior riders from around the world. After a blinding 1st lap Van der Ploeg came through in 13th position but a broken chain and the run to the next technical assistance zone cost him dearly and came through the finish to start his 3rd lap in 65th place. Despite continuing problems with the drive train that meant little power could be transferred he clawed back positions on the last two laps to ultimately finish in 47th place.
Hass, on the other hand appeared to have a relatively trouble free race and he finished a few places in front of Van der Ploeg in 43rd place.
The race though was pretty much dominated by swiss rider Thomas Litscher who almost consistently was the fastest person to lap the course and who finished the 34.2km race with an average speed of 21.14km/h in 1h37m6s.
1. 40 LITSCHER Thomas SUI 1:37:06 2. 6 BRZOZKA Piotr POL 1:37:33 + 27 3. 36 FLETCHER David GBR 1:37:47 + 40
43. 5 HAAS Nathan AUS 1:46:25 +9:18 47. 26 VAN DER PLOEG Paul AUS 1:47:16 + 10:09
2007 World Championships - U19, U23 Womens XCO September 6, 2007
In continuous drizzle 28 Junior women lined up for what ultimately was going to be a battle between Ukraine - (Alla Boyko), Czechoslovakia (Jitka Skarnitzlova) and France (Julie Bresset) over the three lap, 25.64km race length. Boyko prevailed in a time of 1h25m14s (average speed of 18.05km/h). Twenty eight seconds behind was 2nd place Skarnitzlova who led going into lap 3 after placing 4th after lap 1. Third place rider Bresset actually led the field after lap 1 but dropped back on lap 2 and 3 to ultimately finish 1m35s down on the leader.
Best placed rider from our region was Samara Sheppard who finished in 19th place, 13m22s down from the leader.
Results for U19 women are:
1. 34 BOYKO Alla UKR 1:25:14 2. 31 SKARNITZLOVA Jitka CZE 1:25:43 + 28 3. 16 BRESSET Julie FRA 1:26:50 +1:35 4. 21 STIRNEMANN Kathrin SUI 1:27:14 +2:00 5. 26 HASSENFRATZ Claire FRA 1:27:54 +2:40 6. 2 MEYER Vivianne SUI 1:28:04 +2:50 7. 28 BENKO Barbara HUN 1:28:45 +3:31 8. 9 CANT Sanne BEL 1:29:01 +3:47 9. 22 THOMA Ines GER 1:29:17 +4:03 10. 24 DEVI Camille FRA 1:29:41 +4:26 11. 14 HAASE Katharina GER 1:29:56 +4:41 12. 3 BRUCHMANN Gesa GER 1:30:51 +5:36 13. 27 ABRIL Valentina COL 1:31:53 +6:38 14. 30 PALMA Roselisa ITA 1:32:03 +6:48 15. 5 BATAGELJ Polona SLO 1:33:31 +8:16 16. 7 LAST Annie GBR 1:33:44 +8:29 17. 23 SULEK Marta POL 1:34:57 +9:43 18. 18 POLSPOEL Maaike BEL 1:37:01 + 11:47 19. 12 SHEPPARD Samara NZL 1:37:11 + 11:56 20. 10 BABANOVA Maria RUS 1:38:36 + 13:22 21. 8 PICHETTE Andreanne CAN 1:40:34 + 15:19 22. 17 SIMPSON Annabel GBR 1:44:37 + 19:23 23. 20 WHITE Stephanie USA 1:46:11 + 20:57 24. 29 PALFRAMAN Melanie RSA 1:47:13 + 21:58 25. 32 STEYN Genee RSA 1:47:41 + 22:27 26. 11 COX Amy USA 1:53:36 + 28:21
The poor conditions continued into the U23 women's race with the rain increasing in intensity towards the end of the 4 lap race (34.2km). Diminutive Chinese powerhouse Ying Liu all but dominated the race to win in a time of 1h45m43s (19.42km/h average speed), only yielding the front running to her team mate and ultimate 2nd podium finisher Ren Chengyuan who finished 3m31s behind. These two riders shared the front of the race for its entirety. In third place Austrian rider Elisabeth Osl finished 5m20s behind Liu.
Full Results for U23 Women are:
1. 2 LIU Ying CHN Women 1:45:43 2. 1 CHENGYUAN Ren CHN Women 1:49:15 +3:31 3. 4 OSL Elisabeth AUT Women 1:51:03 +5:20 4. 3 HURIKOVA Tereza CZE Women 1:51:33 +5:50 5. 24 DAWIDOWICZ Aleksandra POL Women 1:52:00 +6:17 6. 5 HOMOVEC Nina SLO Women 1:54:08 +8:24 7. 8 SCHNEITTER Nathalie SUI Women 1:55:47 + 10:04 8. 9 ZAKELJ Tanja SLO Women 1:56:21 + 10:37 9. 22 KLEIN Hanna GER Women 1:56:25 + 10:42 10. 10 BATTY Emiliy CAN Women 1:57:11 + 11:27 11. 17 KRASNIAK Julie FRA Women 1:58:28 + 12:45 12. 11 ENGEN Alexandra SWE Women 1:59:04 + 13:20 13. 23 MANI Caroline FRA Women 1:59:23 + 13:40 14. 13 HUNT Amy GBR Women 2:00:01 + 14:18 15. 6 LECHNER Eva ITA Women 2:01:16 + 15:33 16. 14 METZLER Laura FRA Women 2:01:22 + 15:39 17. 31 KROMPETS Nataliya UKR Women 2:01:56 + 16:12 18. 15 KOZELA Karolina POL Women 2:03:08 + 17:24 19. 16 ANDREEVA Vera RUS Women 2:03:15 + 17:32 20. 26 NAUMANN Agnes GER Women 2:04:04 + 18:21 21. 30 ZAYTSEVA Liliya UKR Women 2:04:06 + 18:23 22. 7 CAMPOS SALAS Francisca CHI Women 2:05:51 + 20:08 23. 20 SCHMID Bettina SUI Women 2:07:08 + 21:25 24. 29 TUEL Caitlyn USA Women 2:08:31 + 22:48 25. 18 FORSMAN Chloe USA Women 2:11:01 + 25:18 26. 19 POLLINGER Judith ITA Women 2:12:05 + 26:22 27. 12 YETIS Semra TUR Women -1Lap 28. 28 FREYSEN Carla RSA Women -2Laps
2007 World Championships - Team Relay September 5, 2007
In variable weather, which went from cloudy to drizzle in a blink of an eye, Switzerland took out the Team Relay World Championships for the second time in a time of 1h33m36s closely followed by Poland (1h34m25s) and the USA (1h34m45s). The Swiss team (Florian Vogel, Thomas Litscher, Petra Henzi and Nino Schurter) said of the course "Nice but very hard on the uphills". The USA team, who started their women rider (Gould) first spoke about the tactics of the Team relay, " We spoke about it at the team meeting and since Georgia was happy to ride by herself and Adam does not start well we decided to try out this order. In anycase there is something to be said for catching people, although there were difficiulties in the downhill sections passing others".
Australia did not enter a team in the Team Relay.
The World Championships continues tomorrow with the U19 and U23 women XCO races, Junior Men 20" Bike Trials semi finals and the first on-bike practice session for DH competitors, as well as practice on the 4X.
Full Results for Team Relay: 1 1 Switzerland 1:33:36 VOGEL Florian - LITSCHER Thomas - HENZI Petra - SCHURTER Nino 2 3 Poland 1:34:25 0:49 KARCZYNSKI Marcin - BRZOZKA Piotr - WLOSZCZOWSKA Maja - BATEK Dariusz 3 11 USA 1:34:45 1:09 GOULD Georgia - GILMOUR Ethan - SCHULTZ Samuel - CRAIG Adam 4 4 France 1:35:21 1:45 CANAL Fabien - TEMPIER Stéphane - RODE RAVANEL Cécile - RAVANEL Cédric 5 5 Germany 1:35:29 1:53 KURSCHAT Wolfram - EYRING Andy - TANN Rene - SPITZ Sabine 6 13 Czech Republic 1:35:38 2:02 KULHAVY Jaroslav - ADEL Filip - NASH Katerina - SPESNY Milan 7 2 Italy 1:35:42 2:06 ZOLI Yader - TIBERI Andrea - AULINO Francesco - LECHNER Eva 8 8 Russian Federation 1:35:46 2:10 TROFIMOV Yury - VORONTSOV Denis - KALENTIEVA Irina - ORLOV Roman 9 12 Great Britain 1:36:30 2:54 BIBBY Ian - PATON Alex - WILKINSON Ian - COPNALL Jenny 10 15 Ukraine 1:38:48 5:12 RYSENKO Sergiy - YAKYMENKO Oleksandr - BATSUTSA Mykhaylo - KROMPETS Nataliya 11 10 Netherlands 1:39:12 5:36 PIETERSMA Jelmer - MOORLAG Henk - VAN MEURS Arielle - BECKING Hans 12 7 Spain 1:39:43 6:07 LOZANO RIBA David - ALMENARA VERGES Umbert - GAMONAL FERRERA Rocio - COLOMA NICOLAS Carlos 13 14 Japan 1:41:43 8:07 YAMAMOTO Kohei - TAKEYA Kenji - NAKAYAMA Kazuya - KATAYAMA Rie 14 9 New Zealand 1:43:33 9:57 LEUCHS Kashi - WILLIAMSON James - BOYD Kaytee - HOUGH Ashley 15 16 Israel 1:46:02 12:26 PEKATCH Dror - RONEN Inbar - MARGALIT Nizan - SHAPIRA Idan Sweden DNS
2007 Solo 24hr World Championships - Australian Results September 5, 2007
From, Johnny Waddell.
The 2007 Solo World Championships in
Monterey CA was a superb success. Finishing in 6th place overall and as
the 1st Australian went beyond my expectations. I completed 17 22km
(13.5ml) laps on a course that had 2600 feet of climbing per lap. The
field started off with the traditional Le Mans (running) start to our
bikes. And the field of riders put the hammer down from the get go.
I
knew what pace would be reasonably comfortable to maintain for
aproximately15 hours; all I had to do was to make sure I kept the
rubber side down, that I ate the correct food each lap, drank as much
as possible and stayed motivated and smart. However, with the temp
soaring up to 100F (38C), it definitely wasn't comfortable trying to
set a good pace without over heating. In addition, I kept thinking that
I could not believe how much climbing there was. By the end of the 15th
lap the pain was starting to work its way in.
On pit lane, which
we entered once each lap, my support crew, Erik, Garen, and Josh, three
loyal workers from Santa Cruz Bicycles, took care of anything I needed
to keep on keeping on. These guys were so fast and efficient, it was
unbelievable, they ruled.
My motivation began to drop around
9pm, once the sun had set. I could not ride the course as fast as I
wanted to in the dark. The guys read me well and fed me a dose of Red
Bull, motivation in a can. So after downing a can of Red Bull I took
off into the darkness and started to think, all I have to do is
complete 5 or 6 laps during night and the sun will rise; then its race
pace all over again.
At 6am, I was content; I was sitting in
11th position and feeling fantastic as the light was coming up. I
didn't feel like I had been racing for 20hrs. I put the power down,
stepped up my pace and now, having seen the lap times, those morning
laps were as fast as my first 4 or 5 laps. By 9am, I was oblivious
to the fact that I was first Australian and was not aware of this until
10 minutes after I finished. I thank my pit crew for helping me make
this real. Santa Cruz is good as gold to me and I felt it in Monterey
on Sunday under the blazing sun.
Johnny was supported by: Santa Cruz Bicycles,
SRAM,RockShox, Truvativ, Avid, DT Swiss, Kenda, PUSH, Crank Brothers,
Chris King, WTB, Red Bull energy drinks Andrew Ivey - Elite Sportz Specialist, Jet Black Products, Nite Rider Lighting, Dragon Optics, Hi-Way Cycles Perth Australia Full Australian Results Elite - Female 10th 6 Laps Kim McCormack - Australia- #15
Elite - Male 6th 17 Laps John Waddell - Australia- #42 18th 13 Laps John Claxton - Australia- #12 19th 13 Laps Andrew Bell - Australia- #10 22nd 10 Laps Ashley Hayat - Australia- #11
Single Speed - Male 3rd 16 Laps Brendan Den - Australia- #36
Under 25 - Male 1st 15 Laps Joel Donney - Australia- #82
30 to 34 - Male 1st 18 Laps Jeff Toohey - Australia- #80 3rd 11 Laps Tim Ferres - Australia- #61
35 to 39 Male 3rd 13 Laps Carl Maroney - Australia- #62
45 to 49 - Male 1st 16 Laps Craig Peacock - Australia- #60
Some
interesting facts – John Waddell was in the prize money, excellent
result. I was told that Jeff Toohey would have come 3rd outright if he
had raced in the elite category.
The course was very long, very
hot when coming out of the Australian winter and the climbing was
brutal – approximately 550 metres per lap. (compared to around 175m
per lap at teh Australian Solo 24hr Championships)
MONT 24hr Update - only 35 team spots left August 29, 2007
The entry closing date has been extended by one week with a closing date of 7 September.
With 265 teams entered there is only 35 spots left so dont wait any longer to secure your entry.
There has been strong interest in all categories, so it is bound to be a great weekend of racing regardless of your team category. With over $50,000 in prizes to be won throughout the race, including JetBlack Products giveaways every 15 minutes, it will be a hoot. And don't forget your dragster.
The Pro team categories are filling fast and it is a veritable whoswho of endurance racers. Behind these fast guys and gals is a groundswell of industry teams, coming along for a social ride and a big industry catch up. With teams of 6 riders, a great camping spot, wine sampling and fantastic tracks, the industry are out for a "good time".
Toowoomba cyclist Jared Graves, 24, snared third place in today's second round of the UCI BMX Supercross World Cup Series raced as a test event for the sport's debut at next year's Olympic Games in Beijing.
The win went to American Donny Robinson who has been in Beijing since mid August with Dutch rider Robert de Wilde outfoxing Graves on the second last straight to claim second place.
It was the first time Graves, who is better know for his world class performances in downhill and four cross mountain biking, had raced in the BMX Supercross and his placing today has signalled to selectors he is well suited to the Beijing course.
"I was looking forward to getting on the big hills because I like the high speed stuff and thought it might work in my favour and it did," said the reigning Australian MTB Downhill Champion who races with the Yeti Professional MTB Team. "The course is awesome especially after the few changes they made to make it better racing."
The eight metre high starting ramp remained but the officials worked overnight to lower the height of the first jump and shorten the second double jump.
"The races are really only forty seconds so it's really important to get out of the start gate fast and be really aggressive down the first straight," he said. "If anyone tries to throw some elbows in you have to throw them back and keep powering the whole way and not let anyone get in your space."
"My goal this week was to get things done pretty much so hopefully this will do me a lot of good for selection (and while) I'll do some MTB next year it will be all about the Olympics and that's what my preparation will be based around," said Graves who in two weeks time will line up for Australia at the MTB World Championships in Scotland where the weather will be radically different from what he has experienced here in Beijing.
"It was pretty tough today, a bit hotter than yesterday but no humidity," said Graves of the heat that today soared well over the 40 degree celsius mark at the bowl shaped Laoshan BMX venue. "It might have been a good thing or might have been a bad thing because the humidity yesterday sort of kept you cooler because you were dripping wet the whole time."
"Today it was more of a dry heat and I had a few issues," he explained. "I felt a little sick after the first few laps but they slowed down how quickly they were running the races because people weren't recovering in between on what is a really physical track and the heat played a pretty big part."
The BMX finals day schedule puts the men through three runs each per quarter final and semi final heat before a one race only final while the women raced a three run semi-final to qualify for their final.
"It's really full on and in every run you pedal out of the start and pedal out of the first straight but it's the things in between that really take it out of your body like pumping through the rhythm sections which is really hard on your whole body," said Graves. "You are absolutely gasping for air at the end of the lap and we had to do it seven times in three and half hours."
In the first ever running of a women's division in the BMX Supercross, Australian Champion, Tanya Bailey, 26, along with 2005 World Junior Champion, Nicole Callisto, 19, performed well with both making the final. Callisto finished seventh and Bailey eighth. Great Britain's reigning World Champion Shanaze Reade won ahead of French pair Anne-Caroline Chausson and Laetitia le Corguille.
“In the final I got held up in the first corner and lost my speed,” said Bailey. “I just loved the track (but) having that much speed down the start ramp meant we had to be careful not to overshoot the jumps.”
The track took its toll on many riders including three members of the Australian team. In Sunday's training session Kamakazi broke the radius bone close to his right elbow joint and Melissa Mankowski's crash resulted in a hairline fracture to her hip socket. World Championship silver medallist and Supercross series leader going into the Beijing round, Khalen Young, crashed in the first time trial of the qualifying round yesterday leaving him with badly bruised lungs and ribs.
In the men's racing today Luke Madill was hit with severe cramping in his second of three semi-final runs putting him out of contention for a finals berth while in yesterday's qualifying Australians Billy Jolliffe and Michael Robinson. missed the cut off of 32 to go through placing 33rd and 34th respectively.
Men’s Final 1 ROBINSON Donny USA 36.949 2 de WILDE Robert NED 37.134 +0.185 3 GRAVES Jared AUS 37.371 +0.422 4 van der BIEZEN Raymon NED 37.580 +0.631 5 GUTIERREZ Pablo FRA 37.621 +0.672 6 SCHERPEN Martijn NED 37.629 +0.680 7 van den WILDENBERG Rob NED 52.391 +15.442 8 MATISONS Arturs LAT DNF
Women’s Final 1 READE Shanaze GBR 36.923 2 CHAUSSON Anne-Caroline FRA 38.043 +1.120 3 le CORGUILLE Laetitia FRA 38.203 +1.280 4 DIAZ Gabriela Maria ARG 38.329 +1.406 5 KINTNER Jill USA 39.507 +2.584 6 WALKER Sarah NZL 40.063 +3.140 7 CALLISTO Nicole AUS 40.345 +3.422 8 BAILEY Tanya AUS 40.702 +3.779
For further information (media only) please contact: Gennie Sheer, Sheer Rhetoric - Communications Director, Cycling Australia Tel: +61 (0) 418 863 533 (please note I am currently in Beijing time difference Sydney -2 hours) Email: gennie.sheer@cycling.org.au
Sharon Payne - Media Manager, BMX Australia Tel: +61 (0) 412 773500 Email: sharon@bikemedia.com.au
BMX Olympic test event has Graves high on experience August 21, 2007
Jared Graves (Toowoomba) was the highest placed Australian BMX rider in the time trials held late yesterday in Beijing. Graves placed 6th at the end of the second time trial held on the first day of the BMX Supercross Round 2 which also doubles as a test event for the Beijing Olympics. The 26 year old mountain bike rider claimed the third fastest time in the first time trail of 37.175 and only three riders bettering his time in their second run.
“I did take it easier in the second run,” Graves admitted. “I tried to conserve. I knew I’d made it through.”
Graves is the only Australian rider who racing experience with the new random gate system from his other discipline of Mountain Cross. “We’ve been using it since May,” he said. “It probably just gave me a mental edge. Some riders are worried about it but now I know how to approach the gate.”
With riders seeing the new Olympic track many were challenged by the jumps and the speed of the start ramp where riders are elevated up to 8 metres. Graves the current Downhill National Champion said the speed of the track was more to his liking. “The start hill is much faster,” he said. “The whole track is pretty tough!”
Graves admitted the course took some ‘getting used to’. “I watched a couple of guys who were making the jumps. After about 45 minutes I felt like I had it.” The other Australian men in the semi-final heats tomorrow are Jamie Gray (Brisbane) and Luke Madill (Penrith). Narrowly missing the 32nd position cut off were Billy Jolliffe (Tamworth/Newcastle) and Michael Robinson (Brisbane) finishing in 33rd and 34th position respectively.
In the women's time trial, National Champion, Tanya Bailey (Perth/Gold Coast) and Nicole Callisto (Perth/Sydney) made it into the top 16.
Many riders suffered falls in practice with Australia’s Kamakazi (Jimboomba) out with a broken arm, while Melissa Mankowski (Moranbah/Sydney) suffered a break to the hip socket. After starting his first timed run, Supercross leader and National Champion, Khalen Young) (Perth/Sydney suffered a broken rib and bruised lungs and was unable to finish.
The weather was another challenge for riders with temperatures reaching 35 degrees and with high humidity.
Graves had not featured in the earlier BMX races this season but last weekend won the American NORBA Mountain Cross event in Colorado. “I’m not trying to put too many expectations on myself,” he said.
Later on today riders will have their three motos/runs before the top 16 male riders make it to semi-finals and only 8 to the final. For Full Results see next post
1 41 Martinez Miguel Team Inter Région 00:10:54.08 2 39 Kass Jochen Team National Germany1 00:11:03.59 3 8 Van Houts Rudi Team Dolphin 00:11:09.37 4 6 Jongewaard Chris Team Dolphin 00:11:58.78
7 13 Norris Lachlan Team SouthAustralia.com 00:12:14.01
9 12 Winn Chris Team SouthAustralia.com 00:12:27.12
12 14 Cooper Dylan Team SouthAustralia.com 00:12:31.21 13 7 Taberlay Sid Team Dolphin 00:12:46.69
GC 1 8 Van Houts Rudi Team Dolphin 13:12:36 2 39 Kass Jochen Team National Germany1 13:13:52 3 1 Dubau Ludovic Team New Cycling 13:21:51 4 41 Martinez Miguel Team Inter Région 13:27:47 5 13 Norris Lachlan Team South Australia.com 13:34:02 6 6 Jongewaard Chris Team Dolphin 13:44:35 7 21 Diaz de la Pena Alejandro Team MSC Bikes 13:46:37 8 7 Taberlay Sid Team Dolphin 13:47:56 9 16 Lebreton Pierre Team BH SR Suntour 14:11:45 10 43 Faugeron Brice Team Inter Région 14:14:20
14 12 Winn Chris Team South Australia.com 14:17:28 15 14 Cooper Dylan Team South Australia.com 14:18:58
U23 1 13 Norris Lachlan Team South Australia.com 13:34:02 2 43 Faugeron Brice Team Inter Région 14:14:20 3 9 Beemer Frank Team Dolphin 14:16:06
11 11 Mc Connell Daniel Team South Australia.com 28:53:36
2007 Queensland DH Championships August 19, 2007
Ayden Eves (Mackay) took the 2007 Elite men's title from 113 Queensland riders on a wet, slippery and treacherous track at Kinchant Dam Resort today.. Tim Eaton (Canberra), despite having the lead after seeding run 1 only managed to finish in 13th place.
Race leader in Under 19s on seeding run 1, Darcey Murrell (Gold Coast), unfortunately sufered a flat tyre on the 2nd and critical run allowing Adrian Dawson (Cairns) to take the Junior Title.
1 8 Van Houts Rudi Team Dolphin 02:06:48 2 6 Jongewaard Chris Team Dolphin 02:08:39 3 1 Dubau Ludovic Team New Cycling 02:08:42
7 14 Cooper Dylan Team SouthAustralia.com 02:13:16 8 13 Norris Lachlan Team SouthAustralia.com 02:13:17
10 7 Taberlay Sid Team Dolphin 02:13:41
16 12 Winn Chris Team SouthAustralia.com 02:20:40
GC 1 8 Van Houts Rudi Team Dolphin 13:03:09 2 39 Kass Jochen Team National Germany1 13:04:39 00:01:30 3 1 Dubau Ludovic Team New Cycling 13:11:04 00:07:55
5 13 Norris Lachlan Team South Australia.com 13:23:08 00:19:59 6 6 Jongewaard Chris Team Dolphin 13:34:13 00:31:04
8 7 Taberlay Sid Team Dolphin 13:36:10 00:33:01
14 12 Winn Chris Team South Australia.com 14:06:11 01:03:02 15 14 Cooper Dylan Team South Australia.com 14:07:27 01:04:18
48 11 Mc Connell Daniel Team South Australia.com 28:53:36 15:50:27
U23 1 13 Norris Lachlan Team South Australia.com 13:23:08 2 43 Faugeron Brice Team Inter Région 14:02:04 3 9 Beemer Frank Team Dolphin 14:04:38
11 11 Mc Connell Daniel Team South Australia.com 28:53:36
Hexagonal VTT - day 7 August 18, 2007
After a rest day the results for Day 7: (race day 6)
1 41 Martinez Miguel Team Inter Région 02:12:23 2 8 Van Houts Rudi Team Dolphin 02:13:09 3 13 Norris Lachlan Team SouthAustralia.com 02:14:00
7 7 Taberlay Sid Team Dolphin 02:18:15
9 6 Jongewaard Chris Team Dolphin 02:20:52 10 14 Cooper Dylan Team SouthAustralia.com 02:20:53
16 12 Winn Chris Team SouthAustralia.com 02:28:17
GC 1 39 Kass Jochen Team National Germany1 10:54:16 2 8 Van Houts Rudi Team Dolphin 10:56:31 3 1 Dubau Ludovic Team New Cycling 11:02:27 4 41 Martinez Miguel Team Inter Région 11:06:39 5 13 Norris Lachlan Team South Australia.com 11:09:51 6 73 Heinix Christophe Team Sjette 11:17:16 7 21 Diaz de la Pena Alejandro Team MSC Bikes 11:21:33 8 7 Taberlay Sid Team Dolphin 11:22:29 9 6 Jongewaard Chris Team Dolphin 11:25:41 10 18 Crochet Colin Normann Team BH SR Suntour 11:42:49
13 12 Winn Chris Team South Australia.com 11:45:31
18 14 Cooper Dylan Team South Australia.com 11:54:11
48 11 Mc Connell Daniel Team South Australia.com 18:53:36
U23 1 13 Norris Lachlan Team South Australia.com 11:09:51 2 43 Faugeron Brice Team Inter Région 11:44:50 3 9 Beemer Frank Team Dolphin 11:46:49
11 11 Mc Connell Daniel Team South Australia.com 18:53:36
Hexagonal VTT - day 5 August 16, 2007
Lachlan Norris crossed the finishing line in first position after a long solitary lead.
1 13 Norris Lachlan Team SouthAustralia.com 02:08:09 2 39 Kass Jochen Team National Germany1 02:09:13 3 41 Martinez MiguelTeam Inter Région 02:10:20
7 11 Mc Connell Daniel Team SouthAustralia.com 02:11:45
9 6 Jongewaard Chris Team Dolphin 02:14:28
12 7 Taberlay Sid Team Dolphin 02:16:43
20 12 Winn Chris Team SouthAustralia.com 02:20:42
40 14 Cooper Dylan Team SouthAustralia.com 02:39:55
Overall after day 5 - GC 1 39 Kass Jochen Team National Germany1 08:40:09 2 8 Van Houts Rudi Team Dolphin 08:43:29 00:03:20 3 1 Dubau Ludovic Team New Cycling 08:48:20 00:08:11 4 11 Mc Connell Daniel Team South Australia.com 08:53:36 00:13:27 5 41 Martinez Miguel Team Inter Région 08:54:26 00:14:17 6 13 Norris Lachlan Team South Australia.com 08:55:56 00:15:47 7 7 Taberlay Sid Team Dolphin 09:04:14 00:24:05 8 6 Jongewaard Chris Team Dolphin 09:04:49 00:24:40 9 21 Diaz de la Pena Alejandro Team MSC Bikes 09:05:38 00:25:29 10 18 Crochet Colin Normann Team BH SR Suntour 09:11:39 00:31:30 11 12 Winn Chris Team South Australia.com 09:17:14 00:37:05
20 14 Cooper Dylan Team South Australia.com 09:33:18 00:53:09
U23 Race 1 11 Mc Connell Daniel Team South Australia.com 08:53:36 2 13 Norris Lachlan Team South Australia.com 08:55:56
2007 Simpson Desert Bike Challenge August 15, 2007
On 1st October 2007, competitors, support crew and officials will gather at Purni Bore, South Australia - about 70 km from the popular campsite at Dalhousie Hot Springs - on the western edge of the Simpson Desert for the 20th Annual Bike Challenge. The race consists of nine timed stages over five days and covers around 580 km. The morning stage of around 80 km gets underway at 6am. There is a break between morning and afternoon stages with the afternoon stage of around 50 km starting at 2pm. The "Simpson" takes place mostly in South Australia, crossing the border into Queensland in the final 20km on Day Five.
The Simpson Desert Bike Challenge offers many unique challenges - physical, mental and logistical. To get through the race, you need a fit body, a good quality mountain bike and an enthusiastic support crew.
The race is a not-for-profit event which was originally created as a fundraiser for the Paraquad Association and has supported the Paraplegic Benefit Fund since 1995. In 2007 the event will donate proceeds to the 4Wheels4Sean charity.
The winner for day 4 was German Jochen Kass (2h41m39s). The leading Australian, Sid Taberlay, finished in 5th place 8 mins down on the leader. The other Australians finished as:
1 39 Kass Jochen Team National Germany1 02:41:39
5 7 Taberlay Sid Team Dolphin 02:49:13
7 11 Mc Connell Daniel Team SouthAustralia.com 02:51:45
9 14 Cooper Dylan Team SouthAustralia.com 02:52:02 10 13 Norris Lachlan Team SouthAustralia.com 02:52:03 11 12 Winn Chris Team SouthAustralia.com 02:52:06
14 6 Jongewaard Chris Team Dolphin 02:53:17
In the U23 race Daniel McConnell retains 1st place (placing 7th on day 4, 10mins down) while Lachlan Norris's 10th place on day 4 moves him up a place into 2nd, only 6min off the pace. Both are clear of third place in the U23 race by about 13 min.
McConnell progresses to 4th place on GC 11 minutes behind race leader Kass Jochen (6h31m03s), with Dolphin team rider Sid Taberlay only 6 min behind closely followed by Norris and Jongewaard. Cooper sits 22min off the pace while Chris Winn is a further 3 min behind.
1 39 Kass Jochen Team National Germany1 06:31:03 2 8 Van Houts Rudi Team Dolphin 06:32:45 00:01:42 3 1 Dubau Ludovic Team New Cycling 06:37:44 00:06:41 4 11 Mc Connell Daniel Team South Australia.com 06:41:51 00:10:48 5 41 Martinez Miguel Team Inter Région 06:44:11 00:13:08 6 7 Taberlay Sid Team Dolphin 06:47:31 00:16:28 7 13 Norris Lachlan Team South Australia.com 06:47:57 00:16:54 8 6 Jongewaard Chris Team Dolphin 06:50:21 00:19:18 9 26 Silva Cristobal Team National Chili 06:51:10 00:20:07 10 14 Cooper Dylan Team South Australia.com 06:53:23 00:22:20
13 12 Winn Chris Team South Australia.com 06:56:32 00:25:29
Both the Dolhin team (Taberlay, Jongewaard and Rudi Van Houts) and Team South Australia (McConnell, Norris and Cooper) take up the first 2 positions in the team classification.
Hexagonal VTT August 14, 2007
MTB's answer to road cycling's 'Tour de France" the Heaxagonal Tour Vtt is currently in progress in France.
The results so far have been stellar for Australians Daniel McConnell, who leads the U23 Maillot du Meilleur Jeune, while retaining 5th place in the overall standings..
After Day 3: Overall 1 93 Riis Andersen Peter Team ALB Moutainbike DEN19800725 03:47:54 2 37 Fumic Manuel Team National Germany 1 GER19820330 03:49:12 00:01:18 3 39 Kass Jochen Team National Germany 1 GER19810505 03:49:34 00:01:40 4 8 Van Houts Rudi Team Dolphin NED19840116 03:49:50 00:01:56 5 11 Mc Connell Daniel Team South Australia.com AUS19850809 03:50:06 00:02:12 6 1 Dubau Ludovic Team New Cycling FRA19731117 03:52:12 00:04:18 7 17 Maignan Olivier Team BH SR Suntour FRA19761203 03:54:02 00:06:08 8 38 Tann Rene Team National Germany 1 GER19850808 03:54:50 00:06:56 9 13 Norris Lachlan Team South Australia.com AUS19870121 03:55:54 00:08:00 10 6 Jongewaard Chris Team Dolphin AUS19790718 03:57:04 00:09:10 11 7 Taberlay Sid Team Dolphin AUS19800122 03:58:18 00:10:24
14 14 Cooper Dylan Team South Australia.com AUS19790630 04:01:21 00:13:27
17 12 Winn Chris Team South Australia.com AUS19840312 04:04:26 00:16:32
U23 1 11 Mc Connell Daniel Team South Australia.com AUS1985080 03:50:06 2 38 Tann Rene Team National Germany 1 GER1985080 03:54:50 3 13 Norris Lachlan Team South Australia.com AUS1987012 03:55:54
Freedom Marathon: September 22nd August 13, 2007
Whian Whian Forest/Nightcap National park, Byron Bay Hinterland NSW
Its on! In a major coup for Mountain Bike marathon racing , Dirt cycling promotions has gained permission to run the Freedom Marathon September 22nd 2007 in the Nightcap National park/Whian Whian state conservation area in Minyon Falls NSW. Both are beautiful warm temperate and subtropical rainforests with water falls (Minyon Falls, Protesters Falls) high up in the Byron bay hinterland.
The start is at Rummery park a small camping area in the forest. 2 events of 60k and 40k on a challenging course of dirt roads, fire trails and tracks. 99% of the course is in the Forest. Special features lots of climbing and descending (including the Gibbergunyah rd descent of 10km on the 60k course) and crossing the top of Minyon falls.
Online Entries are now open. Go to www.summerofcycling.com and follow the links to the Freedom marathon.
Anthony Mortimore Depeche Cycling Promotions PO Box 980, Byron Bay, NSW 2481, Australia Email: anthony@dcp.co.nz Mobile: 0416 483 006
Special MTB race classes offered at Queensland BMX Championships August 10, 2007
Invitation to all MTB Riders to 2007 BMX QLD Inc. State Championships Harbour City BMX Track, Sun Valley Rd, Gladstone QLD. 26th to 30th September 2007
BMX QLD Inc. is pleased to announce additional classes will be offered the 2007 BMX QLD Inc. State Championships to be held 26 – 30 Sept. Class descriptions and awards are as follows:
- Special Event 16+ Mountain Bike – Prize Pool $400 (payout 1 – 3, 1st $200, 2nd $120 & 3rd $80) - Special Event 15yrs Under Mountain Bike – Prize Pool $200 (payout 1 – 3, 1st $100, 2nd $60 & 3rd $40 )
Nomination per class entry is $70.oo
All classes at the event will be conducted under the BMXA ARAs, but BMXA is still to confirm what exactly defines a mountain bike. Special Events 16yrs + & 15 yrs & Under Mountain Bike consist of 5 motos on Saturday followed by finals as required on Sunday.
All riders will be provided with a complimentary Competitor Plate & Numbers. This plate is to be used during Official Practice and State Championship and will be the only plate to be scored for the event. BMX QLD Inc. will issue the number to each rider.
All entrants must nominate and pre-register prior to the event, nominations close 17th August 2007
Please refer to www.bmxq.org.au for more information, copy of flyer, event program and ARA Rule book or contact Frankie Winter on frankiewinter@bigpond.com or 0423 931 715. The BMXA definition of a mountain bike is due mid September.
ASADA Anti-Doping Education Resources Now Available Online August 9, 2007
The Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority (ASADA) is pleased to announce our ‘2007 Athlete Anti-Doping Handbook’ and ‘Doping Control Guide’ are now available online at www.asada.gov.au/resources/publications/index.htm. The online publications will ensure all athletes and support personnel have easy and direct access to the publications.
To ensure your athletes and support personnel have the anti-doping information they need, you may like to advertise the availability of the publications by: > displaying a link on your website; > emailing the link to athletes and support personnel; and > displaying the address in your newsletters and publications.
Throughout this financial year, ASADA will be developing and delivering a number of Anti-Doping education resources for sports, athletes and support personnel. Updates will be sent via email and direct mail. Please ensure the contact details for your sport are kept up to date to ensure all products and communications are delivered to the correct person.
Further information on anti-doping rules and regulations, visit the ASADA website www.asada.gov.au, or call the Anti-Doping Hotline on 1800 020 506. The ASADA Anti-Doping Hotline is now operating seven days a week from 8am to 8pm (AEST).
If you would like to provide ASADA with feedback about our Anti-Doping education products and services, email us at education@asada.gov.au
Thank you for you support in driving pure performance in sport.
Canberra wins bid to host a round of the 2008 UCI Mountain Bike World Cup August 6, 2007
Australia has been awarded the rights to host the 2008 International Cycling Union (UCI) World Cup Mountain Bike Championships August round. The international event will be staged in Australia's capital city, Canberra, from August 30-31 at the new, purpose-built Stromlo Forest Park.
“Australia has a proven track record of hosting world class events and we are confident Canberra will deliver an outstanding World Cup,” said Graham Fredericks, CEO of Cycling Australia. “Canberra’s Stromlo Forest Park is a fabulous venue and we applaud the initiative of the ACT government and its support of the sport.”
The 2008 UCI Mountain Bike World Cup at Stromlo Forest Park will also be a crucial dress rehearsal for the 2009 UCI Mountain Bike & Trials World Championships, the most important annual international mountain bike competition in the world.
To host and manage these two outstanding events, Canberra Off-Road Cyclists (CORC) has joined forces with Apis Events for the 2008 UCI Mountain Bike World Cup and the 2009 UCI Mountain Bike & Trials World Championships.
MTB World Events, the CORC-Apis joint venture company will oversee the planning, organisation, and running of the August round of the 2008 UCI Mountain Bike World Cup.
The ACT Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation, Mr Andrew Barr said, “Bringing the World Cup to Canberra will lead to more people around Australia and the world recognising what we have here in Canberra, a world class city with world class facilities.”
The 2008 Mountain Bike World Cup will form the pinnacle of the spring off-road cycling festival, with films, mass participation events, races and conferences there will be something for everyone, from the beginner to Olympic champions.
“For the 10 days post the Olympic Games in Beijing Canberra, Australia will be the focus of the world cycling. To add to the excitement of the World Cup round, spectators will be treated to the thrill of seeing Olympic gold medallists in action” said President of CORC, Anthony Burton.
MEDIA CONTACTS Apis Events: Sophie Kilmartin (Primary) M: 0407 000 863: Neil Judd (Alternate) M: 0424 169 044 Cycling Australia: Gennie Sheer M: 0418 863 533 Minister Barr: Liz Lopa M: 0411 658 957
2007 Australasian Cycle Tourism Conference, Sydney Olympic Park 18-19th October. August 6, 2007
The 2007 Australasian Cycle Tourism Conference will see national and international experts in cycle tourism development, infrastructure and promotion converge at the Novotel Hotel, Sydney Olympic Park on the 18th and 19th October.
Topics are designed to instil high-level branding and product design techniques in the industry, which will reinforce Australia’s capacity to become and an internationally recognised cycle tourism destination.
You will hear the latest cycle tourism success stories and learn of contemporary research and development projects that will contribute to cycle tourism product and market development.
Attending the conference is a MUST for tourism operators, regional, state and national tourism organisations, commercial enterprises and local and state government agencies looking to increase their national and international knowledge and skills in the cycle tourism market.
Sydney Olympic Park (SOPA) provides the perfect backdrop to the 2007 Conference with a variety of facilities for cyclists in every corner. Not only that, but the 2007 Conference runs in conjunction with SOPA’s Festival of Cycling where are wide range of events are planned to cater for cyclists from every discipline.
Speakers
- PETER EICH, Managing Director of Bodensee Radweg, Germany and founder of www.bikemap.de: a website that links cycle tourists with the best routes and loops across Europe
- SUSAN ACHMATOWICZ, founder and Managing Director of Country Lanes, Britain’s award-winning cycle hire and holiday company
- DR BRENT RITCHIE, University of Canberra, presenting on “Understanding Cycle Tourist Behaviour and Segments”
- RUSSELL BAKER, Canberra Off Road Cyclists
- CRAIG GROCKE, Tourism Development Group, South Australian Tourism Commission
- JEFF PLANT, Senior Manager of Strategic Growth and Marketing, Mt Buller and Mt Stirling Alpine Resort Management Board
- BRENT POWIS, Director of the WHO Collaborating Centre for Environment Health Development, University of Western Sydney
Conference Topics
BRANDING AND MARKETING A good brand, once created, sells itself. Learn how to establish a successful brand through excellent customer relations, quality product and effective follow up with your client base.
Marketing is a key component of any business, we aim to showcase the best methods for marketing to the cycle tourism niche market.
PLANNING The experts give it to you straight - consultants, government agencies and local councils have all had experience in planning for cycle tourism infrastructure and initiatives. Learn from their experiences and take the best they have to offer back to your region.
NICHE PARTNERS Cycle tourism is recognised as a niche market so, it makes sense to partner with others in the niche sector to attract larger, more diverse markets. Cycle tourism partners well with food, wine and those seeking adventure. Examples will be presented on successful partnering between these niche markets.
FUNDING Where are the most likely sources of funding that can be used for cycle tourism investment for infrastructure, programs and brand development? Various funding bodies from different levels of government will promote the means and methods for obtaining funding for your intended project.
EXISTING PRODUCT Presenting cycle tourism success stories from Australia. Events, tours, self-guided programs and the methods for marketing existing infrastructure will be presented to give you a comprehensive view of what has been successful and how these ideas can be implemented in your area.
RESEARCH Aims to present the latest relevant research that will guide investment in cycle tourism in Australia and abroad. This information can help you to find your niche, enhance your already existing business or possibly indicate where your marketing may be improved.
Don’t miss this unique opportunity to learn from and network with leaders in national and international cycle tourism.
Maltman Victory Seals Triple Podium for SsangYong-fusion August 6, 2007
PRESS RELEASE, 6 Aug 07:
A strong win by young Australian rider, James Maltman, has capped off a huge weekend of downhill for the SsangYong-fusion Team at the Montgenèvre Maxxis Cup International Round.
Racing against the likes of Mikeal Pascal, Michael Hannah and Matti Lehikoinen - Maltman powered his way to 15th overall to take the Junior win by a clear margin from local French rider, Kevin Danh Pha and over 4 seconds in front of New Zealander, Mattheu Scoles. His time was within 4.7 seconds of the Elite Men's winner, and ahead of a number of World Cup veterans.
"James has developed so well this year under some pretty trying circumstances . He is showing the kind of form that we think would have seen him pushing for the Junior World Cup Title had the chips fallen a little more in his direction. He is training hard at the moment for the World Championships, so this is a great result at the right time in the season," said Team Director, Gavin Donehue.
James' result was not the only good news for the team - with Florent Payet and Jenna Makgill both scoring important podiums.
Payet was coming off the back of his third placing in the European Championships and has shown himself to be a class rider equal of the world top ten at this end of the season. After qualifying in 6th, Payet made a number of changes for his final run to clock a time of 2:16.062, taking third place behind French rider Mikael Pascal (2:14.474) and Australian Michael Hannah (2:15.337). He finished ahead of World Cup number 3, Matti Lehikoinen of Finland (2:16.165) and world number 9, David Vazquez Lopez (2.16.533).
"This result really reinforces our decision to chase Florent at the start of the season. He is a quality rider with a huge future at only 20 years of age. He is a hard rider to do bike set up for - being so incredibly tall - but this gives him some advantages on a number of tracks. He is a rider we would like to see in the World Cup top ten in a year or so, so this result is a great indicator that he is ahead of schedule".
The third podium came through New Zealand flyer, Jenna Makgill, who overcame mechanical problems on both runs to take third place behind Tracy Moseley (GBR) and Tracey Hannah (AUS). Jenna managed to damage her wheel in the qualifying run and whilst she was able to repair it, the repairs did not hold and she had to ride through the problem all the way to the finish.
Antonio Leiva also had a strong result for the team, taking a top 20 finish in a quality international field. Considering he is riding on a damaged frame (courtesy of a plowing into a Pila tree) whilst a new one is completed, this is a strong result and will see him in a positive mood for the Worlds.
Her result capped off a great weekend for SsangYong-fusion, which saw the team dominate the podium results. Florent Payet's result will surely guarantee his spot in the French World Championships Team, which means the SsangYong-fusion team will have an amazing seven riders competing at the event. This is more than any other World Cup team.
SsangYong-fusion Pro Team, presented by Pila Ph: 03 9898 3343 (within Australia) Mob: 04 00 083 343 (within Australia) Skype Me: freesport22 Int Ph: +61 3 9898 3343 Int Mob: +61 4 00 083 343 Web: www.syfmtb.com
Australian Premiere Showing of 24-Solo July 30, 2007
Canberra Off-Road Cyclists have arranged with Gripped Films in the USA to premiere their movie "24-Solo" in Canberra at Dendy Theatre in Civic at 1845 on Saturday 4 August 2007.
This is the movie that was supposed to be about Chris Eatough's 7th straight world solo 24 hour mountain bike title in October 2006, a feat to match Lance Armstrong's 7 straight Tour de France wins. Only problem was that a little Aussie named Craig Gordon turned up for the race but he hadn't read the script. The ensuing battle between Craig and Chris turns what might otherwise be a very good documentary into a great mountain biking movie about what it takes to take home a world solo 24 hour title.
This premiere screening is being organised by CORC as a fund-raiser to help out with Craig's medical and trip expenses from the World Solo 24Hr MTB Champs. Want to know more? See the movie to find out why he needs the help! If that isn't enough, ask Craig - he'll be at the screening.
Tickets are $15 each with all profits from the night going to Craig Gordon. You can purchase them through Dendy Cinemas on 02 6221 8900 from Tuesday afternoon. If you want to check-out Dendy Cinemas, the web address is www.dendy.com.au/locations_canberra.asp
You will also be able to purchase raffle tickets at the cinema for $10 for a chance to win a framed, signed 2006 World Solo 24Hr Champs Jersey. This raffle will be drawn at the Scott Australian 24Hr MTB Champs at Mt Stromlo on 14 October, with winners notified by email and phone. ACT Permit R07/00077.1
Young scores silver, Buchanan places fifth at UCI BMX World Championships July 29, 2007
Reigning Australian Champion, Khalen Young, has collected silver in the elite men's race at the UCI BMX World Championships in Victoria, Canada.
The 22 year old Perth born rider challenged the three time World Champion, America's Kyle Bennett, right until the fourth and final straight when Bennett surged ahead to claim the gold. American Randy Stumpfhauser was third. Young was the only Australian to make it to the final after Jamie Gray (Brisbane) was eliminated in the semi-finals.
Bennett was helped to victory by drawing the preferred starting gate position but Young refused to be intimidated.
“I got out of the gate good. Kyle had the inside and we fought it out to the end,” said Young. “I threw everything I had into it.”
Young had struggled with less than ideal preparation after coming down with the flu a week before the Championships. . “I haven’t ridden for a week,” he admitted. “But I knew I’d done the work and I just want to thank the High Performance program for picking me up."
Young joined the Cycling Australia / AIS BMX HIgh Performance Program earlier this year and is currently ranked fifth in the world. In April he scored a stunning victory in the opening round of the World Cup Supercross in Spain and will be out to repeat that feat when he heads to China next month for the second round being staged on the 2008 Beijing Olympic course.
In the junior women Canberra’s Caroline Buchanan, 16, made it to the final and managed to avoid two crashes to cross the line in fifth place.
Buchanan bikes at both World Championships July 29, 2007
Caroline Buchanan will line up for her first of two World Championships today (Australian time). The 16 year old Canberra BMX rider will compete with the junior elite women in Victoria, Canada. Buchanan will then have just 40 days before competing for Australia at the Mountain Bike World Championships in Fort William, Scotland. Buchanan will race in the Four Cross or Mountain Cross event after winning the elite National Championships in Canberra earlier this year.
Buchanan has already shown good form after placing fourth in with top elite BMX women at the ABA Las Vegas race just two weeks ago.
Even with two World Championships, Buchanan says the pressure is not too much. “It doesn’t come down to one. It sort of makes it less stressful,” she said.
Buchanan will spend time after the BMX Worlds training for Mountain Bike World Championships in Whistler, Canada. In August she will compete in a NORBA Four Cross race in Aspen, Colorado.
At this stage Buchanan does not need to choose between the two sports. She has raced BMX since she was 8 years old in recent years started riding mountain cross and this season also competed in downhill racing.
“I still love BMX but I like the newness of it (four cross). I love downhill racing .too, they all help each other,” she explained.
“The downhill has helped my bike handling skills but I’m more suited to four cross.”
The elite BMX riders competing in this year’s World Championships are under a lot of pressure to make the finals. With the sports inclusion in the Beijing Olympics in 2008, this Worlds is seen as the start of their selection process. Buchanan however is just 10 months shy of being eligible to compete in Beijing but she has her sights set on the London Olympics in 2012.
For more information, more photos or Contact Sharon Payne Media Manager BMX Australia & Mountain Bike Australia Mob +61 (0) 412 773500 sharon@bikemedia.com.au
Paluma Push numbers explode! July 25, 2007
Six years ago “push” founders Peter Mclean and Haydn Tilley had an idea for a Mountain Bike event. That first Mike Carney Toyota Paluma Push began with 68 riders; but the founders always thought that a participant level of 200 would be a great goal to aim for. Well they achieved that with 198 last year; and then on July 22nd 2007 409 riders made the pilgrimage up the range to the sleepy little village of Paluma for the biggest “Push” so far and arguably the biggest cycling event in North Queensland.
In what could only be described as superb conditions, the village numbers swelled as riders poured in from all over North Queensland. Event organizers and community volunteers handled the numbers smoothly whilst the riders prepared themselves for the challenge ahead.
The Paluma Push, is in fact two events in one ….a race, for those who like to compete, over a slightly longer and more difficult course, and an endurance event for those either new to mountain biking or with a less serious attitude to their sport. The dramatic increase in numbers was especially evident in the recreational (non- competitive) event with over 260 riders. Organizers, put this down to increased media coverage, a general increased interest in all cycling, and having reached a critical mass with 200 riders last year who all had positive reasons to spread the word. From boy scouts to grandfathers, there was an enormous cross section of riders of differing abilities and motivation. The course has been praised for it’s high degree of fun and varying terrain and scenery. The organizers have a four hour cut-off time in the interests of safety. The SES volunteers and their communication resources at the checkpoints, as well as the ambulance crews, are required elsewhere. Also there is a large amount of dismantling to be done at the start and finish. There were approximately 8 who were unable to finish the event for various reasons. Hopefully next year they will have better luck and be better prepared with the knowledge gained from this event.
Every rider is responsible for raising a minimum of $10 for the Rural Firies of Hidden Valley and Paluma, and this year, the total figure will exceed f $7,000.Rob Saunders won the $1000 voucher prize for most money raised with an individual effort of over $2,000.
The competition categories were decided with some extremely close tussles. The men’s open division on the 50K course was won by Tim Odwyer in a time of 1:59:10 with Cameron Single from Mackay only 1 minute behind. Open Female winner was Jennifer Macrow in a creditable time of 2:26:29. Peter Stuart put all this years training to good use by beating his rivals in the 50yrs. and over division with a time of 2:20:50. The Men’s Vet’s category was the largest field and the closest fought, with local hardcore specialist Jason Vaughan narrowly beating Gary Purtell by only 4 seconds. Jason’s time was also the third fastest for the event. It’s hard to imagine how after 42 kilometers riders can be separated by only seconds; however it happened in the Juniors cat. as well, with Nelson Tilley leading until the last climb and being pipped by road racing champion Aaron Ross with a time of 1:44:55 . William Draffen seems to have a strong hold on the Young Gun’s trophy with a superb time of 2:02:22…. This is Wlliam’s fourth win at the Push. Scott Mclennan won the 40-49 yrs. division with a convincing 2 minute margin over Lucas Macdonald from Cairns.
Previous winner Damian Thomson blitzed the field in the $200 dash for cash to the dam.
A new zany Teams trophy was won by the” Cyclechino’s” with “Like a Girl “coming in a close second. This new category was responsible for a large part of the rider increase especially the females.
All competitors relished the fast conditions and the sensational new single track sections. Each year the organizers add new track sections in the second half of the course to keep it fresh and interesting for the returning riders.
The only problem now is deciding how much, is too much. Numbers will definitely have to be capped next year so that everyone has a great day. In 2000 Organizers Peter Mclean and Haydn Tilley had a dream to make sure everyone finished ”with a smile on their face“ - and from the support this year there is no doubt that thet aim has been achieved.
ASADA Fact Sheets July 20, 2007
The Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority (ASADA) is pleased to deliver our range of Fact Sheets, which are designed to provide your athletes and support personnel with vital anti-doping information. The Fact Sheets have been designed so you can print and distribute them amongst your athletes and support personnel, or post them on your website for anyone to access.
The Fact Sheets can be found in the Policy and Documents pages here.
Australian team for 2007 World MTB Championships July 18, 2007
The whole Australian team (subject to appeals) is as follows: (The Australian Junior team was announced May 14 2007)
Junior Downhill Joel Bain (Mt Nasuru, WA 24.09.1989) Caroline Buchanan (Kambah, ACT 24.10.1990) Joshua Button (Boambee, NSW 25.11.1989) Mitchell Delfs (Gracetown, WA 25.07.1989) David Hetherington (Delacombe, VIC 16.07.1989) James Maltman (Stretton, QLD 02.03.1989) Tom Patton (Belrose, NSW 14.11.1990) William Rischbieth (Aldgate, SA 03.12.1989)
Cross Country Peter Braunsteins (Kew, VIC 24.02.1990) Nathan Haas (Deakin, ACT 12.03.1989) Paul Van Der Ploeg (Tawonga South, VIC 09.11.1989)
Elite Downhill - Elite Men Sam Hill (QLD 21/07/85) Nathan Rennie (QLD 31/05/81) Michael Hannah (QLD 21/11/83) Chris Kovarik (QLD 01/03/78) Bryn Atkinson (NSW 09/12/82) Jared Graves (QLD 16/12/82) Amiel Cavalier (NSW 24/03/87) Jared Rando (ACT 22/06/81)
Downhill - Elite Women Tracey Hannah (QLD 13/06/88)
4X – Men Jared Graves (QLD 16/12/82) Amiel Cavalier (NSW 24/03/87) Jared Rando (ACT 22/06/81) Bryn Atkinson (NSW 09/12/82) Michael Hannah (QLD 21/11/83) Luke Madill (NSW 28/05/80)
4X – Women Caroline Buchanan (ACT 24/10/90)
Cross Country - Elite Men Chris Jongewaard (SA 18/07/79)2007 Sid Taberlay (TAS 22/01/80) Dylan Cooper (ACT 30/06/79)
Cross Country - Elite Women Tory Thomas (VIC 02/09/78) Dellys Starr (VIC 02/10/76)
Cross Country – U23 Men Shaun Lewis (SA 14/08/86) Daniel McConnell (VIC 09/08/85) Lachlan Norris (VIC 21/01/82)
MTBA wishes all these fine athletes the very best in their competition in Fort William 3 -9 September 2007!
Australian Elite Team for 2007 UCI MTB World Championships July 18, 2007
Cycling Australia today confirmed the team to contest the 2007 UCI MTB World Championships being staged from September 3 to 9 in Fort William, Scotland.
Elite Men Bryn Atkinson (Wentworth Falls, NSW 09.12.82) DH & 4X Amiel Cavalier (Keiraville, NSW 24.03.87) DH & 4X Dylan Cooper (Downer, ACT 30.06.79) XC Jared Graves (Toowoomba, QLD 16.12.82) DH & 4X Michael Hannah (Yorkeys Knob, QLD 21.11.83) DH & 4X Sam Hill (Glen Forrest, WA 21.07.85) DH Chris Jongewaard (Para Hills, SA 18.07.79) XC Chris Kovarik (Deception Bay, QLD 01.03.78) DH Luke Madill (Cranebrook, NSW 28.05.80) 4X Jared Rando (Ainslie, ACT 22.06.81) DH & 4X Nathan Rennie (Merrimac, QLD 31.05.81) DH Sid Taberlay (Blackmans Bay, TAS 22.01.80) XC
U23 Men Shaun Lewis (Aberfoyle Park, SA 14.08.86) XC Daniel McConnell (Bruthen, VIC 09.08.85) XC Lachlan Norris (Barkers Creek, VIC 21.01.82) XC
Appeals for non-selection are due by Friday 20th and should be directed to Cycling Australia (acf.info@cycling.org.au)
Notice to Australians intending on contesting the World Solo 24hr Championships July 17, 2007
If you intend on entering and contesting the 2007 World Solo 24hr Championships later this year in Monterey, California (September 1 - 2) then read on.
MTBA has been asked to see if there is sufficient interest in arranging for a group insurance package to cover travel and injury while competing (and representing Australia) at this event.
If this applies to you please make contact with MTBA through the contacts page of this website and register your interest.
If there is sufficient call MTBA will attempt to arrange a group insurance package to cove at least:
- Travel (with bike) - Accident while in transit - Injury while competing
Note that this is, at this time, soley directed towards the 2007 Solo 24hr Championships.
For more information please contact MTBA.
UCI announces calendar for 2008 World Cup and Championships July 16, 2007
The UCI has recently announced the dates and venues for the Nissan World Cup - presented by Shimano and Marathon Series for 2008.
Of note in the calendar is the nomination of Australia for round 8 of the Olympic XC (XCO) and Rounds 6 of the 4X and DH series.
The venue for the round will be the site for the 2009 World MTB Championships, Mt Stromlo in the ACT, and will serve as a valuable test event for the World Championships as preparation progresses towards the 2009 Worlds.
Tony Scott, EO of MTBA, said "This is a fantastic
outcome for Australian MTB and will provide significant validation for
the efforts of the local club, Canberra Off Road Cyclists, and of the
visionary support from the ACT Government in significantly supporting
the development of the World-class venue at Stromlo."
He added,
"The combination of the 2008 August World Cup and the subsequent 2009
World Championships will help to showcase Australian mountain biking to
the world".
The full set of dates for the 2008 MTB World Cup for XC, DH and 4X is:
15 - 16 March, XCM#1, Manavgat/Antalija (Turkey) 19 - 20 April, XCO#1, Houffalize (Belgium) 26 - 27 April, XCO#2, Offenburg (Germany) 3 - 4 May, XCO#3, Madrid (Spain) 10 - 11 May, 4X/DHI#1, Maribor (Slovakia) 31 May - 1 June, XCO#4, 4X/DHI#2, Vallnord (And) 7 - 8 June, XCO#5, 4X/DHI#3, Fort William (Great Britain ) 26 - 27 July, XCO#6, 4X/DHI#4, to be decided (Canada) 2 - 3 August, XCO#7, 4X/DHI#5, Mont Sainte Anne (Canada) 9 - 10 August, XCM#2, Oisans (France) 30 - 31 August, XCO#8, 4X/DHI#6, Canberra (Australia) 13 - 14 September, XCO#9, 4X/DHI#7, Schladming (Austria) 4 - 5 October, XCM#3, Innsbruck (Austria)
2008 UCI Mountain Bike and Trial World Championships 17-22 June, 4X/DHI/XCO/Trial, Commezzadura/Val di Sole (Italy)
2008 Olympic Games August 20 - 21 MTB Women, Men Beijing (China)
2009 UCI Mountain Bike and Trial World Championships 3 - 9 September 2009, 4X/DHI/XCO/Trial, Canberra (ACT) (Australia)
BMXA and MTBA membership agreement finally reached July 10, 2007
The long awaited agreement that will allow cross membership for BMXA and MTBA members at a discounted rate has just been inked.
MTBA members with more than 3 months of life on their membership can now join BMXA directly without joining a BMXA affiliated club and pay just $36. Similarly BMXA members with more than 3 months on their membership can remain a member of their BMX club but get a full MTBA membership for the same cost: just $36.
Tony Scott, Executive Officer for MTBA said, "This arrangement completes the triangle of discounted memberships between all the competition cycling disciplines and in particular between the 'dirt' disciplines of BMX and MTB. These innovative value-add arrangements will now allow greater access for BMX riders to contest MTB events in a completely seamless manner as if they were full cost MTBA members (and vise versa) and reflects an arrangement MTBA has had for the last 3 years with the parent body Cycling Australia."
He added, "In regard to BMXA and MTBA, we have a lot in common especially at the 4X and BMX interface. This sensible arrangement will only add to and strengthen the 'dirt' cycling disciplines".
The process to obtain a value-add membership is detailed in the membership form section of the MTBA website. The full text of the affiliation agreement is available in the Policy and Documents section of the MTBA website.
World Champs win World Cup Downhill Double July 10, 2007
Tracey Hannah (Cairns) created mountain bike history by being the youngest Australian to win a World Cup event. Hannah won the fourth Nissan UCI Mountain Bike World Cup held in Schladming, Austria on Sunday. The Junior World Champion Downhill rider was racing her first season in the elite ranks after turning 19 just three weeks prior.
After qualifying second fastest, Hannah went on to beat hot favourite and current World Champion, Sabrina Jonnier from France. Hannah rode an impressive 4.41:50 beating Jonnier by more than 1 second on the 2100 metre course.
Making it an Australian double, World Champion, Sam Hill from Perth won the elite men’s event with a massive margin over his nearest rival, Gee Atherton from Great Britain. The 21 year old rode a blistering 3.51:44 over 5 seconds faster than Atherton with both riders being the only competitors to break the 4 minute barrier.
Hill now leads the series with a comfortable 807 points and is now 168 points clear of Britain's Steve Peat. Hill looks set to take the series with one final round in Slovenia in September.
Tracey’s brother Michael Hannah (Cairns) is currently in 8th position with World bronze medallist, Nathan Rennie (Gold Coast) is in 11th place.
Tracey Hannah moves up into fourth position but Jonnier looks certain to take the series with only one remaining World Cup.
Michael Hannah, a professional rider, claims his younger sister has a future in the sport. “In all the World Cups, she’s been consistent. For someone her age that shows there’s a lot of promise.”
With just two months until the World Championships, riders will now prepare for the challenging course in Fort William, Scotland.
Michael says his sister should do well on the World Championships course. “They’re similar tracks,” he said. “They are both bumpy. This one was super rough and Fort William’s got a lot of rocks.”
Michael says Tracey has a chance of a medal after her ride on the rough course in Austria. “It’s kind of encouraging – it’s completely different but the tracks are similar in style.”
Brother and sister will now return to Italy to train before heading to Scotland to compete in the World Championships from 3 – 9 September.
Sharon Payne Media Manager Mountain Bike Australia Mob +61 (0) 412 773500 sharon@bikemedia.com.au
MTBA takes 10,000th member July 5, 2007
Recently MTBA signed up its 10,000th member. Dominic Burton hails, originally from England but now resides in Victoria.
Here is what Dominic says about his MTB experiences:
"I have been mountain biking for nearly 18 years now but only 3 months of that has been in Australia - I moved here with my family in January and then had to wait until April for my bikes to arrive!
I'm into all types of mountain biking but I have to admit I do have a fondness for those lungbursting climbs...and the views at the top! Marathon/12hr/24hr racing is pretty big back in the UK (like here) and that tends to be my favourite kind of event. You don't have to take it too seriously - people are there to have a good time, it's a good reflection of mountain biking as a whole.
Becoming MTBA's 10,000th member and doing Chase The Sun 2 has been a great start to mountain biking in Australia and I'm sure the mountain biking community will make me as welcome as Australia in general has made my family and I - see you on the trails!"
As a thank-you to Dominic MTBA gave him the first official MTBA jersey available to members. Congratulations Dominic and all the best for your mountain biking future.
To get your own official MTBA jersey check out the MTBA store. They are just $90 for members (postage paid).
Check out a happy snap of Dominic in hiw official MTBA jersey here.
World Champion takes second National Title July 2, 2007
World Champion, Craig Gordon proved too strong for Australia’s best mountain bike riders won his second Australian Marathon Championships in Coffs Harbour today. The Wollongong rider dominated the field finished the 95 kilometre race in a blistering time of 4 hours and 45 seconds. The 34 year old retains the inaugural jersey he won last year in Toowoomba. Gordon won by 9 minutes and 44 seconds holding off Canberra’s Shaun Lewis and Matthew Fleming (Helensburgh, SYD). Lewis outsprinted Fleming for second place. Early race leader, Ben Mathers from Launceston had a flat tyre which gave him an eventual fourth place.
Gordon went into the event as the favourite after claiming the prestigious World Championship in 24 hour solo racing last October. Gordon has earnt a lasting reputation as one of the sports best endurance athletes after he defeated six-time World Champion, Chris Eatough from the USA. Gordon spent three days in hospital after pushing his body tot he limit.
“If you do a 24 hour race like I did you just look back and nothing compares,” he commented.
Gordon was still elated to win his second marathon national jersey. “If you’re a defending champion it’s always harder,” he said. “It always feels good to win but you never underestimate your opponents.”
Mathers lay down the early challenge by leading the field for the first half of the race.
“When Ben went up the road I was asking the boys about him. I heard he was a strong road rider. That’s when I decided to go,” said Gordon.
Gordon rode most of the final sections of the course alone reaching speeds of up to 60 km per hour. “I love it by myself,” he said.
The course received high recommendations from Gordon. “It’s got awesome single track,” he said. “I pre-rode a bit of it but I would say nearly 60 percent of it was single track.”
Lewis, 26, was content with second. “It’s one better than last year,” he said. “We knew Craig was too far in front to catch. He just had too much lead.”
The women’s race came down to a sprint for the line with Launceston’s Rowena Fry taking eventual honours. At two hundred metres to go, Fry out sprinted Brisbane’s Jodie Willett to win by 7 seconds. Fry rode an impressive 5 hours 16 minutes and 20 seconds after leading most of the race.
“I didn’t mean to take it out hard. I found myself out in front and just thought I’d keep it going while the going’s good,” she admitted.
“I was cooked at two hours into it and I just kept pushing through it. I managed to hold on,” she said.
The women’s field started before the men’s and by the 50 km mark Fry was leading the women’s race while her partner, Ben Mather, was leading the men’s.
“Ben passed me and then got a flat. It would’ve been good to get the double,” she said.
Fry is a member of the "Dirt Roads to London" program but was not expected to match the highly ranked Katrina Van Spiegel from Sydney who finished a creditable third. Brisbane's Imogen Smith finished in fourth.
Over 415 riders competed in the full, half or quarter distance event. Full results here (now with race time analysis):
For more information contact: Sharon Payne Media Manager Mountain Bike Australia Mob +61 (0) 412 773500 sharon@bikemedia.com.au
Sam Hill triumphs in Canada to move to top of World Cup standings June 25, 2007
West Australian Sam Hill, 21, overnight claimed first place in the downhill men's competition at the Downhill Nissan/UCI World Cup round in Monte-Sainte-Anne, Canada to move to the top of the standings after three rounds.
The reigning World Champion covered the 3.2km course in a time of 4min29.58sec just over a second faster than South Africa's Greg Minnaar (4min31.27sec) with Great Britain's Steve Peat third in 4min31.30sec.
“I would have liked it to rain," said Hill after the final. "I didn’t feel as strong on the course, so to come and win is a confidence booster. I’ve had a few injuries at the start of the season, but I feel stronger as the season goes on."
Hill, who rides for the Iron Horse/Monster Energy Team, now leads the World Cup Series with 557 points, 32 points clear of Steve Peat (GBR) and 141 points ahead of third ranked Matti Lehikoinen of Finland. Of the other Australians in the rankings Michael Hannah is ranked sixth on 300 points and Nathan Rennie 11th on 165 points.
2006 Junior World Champion, Queensland's Tracey Hannah, 18, finished fourth in the women's downhill final.
For further information (media only) please contact: Gennie Sheer, Sheer Rhetoric - Communications Director, Cycling Australia Tel: +61 (0) 418 863 533
MONT ONLINE ENTRIES OPEN 8am THURSDAY 14 Jun June 14, 2007
The MONT 24hr Mountain Bike Race entries open tomorrow morning at 8am. 1500 riders slots are available. The MONT is pure teams racing with teams of 4 and 6 competing for over $50,000 in products and prizes.
Male and Female Pro teams are racing for a prize pool of $14,000 ($4000 -1st Place, $2000 -2nd Place and $1000 3rd Place).
Age group teams will be competing for some legendary MONT clothing, Julbo eyewear, Camelbak hydration systems, SRAM Gear, TOKEN Products, Niterider lighting and Jetblack products.
Loads of gear will be given away with one spot prize every 15 minutes of the race.
Singlespeeders teams have their own categories and the interest has been huge.
The Over 45 teams categories will be a strong competition of pure Masters racing.
Majura has been voted as one of the top ten mountain biking rides in Australia, and some of Canberra's most respected trail gurus have put together a fantastic riders course. The 12km course consists of 60% singletrack interspersed with plenty of overtaking (or cruising) opportunities.
Camping and support will be available at the Mount Majura winery - a great backdrop for an excellent race. We welcome you all.
An Additional $25,000 in Cash Prizes for the Scott 24Hr June 14, 2007
$25,000 has been added today to the prize pool for the 2007 Scott Australian 24Hr MTB Champs at Mt Stromlo on 13/14 October... The prize pool is now over $100,000 in cash and product, still 4 months out, still growing!
What's new? There are new Elite Men and Elite Women categories for teams of 4. Win it and you get to take home $5,000 first prize - for each Elite category! $1,000 for second and $500 for third so its almost winner-take-all, but not quite. If you've already entered a team and want to change to Elite - log back on and change category.
What Else? There's $4,000 each for the fastest male and female laps - they can be either red or blue loop, day or night - so some planning might be needed here. But - you must ride at least 4 laps in the race to be eligible. None of this, turn up, sprint a single lap and go home!
Then for all the team categories (excluding Elite) there is another $4,000 for the team which has the overall fastest average lap time for the fastest lap in the team by each individual rider. Every rider must do a lap to be eligible.
These are all in addition to the existing cash and product prizes for solos and the standard team categories. But, there is a catch! Your team must get a valid finish (not DNF) to be in the running for any of them.
For more details on the Scott 24hr visit the website front page at t www.scott24hr.com.au
Fundraiser to assist Craig Gordon June 11, 2007
In 2005 Craig Gordon won the Australian Solo 24Hr Mountain Bike Championship. Part of the prize was an entry to the 2006 24Hrs of Adrenalin World Solo Championships, plus an airfare and $2000 from Canberra Off-Road Cyclists to get him there. The rest, as they say, is history. For those of you who aren't up on their mountain biking history, Gordo won the world title, defeating 6 times winner Chris Eatough in the process by over a lap. There is a great movie about it, 24 Solo, available on DVD from Gripped Films at www.24-solo.com In the process of winning, Gordo; well, Gordo was Gordo... He drove himself hard, and drove himself into 3 days of hospital in the USA, which equals serious bills.
CORC has obtained the one remaining 2006 24Hrs of Adrenalin World Solo Champs jersey, Gordo has signed it, CORC has got it framed with some photos and it is now being raffled off to help Gordo with his medical bills from the worlds and to help him get back to the USA to defend his world championship title in September.
Tickets are $10 and you can purchase them through your Scott entries at the Scott website at www.scott24hr.com.au from 20 June, or by emailing timing@corc.asn.au anytime. If bike shops, promoters or clubs wish to sell tickets on CORC's behalf, please contact timing@corc.asn.au
The winner will be drawn at the Scott 24Hr Australian Mountain Bike Championships on Sunday 14 October at Mount Stromlo and the winner notified by email and phone. Permit number ACT R07/00077.1
Check out the jersey and some images from Craig's efforts here.
MONT 24hr - Update 1: On-line entries delayed till June 14 June 5, 2007
MONT 24 Hour Opening Entries Delayed
Opening entry date for the MONT 24 Hour Mountain Bike Race has been delayed until Thursday 14th June. The decision to put back the race entry date was a difficult choice however due to circumstances beyond our control, there has not been time to test the system before going live and accepting entries. Race Director, David White, stated that testing the online entry system was a critical task to ensure that riders had a smooth entry process. The testing would occur over the next few days with entries now opening next Thursday. The interest in the MONT 24 Hour Mountain Bike Race has been huge and with only 1500 riders slots available it is expected that the race will fill quickly.
Further information can be obtained from David White by email at longrides@mac.com or phone at 0409 919 387
Totally Wild - Sport On: Mountain Biking June 5, 2007
A Totally Wild story "Sport On: Mountain Biking" will be going to air on Tuesday 5th June 2007 at 4.00pm on Network Ten.
It stars some SE Queensland riders such as James Maltman, Shane Wode and Reece Willemse.
Great exposure for the sport on a national television children's program.
Thank to the MTBA media manager for assisting in the delivery of this segment and to the Totall Wild Crew for their interest in MTB
MONT 24hr MTB race makes a return May 29, 2007
The 2007 MONT 24 Hour Mountain Bike Race will open entries on Wednesday 6 June. 1500 entry slots are available and more details can be found at www.mont24.com.au
The MONT 24 hour is a Teams only event for teams of 4 and 6 riders in a variety of age group categories, including categories for singlespeed riders. There will be trophies and great sponsors prizes for the age groupers with the Pro Teams competing for a 1st place prizemoney of $4000 in both the male and female Pro teams of 4.
The race will held on the famous Majura Singletrack with a 12km course winding through the best that Majura can offer. The tight flowing track will be sure to make you smile and the fireroads sections are perfect for overtaking. If you are keen you could bring your dragster down for a lap and win some great product. There are plenty of giveaways and lost of transition action.
Back in the Mt Majura Winery campsite there will be plenty of fun at Race Central with great products on display, gear for sale and World Bicycle Relief competitions.
The MONT 07 is proudly supported by MONT Adventure Equipment, SRAM, JetBlack Products, Julbo, Camelbak, Gu, Niterider, Rockshox and a great group of supporters and volunteers. David White from Longrides Racing Pty Ltd is the Race Director.
David is looking forward to meeting and greeting all the MONT 07 competitors at the Mt Majura Winery, Canberra over the weekend of Oct 26 or 27.
2007 MTBA AUSTRALIAN MARATHON CHAMPIONSHIPS - Update 3 May 28, 2007
ENTRIES STILL OPEN - There are still places available for the Maxxis Coffs Mountain Marathon. We have had calls from riders who had heard that the event is full. THAT IS NOT CORRECT THERE ARE STILL PLACES AVAILABLE. Hurry, entries close 1st June so log onto www.twowheelpromotions.com.au and enter now. For more info on the course read the following article.
Course Description - Article written by local rider Trevor Creighton
The 100klm course is the culmination of months of collaboration between Two Wheel Promotions and members of the Coffs Harbour Cycling Club. The event has received the co-operation of State Forest and is licenced to use National Parks which has allowed organizers exceptional scope to string together an outstanding variety of quality trails. The majority of the riding will be on well packed forest roads, giving plenty of opportunities for quick, safe passing. Thabks to the broad support of landholders only around 2% of the entire course is bitumen with around 30% being blissful single track. The topography varies from undulating to hilly, taking in Mt Seaview and Hyde's Peak as it heads south, before swinging slightly inland towards the outskirts of Bellingen. Mountain goats will love it and everyone will get a good work-out, but some fast, hard-packed descents should prove ample reward for the well-worked quads.
The course flows through a range of both eucalypt forest and rainforest, as well as more open grassland. The region has been extroadinarily fortunate to have received excellent rainfall for the past couple of years, which means dust free, well pacled trails and rich green scenery for those with an inclination to take it in. Good rain on or near the day is always a possibility, so riders from drier areas will need to dust off some wet weather skills that have probably been dormant for a while.
The variety of terrain and sheer abundance of quality riding will doubtless amaze everyone who's never ridden the area before. All in all, the Maxxis Coffs Mountain Marathon will be an exceptional event.
KHS announced as series sponsor for 2007 NSW/ACT XC Series May 28, 2007
NSWMTB is pleased to announce the KHS Bicycles will be the series sponsor for the 2007 NSW/ACT State Cross Country (XC) Series.
KHS Bicycles is distributed in Australia by Dirt Works and their product manager, Pat Howard, said that they see the state XC series as the perfect vehicle to get the brand out into the market place and increase brand awareness. “The sponsorship of the state XC series together with the Working Week Series and team riders Brian Price, Trevor Hill, Erica O’Brien and Craig Armour demonstrates our commitment to giving something back to the local mountain bike community” said Mr Howard.
By obtaining sponsorship for the XC series NSWMTB has for the first time gained sponsorship for all three mountain bike disciplines of DH, MTNX and XC. This year has seen NSWMTB make a concerted effort to increase the profile, professionalism, and number of riders in all events and gaining sponsorship for all disciplines has served to help fund these aims.
NSWMTB welcomes KHS Bicycles and believes that their involvement in the series will help to encourage more riders to join in the state XC series of races.
Pat Howard, Dirt Works Product Manager 02 9679 8411
2007 Scott Australian 24Hr MTB Championships - UPDATE 2 May 28, 2007
The 2007 Scott Australian 24Hr MTB Championships online entry system will go live at 1200 (AEST) on Friday 1 June 2007. The Scott website at www.scott24hr.com.au contains more info under the Race Info - Online Race Entry link, including a page you can download and print to get all the info you need from your other team members, so you're ready to go.
Or you can go direct to the Online Race Entry section and download a form.
There is also a new feature this year where your entry will be reserved for 30 minutes once you press Enter Online Now - especially important for those who leave it a bit late as the cutoff approaches, and it should be heaps of time for you to punch in your team info. But if you don't continue through to payment within that time, your entry goes back into the pool.
SCOTT 2007 Australian 24hr Mountain Bike Championships - Update1 May 19, 2007
Ready to re-live the anticipation, pain and camaraderie of the 24hr?
The Woodstock of Mountain Bike Racing - the SCOTT 2007 Australian 24hr Mountain Bike Championships is fast approaching. Will you be ready to compete in Canberra, October 13th-14th at Stromlo Forest Park?
About the 2007 Scott 24hr: · it IS the original 24hr race (our naming right sponsor changed from Mont to SCOTT last year) · it’s held by CORC rather than a private promoter – so any money raised goes back into mountain biking · it’s professionally event managed to ensure a successful event · it’s back at the original race site – Mt Stromlo · it gives you the chance to race at the same venue as the World Championships · it includes a Solo category · it’s to be held on the 13th- 14th October
What’s new this year? The 2007 course at Stromlo Forest Park will feature an Australia-first hour glass double-loop enduro course, tailored to work specifically for the 24hr race. This will mean: · less crowding on the course due to lower rider density · different terrain options and length for different team members, that is you can change riders at the end of each loop of the hour glass
The Venue The new Stromlo Forest Park, including: · brand new amenities including town water, fitted toilets and showers · purpose designed facilities – designed by mountain bikers. · larger camping space, with dedicated areas for competition classes. · enhanced event village · spectators pavilion overlooking transition · sealed road all the way to the car park · the spectacular sight of the riders’ lights on the mountain overlooking Canberra at night! · ease of access - Stromlo Forest Park is located 10 minutes drive from the heart of Canberra, encouraging a larger spectator audience.
The Event: · prizes – cash prizes as well as some very generous merchandise from our sponsors · entertainment – on site MTB, Trials and BMX shows and the “Handle Bar” with live entertainment including the latest MTB movies · village hub – the heart of activity for riders and spectators alike · festival atmosphere – providing a true sense of community and camaraderie · catering –all the nutritious and delicious indulgences you could want and need · Expo Alley – showcasing all the latest range of must have MTB gear
What’s next? Get your team together and get training! Online entries open June 1 but check out the website www.scott24hr.com.au for all the pre-event information you need.
Australia’s peak cycling bodies launch 4Wheels4Sean May 18, 2007
Australia’s peak cycling organisations Cycling Australia (CA), The Bicycle Federation of Australia (BFA), Mountain Bike Australia (MTBA) and BMX Australia (BMXA) have recently combined to launch 4Wheels4Sean as a national charity dedicated to assisting severely injured cyclists. The foundation’s objective is;
“To raise funds from the public by way of donations, sponsorship and the conduct of competitions for the sole purpose of providing financial assistance by way of the gift of money or chattels to permanent residents of Australia who the Trustees identify are in a position of financial need and are in necessitous circumstances as a result of a severe disability acquired whilst cycling.”
Many cyclists, particularly mountain bikers, will recall that 4Wheels4Sean was launched in 2001 with a goal of providing $50,000 for a specially adapted vehicle for Sean Fitzgerald. Sean, a keen cyclist, was made a quadriplegic in a mountain bike accident.
“Sean was presented with his vehicle in 2003 and the fund continued to provide for Australian cyclists in a small way for some years after.” explained Huw Kingston, Founder of 4Wheels4Sean and Chairman of the charity. “However in recent years the trustees of the ‘old’ 4Wheels4Sean just did not have the time to drive the charity forward and a decision was made to close it late in 2006. At the 11th hour Cycling Australia were in touch and suggested the charity continue.”
The other peak cycling organizations, representing recreational and competitive cycling in Australia fully supported a plan to get behind the charity. Each organisation now nominates a board member to 4Wheels4Sean.
“This is a wonderful outcome for Australian cycling and what is most encouraging is that CA, MTBA, BMX and BFA are enthusiastically working together to position 4Wheels4Sean as ‘THE’ charity supporting cyclists injured cycling. 4Wheels4Sean complements the Amy Gillett Foundation, whose primary role is in injury prevention”, Kingston added.
The re-launch was given added impetus by the serious spinal injuries suffered by BMX World Silver Medalist, Renee Junga and Australian National Road Champion, Paul Crake in late 2006.
In the coming months 4Wheels4Sean will be fully operational with its own website, criteria for funding and opportunities for fundraising.
For further information please contact 4W4S Chairperson, Huw Kingston on 0418 977609 or by email at , info@4wheels4sean.com.au
Australian team for 2007 BMX World Championships May 15, 2007
Some regular MTB competitors have been selected by BMXA for inclusion in the Australian team to contest the BMX World Championships.
The media announcement and team selection list is here::
Cycling Australia and BMX Australia are pleased to announce the team to contest the 2007 BMX World Championships being raced in Victoria, Canada from the 26th to the 29th of July.
Elite Women Tanya Bailey (Mariginiup, WA - 15/03/1981) Nicole Callisto (Beechboro, WA – 12/11/1987) Melissa Mankowski (Moranbah, QLD – 25/08/1988)
Elite Men Jared Graves (Toowoomba, Qld – 16/12/1982) Billy Jolliffe (Erina, NSW – 06/12/1986) Kamakazi (Jimboomba, QLD – 08/03/1981) Luke Madill (Cranebrook, NSW – 28/05/1980) Warwick Stevenson (Minto, NSW -13/05/1980) Khalen Young (St Helens Park, NSW – 20/11/1984)
Junior Men Steven Janssen (Nerang, QLD – 17/01/1990) Joshua Webb (Terrigal, NSW – 26/12/1989) Christopher Westwood (Cardiff, NSW – 14/04/198 Matthew Willoughby (Trott Park, SA – 03/11/1989)
James Maltman has been added to the Australian Junior DH team to contest the 2007 World MTB Championships. The team roster is now:
Downhill
Joel Bain (Mt Nasuru, WA 24.09.1989) Caroline Buchanan (Kambah, ACT 24.10.1990) Joshua Button (Boambee, NSW 25.11.1989) Mitchell Delfs (Gracetown, WA 25.07.1989) David Hetherington (Delacombe, VIC 16.07.1989) James Maltman (Stretton, QLD 02.03.1989) Tom Patton (Belrose, NSW 14.11.1990) William Rischbieth (Aldgate, SA 03.12.1989)
Cross Country
Peter Braunsteins (Kew, VIC 24.02.1990) Nathan Haas (Deakin, ACT 12.03.1989) Paul Van Der Ploeg (Tawonga South, VIC 09.11.1989)
The Elite and U23 Cross Country and Elite Downhill and 4X (Cross) selections for the 2007 MTB World Championships will be announced in mid-July as per the selection policy.
Vale - Justin Lowndes May 12, 2007
Justin Lowndes has passed away.
I first met Justin at our Tumbarumba IMBA trails Workshop. He was an unassuming sort of fellow - a trait that I am sure many of his close friends would attest to. We were riding to the trail head of the Hume and Hovell. He was lagging behind, relative to the rest of the group, but I was just keeping up with him. We got chatting as we do on leisurely trail rides and I discovered that he was a recipient of some extraordinary transplant surgery - he had received a new set of lungs. Here was I healthy and relatively fit just keeping pace with Justin. It was the beginning of a very welcome friendship.
Justin was enthusiastic about mountain bike. He was a stalwart of the Castlemaine Mountain Bike Club. He attended the first National Level Commissaires course at Eildon in 2004 and after that acted as the Chief Commissaire at several national rounds before his health deteriorated again. Here again his enthusiasm for MTB was infectious. I remember at one Mt Buller National round where he tramped up and down the mountain leading the Mt. Buller crew in getting the Downhill track ready for competition and during competition leading the repair of some of the more technical areas of the track - a true inspiration - I had to remind myself of where he came from from. But he was always hopeful and positive. He waited 14 months for his first transplant but only 5 weeks for his second, no doubt due to him being seen as a positive life force. Not many people get the chance of a second transplant.
Justin was looking forward to getting back on the bike and re-continuing his role as a National level Commissaire. He will be missed. MTB has lost a kindred spirit.
He summed up his impending demise with a quote for the newspaper saying that he has reached his expiration date, it was fun while it lasted, but shit happens.
MTBA wishes his family and relatives and friends our very sincerest condolences for their loss.
MTBA encourages all mountain bikers to register for organ donation. For the details see www.australiansdonate.org.au/
2007 - 2008 National MTB Series dates and venues announced May 11, 2007
The national series for the 2007/2008 season has been finalized. Once again the season sees 4 high quality venues conducting events from October 2007 through to February 2008. Two of these venues are new to the national series.
The season kicks off with the much anticipated MTNX#1 at Sydney Olympic Park (October 20). But as a first for MTNX the second round will also be staged at Sydney Olympic Park on the same weekend (October 20) - 2 national rounds, one weekend. Together with a National level BMX race on the same weekend the SOPA venue will be abuzz as Australia's best Mountain Crossers and BMX'ers come together in an extravaganza of 2-wheel action. Be there to check out the action!
This XC and DH season sees a return to Adelaide after a long absence with the first rounds (XCO#1, DH#1) being held at Eagle Park (November 3-4). This exciting new venue, built with huge support from the SA Government, will be one not to be missed. See what the hosts from Adelaide say.
"Located only 12km from the Adelaide CBD, Eagle Mountain Bike Park is set to host round 1 of the National Series on the 3rd and 4th of November. Organising the event will be the SA National MTB Consortium a joint venture between Adelaide Mountain Bike Club and Inside Line Downhill Mountain Bike Club. The purpose built venue has been professionally designed and managed by the State Government in collaboration with the local riding community and will feature Cross Country, Short Track Cross Country and Downhill competition. Technically challenging trails along with excellent spectator vantage points will combine for an enormously exciting event. South Australia hosts some of Australia’s highest profile cycling events including international BMX, Track and Road cycling events and Round 1 of the National MTB Series will further reinforce South Australia’s role as the cycling state. "
The second round of XCO and DH and the 3rd round for MTNX round will move to the Gold Coast (Illanbah) (November 24 - 25). This new venue to the national circuit has received great reviews by local Queensland riders at the Sunshine Series. The Gold Coast MTB Club say this about their new venue,
"We would like to invite you to come along to Illinbah Gold Coast Mountain Bike Clubs home base, the hub of multi discipline mountain biking in Queensland for two days of high performance mountain biking at Round 2 of the XCO and DH and round 3 of the MTNX National Series on 24 & 25 November 2007. Whether you are a Pro or a Novice there is something for everyone with camping and catering facilities on site on the banks of the Coomera River next to the race village. With an elevation of 500 meters the 2.3 km Downhill course is a proven high quality track with international riders often returning to ride. A pumpin, bumpin MTNX track sits right at the base and in front of race village. A challenging Cross Country track flows through the hills and finshes at race village. With great spectator advantage points for all four disciplines this will be the place to be in late November. After the dust has settled on Sunday evening come and stay for a holiday and enjoy the world renowed Gold Coast Beaches and Theme Parks in Australia's tourism capital."
The evergreen Thredbo venue (December 15-16) hosts XCO#3, DH#3 and MTNX#4 with chair-lifted DH competition, high altitude XC and a Jacobs inspired MTNX course this event will finish off the year very nicely. Raw NRG's principal said,
"For the 16th year in a row, Raw NRG is hosting a round of the MTBA National Series. The reintroduction of the Olympic format cross country was well received in 06/07 and Thredbo and Raw NRG look forward to producing a similar technical and testing trail. Downhill has always been a specialty of Thredbo courtesy of the chair lifted access and the Cannonball Run is being substantially rebuilt in the spring. Once again, Glen Jacobs mountain cross course will also be constructed in October. Keep an eye on RawNRG.com.au for online entry and all the race information."
The final rounds of the MTNX series (MTNX#5 and MTNX#6) will be hosted at Blackhill, near Newcastle (January 12 - 13), and yes it is once again a double header - which means great value and lots of action all weekend long.
The final rounds of XCO and DH (XCO#4 and DH#4) will be staged at the ever famous Mt. Beauty (February 2 - 3) just one week after the National Championships in Canberra. The hosts at Mt Beauty have this to say,
"The GRAND FINALE of the series will be hosted by Team Mount Beauty at the Nationally famous BIG HILL MTB PARK. Team Mount Beauty is one of Australia’s most experienced MTB event organizers with over a decade of hosting events of the highest caliber. The courses set by Team Mount Beauty in the Big Hill Mountain Bike Park always offer something for every rider. If you are into teeth grinding climbs we’ve got it, if you want fun flowing or technical X/C descents we’ve got it or if you prefer flat out adrenalin charged Downhill racing we’ve got that too. Add to this the excitement of the Short track raced through the event village. With the event being held the weekend after the National Championships and just 4.5 hours drive from Canberra it’s a great opportunity for riders to travel and compete in two major events. So take advantage of this as Team Mount Beauty will have plenty of stuff happening in the week between the Nationals and Round 4. Keep an eye on the website www.tmb.org.au for more info."
On top of all this action is the first Short Track XC (XCC) series. All the venues that are conducting XCO events will also stage a round of the XCC series. These will be run on the day following the XCO event and for those who have seen them run at Mt. Beauty and the Canberra National Championships know that they are fast, furious and very exciting to race and to spectate.
Of course the 2008 Australian MTB Championships in Canberra (January 24-28), which is sure to gain great media attention due to the ACT hosting the 2009 World MTB Championships (see MTBA website), will also see a revitalized venue at Mt Stromlo one year on from its debut in 2007.
Check out your local bike shop for a National Season primer which will be available early August.
A downloadable pdf with contact details for the hosts is available on the MTBA website and a rider information booklet will also available on the National Series website.
Please contact MTBA for any further information. Thank you for your interest and support of Australian MTB.
CORC’s Australian 24 hour championships May 11, 2007
Every October for the past eight years, Canberra Off Road Cyclists (CORC) have hosted the Australian 24 hour Championships.
The award-winning championships will make a historic return to Stromlo Forest Park – Australia's newest and most advanced outdoor cycling park – this year.
Renowned as one of the biggest 24hr mountain bike races, the marathon bike event – to be held from October 13-14 – continues to grow in stature and recently won Cycling Australia’s highest honour for cycling events.
The gruelling 24hr event, which attracts thousands of local, national and international riders, is also in the running for a coveted Australian Sports Award in the Sports Tourism category.
Known as the ‘Woodstock of mountain biking’, the 24hr is much more than a race - it’s an all-encompassing and adrenalin-filled weekend of mountain biking and enjoyment
Formerly known as the Mont and the Scott, if you only do one event each year – this is it.
IT WILL BE BETTER THAN EVER!
CORC, in consultation with Canberra track designer Paul Cole, is well progressed in setting a course (or perhaps courses!) that will inspire and excite riders of all abilities.
Gradually climbing sculpted singletrack to iconic areas like Magpie Rock, before flowing back down through seemingly never ending berms, the Mt Stromlo course will provide a 24 hour experience like no other. Add views across the event centre to Canberra – at night – and each lap will be simply outstanding.
THE RIDING WILL BE INCREDIBLE.
In 2007 the event will move to Stromlo Forest Park, the new ACT Government funded $7.5 million dollar cycling and recreation facility in Canberra. Just ten minutes from Canberra’s CBD, shopping and major tourist attractions, the race village will feature significantly improved facilities.
Stromlo Forest Park, which will also host the 2009 International Cycling Union (UCI) Mountain Bike and Trials World Championships already features 40km of Glen Jacobs designed trails, with funding for Stage two trails approved and construction about to begin.
With the 2007 Australian Mountain Biking Championships behind them, CORC’s steering committee is now fully focused on the planning and delivery of this year’s 24 hour.
After each event CORC undertakes a rigorous post-event debrief, and 2006 was no different. CORC is confident that the 2007 edition will be the best yet.
Be part of the ninth edition of this incredible event at Canberra’s Stromlo Forest Park which starts on Saturday 13 October and finishes 24 hours later on Sunday October.
KEY DATES:
Entries open June 1st, 2007 Event weekend October 13/14, 2007
Entries are filling fast for the Championships to be held at Coffs Harbour NSW on the 1st July. As part of the course is in National Parks we have a licence to allow 500 competitors 300 being on the 100klm course and 200 on the 50klm course. The course is set in the beautiful rainforest of the Pine Creek Forest and is a mountain bikers heaven with only a couple of kilometers of bitument. Don't be the one to miss out by not getting your entry in time. The area around there is not know as the promised land for nothing.
We are happy to announce our new Sponsor for the quarter Marathon the Pier Hotel. Registration will be at the Pier Hotel on Saturday 30th June from 12noon-9pm with rider information and dinner available for competitors.
DNA Active Kooralbyn Boonah Marathon - Kooralbyn QLD 3rd June
Entries close on the 8th May for the Kooralbyn Boonah Marathon.
There are 3 distances to choice from 85klm Full, 65klm Lite or 30klm Recreational. Don't be fooled by the distances the Kooralbyn Boonah Marathon is a very demanding course with some gruelling climbs and heart-stopping descents, spectacular scenery. Take on the "infamous Wall" the hill that goes on and on but the rewards of a downhill after you make the climb. For those wanting to experience the beautiful countryside and not wanting to tackle "the wall" the 30klm choice is a great option for those wanting to finish at Boonah. The Full and Lite Marathon are big loops starting and finishing at Kooralbyn.
Taberlay touches base after first World Cup April 24, 2007
Tasmanian mountain bike rider, Sid Taberlay claims he was a little worried before racing the first World Cup Cross Country event in Houffalize, Belgium last weekend. After spending two weeks prior to the race in perfect sunshine, Taberlay was pessimistic about conditions during the race.
“So often the weather is good leading into the race and it changes for the worst the day or night before the race,” Taberlay explained.
Much to Taberlay’s surprise the sun gods stayed out leaving the technical, climbing course full of braking bumps and dust.
“This year’s course added another climb and descent to previous years, making it even harder,” he said.
Taberlay started mid-pack in 66th position. This was due to a poor season last year. It was always going to be hard for him to get anywhere near the front. Sid had a reasonable start, moving up to 30th by the end of the start loop and first lap.Then it all changed. “Perhaps I got a little excited trying to get onto the back of a group on a quick descent,” said Taberlay. “I found myself at the bottom of the descent with my bike still at the top!”
After loosing places and suffering gear trouble for the rest of the race, Taberlay eventually finished in 44th place.
The outlook is still good according to Taberlay, “At least I move up on the start line for the next World Cup in Germany at the end of May.”
How the other Australian’s went: 23 Chris Jongewaard (Aus) Dolphin Bike Team 63 Daniel McConnell (Aus) 77 Lachlan Norris (Aus) 96 Shaun Lewis (Aus)
Australian Junior MTB Team selected April 19, 2007
From Cycling Australia.
The following cyclists have been selected to represent Australia in the World Mountain Bike Championships to be held in Fort William, Scotland 3 – 9 September.
Elite and U23 Cross Country and Elite Downhill and 4X selections will be finalised by 17 July – as per the selection policy.
DOWNHILL U19 Men Joel Bain (WA) Joshua Button (NSW) Mitch Delfs (WA) David Hetherington (Vic) Tom Patton (NSW) Will Rischbieth (SA)
DOWNHILL U19 Women Caroline Buchanan (ACT)
CROSS COUNTRY U19 Men Peter Braunsteins (Vic) Nathan Haas (ACT) Paul Van Der Ploeg (Vic)
We wish the team all the very best for a successful Championship.
Chris Jongewaard the new #1 at UCI XCO rankings April 19, 2007
Lausanne, Switserland - The UCI has announced the latest update of the worldwide rankings. Chris Jongewaard has made a suberb entry for his new team Dolphin: he's the new #1 leader in UCI rankings with 330 points.
The current Australian and Oceania champion was added at the last moment to the Dolphin team. It turned out to be a golden opportunity for the young and ambitious team from The Netherlands. Dolphin also takes the lead in the team rankings at the moment.
Alex Lloyd also currently leads the 4X table with 310 points. Nathan Rennie shares 1st place (240pts) in the DH rankings with Sam Hill a close 2nd with 235 points.
Selection Criteria Amendment, Junior Mountainbike Team
April 11, 2007
From Cycling Australia.
I advise that due to extenuating circumstances the confirmation and announcement of the National Junior Mountainbike Team selections scheduled in accord with published criteria has been delayed by seven (7) days.
Clause 12.1 of Section E (MTB Specific Selection Criteria) of the Cycling Australia 2007 Selection Policy and Criteria is amended to now read as follows;
JUNIORS & Pre-Selections Tue 17 April – Team selections announced by CA Fri 20 April – Closing date for Appeals against non-selection Weeks commencing 23 & 30 April – Period identified to conduct Appeal hearings
This amendment is effective immediately and we apologise for any inconvenience caused by this change in schedule.
Bell claims victory in Australian Solo 24hr Championships April 9, 2007
Victorian endurance rider Andrew Bell overcame exhaustion and a rugged Mt Majura track to claim a hard-fought victory today in the 2007 Australian Solo 24hr Mountain Bike Championships in Canberra.
Bell, who finished second in the championships last year, triumphed over 70 riders to win Australia’s most grueling 24hr mountain bike race at Innabaanya Guide Camp at Mt Majura pine forest during the Easter long-weekend.
The 32-year-old part-time bike courier held off tough competition from Australia’s best endurance riders to complete 49 laps of the 8.2km course, one lap ahead of fellow Victorian rider John Claxton. Bell’s victory means he will represent Australia at the 24hrs of Adrenalin World Solo Championships in Monterey, California in October.
“It’s the best thing ever – I’ve been working towards this for three years and it was a bonus to win the national championships and represent Australia at the world championships,” Bell said.
Bell said his preparation was really strong for the event after winning the Tassie 12 hour Enduro in March. Second placed Claxton finished strongly and up-and-coming ACT rider Daniel Mackay took out third place.
“The Mt Majura track was the most demanding that I have ever ridden and I was so surprised to finish third with so many big name riders in the championships – I couldn’t have done it without my support crew,” said Mackay from Cook in Canberra.
NSW rider Katherine Van der Spiegel, 35, never looked in doubt as she lead the Women’s category for the entire race after completing 42 laps. “It’s the second time that I have won the race – I paced myself through the night and managed to hold on,” Van der Spiegel said.
Defending World 45-49 age category World Solo Champion Craig Peacock, from Victoria, also won his category and will represent Australia to defend his title.
The leading riders covered more than 400km and climbed over 5000 metres of Mt Majura during the race, hosted by Canberra Off Road Cyclists (CORC) in conjunction with Apis Events. Both winners will have their airfare and race entry paid to compete in the 24hrs of Adrenalin World Solo Championships.
The newly-crowned Australian Solo 24hr Mountain Bike Champions were presented with the green and gold Australian Jersey by Mountain Biking Australia President Gillian Duncan.
On Sunday the 1st April the 2007 Victorian Championships were conducted by the Bendigo MTB Club.
The event was held on a 6.3km predominately single trail track which included some new sections of track. 126 competitors registered in 16 categories, with good numbers of juniour and womens riders.
A field of 25 riders started in the Elite category, having to complete 7 laps of the course. Murray Spink (giant), 19 yr old Lachlan Norris, local riders Josh Fleming and (roady) Tim Hucker went out hard with Ballarats Phil Orr in an attempt to establish a winning lead. After lapping close together for the first 4 laps the pressure began to tell, with Spink and Norris beginning to pull away from the rest of the field. On the bell lap they had established a 2-3 min advantage over the chasing riders, and this set up a duel to see who had the most left for the last lap. In the end Murray Spink was just too strong taking out another Victorian State Championship title, with Lachlan Norris 10 sec behind in 2nd and Josh Fleming finishing strongly to take 3rd, 4th place went to Phil Orr and 5th Tim Hucker.
The womens Elite with the absence of National Champion Tori Thomas proved to be a closely fought 5 lap race between Jenni King, local rider Jo Wall and (Spokens) Erica Gerner. Jenni was able to pull away in the last 2 laps to take the win 62sec from Jo Wall and closely followed by Eric Gerner.
Expert men was won by Ern Francis 35 sec in front of Ashley Hayat, Local Rob Hucker, Tim Mc Coll and Nick Bird won Under 19, Veterans and Masters Men respectively, in times that would have seen either of them take out the Expert category.
A strong field of under 15's were in attendance, with local riders Matthew Keays 1st, Jack Haig 2nd enjoying the home track advantage with Lance Renshaw 3rd (from Warragul). In the Under 17’s Luke Fletch came from behind to take 1st, from James Peacock (Scott Flight Centre Team) and Paul Liston 3rd. 15yr old Shelley Flood overcame a broken chain to finish 1st in under 17's women and Anslie Bennett finished 1st in under 15 women. Special mention goes to 12 yr old Liam Kennelly-Griggs competing in his first Mtb race in the “fun” category, completed his 2 laps and finishing 1st.
Australian Solo 24Hr MTB Championship 2007 - Results April 8, 2007
The Australian Solo 24Hr MTB Championship 2007 results are now available for download here. The summary for the overall classification is:
1 Andrew Bell 49 laps 24:00:20 (1st in Male 30_34) 2 John Claxton 48 laps 24:00:23 (2nd in Male 30_34) 3 Daniel Mackay 46 laps 24:03:37 (1st in Male 25_29)
1 Katrien Van Der Spiegel 42 laps 24:06:57 (1st in Female 35_39) 2 Alexandra Kiendl 39 laps 24:18:39 (1st in Female 30_34) 3 Celia Thompson 37 laps 24:04:5 (1st in Female 35_39)
Lap length: 8.20 km
My impressions and memories of the Solo 24hr are:
1. The everlasting smile from Celia Thompson (who after 37 laps was still smiling at presentations after gaining 3rd overall in the female classification) 2. The F1 pit crew of Graeme Allbon who looked after him (he finished on 44 laps in 5th place overall and 1st in his age class of 40-44) 3. The way Craig Gordon's crew looked after him after he was taken by a stomach bug which left him quite ill after 16 laps 4. The kangaroos crossing the finish straight almost knocking off several riders as they sought refuge in the forest from all the night action.
Download the full overall classification results here. For lap times for each competitor and individual age classifications see the CORC website..
2007 MTBA AUSTRALIAN MTB MARATHON CHAMPIONSHIPS - ENTRIES NOW OPEN April 4, 2007
DON'T MISS OUT
Entries are now open for the Maxxis Coffs Mountain Marathon to be held at Pine Creek Forest, Bonville, Coffs Harbour on 1st July. Get your entries in early as numbers are limited in the Full Marathon 300 and Half Marathon 200 allowed in a section of the course in National Park . The quarter marathon does not use this section of the course and we have no limits on the number of riders who can take part in the 25klm.
This is a beautiful part of the country with the course all contained in forest with leafy undergowth and rainforest to give you a fantastic days riding.
Don't be dissapointed by missing out on a place by not getting your entry in early. Enter now at www.twowheelpromotions.com.au
Bali Challenge '07 March 26, 2007
We at PHJ Sport Management are pleased to announce a MTB Open Championships called “BALI CHALLENGE ‘07”. This event will help to support BALI Recovery program.
The information of the event is as follows - Race category : XC and DH - Partcipant category : Men Elite and Women Elite : from ASEAN, Japan, Australia, China and Korea - Rules & Regulation : UCI and Specific Regulation to apply. - Date of event : 23rd May 2007 – Course inspection ( by walking) : 24th May 2007 – Seeding run for DH : 25th May 2007 – Final for DH : 26th May 2007 – Final for XC - Venue : Kintamani, Bali Island. About 1,500 m above sea level - Prize Money : Men Elite (XC and DH) each: : 1st Winner : Rp. 5.000.000.- : 2nd Winner : Rp. 4.000.000.- : 3rd Winner : Rp. 3.000.000.- : 4th Winner : Rp. 2.000.000.- : 5th Winner : Rp. 1.000.000.- : Women Elite (XC and DH) each: : 1st Winner : Rp. 3.000.000.- : 2nd Winner : Rp. 2.500.000.- : 3rd Winner : Rp. 2.000.000.- : 4th Winner : Rp. 1.500.000.- : 5th Winner : Rp. 1.000.000.-
- Entry fee : Rp. 150.000.-/person/category (currently 1,000,000Rp is $AUS136)
Should you need more information, please do not hesitate to contact PHJ by e-mail address: phjsport@yahoo.co.id or by fax to +62 21 6302727
Best regards Perry H Josohadisoerjo / Chairman
2007 Oceania MTB Championships - Day 3 - DH March 26, 2007
World Champ doubles with Oceania win
Downhill Elite Women
Once again the New Zealand women dominated the Oceania Championships and this time they proved too strong in the downhill for their Aussie counterparts on Sunday. Auckland’s Jennifer Makgill clocked an impressive 7.10.19 to claim her first Oceania title. In her final run, New Zealand’s National Champion, Scarlett Hagen from Queenstown was ten seconds off the pace in a time of 7.20:45. Hagen temporarily moved into second place, until World Junior Champion, Tracey Hannah set a 7.18:23 to split the kiwis and take second place. Hannah’s time was well outside of Makgill’s giving the kiwi her second Oceania medal after winning silver in the Mountain Cross on Friday.
Fourth place was taken out by New Zealand’s National silver medallist, Amy Laird from Christchurch which placed her in front of the Australian National Champion, Joanne Fox in fourth. Canberra pair Cara Smith and Claire Whiteman finished in sixth and seventh respectively.
The cancellation of the downhill seeding run on Saturday due to weather conditions meant it was difficult for spectators to gauge which riders were expected to perform well. On Sunday the rain disappeared but cold conditions prevailed.
The chilly conditions were unfamiliar to the tropical North Queensland rider, Tracey Hannah. “No matter how much you warm up it doesn't make a difference," she said. “My hands and feet are still frozen.”
Downhill Elite Men
Current World Downhill Champion, Sam Hill did not disappoint fans when he blitzed down the 'Cannonball Run' course in Thredbo on Sunday. The 21 year old Perth rider made up ground coming down in 6:14.39. Hill now lays claim to back to back Oceania Championships after taking out last year's event in Rotorua.
Hill was relieved to have a win in Australia this season after a crash at the National Championships one month earlier robbed him of that title.
World bronze medallist, Nathan Rennie’s time of 6.16.78 was respectable however it only secured him second place. After winning the previous two National level races on the same course Rennie knew that would not guarantee him a win. “When you’ve got riders like Sam it’s never going to be easy,” he said.
Canberra’s popular downhill rider, Jared Rando recorded a 6.21.12 to make it into third place. Even though it was well outside of his course record of 6.05:42 it proves that track conditions were affected by a full day of rain stopping some of the world’s fastest riders from challenging the record.
Mt Beauty’s Liam Panozzo had the fastest run of the day for much of the elite run allowing him a long stay in the ‘hot seat’ until Bryn Atkinson from the Blue Mountains knocked him out. National Series overall winner, Amiel Cavalier from Wollongong did not have enough speed to knock Atkinson out of fourth place. Cavalier and Panozzo finished in fifth and sixth respectively.
Under 19 Men Downhill
In one of the closest finishes on record at Thredbo, the second and third Under 19 men’s places were decided by officials who had to go to thousandths of a second to separate the pair. A dominating performance by Will Rischbieth got him a clear win with a time of 6.32.43. Officials then checked the timing clocks to decide between Queensland’s James Maltman and New Zealand’s Matthew Scoles for the order for the next two podium places. Seven thousandths of a second was the winning margin eventually giving Maltman second and Scoles third in a remarkably close finish for such a long course.
Under 19 Women Downhill
Canberra youngster, Caroline Buchanan added another title to her belt by winning the Under 19 Downhill Oceania Championship title. The 16 year old won the elite Mountain Cross title on Friday evening. Buchanan did crash on the downhill course but managed a 7:55.79 in her first Oceania downhill event.
In the Australian Open Downhill event run concurrently with the Oceania Championship, Slovakian rider Filip Polc elected to ride in expert men. Polc recorded the fourth fastest overall time of the day with a 6.23.14. At presentations Polc graciously allowed Brisbane’s Randall Huntington to take the title which won him accolades from fellow mountain bikers. The Slovakian was content to lay claim to fourth fastest as a comparison to some of the best downhillers in the world.
For further vision info, photos and interivews. Sharon Payne Media Manager Mountain Bike Australia E: sharon@bikemedia.com.au M: 0412 773500
Elite Men 1 1 Sam Hill (AUS, Mad Catz Iron Horse) 6:14.39 2 2 Nathan Rennie (AUS, Team Syndicate) 6:16.78 3 15 Jared Rando (AUS, Giant) 6:21.12 4 6 Bryn Atkinson (AUS) 6:23.27 5 10 Amiel Cavalier (AUS, GIANT Bicycles, Shimano, FOX suspension, Spearman Cycles) 6:25.41 6 44 Liam Panozzo (AUS, SsangYong-fusion Pro Team) 6:27.63 7 20 Ben Cory (AUS) 6:28.99 8 21 Timothy Eaton (AUS, Manitou, Blur Optics, Troy Lee Designs, The Bike Shed Canberra) 6:29.71 9 26 Wyn Masters (NZL, Bike New Zealand) 6:32.50 10 22 Craig Yates (AUS, GIANT AUSTRALIA-SRAM-AVID-ROCKSHOX-FOX) 6:33.61 11 16 Cameron Cole (NZL, Bike New Zealand) 6:36.55 12 45 Chris Panozzo (AUS, SsangYong-fusion Pro Team) 6:37.78 13 19 Ricky Boyer (AUS) 6:38.46 14 51 James Bashford (AUS) 6:39.49 15 55 Shane Wode (AUS) 6:40.69 16 11 Keiran Bennett (NZL, Bike New Zealand) 6:40.94 17 23 Ricky Lee (AUS) 6:41.33 18 61 Andrew Mills (AUS) 6:42.13 19 50 Alex Swann (AUS) 6:42.19 20 40 Jon Odams (AUS, bikeculture.com.au , orange/royal , 661 , e13 , dragon , T.H.E) 6:45.59 21 49 Hayden McGregor (AUS) 6:45.85 22 37 Adam Dossetor (AUS, Turner, DH Direct, Bilt, Imperial, Raw Nrg, ANOMIA designs) 6:45.89 23 27 Michael Davis (NZL, Bike New Zealand) 6:46.30 24 67 Adam Smithson (AUS) 6:47.86 25 62 Rhys Atkinson (AUS) 6:49.98 26 54 Tim Mann (AUS) 6:53.36 27 65 Gareth Paton (AUS) 6:53.69 28 52 Tom Richards (AUS) 6:54.91 29 46 Chris Whitelock (AUS, pinnical cycles. Steve cramer products) 6:55.32 30 47 Robbie McNaughton (AUS, ) 6:56.52 31 48 Isaac Heppell (AUS,) 6:56.56 32 24 Dean Robson (AUS, foes,manitou,troy lee designs,magura) 6:57.08 33 58 Cillian Kennedy (AUS) 6:57.15 34 59 Hamish Armstrong (AUS) 6:59.70 35 39 John Farrow (AUS, AppalacheSIC usa) 7:00.00 36 42 Jarl Jensen (AUS) 7:01.83 37 56 Thomas Rose (AUS) 7:02.99 38 66 James McMillan (AUS) 7:03.05 39 41 Chris Barlin (AUS, SIC USA, Hoots, Appalache) 7:04.10
40 29 Ben Morrison (AUS, ManitouTroy Lee DesignsUtopia
OpticsFoesRaw NRGBlack Phoinex FilmsKick ass KustomCompound) 7:04.19 41 64 Adam Bashford (AUS) 7:04.71 42 63 Scott Graham (AUS) 7:07.73 43 28 Ben Goff (AUS, orange, royal racing) 7:07.82 44 30 Trevwah Burke (AUS, woodduck`s extreme squid fishing glass bottom boats rides.co) 7:08.34 45 38 Dean Davies (AUS, Ashgrove Cycles, Neezy Pty Ltd, Health Fusion Natural Therapy) 7:14.83 46 33 Tom Kerney (AUS) 7:17.62 47 31 Brenden Wood (AUS, Yarra Valley Cycles) 7:19.93 48 35 Jimmy Danchaud (FRA, Comite Regional de Cyclisme New Caledonia) 7:22.61 49 60 Kye Hore (AUS) 7:32.73 Did Not Start 43 Damien Perry (AUS, Inner City Cycles) 32 Andrew Dapre (AUS) 36 Leger Ouamba (FRA, Comite Regional de Cyclisme New Caledonia)
Elite Women 1 308 Jennifer Makgill (NZL, Bike New Zealand) 7:10.19 2 302 Tracey Hannah (AUS) 7:18.23 3 304 Scarlett Hagen (NZL, Bike New Zealand) 7:20.45 4 303 Amy Laird (NZL, Bike New Zealand) 7:39.92 5 311 Joanne Fox (AUS) 7:58.87 6 307 Cara Smith (AUS, Onya Bike Belconnen, Paton Performance) 8:18.54 7 306 Claire Whiteman (AUS, Kona Mt-Buller Factory DH teamACT Academy of SportMal Adjusted Bicycles) 8:18.73 8 310 Rosemary Barnes (AUS) 8:40.82 9 309 Sarsha Huntington (AUS, FOR THE RIDERS.COM) 8:43.15
Under 19 Men 1 629 Will Rischbieth (AUS, GIANT bicycles, Aldgate Bikes, Drizabone Australia) 6:32.43 2 627 James Maltman (AUS, SsangYong-fusion Pro Team) 6:33.792 3 605 Matthew Scoles (NZL, Bike New Zealand) 6:33.799 4 601 Tom Patton (AUS, Orange,manitou,TroyLeeDesigns,bike addiction,bluroptics,steve cramer) 6:40.09 5 614 Joshua Button (AUS, Dee Why beach Cycles, Sign FX Sydney, Mongoose Bikes) 6:41.55 6 603 Dylan Prohm (AUS, Astrix Sports, Endeavour Cycles) 6:42.40 7 630 Samuel Ward (AUS, Monza Imports, The Bike Shed Mortdale) 6:44.21 8 611 Michael Langford (NZL, Bike New Zealand) 6:46.32 9 625 Kent Hamilton (AUS, St Ives Cycles) 6:46.57 10 606 David Scandrett (NZL, Bike New Zealand) 6:46.612 11 607 Peter Cooper (NZL, Bike New Zealand) 6:46.617 12 631 Joel Reuben (AUS) 6:47.54 13 609 Joel Daniels (NZL, Bike New Zealand) 6:48.45 14 610 Daniel Meilink (NZL, Bike New Zealand) 6:52.56 15 602 Matthew Vincent (AUS, DH-Direct, Severe, GLA) 6:53.29 16 623 Chris Coombe (AUS) 6:54.53 17 608 Joseph Nation (NZL, Bike New Zealand) 6:57.78 18 621 James Taormina (AUS, Bike Culture Sydney) 6:58.72 19 613 Murray Stephens (AUS, Bendigo Cycles) 6:58.99 20 628 Ryan Meader (AUS) 7:02.29 21 616 Tim Windshuttle (AUS, Raw NRG Thredbo) 7:06.40 22 604 Cameron Allonby (AUS) 7:08.37 23 626 Ben Leaper (AUS, The Bike Shed Mortdale) 7:08.55 24 633 David Habicht (AUS) 7:14.42 25 635 Brenton Gowen (AUS) 7:17.24 26 617 David Gnany (AUS, SPY OPTICS) 7:19.91 27 619 Tom Maury (FRA, Comite Regional de Cyclisme New Caledonia) 7:24.55 28 612 Mark Beeksma (AUS, Cycle Logic, Rotec Cycles) 7:26.68 29 624 Patrick Young (AUS) 7:46.28 30 615 Mitchell McKinlay (AUS) 7:56.63 31 634 Dale Lecluse (AUS) 8:34.47 32 632 Tyson Jones (AUS) 9:54.56
Under 19 Women 1 681 Caroline Buchanan (AUS, KHS, Unit clothing, Crank Bros, Bike Shed Canberra) 7:55.79 2 682 Holly Kernohan-Smith (NZL, Bike New Zealand) 8:09.30 3 683 Kelly Hughes (AUS) 8:22.38
Full Australian Open of MTB results are available here
2007 Oceania MTB Championships - Day 3 - XC March 25, 2007
Kiwi girls dominate and Aussie men front up in the Olympic event
Elite Women’s Olympic Cross Country
A six month break from riding did not affect New Zealand's Rosara Joseph as she crushed her competition after not racing her mountain bike for eight months. Rosara rode an impressive 1.59:37 at the Oceania Mountain Bike Championships held at Thredbo on Sunday. The 24 year old did not even see her competition as she took out her second Oceania Olympic Cross Country title.
Joseph, a Rhode Scholar, rode the quickest lap recording 22 and a half minutes. Cool conditions suited the UK based, Joseph who remained unchallenged and rode the 5 laps in less than 2 hours, nearly 13 minutes faster than her nearest rival, Australia’s National Champion, Tory Thomas. “The first lap was really good then by the second and third lap I started to fade a little bit," she said.
For the Oxford University law student this was her first mountain bike race since placing 10th at the World Championships in Rotorua last August. "I was a little unsure of my form really," she said. "This is way beyond my expectations.”
To rub salt into the wounds, Joseph rode on a borrowed bike after her Giant frame was dinted in transit.
In a tussle for second place, Mt Beauty’s Tory Thomas was able to hold off a challenge by New Zealand’s Kaytee Boyd. Thomas pulled away from the kiwi in the fifth and final lap to take a second place. Ex-BMX rider Kaytee Boyd, rode in to claim third place proving that she has the predicted potential to make a top Cross Country rider.
New Zealand’s National Champion, Anja McDonald got up as high as third in the early laps but finished the race in fourth place. It was a disappointing race for Australian rider Kate Potter after winning on the same course in December and she had to be content with fifth place.
Elite men’s Olympic Cross Country
In the men’s Olympic Cross Country the Australian riders dominated with current National Champion, Chris Jongewaard taking out the title by three minutes over Dylan Cooper and Athens Olympian, Sid Taberlay. The Adelaide rider was pleased to win his first race since the Nationals Championships a month earlier.
Jongewaard rode a blistering average speed of 17.37 km per hour on a tricky and slippery 5.7 km course to finish the seven laps in 2:16:16.
The Elite men’s race saw Jongewaard and Taberlay break away from the field until a puncture in the second lap delayed the Tasmanian Taberlay.
“It was always going to be between Sid and I,” Jongewaard said after the race.
“I wasn’t feeling confident coming into today,” he said. “I haven’t done a lot on the mountain bike.”
He was not counting his success until the final lap after his experience in the last event at Thredbo where a flat tyre in the final lap on that occasion wrecked his chance of a podium spot.
“This is the start of the season so it will get tougher on from here with the World Cups and then the World Championships later in the year,” Jongewaard added.
Canberra’s Dylan Cooper was able to gain a spot and pass Taberlay and did not let him gain any ground. Cooper however never looked like threatening Jongewaard’s lead and finished in second with 2:19:31. Taberlay was not disappointed with third, preferring to ride a little easier after suffering a puncture and a slip in the wet conditions. The best placed New Zealander was Stuart Houltham in 9th.
Under 23 men’s Olympic Cross Country
In the Under 23 division, New Zealand’s Clinton Avery lead from start to finish, to take out his first Oceania title.. The Commonwealth Games representative completed the 6 laps in 1:58:09 to reverse last year’s placing that saw Australian Shaun Lewis take out the title with Avery second. Lewis looked to have second all sewn up until a wheel problem in the final lap saw the young rider loose about 6 minutes. Lewis finished a disappointing 4th. Second was strong Victorian rider, Daniel McConnell flying the flag for Australia with a ride of 2.01.29. Fellow team-mate Lachlan Norris took a well deserved third.
Under 23 women's Olympic Cross Country
The Under 23 women raced alongside Under 19 riders such as New Zealand’s rider Samara Sheppard who had an impressive time of 1.24:11 for three laps riding quicker than the Under 23 riders who still had one extra lap to go. The Under 23 winner after four laps was National Under 23 Champion, Lindsay Gorrell and South Australian, Terry Rhodes placed second.
For more information or vision details, photos or interviews. Sharon Payne Media Manager Mountain Bike Australia E: sharon@bikemedia.com.au M: 0412 773500
Elite Men Total Avg % Fast 1 3 Chris Jongewaard(AUS, Avanti/Shimano/Jt Cycles) 2:16:16.0 17.37 100.00% 2 4 Dylan Cooper(AUS, Conceptis.com.au, Ritchey, ACTAS, Scott) 2:19:31.8 16.95 97.58% 3 2 Sidney Taberlay(AUS) 2:23:54.5 16.53 95.17% 4 14 Brent Miller(AUS, Kenda/X-Fusion/Titus) 2:26:08.8 16.19 93.22% 5 7 Murray Spink(AUS, Giant Bicycles) 2:27:25.3 16.02 92.22% 6 9 Stuart Houltham(NZL, Bike New Zealand) 2:30:11.7 15.80 90.95% 7 11 James Williamson(AUS, Giant, Ritchey) 2:33:09.3 15.46 88.98%
8 12 Nick Both(AUS, Flight centre, Scott bikes, Netti,
Cratoni, Adidas eyewear, Accelerade) 3:10:59.7 14.85 85.45% 9 Lapped -1 10 Warren Burgess(AUS, King of the Mountain Cyclery) 2:20:36.5 14.34 82.53% 10 Lapped -2 15 James Meadley(AUS, Jelly Belly Pro Cycling Team) 1:58:30.4 14.18 81.60% 11 Lapped -3 16 Justin Price(NZL, Santa Cruz Bicycles, RNR Sport, Laroma Espresso) 1:39:29.3 13.51 77.76%
12 Lapped -3 8 Chris Winn(AUS, Yeti, Spoke(n), Smith, SRAM,
TruVativ, Fox Racing Shox) 1:41:15.7 13.27 76.40% 13 Lapped -4 6 Perren Delacour(AUS, Yeti Cycles, Smith Opticals) 0:42:43.7 15.73 90.53% Did Not Finish 5 Aiden Lefmann(AUS) DNF Did Not Start 13 Michael Blewitt(AUS, Cranks Bike Shop, Scott Bikes) DNS
Under 23 Men 1 61 Clinton Avery(NZL, Bike New Zealand) 1:58:09.4 17.06 98.21% 2 67 Daniel McConnell(AUS, SA.com MTB Team) 2:01:29.3 16.59 95.52% 3 62 Lachlan Norris(AUS, SA.com MTB Team) 2:03:42.9 16.30 93.80% 4 65 Shaun Lewis(AUS, SA.com MTB Team) 2:05:39.8 16.04 92.34% 5 64 James Maebus(AUS, Giant Bicycles, VIS, Michelin, BikeNOW, TEC Helmets, MUM) 2:07:52.4 15.77 90.75% 6 63 Ben Henderson(AUS, Mongoose Bikes) 2:11:27.4 15.34 88.27% 7 69 Daniel Johnston(AUS, Merida Bikes, Advance Traders, NTIS, Raceface Clothing) 2:12:47.2 15.18 87.39% 8 68 John Gray(NZL, Bike New Zealand) 2:16:23.5 14.78 85.08% 9 71 Joey Esterhuyzen(AUS, Western Sydney MTB Club) 2:24:43.1 13.93 80.18% 10 Lapped -1 70 Glenn Stewart(AUS, Cannondale, Sram, Maxxis, Sugio) 2:01:22.2 13.84 79.67% 11 Lapped -5 66 Daniel Braunsteins(AUS, SA.com MTB Team) 0:49:12.2 6.83 39.31% Did Not Finish 72 Cal Britten(AUS, KONA/MT BULLER FACTORY TEAM, VIS and Cyclepath) DNF
Elite Women 1 301 Rosara Joseph(NZL, Bike New Zealand) 1:59:37.9 14.04 80.83% 2 306 Tory Thomas(AUS, ORBEA, SRAM) 2:12:29.9 12.68 72.98% 3 311 Kaytee Boyd(NZL, Bike New Zealand) 2:13:30.5 12.58 72.43% 4 310 Anja McDonald(NZL, Bike New Zealand) 2:14:41.4 12.47 71.79%
5 307 Kate Potter(AUS, Cotic, A Quick Release Holidays, TORQ
Energy, Pace Forks, Bigfoot bags) 2:15:21.8 12.41 71.44% 6 308 Zoe King(AUS, King of the Mountain Cyclery/Cannondale) 2:17:33.1 12.21 70.30% 7 313 Emma Colson(AUS, Topbike Tours, Giant bicycles, Euro Eyewear , Geax Tyres) 2:18:17.1 12.15 69.93% 8 318 Jenni King(AUS, spoke(n)) 2:18:25.6 12.14 69.86% 9 316 Claire Haugh(AUS, Yeti) 2:24:46.8 11.60 66.79% 10 315 Rachel Rademaker(AUS, www.cyclelink.com.auMerida) 2:25:15.1 11.57 66.57% 11 319 Jodie Willett(AUS, eDiscovery Tools, River City Cycles) 2:25:58.1 11.51 66.25% 12 314 Joanna Wall(AUS, A & I Helicopter ServicesMoronis Bikes) 2:26:35.3 11.46 65.97% 13 309 Katherine O'Shea(AUS, Fitzroy Cylces, PowerBar and Michelin Tyres) 2:27:53.4 11.36 65.39% 14 312 Erin Greene(NZL, Bike New Zealand) 2:28:34.1 11.31 65.09% 15 Lapped -1 320 Imogen Smith(AUS) 2:01:19.5 11.08 63.76% 16 Lapped -1 317 Vanessa Hentschel(AUS, Croydon Cycleworks, Trek) 2:03:14.7 10.91 62.77% 17 Lapped -2 321 Niki Fisher(AUS) 1:39:04.2 10.17 58.57%
Under 23 Women 1 351 Lindsay Gorrell(AUS, McGee's Cycling Store, TREK, Clarence St Cyclery) 1:59:06.5 11.28 64.95% 2 352 Therese Rhodes(AUS, Jax Sport) 2:05:28.1 10.71 61.66%
Under 19 Women 1 641 Samara Sheppard(NZL, Bike New Zealand) 1:24:11.6 11.97 68.91% 2 Lapped -2 642 Kelly Hughes(AUS) 1:25:49.9 3.91 22.53% Did Not Start 643 Kate McMillan(AUS) DNS
Full Australian Open of MTB results are available here.
2007 Oceania MTB Championships - Day 2 - U19 XC March 24, 2007
Van der Ploeg dominates in Oceania U19 mens XCO
In the morning the Under 19 Olympic Cross Country riders headed out
into heavy rain. Mt Beauty’s Paul van der Ploeg delivered yet another
dominant display to claim the Oceania Championships Under 19 Men’s
Title over five laps of a grueling Thredbo course.
In driving
rain van der Ploeg led the field by almost two minutes after just one
lap and, while his lap times gradually increased in comparison to
Canberra’s Nathan Hass’s consistent laps, the reigning National
Champion was never worried.
Hass was himself well clear of
Peter Braunsteins, who spent the early laps in a battle for third with
leading New Zealand rider Connor MacFarlane.
New Zealand’s national champion, James Williamson, suffered in the wet conditions and was only able to finish 7th.
While
the New Zealanders presented a polished team in their matching Silver
Fern uniforms, they were unable to make any kind of dent on the
outstanding performance of van der Ploeg, who remains unbeaten in the
under 19’s over the Australian season.
With fine conditions
expected tomorrow the Elite Olympic Cross Country will get underway.
The downhill race will be run now as a final run with the track
expected to be slippery.
Mountain Bike Downhill seeding cancelled from cold
Weather conditions at Thredbo caused cancellations of the Downhill seeding run. UCI Chief Commisaire, Derek McCarthy made the decision at 2.54 pm to cancel the ranking run for all the elite and Under 19 riders with the temperature at 8.3 degrees and with the wind chill factor or minus 3.
“Already since we made the decision the temperature has dropped one degree. The decision was made on safety with a cold front coming through and they are predicting snow,” he said, ” said McCarthy. By late afternoon the temperature plummeted to 2 degrees. Several elite riders had done practice runs in the rain but all agreed with the decisions.
Under 19 Men 1 601 Paul Van Der Ploeg (AUS, Felt Bicycles, SRAM, Hutchinson) 1:50:06.1 2 606 Nathan Haas (AUS, Orbea Australia, Actas ) 1:51:52.1 3 604 Peter Braunsteins (AUS, Richmond cyclery ) 1:52:32.0 4 610 Conor MacFarlane (NZL, Bike New Zealand ) 1:54:13.1 5 607 Benjamin Dyball (AUS) 1:55:49.3 6 613 Jordan Blake (NZL, Bike New Zealand ) 1:56:56.1 7 609 James Williamsonnz (NZL, Bike New Zealand ) 1:58:52.2 8 603 Daniel Hallam (AUS, Greg Swain (Coach).Advance Traders.Merida.Nerang Mountain Bike Club) 1:59:33.7 9 611 Scott Green (NZL, Bike New Zealand ) 1:59:40.9 10 615 Alex McGregor (NZL, Bike New Zealand ) 2:00:37.5 11 605 Luke Knox (AUS, Bendigo Bank Academy of Sport Villawood ) 2:03:02.7 12 602 Robbie Hucker (AUS, Cannondale maxxis mountain bike racing team , sram,sugoi,enervit,giro) 2:03:44.2 13 612 Ashley Hough (NZL, Bike New Zealand ) 2:04:23.4
14 616 Jonathan Coates (AUS) 2:05:45.9 15 608 Jarrad Burrell (AUS, Kalamunda Cycles ) 2:08:18.5 16 614 George Bennett (NZL, Bike New Zealand ) 2:13:08.4
2007 Oceania MTB Championships - Day 1 - MTNX March 23, 2007
MOUNTAIN CROSS WOMEN CRASH
The first official event in the UCI Oceania Mountain Bike Championships kicked off in Thredbo today with the men's and women's Mountain Cross finals.
Top riders from Australia and around the world including New Zealand's World Junior Downhill Champion, Cameron Cole and Australia's National Series winner, Terry Scarr put their skills to the test.
In Mountain Cross groups of four riders go head-to-head through a series of double jumps, table tops, rollers and tight berms, before sprinting to the finish line.
Unlike traditional courses where the first rider out of the gates usually wins, this course features a multi-line track forcing riders to use tactics and line choice to get them on the podium.
The final four in the women’s race was a trans-Tasman affair with two Aussies and two Kiwis in the starting gates. Australia's National Mountain Cross champion Caroline Buchanan took the lead early and was a clear winner, but all the action took place in her wake. A collision between Sarsha Huntington and Scarlett Hagen a double jump made way for earlier crash victim Jennifer Makgill to steal second place. Huntington reclaimed her bike to take third spot for the Aussies with the current Elite New Zealand Champion, Hagen in fourth.
Buchanan was oblivious to the mayhem, “I heard lots of people coming down. I didn't know who was up and who was down so I just kept riding.”
The 16 year old Buchanan was a little concerned about competing against overseas riders, “I was worried about the Kiwis. I’ve never raced them before,” she admitted. Even though the Kiwi riders moved into second place it was the Brisbane rider, Sarsha Hungtington, who concerned Buchanan the most.
New Zealand's Jennifer Makgill was elated to win on her downhill bike. When asked about the crashes Makgill took it in her stride. "It's four cross, luck was on my side today," she explained.
The elite men's final was a full New South Wales line-up with Alex Lloyd, Luke Strom, Bryn Aitkinson and Terry Scarr all chasing a first place finish. The two favourite New Zealand riders, Cameron Cole and Wyn Masters were eliminated in the quarter final leaving it to the Aussies to battle it out for podium honours. Lloyd and Scarr were side-by-side from the start, until Scarr pulled his foot allowing Lloyd to go on and win. Hot favourite Luke Strom couldn't regain any ground on Lloyd and finished in second place.
"I felt pretty confident. I've been training fairly hard this week. I knew Terry was the one to watch out for," explained Lloyd.
Second placed Luke Strom's race did not go according to plan. “I had a bad start. The other guys had a bit of a lead over me. .I was trying to chase down Alex to try and make a move and get in front. He was too far ahead I couldn't make the distance," admitted Strom.
Strom admitted he had been concerned about the presence on New Zealand rider, Cameron Cole. “Cameron's a junior world champion fast downhill and an ex- BMXer rider and a really fast four cross rider," said Strom. 'I think Cameron was pretty unlucky being so close to Bryn on the finish line. It was unlucky for him to go out in the quarters."
All eyes will be on the potential Olympians competing in the Olympic Cross Country on Sunday. The final event on Sunday boasts a world class line-up with World Champion Sam Hill and Nathan Rennie, the bronze medallist up against World Junior Champion Cameron Cole from New Zealand.
Elite Men 1. Alex Lloyd (St Clair, NSW) 2 Luke Strom (East Blaxland, NSW) 3. Bryn Atkinson(Blue Mountains, NSW) 4 Terry Scarr (Raby Bay, NSW)
5th Jared Rando (Canberra) 6th Shane Wode (Cairns) 7th Ricky Boyer (Blue Mountains) 8th Timothy Eaton (Canberra) 9th Randal Huntington (Brisbane) 10th Cameron Cole (New Zealand) 11th Wyn Masters (New Zealand) 12th Tim Dunn 13th Mitchell Scarr 14th Adam Nicholson 15th Shannon Rademaker 16th Adam Dossetor 17th Thomas Rose 18th Ricky Lee 19th Richard Levison 20th Nathan Rennie
Elite Women 1 Caroline Buchanan (Canberra) 2 Jennifer Makgill (New Zealand) 3 Sarsha Huntington (Brisbane) 4 Scarlett Hagen (New Zealand)
Full results for the Australian Open of MTB are here.
Oceania MTB Championships - Preview March 23, 2007
UCI Oceania Mountain Bike Championships rate high in Thredbo
The UCI Oceania Championships in Threbo, New South Wales gets underway officially with the Mountain Cross this evening.
The absence of Australia’s National Champion, Luke Madill, and Jared Graves who are aiming for BMX Olympic selection allows for pure mountain bikers to fight it out. Close rivalry is expected between National Series winner, Terrance Scarr (Raby, NSW) and Luke Strom (East Blaxland, NSW) along with our highest placed rider at the World Championships ,Alex Lloyd (St Clair, NSW. The absence of last year’s Oceania winner, John Kirkcaldi from New Zealand leaves an opening for Wyn Masters, the silver medallist at their national championships to retain the title for New Zealand.
The women’s event features National Champion, Caroline Buchanan (Canberra). At only 16 years of age Buchanan is expected to take on the likes of New Zealand’s Scarlett Hagen, Jennifer Makgill and Amy Laird.
Downhill – Saturday & Sunday Saturday’s racing lays claim to the World’s best downhill riders competing in a seeding run on the ski slopes of Thredbo. With Australia ranked as one of the best countries in the world, the Oceania’s has attracted World Champion, Sam Hill (Perth,WA)) and the bronze medallist Nathan Rennie (Gold Coast,QLD) coming head to head with the best New Zealand riders. The 2006 World Junior Champion, Cameron Cole from New Zealand now has to mix it with his seniors and will be out to prove his second in elite at the New Zealand Nationals recently was well deserved. The Downhill final run will be the final event on Sunday afternoon with riders expected to reach speeds in excess of 60 km per hour.
Reigning World Junior Downhill Champion, Tracey Hannah (Cairns, QLD) will compete against New Zealand's Scarlett Hagan in a bid to reverse placings and win after placing fifth and fourth last year. Australian National Series winner Claire Whiteman (Canberra, ACT) will pursue a top ride to assist her selection for the World Champioinships in Fort William, Scotland.
Olympic Cross Country - Sunday All eyes will be on the potential Olympians when racing gets underway Sunday morning in the elite women’s cross country. Australia boasts National Champion, Tory Thomas (Mt Beauty, VIC) who has dominated in the Olympic distance events and marathon distance this season. Thomas however will have her work cut out for her with New Zealand’s World-ranked Rosara Joseph. Joseph placed 10th at the World Championships last September and is also looking to back up her win at last year’s Oceania’s in Rotorua. European based, Kate Potter will also be a hot favourite for Australia after winning on this course at the last National Series event held last December.
Australia is hoping for a clean sweep of the podium in the men’s race with Athens Olympian, Sid Taberlay (Hobart,TAS) competing against his Commonwealth Games teammate, Chris Jongewaard (Adelaide, SA) and other riders with good form such as Dylan Cooper (Canberra, ACT) and Daniel McConnell (Gippsland, VIC). New Zealander, Clinton Avery could be out to switch last year's placings with Shaun Lewis (Adelaide) in the Under 23 division .
For Olympic Cross Coutnry riders such as Sid Taberlay, Chris Jongewaard, Tory Thomas and Kate Potter who head overseas soon to compete in World Cup events, these points will help them get a top grid positions.
According to the CEO of Mountain Bike Australia, Tony Scott, this is invaluable when they line up at these World Cups. “They can gain a higher start grid position, which in this discipline could mean 1 or 2 laps of avoiding less able riders,” explained Scott.
The Oceania points are valuable on a national scale as well. “They all add to the Australian National ranking which is used to define the number of riders each nation can place on the XCO Olympic start line,” said Scott.
Scott said, "The 2007 Oceania Mountain Bike Championships in Thredbo are the most fleshed out in recent history. It is held in conjunction with an innovative program of events in one of Australia's premier mountain bike destinations."
2007 MTBA AUSTRALIAN MARATHON MTB CHAMPIONSHIPS March 16, 2007
MTBA is excited to announce that Brisbane based Two Wheel promotions have been appointed hosts of the the 2007 MTB Australian Marathon Championships names the Maxxis Coffs Mountain Marathon.
Set in the beautiful region of Bonville at Coffs Harbour its the ideal location for the Championships with easy driving distance from either Sydney or Brisbane with an Airport or train travel for those coming from further distances. There is ample accomodation from backpackers through to 5 star luxurious Resorts.
Number are capped to 500. Special permission to use this course has been obtained but for only 500 riders between the full and half Marathon. Additional riders can take part in the 25klm Marathon. DON'T MISS OUT GET YOUR ENTRIES IN EARLY.
New Course & Venue Pine Creek Forest, Bonville - 15 minutes south of Coffs Harbour. We have been working hard with all the authorities at Coffs Harbour to bring you this fantastic new course all set in the beautiful rainforest of Pine Creek Forest at Bonville. This is pure mountain bikers heaven with 95% of the course off road with lots of flowing singles, fire trails. Ride from Bonville through the forest nearly to Bellingen and back to the start at Bonville. Course Map & profile coming soon.
Directions From North - Travel down to Coffs Harbour CBD and then keep travelling South on the Pacific Highway for 13km and turn RIGHT, Glennifer Rd (just before the overpass - you will see Bonville School) then travel along Glennifer Rd for 6.5km to the staging area.
From South - Travel North along the Pacific Highway past Urunga turnoff for 14.5km then turn LEFT at Glennifer Rd, you will see the Bonville School and keep travelling along Gennifer Rd for 6.5km to the staging area. Follow the signs.
Registration Saturday 30th June from 2pm-8pm at the Plantation Hotel, 88 Grafton St, Coffs Harbour (main road through Coffs Harbour - Look for the purple building). N.B. There will be no Registration on Sunday morning before the race
Riders briefing Will be at the race staging area at Glennifer Rd, Bonville Saturday 30th June - Information in power point presentation during Registration on Saturday. Sunday 1st July for Full Marathon (6-45am), Half Marathon (8-45am) and 25km Recreational ride (9-30am)
Entry Entries open: 1st APRIL 2007 Entries close: 1st JUNE 2007 (OR UNLESS FULL)
Race categories and cost 2007 MARATHON CHAMPION - FULL MARATHON: $110-00 per rider Open Male & Female winners awarded the prestigious MTBA medallions and Australian Cycling jersey. Age Champions will receive the prestigious MTBA medallions NB - No rider under the age of 18yrs is permitted to take part in the Full Marathon Championship Supporting events: HALF MARATHON 'COFFS SOFT' (age divisions as above except 16-29 yr men. 16-29yr women) $79.00 and 25KM RECREATIONAL - Riders from 14years can take part in this event. $69-00
Each rider receives a race pack which consists of Official T-Shirt, Official Biddon Bottle, Course Map with checkpoints, first aid & water stations marked.
KIDS MIN RACE - Price to be advised (different race pack from above)
More Information Libby & Bill Two Wheel Promotions PO BOX 204 Canungra, Qld 4275 Mobile: 0417 752 714 Telephone: (07) 5543 5122 Fax: (07) 55435 144
Clarification of Entry and age requirements for 2007 Oceania MTB Championships March 13, 2007
The following provides important information and further clarification for those intending on entering the 2007 Oceania MTB Championships in Thredbo, March 23-25.
1. Entry Only people from an Oceania nation can enter the Oceania MTB Championships. This is determined to mean those people who have a UCI license issued by an Oceania Nation or a person who has a CA or MTBA domestic license. In the case of the latter two (MTBA and CA license holders) they must also be eligible to be a member of an Australian MTB Team. One of the current stipulations of that is that all Australian team members must be an Australian Citizen.
2. Age requirements The following age requirements apply:
XCO: - U19 is for 17 and 18yo - U23 is for 19 - 22yo - Elite is for 23yo and over.
An U23 may enter the Elite class if they chose to do so (but are no longer recognised as an U23 at any World Cup or World Championships event). This also means that the Elite class can accept riders who are over the nominal Australian upper age limit for the Elite race category of 30yo.
DHI: - U19 is for 17-18yo - Elite is for 19 and over.
Again riders who are over 30 can enter the Elite category.
MTNX: - There is only a single category which is Elite and this is open to people 17yo and over.
A persons age is determined by 2007 - "year of birth", so for a person born in 1990 their age is 17. Age limititations will be strictly implemented.
Further information can be obtained from the MTBA office.
Project Hummingbird March 13, 2007
Have you got athletic talent and need a NEW and EXCITING challenge or know someone who does?
The National Talent Identification and Development Program (NTID) of the Australian Sports Commission in conjunction with the Tasmanian Institute of Sport, ACT Academy of Sport and Queensland Academy of Sport are launching PROJECT HUMMINGBIRD.
The vision behind Project Hummingbird is to develop a new generation of female cyclists in Australia. Hummingbird is looking for very fast and agile females with a background in BMX, Motor-cross or Go-karting who want to take on the challenge of becoming endurance cyclists.
Hummingbirds are extreme aerobic athletes of the flying variety. When these birds are young they are very fast and agile. As the Hummingbird matures their quickness is maintained as their aerobic capacity is developed. Hummingbirds boast the highest aerobic capacity of all living animals.
Hummingbird is an innovative program that seeks females from Queensland, the ACT or Tasmania who are between the ages of 16 and 27 years that have the potential to become World Class Mountain bike (MTB), road and track endurance cyclists. The program gives women with great bike handling skills and a bit of raw power the opportunity to transfer and develop the special skills that will increase their chance of becoming a competitive international cyclist.
Australia has a successful history of BMX and Motor-cross athletes converting to road, track or mountain bike cycling. We want to provide that opportunity to others who may still be in the sport or have stopped participating but want a new and exciting challenge.
Origins of some Cycling Australia Representatives -
- BMX - Robbie McEwen, Rochelle Gilmore, Graeme Brown, Katie Brown - Motor-cross - Simon Gerrans
Females who consider themselves as Hummingbirds should:
· Be available to programs located in the Australian states of Queensland, the ACT or Tasmania. · Have a desire to compete internationally in MTB, road or track endurance cycling disciplines. · Have a background in sports that require fast and agile movements including, but not limited to BMX, Motor-cross, go-karting. · Have a good endurance base with a lot of power and the expectation to improve these capacities. · Enjoy competition and be available to attend at least two training session per week with an assigned accredited coach.
Selection Criteria/Requirements:
Attend a one-off testing day to register your interest and complete physical testing on the following days: 1. TAS – SIlverdome, Oakden Road, Prospect, Launceston on Sunday 18th March 2007, 10am – 2pm 2. ACT – Dairy Flat Rd, Fyshwick, Canberra on Sunday 25th March 2007, 10am – 2pm 3. QLD – Chandler Velodrome, Chandler, Brisbane on Sunday 1st April 2007, 10am-2pm
Alternatively, if you can not make testing days, log on the AIS website to register your own personal details by the 6th of April, 2007:
1. Your personal particulars - Name, Age, Contact Details, Height, Weight, 2. Provide testing results - standing 40m sprint, flying 40m sprint, 2km time trial and 3. List any previous sporting experiences
Log on to our web site for further information and to register your interest or please pass this on to any one who may be interested and you think has what it takes to become a World Class female cyclist.
Be Quick! Online registrations close - 6th April, 2007 and testing sessions happen in March.
2007 Oceania MTB Championships Entry now available March 8, 2007
The Oceania MTB Championships is staged each year on an alternating basis between New Zealand and Australia.
In 2007 it is Australia's turn. The 2007 Oceania MTB Championships will be staged in Thredbo in the pristine alpine region of NSW and an event within the more the broader Australian MTB Open.
The Oceania schedule found here just shows the events being offered for the Oceania Championships - for the full schedule of all events being offered please go to the RawNRG website: www.rawnrg.com.au. All Oceania competitions will be segregated and will only have accredited Oceania athletes competing, but some practice sessions may be mixed (include non-oceania athletes during the practice sessions - XCO and MTNX in particular).
To enter the 2007 Oceania MTB Championships you must have a full MTBA or Cycling Australia license valid for the date of competition. No Day permits will be issued for entering the Oceania Championships, although they will be available for entry into all the support events.
Entry fee is $59 for XCO and MTNX (4X) and $99 for DH. Entry is open noww at the RawNRG site.
There is close to $10k in prize money on offer to the Oceania classes: Elite, U23 and U19 XCO, Elite MTNX, Elite and U19 DHI.
Entry to the Elite classes is open to all riders of age 19 and above. Under 19 age classes is only available to riders who are 17 or 18 as at 31/12/2007. Riders who are not from an Oceania Confederation Nation are not
eligible to be awarded UCI CC points but are eligible to be awarded
prize monies and other podium awards. UCI CC points will be awarded to any rider who has a UCI license issued by an Oceania nation, or is a CA or MTBA member and who does not also hold a UCI license issued from another country. Further clarification is available from MTBA.
Entries open for Australia’s toughest 24-hour solo mountain bike race March 6, 2007
Australia’s best endurance riders have the chance to race in the 2007 24 Hours of Adrenalin World Solo Mountain Bike Championship by competing in Australia’s most gruelling 24 hour mountain bike race.
Entries are now open for the physically-demanding Australian Solo 24hr Mountain Bike Championship to be held for the first time at Mt Majura, Canberra from April 7-8.
More than 200 of Australia’s elite male and female riders are expected to contest the Australian Solo 24hr Championship hosted by Canberra Off-Road Cyclists (CORC) in conjunction with Apis Events.
Previously aligned with the award-winning Scott 24hr Australian Mountain Bike Championships, the Australian Solo 24hr Mountain Bike Championship has been moved from October to April. The action- packed championship, along with CORC’s 2006 Scott 24hr Australian Mountain Bike Championships, are the Australian qualifying event for the 2007 24 Hours of Adrenalin World Solo Championships in Monterey, California. The overall male and female winners will each receive $2,000 in prize money, flights, and automatic entry to the World Championships.
Mountain Bike Australia (MTBA) executive officer Tony Scott said changing the event’s date and status allowed winners of the Australian Solo 24hr Mountain Bike Championship five months to prepare for the prestigious World 24hr Championships in October.
“Unlike previous years, winners of this year’s Australian Solo 24hr Mountain Bike champion’s jersey will be able to represent Australia at the 2007 World 24hr Mountain Bike Championships as well as defend their Australian title next year,” Mr Scott said.
“For instance, the status shift allows the 2006 Australian Solo 24hr champion, James Williamson, from Canberra, to defend his Australian title this year. The 2005 Australian Solo 24hr Mountain Bike champion, Craig Gordon, was unable to defend his Australian title last year as he was representing Australia at the 24 Hours of Adrenalin 2006 World Solo Mountain Bike Championship.” Craig Gordon went on to win the World 24hr Mountain Bike champions jersey.
CORC President, Anthony Burton said the aim of this year’s two-day solo event hosted from the Innabaanya Guide Camp was to test riders' skills and endurance over the Mt Majura course that would be fun but also challenging for riders of all levels.
“Many of the riders are there to test themselves; they want to see just what they can achieve in 24 hours. At its most extreme however the worlds best riders must battle exhaustion, and lack of sleep to triumph in the 24. It can be a mental battle as much as a physical one” Mr Burton said.
Entries can be made online for the 2007 Australian Solo 24hr Mountain Bike Championship, that starts on Saturday April 7 and finishes 24 hours later on Sunday April 8.
MEDIA CONTACTS Apis Events: Karrie-Anne Lawson 0418 669 549
CORC: John Graydon 0402 344 044
2006/2007 National Series final (Mt Beauty) DH results February 25, 2007
Cavalier Comes Downhill the Quickest
Amiel Cavalier ended a stellar season by winning the fourth and final round of the National Mountain Bike Downhill in Mt Beauty today. The young Wollongong rider rode a 3.15.21 a full 2 seconds quicker than Mt Beauty downhiller Liam Panozzo. Third was professional downhill rider Jared Rando from Canberra only a half a second behind. Blue Mountains’ rider, Rick Boyer was fourth.
In his first year as an elite rider, Cavalier has taken out the National Series title which proves his World Champion status as a junior was well earned. Adam Smithson (Newcastle) had a disappointing run finishing in eleventh place but with enough points to stay in second place in the series. Adelaide’s Dave West finished just after Smithson in 12th place and finished third on overall series points.
Emma McNaughton from Newcastle blitzed the women’s downhill field to finish in a respectable 4.05.47. Second was Claire Whiteman from Canberra and third was National Downhill Champion, Joanne Fox (Sydney).
Whiteman claimed the overall National Series for a second year running and fellow Canberra rider, BMX rider Caroline Buchanan claims second overall. Joanne Fox takes third lace in the series.
In the Under 19 men’s race James Maltman (Stretton, Brisbane) rode one of the fastest times today in his age group and had the fourth fastest time overall.
2006/2007 National Series final (Mt Beauty) XCC results February 25, 2007
Mt Beauty once again proved that it was the master of staging short track cross country races with the XCC race today. An excellent field of riders took to the open and flowing track designed by Rob Eva. Check out the results here.
2006/2007 National Series final (Mt Beauty) XC results February 24, 2007
TABERLAY TAKES TITLE ROWNEY RIDES INTO SECOND
National Series Olympic Cross Country finals were held in mixed conditions in Mount Beauty today. While the Women race categories raced in almost perfect conditions following overnight rain, the U17 men and master men raced in heavy down pours which made the conditions difficult at best.
The elite men were able to race in better conditionss, and the U19 men again had perfect conditions.
Sid Taberlay from Tasmania proved he was one of Australia’s best mountain bike riders by winning the fourth and final round of the National Series in Mt Beauty today. The 27 year old Athens Olympian was one point off the series lead occupied by Sydney rider Aiden Lefmann. Taberlay now claims the overall Series Leader and was not the only Olympian in the chase for top places. Sydney Olympian and now a veteran, Paul Rowney proved his class by a second place even giving Taberlay a challenge in the downhill sections of the course. The 36 year old Sydney rider finished one minute ahead of Canberra rider, Dylan Cooper.
Taberlay claimed a total of 278 points while Cooper moved into second place overall with 223 points ahead of Aiden Lefmann moved back to third spot with 220 points after finishing eleventh in today’s race.
Yet another title was claimed by Mt Beauty rider, Tory Thomas when she won today taking out the overall series lead. The 28 year old backed up her National Championships win last month in Canberra and her National Marathon win in September by taking the lead in the final of 4 lap course. Thomas reeled in early leader, Niki Fisher from Canberra to win by one and a half minutes. Third was Sydney rider Kate Potter who moved herself up in the series points to finish second overall in the series and Zoe King was relegated into third spot after finishing in 5th spot today.
Melbourne’s Commonwealth Games rider, Emma Colson, returned to form taking out a 4th place in today’s race after overtaking Zoe King in the second lap.
The Under 23 leader Lachlan Norris in the mens race stayed ahead of other contenders and takes the national series title while Canberra’s youngster Rebecca Henderson took out the overall Under 23 women’s division at the age of 15.
Castlemaine Fat Tyre Festival - March 9-12 February 22, 2007
Castlemaine Rocky Riders Mountain Bike Club is again hosting the serious yet sometimes silly Fat Tyre Festival over the Labour Day weekend (9-12 March).
The event features: § 4 competitive MTB stages over 2 days that include "Jubber Land", the Fryers Range and of course the famous Pine forest § Bonus stages including the 16-inch criteriums and other fun events in the Castlemaine Main street - under lights on Saturday night § $500 first prize for open male and female, plus heaps more prizes! § Live Music on Saturday night § Celluloid Cycles Film Festival on Friday night § Huge Buffet Dinner on Saturday Night § Social recovery ride on Monday
Some recent SBS segments or programs on Mountain Biking or BMX are listed below . Check them out and tell all your friends about SBS!
NATIONAL DOWNHILL
SHORT TRACK CROSS COUNTRY: Men & Women
RACE REVIEW: BMX Probikes Rnd 5
MOUNTAIN CROSS: Elite Mens Semis
ON THE TRAIL Dirt Roads to London
CROSS COUNTRY: Elite Men U23
CROSS COUNTRY: Elite Women U23
ON THE TRAIL: Sam Hill
RACE REVIEW: Cross Country & Downhill
BIKE LIFE: King of Dirt
CENTRAL OPINION: Mt. Stromblo
ON THE TRAIL: National Mountain Bike Series
RACE REVIEW: 4th Round BMX Pro
plus heaps more. . . .
SBS Coverage of 2007 MTBA Australian MTB Championships February 18, 2007
The 2007 MTBA Australian MTB Championships were staged over the Australia day weekend in Canberra at the $7m Stromlo Forest Park. The 2007 event eclipsed all other National Championship with over 1100 competitors. Relive the drama and check out the site which will host the 2009 UCI World MTB Championships - 11am SBS Today (Sunday 18th February 2007)
Volunteer at the National Series finals February 17, 2007
Team Mount Beauty is looking for people who are interested in volunteering as a course marshal for the fast approaching National Series round in Mount Beauty. If you are interested in helping please contact Iain Moore on 03 5754 1231 or email info@tnb.org.au. Volunteers will receive a lunch from the on site caterers plus a T-shirt to wear and keep. All Volunteers will also be entered in to a lucky draw for cash giveaways.
Regards,
Iain Moore Event Manager FELT- HUTCHINSON MTBA National Series Round # 4 PH: 03 5754 1231 MOB: 0419 504 088
2007 Australian Solo 24hr Mountain Bike Championships February 17, 2007
The 2007 Australian Solo 24hr Mountain Bike Championships website went live at 1030h yesterday. The site has basic information about the event and will be added to over the next few weeks.
Online entries will begin 0800h AEDST on Monday, 26 February 2007.
This is now the race at which the MTBA Australian Solo 24Hr Mountain Bike Champions are crowned and from which they receive their Australian jerseys, large cash prizes and air tickets to the 24Hrs of Adrenalin World Solo 24Hr Championships. It has been shifted from the October 24Hr in Canberra to the Easter Solo-Only event as announced earlier this year.
Read all about the decision to change the date and location in the news archives (January 8th).
06/07 National Season finals - Mt. Beauty February 14, 2007
Early bird entry to the FELT-HUTCHINSON MTBA National Series Round # 4 in Mount Beauty has now expired. Entry at the standard fee is still available online until Midnight on Tuesday 20th February. Visit www.tmb.org.au to enter. You can also download an entry form and post it to us as long as we receive it by last mail on Friday 23rd February. Payment can be made by cheque/money order or credit card.
Don’t forget to enter the SRAM Short Track event to be held on the Sunday.
We have had a lot of enquiries about a Downhill practice session on the Friday afternoon. Therefore we have decided to include a practice session on the Friday and transport will be provided. A small fee of $ 10.00 will be collected to cover the cost of the transport and will be payable at registration. Both the X/C and D/H courses will be open to ride in the week leading up to the event for those enjoying an extended stay in Mount Beauty.
If you haven’t done so already visit www.tmb.org.au and check out the video footage of both courses.
Celebrating the greatest sporting achievements of 2006 February 14, 2007
The Australian Sport Awards are an annual event which provide the opportunity to celebrate Australia's achievements as a sporting nation. The Awards recognise Australians across all areas of the sports sector who have achieve outstanding success in their field during 2006, from athletes and coaches to administrators, officials and volunteers. They also provide an avenue to acknowledge those who have made exceptional contributions to sport in Australia.
The event will be held at Palladium at Crown on Wednesday 21 February 2007. Join in the celebration by tuning into the Awards telecast on SBS Television at 10.00pm on the evening of the event.
Performances occurring between 1 December 2006 and 31 December 2006 were taken into consideration.
The shortlisted Cycling nominations for the 2006 Australian Sport Awards include:
Male Athlete of the Year Cadel Evans
Female Athlete of the Year Anna Meares
International Team of the Year Elite Men's Mountain Bike Downhill Team
Sports Person of the Year with a Disability Michael Gallagher
Young Australian Male Athlete of the Year Cameron Meyer
Young Australian Team of the Year Junior Men's Madison Team
Coach of the Year Scott Sharples
Official of the Year Ray Godkin
Sports Tourism Award Scott 24 Mountain Bike Event
Masters Athlete of the Year Keith Oliver
Community Leadership Awards Brad McGee
A full listing is available at: http://www.australiansportawards.com.au/index.php?id=35
MTBA wishes all the nominations and in particular Scott Sharples (the Cycling Australia Coach of the year), the entire men's MTB DH team and the organizers of the the Scott24hr ( the Cycling Australia event of merit of the year) the very best of luck in this most prestigious of awards.
Australasian Masters Games, Adelaide 5-14 October 2007 February 14, 2007
Australia's largest multisport festival, The Australasian Masters Games will again be held in Adelaide from the 5th – 14th October 2007. Participants from all over Australia, Oceania and the Asia Pacific will take part in a celebration of mature age sport and go 'head to head' in the international arena.
Adelaide will attract over 10,000 participants in over 50 sports for the Australasian Masters Games this October.
Participants from across the nation and overseas will come together for 10 days of competition and festivities in a celebration of mature age sport.
So, if you are over 30 and enjoy sport and socialising then the Masters Games has something for you. The Games have no entry qualification and offer something for seasoned sportspeople as well as those who have never participated.
We look forward to seeing you in October for some Serious Sport…Serious Fun! The Mountain biking events are scheduled for October 13 and 14 in the XCO and DHI disciplines.
For more information visit http://www.AustralasianMasters.com or phone 08 8202 0000.
World Masters MTB Championships, August 15-19 2007 February 14, 2007
Pra Loup resort (Alpes-de-Haute-Provence / France) is proud to welcome August from 15th to 19th, 2007 ; the UCI Mountain Bike Master World Championships (XCO, DHI).
Registrations are now available on our web site http://www.praloup.com or by phone at +33(0)4 92 84 10 04 to all appropriately aged athletes in the Masters category wishing to participate in this competition.
Cycling stars sign up to support injured Australian riders - Cycling Australia media release February 7, 2007
A host of Australian cycling stars have rallied to support injured cyclists Renee Junga and Paul Crake through two unique signed official Australian team jerseys now up for auction on E-Bay.
"This is a chance for two lucky sporting fans to own a piece of Australian history and to support two riders in need of assistance as they deal with their injuries," said Cycling Australia CEO, Graham Fredericks. "All profits from the sale will be split between the Renee Junga and Paul Crake Appeals to aid them in their rehabilitation."
Olympic, World and Commonwealth Champions have signed the jerseys including:
• Three time Tour de France sprint champion, Robbie McEwen; • Olympic, World and Commonwealth Champion and Tour de France stage winner, Stuart O'Grady OAM • Three time road time trial World Champion, Michael Rogers • Tour de France star, Cadel Evans • Olympic Champion, Kathryn Watt OAM • plus a host of other stars of Australian and world cycling.
Jersey One is signed by the following cyclists: (http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=290080056886)
Katherine Bates Commonwealth Games Champion, World Championship Medalist Natalie Bates Commonwealth Games Champion Kristine Bayley Australian Champion Ryan Bayley OAM Olympic Champion, Commonwealth Games Champion, World Champion Peter Dawson OAM Olympic Champion, Commonwealth Games Champion, World Champion, Cadel Evans Commonwealth Games Champion Sean Finning Commonwealth Games Champion Nick Gates Australian Team Representative Rochelle Gilmore Commonwealth Games Medalist, World Championship Medalist Olivia Gollan Australian Team Representative Matthew Goss Commonwealth Games Medalist, World Champion Mathew Hayman Commonwealth Games Champion Mark Jamieson Commonwealth Games Medalist, World Champion Helen Kelly Australian Team Representative Shane Kelly Olympic Games Medalist, Commonwealth Game Champion, World Champion Katie Mactier Olympic Games Medalist, Commonwealth Games Champion, World Champion Robbie McEwen Tour de France Sprint Champion, World Championship Medalist Anna Meares OAM Olympic Champion, Commonwealth Games Champion, World Champion Kerrie Meares Commonwealth Games Champion, World Championship Medalist Stuart O’Grady OAM Olympic Champion, Commonwealth Games Champion, World Champion Shane Perkins Commonwealth Games Medalist, World Championship Medalist Emma Rickards Australian Team Representative Michael Rogers Commonwealth Games Champion, World Champion Kathryn Watt OAM Olympic Champion, Commonwealth Games Champion Matthew White Australian Team Representative Oenone Wood Commonwealth Games Champion, World Championship Medalist Stephen Wooldridge OAM Olympic Champion, Commonwealth Game Medalist, World Champion
Jersey Two is signed by the following cyclists: (http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=290080058294)
Katherine Bates Commonwealth Games Champion, World Championship Medalist Natalie Bates Commonwealth Games Champion Cadel Evans Commonwealth Games Champion Jonothan Clarke Australian Team Representative Simon Clarke Australian Team Representative Ben Day Commonwealth Games Medalist Nick Gates Australian Team Representative Olivia Gollan Australian Champion Matthew Goss Commonwealth Games Medalist, World Champion Mathew Hayman Commonwealth Games Champion Shaun Higgerson Australian Champion Hellen Kelly Australian Team Representative Robbie McEwen Tour de France Sprint Champion, World Championship Medalist Stuart O’Grady OAM Olympic Champion, Commonwealth Games Champion, World Champion Emma Rickards Australian Team Representative Michael Rogers Commonwealth Games Champion, World Champion Kathryn Watt OAM Olympic Champion, Commonwealth Games Champion Matthew White Australian Team Representative Oenone Wood Commonwealth Games Champion, World Championship Medalist Stephen Wooldridge OAM Olympic Champion, Commonwealth Game Medalist, World Champion
Renee Junga Appeal Renee Junga won a Silver Medal at 2005 World BMX Championships in France and was the 2005 and 2006 Australian Female BMX Cyclist of the Year. She crashed in August 2006 while training on the the 4X (Four-Cross) course at the World Mountainbike Championships in Rotorua, NZ.
Renee suffered spinal injuries and remains paralysed from the waist down. The purpose of the appeal is to raise funds to assist her with the challenges of adapting to a new lifestyle.
Paul Crake Appeal Australian cycling medallist and stairclimbing champion, Paul Crake, from Canberra, is back in Australia undergoing rehabilitation in the wake of spinal surgery. In NOvember last year Paul was one of five cyclists blown off the road by a powerful wind gust during the eighth stage of New Zealand's Tour of Southland. Paul is currently paralysed from the waist down.
Paul was a member of the Australian team at the 2004 Road World Championships in Italy and was third in the road race at the 2005 Australian Open Road Championships. In 2006 he raced as a professional in Italy with the Naturina Sapore di Mare team. As a stairclimber Paul notched up five straight victories in the annual sprint up the 86 flights of stairs (1576 stairs) to the top of New York's Empire State Building between 1999 and 2003 and still holds the record for the fastest ascent of 9mins33secs. The appeal is raising funds to aid Paul's rehabilitation.
Chase the Sun Mountain Bike Series - Lysterfield February 6, 2007
You like mountain biking, right? Love going for a ride with friends or family? Ever had a bet with your riding buddies over who could ride the 'Blair Witch' or 'Buckle' Trails the quickest? Ever wondered how far can you ride from sun rise till sunset? Stop chasing your tail - Chase your mates - Chase the Sun
You may have heard or even been witness to MTB @ the Melbourne2006 Commonwealth Games. Full Gas Promotions (FGP) Managing Director Kristjan Snorrason was the man responsible for the planning, coordination and stunning execution of the Mountain Bike event at Lysterfield on that sunny day in March 2006. Not surprisingly most of the FGP staff where alongside as integral members of his workforce.
So what do you do having worked on two of the biggest events on the sporting calendar in 2006?
“I spent most of 2005 working for Melbourne2006 before heading off to the Middle East as soon as the Commonwealth Games wrapped up. The next major event was the Doha 2006 Asian Games (he was Venue Manager for the Road Events venues; Road Cycling, Triathlon, Marathon & Race Walks). While I was in Doha, FGP was run by my team of guys & girls back in Melbourne, I continued doing a lot of the usual background planning including drawing up the plans with Parks Victoria for the Chase the Sun series.
The relationship with Parks Victoria is a critical one; working alongside them for over 12 months on the planning for the M2006 games, has left me with a lasting legacy, some great people who just happen to be the major stakeholder in one of the biggest MTB projects ever undertaken in Australia”.
So out of the shadow of M2006 comes Chase the Sun. A series of four big events for anyone with a MTB, for anyone who has ever ridden at Lysterfield and for those of you that are yet to be seduced by its magic.
Spread throughout the year, with varying amounts of sunlight available, each event is a challenge to ride as many loops of the sensational Lysterfield trails as you can before the sun sets.
How do I enter & what class is for me? A unique ProTeam format where teams of two will fight it out for large cash prizes at each round all the while accumulating points towards the series championship cash purse. ProTeams may nominate a team roster of up to four riders at the start of the series and may chop and change from within that roster prior to each round.
A Corporate Team category for teams up to three riders, so we can decide once and for all who are the Australian Corporate MTB Champions. Husband & Wife Teams for those who can't get enough of each other and love getting down and dirty MTBing together. No marriage certificates needed! For those of you who are Just Good Friends, we have a category for you as well! Two men or two women will get you into this one. No questions asked. For the Young Guns; get your school's team in the class for secondary school teams of three riders. Of course where would we be if we didn't give the Solo's a platform to prove just how hard they are?
Lysterfield Park (Home of the Melbourne2006 Commonwealth Games Mountain Bike) Four events staged at the home of mountain biking. Do just one, or do them all.
Check out http://www.fullgaspromotions.com.au for the full goss.
Flynn takes up position with UCI January 31, 2007
Michael Flynn, well known to Australian cyclists from when he headed up the High Performance team based in South Australia has decided to move to the UCI. The media statement from BikeNZ, his previous employers follows. We wish Michael the very best in his new role and look forward to working with him on events in the Oceania region.
Bike NZ Media Release
31 January 2007
BikeNZ announced today that Performance Director, Michael Flynn, will be taking up a management role with the International Cycling Union (UCI).
Rodger Thompson, the CEO of BikeNZ said, “The reality is that people like Michael who have such a strong international track record in performance sport are always going to be targeted and I understand that the role with the UCI is an incredible opportunity that is just too good to pass up.
“We are fortunate that we have had two years with Michael, using his knowledge and expertise to set up our programmes and build international networks.”
Performance Director, Michael Flynn, said, “My time in New Zealand has been rewarding. I have really enjoyed working with both the riders and the BikeNZ management team. I firmly believe that the direction the high performance programme is going will produce the desired results leading into Beijing (2008 Olympics) but with an eye on London (2012 Olympics). The potential that exists in New Zealand is World-class.
“I’m confident that the ongoing work on the structure which has been driven by BikeNZ management, with SPARC support, will definitely bring about a better performance structure and therefore working environment for all high performance staff and athletes.
“My decision to accept the UCI role was difficult but it is a once in a lifetime a career opportunity. Also, as my role is to work with the Oceania group, I will remain in contact with both the riders and the BikeNZ management team.”
2007 Australian MTB Championships - Day 5 - XCC January 30, 2007
Is Rowney out of Retirement?
Legendary mountain bike rider, Paul Rowney did not let retirement get in the way of gaining another national title in Canberra on Sunday. The 34 year old Olympian unleashed his talent and took the lead in the final stages of the short course event. Rowney admitted he surprised himself, “I’ve done a month of training before this. It’s great to win the open men’s.”
Chris Jongewaard, was drained from his Olympic cross country win the previous day and could not maintain the pace ending up in third place while fellow Adelaide rider, Shaun Lewis tried hard to pull Rowney back. The track had become slippery and many riders slid on the dirt. Lewis placed second in the open men’s race, a remarkable achievement for an under 23 year old.
Dellys Starr was not going back home to the USA without a national jersey this year. The 2006 National Olympic Cross Country Champion showed her determination early in the race leaving the early leaders in her wake. Starr pushed into the headwind while the remainder of the women's field stretched out in the windy conditions. Tory Thomas claimed second place. Naomi Williams rode smart and stayed in front of local youngster Rebecca Henderson who finished a creditable fourth.
Top 3 Results
Elite Men 1st Paul Rowney 2nd Shaun Lewis 3rd Chris Jongewaard
Open Women 1st Dellys Starr 2nd Tory Thomas 3rd Naomi Williams
U19 Men 1st Paul Van der Ploeg 2nd Peter Braunsteins 3rd Benjamin Dyball
Sport Men 1st Mark Richards 2nd Bradley Morton 3rd Brett Bellchambers
2007 Australian MTB Championships - Day 4 - Trials January 29, 2007
The 2007 Australian Bicycle Trials Championships were decided today . As well as being the Bike Trials Championships this event was also the final National Series round.
Both the results of the Championships and the final standings for the national season are found here.
2007 Australian MTB Championships - Day 5 - DH January 28, 2007
Graves leads the world’s best downhillers
Jared Graves found two seconds was enough to win the prestigious national downhill title in Canberra today. Riding against the world’s best, the 24 year old from Toowoomba had a clean run to finish in 3.19.86. The 2005 Silver World medallist Graves has focused on his specialty of mountain cross and this win is his first national title in downhill. "I was pretty disappointed with my mountain cross race so this makes it better," he said.
Defending National Champion, Nathan Rennie (Gold Coast) could not repeat last year’s win but claimed second with 3.22.05. Rennie, currently ranked third in the world was too fast for Canberra based Jared Rando who finished a creditable third with 3.24.21.
World Champion, Sam Hill from Perth was unlucky when he slid out in the final section finishing in eighth. Brisbane's Chris Kovarik qualified second fastest behind Sam Hill in the seeding run but a flat tyre in the final run took away his chance of a podium.
The quickest time in elite women’s race was taken out by Julia Boer from Canberra however being Hungarian meant she could not take a national placing of Australian Woman DH Champion. Another veteran rider, Joanne Fox from Sydney claimed the national jersey in a superb run of 4.12.74. The 34 year old was followed by two Canberra riders, Claire Whiteman and Cara Smith who placed second and third (4.17.72 and 4.17.99 respectively).
Under 19 women’s winner Caroline Buchanan rode a 4.17.61 which would have given her a podium position in the elite women’s race.
Western Australian rider, Mitchell Delfs dominated the under 19 men with a 3.12.77 which would have placed him in the top 10 of elite men.
Hot and dusty conditions once again prevailed but the racing was some of the best in canberra for a long time.
2007 Australian MTB Championships - Day 4 - XC January 27, 2007
Adelaide's Cross Country Duo but Thomas takes Triple Titles
Chris Jongewaard and Shaun Lewis made it a South Australian double when they placed first and second respectively in the National Olympic Cross Country Championships today in Canberra. Jongewaard took elite men’s title and Lewis the Under 23 title.
An early lead by Jongewaard looked like it could be a repeat of his Commonwealth Games performance where he faded in the final stages but this time he stomped home. The 27 year old from Adelaide (Parra Hills) rode away from the field in the first lap managed six laps of the eight km course in 2.14.06.
Coming off the back of the Tour Down Under in Adelaide, Jongewaard's top form was evident. Now Jongewaard is now split between a decision to pursue a lucrative road racing career or mountain biking. “I’ll be doing road half of the year and the other half on the mountain bike,” he said.
With the annoncement today that the World Mountaiin Bike Championships would be in the same location, Stromlo Forest Park in 2009, riders like Jongewaard may be tempted to remain in mountain biking. “Winning here has thrown a spanner in the works," he said. With the World Championships in Australia for only the second time, riders like Jongewaardds may be tempted to make an Australian team.
Lewis finished 2 minutes behind Jongewaard. Third was Victorian, Murray Spink. Athens Olympian, Sid Taberlay, started well but was unable to defend his national title finishing in seventh place, Local favourite, Dylan Cooper found the going tough finishing tenth after suffering cramps on top of an existing rib injury.
Tory Thomas proved herself again at national level by taking out another title. The 28 year old from Mt Beauty in Victoria was determined to win the Olympic distance cross country.
"I just really wanted to win today," she admitted. Her motivation came from narrowly missing selection in the last Commonwealth Games and World Championships.
Thomas also holds the national marathon title and the 24 hour solo title.
Local rider, Niki Fisher, enthralled her home crowd by leading early in the four lap race. Fisher lost the lead to Thomas but held off the strong Kate Potter. Only a minute separaed the top three with last year's defending champion, Dellys Starr only 30 second from Potter in fourth place.
Tomorrow many of the elite cross country riders will line up for their second chance at a national title in the short course event.
World Champion, Sam Hill has qualified the fastest in downhill seeding today iin a time of 3.22.30. The final run could be any of the the top riders in the world like Nathan Rennie, Chris Kovarik, Jared Graves or Canberra's Ben Corey or Jared Rando. Elite women could be a local affair with Caroline Buchanan, Claire Whiteman or Sara Booth in reach of a national title on the day.
And the Winner is - Australia! (2009 UCI World MTB and Trials Championships) January 27, 2007
Mountain Bike World Championships head 'down under' in 2009 - Cycling Australia Media Release
The Management Committee of the UCI (International Cycling Union) at a meeting overnight in Belgium confirmed Canberra as the host city of the 2009 Mountain Bike and Trials World Championships. The Championships will be staged from September 1 to 6, 2009 and are expected to attract more than 30,000 visitors from up to 40 countries.
UCI Vice President, Ray Godkin OAM, said the UCI was impressed by Australia’s passion for mountain biking and the quality of the proposed venue – Canberra’s new $7.5 million world-class Stromlo Forest Park - where the Australian Mountain Bike Championships are currently being contested.
“Australia has a proven track record of hosting world class events and we are confident Canberra will deliver an outstanding World Championships,” Mr Godkin said.
The event will involve more than 750 of the world's top riders who will compete in the four mountain bike disciplines of Cross Country, Downhill, Four Cross and Observed Trials for the honour of being crowned World Champion.
Cycling Australia President Mike Victor said being awarded the right to host the Mountain Bike World Championships is a major coup and will not only highlight the talent of our elite mountain bikers but the excellence or our sporting organisers.
“The World Championships will put mountain biking well and truly in the spotlight both nationally and internationally and showcase Australia's emerging dominance in a cycling discipline that continues to go from strength to strength,” Mr Victor said.
Canberra Off Road Cyclists (CORC) and Apis Events have joined forces to host and manage the 2009 World Championships. MTB World Events, the CORC-Apis joint venture company will oversee the planning, organisation and running of the 2009 UCI World Championships.
CORC president Anthony Burton said it was a historic achievement for the ACT to host the World Championships and a major vote of confidence for the local mountain biking community.
“It's a perfect chance to highlight Stromlo Forest Park and Canberra as the number one mountain biking venue in Australia and a must-see facility for riders around the world,” Mr Burton said. “We are perfectly positioned to deliver a highly successful World Championships."
Stromlo Forest Park is Australia's most advanced, purpose-built mountain bike park with cutting edge courses designed by renowned international course expert Glen Jacobs. Fictive custom tshirts t-shirt designs
2007 Australian MTB Championships - Day 3 - MTNX January 26, 2007
Mountain Cross rider shines after fires
Caroline Buchanan has come out of the fires and is now a shining light in her sport of cycling. When the fires burnt out 500 homes around Canberra, Caroline was just 13 years old. Her family home was destroyed and the family lost everything only managing to save her bikes and trophies
Today is a different story. Buchanan won the Mountain Cross Nationals this year repeating her stunning performance from last year. She won on the area near her home that had been burnt out by the fires.
The government assisted in making the 1000 hectares that was once a pine forest into a state of the art forest park with multiple facilities. The Canberra Mountain Bike Club, CORC got involved and now Mt Stromlo Forest Park is the perfect training and racing facility for mountain bike riders like Caroline.
The first national event on these courses is being run this weekend with an official announcement expected tomorrow on the bid to hold the 2009 World Mountain Bike Championships.
Winning the elite men’s race was a welcome relief for Luke Madill. The 26 year old from Penrith finally succeeded in breaking a five year drought. “I’ve made the finals every year but this time it worked,” Madill said. “I knew I could match Jared’s speed,” said Madill. World Cup winner, Jared Graves FROM Toowoomba was unlucky with a crash in the second straight and finished fourth.
The Olympic discipline of cross country continues tomorrow with the elite men and women’s race starting at 10.30 am.
2007 Australian MTB Championships - Day 3 - XC January 26, 2007
XC was the main event of the day with all XC women classes (other than Elite and U23) run as well as U15, U17, Master, Super-Master, Sport and Expert men run in hot temperatures.
2007 Australian MTB Championships - Day 2 January 25, 2007
Another hot day in Canberra but even more competitors stream into the Nation's Capital to contest the largest MTB Championships ever.
As a result of the anticipated entry numbers being significantly exceeded several changes to the schedule are needed.
DH Practice:
a) Group A DH registration will conclude at 10am Saturday. b) Group B DH registration will conclude at 1.30pm Saturday c) Saturday's Group A and Group B practice is compulsory d) No registration for DH will occur after 1.30pm Saturday
DH Group A Seeding Group A seeding will now commence at 4pm Saturday
DH Group A Finals The finals for Group A will now commence at 3pm Sunday
Presentations a) Friday XC presentations will occur at 2.30pm for all of Friday's XC classes b) Friday MTNX presentations will occur around 8pm c) Saturday XC presentations will occur at 3pm for all of Saturday's XC classes d) Sunday Group B DH presentations will occur at around 12.30pm for all DH Group B classes e) Sunday XCC presentations will occur at 2.30pm for all XCC classes f) Sunday Group A DH presentations will occur at around 5pm
Competition starts on Friday with the XC discipline Followed by the MTNX discipline.
2007 MTBA Australian MTB Championships (day1) January 24, 2007
Its official!
The 2007 MTBA Australian MTB Championships is the largest MTB Championships ever held in Australia. With over 1000 combined entries received by close of pre-registration and day entries being allowed this year's event will be a scorcer.
Click back over the next 4 days to stay in touch with all the day's happenings.
Selection Policy for 2007 World Championships - Australian Team January 24, 2007
Cycling Australia has issued the selection policy aimed at selecting athletes for the 2007 World MTB Championships to be staged in Fort William (Scotland), 3 - 9 September 2007.
Entries are now open for the National Series finals January 24, 2007
ENTRIES ARE NOW OPEN FOR THE GRAND FINALE OF THE 2006/07 MTBA NATIONAL SERIES
ONLINE ENTRY WITH A SECURE CREDIT CARD PAYMENT is now available on the Team Mount Beauty website http://www.tmb.org.au FOR ROUND # 4 OF THE MTBA NATIONAL SERIES BEING HELD IN MOUNT BEAUTY FROM FEBRUARY 24TH – 25TH 2007.
Take advantage of the EARLY BIRD DISCOUNT and enter before Sunday 11th February 2007.
Go to http://www.tmb.org.au to download an entry form if you prefer to pay by cheque/money order.
Team Mount Beauty in partnership with FELT-HUTCHINSON and SRAM will host the MTBA National Series round # 4 in the nationally famous location of Mount Beauty. This will be the GRAND FINALE of the series for both Cross Country and Downhill and the series champions for season 06/07 will be crowned. This event will undoubtedly be one of the best MTB events of the season and shouldn’t be missed if you are into racing your MTB or just like to get out and ride for fun and enjoy the atmosphere of a big MTB event.
The courses set by Team Mount Beauty in the Big Hill Mountain Bike Park always offer something for every rider. If you are into teeth grinding climbs we’ve got it, if you want fun flowing or technical XC descents we’ve got it or if you prefer flat out adrenalin pumping Downhill racing we’ve got that too. There’s stacks of stuff to do after the days practice or racing is over too and the people of Mount Beauty love it when MTB events come to town which creates a great atmosphere.
The XC Short Course will be held on the Sunday before Downhill racing on a track setup in the race village. The course itself is only a few hundred metres long consisting of mostly wide track all the way. The racing is fast, furious and very exciting to watch.
Check out www.tmb.org.au as we are hoping to have some video of the courses on the website soon. Also on the website will be course maps, elevation profiles, course statistics and all your event updates and info.
DON’T MISS OUT ON AN AWSOME MTB EVENT. ENTER NOW AT HTTP://WWW.TMB.ORG.AU
Result of nominations received for the 2007 MTBA AGM January 20, 2007
The following nominations have been received by the MTBA office:
President: Leanne Henderson (ACT), Gillian Duncan* (Qld) Vice President: Kristjan Snorrason (Vic), Richard Quinn* (TAS) Treasurer: Vanessa Medder* (SA) Secretary: none received CA Representative: Nigel Walker* NSW Representative: Steve Humphrey* Victoria Representative: Bruce Dickey* SA Representative: none received WA Representative: none received Qld Representative: none received NT Representative: none received ACT Representative: Russell Baker* Tasmania Representative: none received XC discipline Representative: none received DH discipline Representative: none received MTNX discipline Representative: none received OT discipline Representative: none received
* indicates incumbent
Nominations have now closed. Based on the above nominations I declare the following positions elected:
Treasurer: Vanessa Medder* (SA) CA Representative: Nigel Walker* NSW Representative: Steve Humphrey* Victoria Representative: Bruce Dickey* ACT Representative: Russell Baker*
Congratulations to all these successful nominees.
Elections will occur for the following positions from the stated nominees:
President: Leanne Henderson (ACT), Gillian Duncan* (Qld) Vice President: Kristjan Snorrason (Vic), Richard Quinn* (TAS)
... and nominations and election for the following positions:
Secretary: SA Representative: WA Representative: Qld Representative: NT Representative: Tasmania Representative: XC discipline Representative: DH discipline Representative: MTNX discipline Representative: OT discipline Representative:
will be taken at the MTBA AGM on 27th January 2007 at 7.30pm as follows:
Embassy Motel, Hopetoun Circuit, DEAKIN ACT 2600
2007 UCI Mountain Bike Master World Championships (XCO, DHI) January 18, 2007
The 2007 UCI Mountain Bike Master World Championships (XCO, DHI) will be hosted at the Pra Loup resort (Alpes-de-Haute-Provence / France) in August from 15th to 19th, 2007.
Registration is now available on the event web site: http://www.praloup.com or by phone at +33(0)4 92 84 10 04 to all appropriately aged members in the Masters category wishing to participate in this competition.
A reminder that if you intend to compete at theis event you must have international endorsement available through Cycling Australia.
What will you be doing on Australia day? January 12, 2007
Many of Australia's top mountain bike athletes will be in Canberra for the 2007 MTBA Australian Mountain Bike Championships, so why not join them. The 5-day MTB festival includes the Olympic MTB discipline - Cross Country, the gravity defying Down Hill, the excitement and thrills of Mountain Cross and the ballet of Bicycle Trials.
Entry is only available by pre-registration through the on-line portal ( http://www.ticketmatesnationals.com.au), but the availability of accommodation in Canberra is drying up so make your plans early. The on-line entry closes on January 21.
Come and spectate at Australia's most advanced purpose built MTB park and cheer on our international MTB athletes as they do their thing on the cutting-edge courses designed by renown MTB course designer Glen Jacobs. Enjoy the atmosphere, the excitement, and admire the courage of the riders of all abilities as they test themselves against each other and against the elements at Mount Stromlo Forest Park - January 23 - January 28.
Entry is free, but a small parking fee (to charity) will apply.
Check out the Mount Stromlo Forest Park preview by Adam McCloud from FreeWheel magazine here: : Glenn Jacobs' team and the guys at CORC are putting the finishing touches to the Mt Stromlo facility in preparation for the MTBA Australian MTBA Championships, Jan 24-28. Download the preview at http://www.freewheel.com.au/features.html
See you there.
2007 MTBA Annual General Meeting, January 27 - UPDATE 1 January 12, 2007
MTBA will hold the 2007 AGM in concert with the 2007 National Championships on Saturday evening 27th January at 7.30pm.
The venue will be the Embassy Motel, Hopetoun Circuit, DEAKIN ACT 2600 and the agenda for the AGM is available below.
At
this meeting the current MTBA executive and ordinary members (the MTBA
management committee) will stand down and a new executive and ordinary
committee members will be elected.
This meeting will also ratify changes to the current MTBA constitution. Please see separate notice on this.
MTBA Management Committee Nomination forms are now available. If you intend to nominate for a position please note that the nomination form, fully filled out and endorsed needs to be received at the MTBA office by the close of business on the 19th January 2007.
MTBA will be conducting a National level Commissaires course run in conjunction with the 2007 MTBA Australian MTB Championships. MTBA will provide the accommodation, meals and local transport for the attendees. The course will run from Wednesday afternoon (2pm - 5pm) and Thursday morning (9am - 12 noon). Thursday afternoon will involve walking the courses. Friday till Sunday will be putting your lessons into practice under race conditions. Attendees of the National level course will not be permitted to participate in any of the races on Friday - Sunday.
If you have a high level of prior experience in organising and managing MTB events please nominate to attend. To secure a position email the name and contact details of the nominee to Tony Scott (through the contacts page of this website).
In concert with the national level course MTBA is also offering a club/state level course that will consist of the lecture portion of the national course only. Attendees at this course will be free to participate in any of the events after the conclusion of the Thursday morning session. The cost for this is $20, payable at the Wednesday afternoon session. If wish to attend this first step to acting as an official please email me their contact details. Spaces are strictly limited, so first come - first in.
Both courses will lead to formal accreditation under the NOAS.
I look forward to hearing from you, and if I can help clarify any aspect of these courses please let me know.
2007 MTBA Australian MTB Championships Race Schedule announced - UPDATE 3 January 12, 2007
A third update to the 5-day schedule for the 2007 MTBA National MTB Championships, hosted for the next 3 years in Canberra, is available now. The updated race schedule includes a shift of all MTNX practice and racing an hour earlier to account for an expected late finish is darkness and a subsequent 1 hour earlier start to DH practice to keep the Group B riders in sync with gate practice for MTNX. Please delete any previous versions of the schedule.
Tony Scott, Executive Officer of MTBA, said, "The Nationals presents some significant logistical hurdles to overcome in trying to host 4 MTB disciplines in the one location on the one weekend. What we learned at the 2006 Nationals, held in Mt. Beauty for XC and Thredbo for DH and MTNX, was that having more than 2 days to run all the competitions for each discipline was very advantagous and was well recieved by the participants."
He continued, "This year we have attepmted to mimic that in Canberra at the new Mt. Stromlo MTB facility, and by hosting the nationals over the Australia Day weekend. This has provided us some extra holiday time to allow all the disciplines and all the race categories in them to shine in their own right."
More information will be available on the dedicated National Championships website : http://www.ticketmatesmtbnationals.com.au
The newly formed NSWMTB Committee have announced the launch of their new website http://www.nswmtb.asn.au effective immediately.
The new site is dedicated to keeping clubs, riders and other interested parties up to date with the latest information on what is happening with mountain biking in NSW. The main riding disciplines of downhill, cross country, mountain cross and free ride are all represented on separate pages each with their own dedicated news sections and mailing lists. There is also a dedicated section for trail advocacy to keep everyone informed of what is being done on their behalf.
This exciting new development also offers one of several advertising mediums for potential sponsors. The website aims to become an extremely attractive venture for potential sponsors as it will service a wide array of users from novice riders through to the most experienced athlete and everyone in between. It will attract those new to the sport looking for more excitement and action in their lives and other interested parties.
The new website already includes the 2007 NSW Cross Country and Downhill Series dates well ahead of schedule. A calendar is available as a service for all clubs to enter their own events in order to help promote them and also minimise clashes between major events. It shows events from all disciplines so it is easy to see what is happening where and when.
The website includes links to various sites including NSW MTB Cycling Clubs in the interest of attracting new members, and keeping local supporters informed.
NSWMTB Committee Members: President: Steve Humphreys Secretary: Jill Ward Trail Advocacy Officer: Leonard Allen DH Co-ordinator: Mikhail Chai XC Co-ordinator: Hamish Mackie MtnX Co-ordinator: James Collins FR Co-ordinator: Brett Jones
Committee members: Allan Grundy, Craig Flynn, Donna Dall, Matthew Dall, Matthew Fleming, Wayne Froggatt
Media Contact: Donna Dall, E-mail: dhamlin@bigpond.net.au Web: http://www.nswmtb.asn.au
Also a quick reminder that Round #3 of the NSW Short Track Cross Country series will be held at Homebush (Sydney Olympic Park) at the 4X track on Saturday the 13th January 2007, rego commencing at 2.30pm hosted by WSMTB. Members can find more details at http://www.nswmtb.asn.au
The Australian Solo 24 Hr MTB Championships move to Easter 2007 January 8, 2007
At its January committee meeting the CORC Committee, in consultation with MTBA, has decided to move the Australian Solo 24 Hour Championships and the awarding of the Australian Jerseys to the CORC Solo Only 24Hr held annually over the Easter long weekend. This change will be effective for the 2007 championships, which will be held on 7/8 April 2007 at the Innabaanya Guide adjacent to Majura Pines in the ACT.
The reasons behind the decision are multiple, but include: - To give the solo riders a clearer track on which to ride, without interference (or possible assistance) from the numerous team riders.
- To allow a shorter lap distance, so that a solo heading out again close inside the 24Hr mark is not faced with another 90 minutes on the course. This will allow better management of the riders, media and presentations.
- To better link the Australian Solo 24Hr Champs as a feeder event to the 24Hrs of Adrenalin World Solo 24Hr Champs, which occur in Sep/Oct each year. Under the current schedule, the Australian race is too close to allow a realistic attempt at both races, or in the case of 2006, they were on the same weekend. This conflict of dates also means that Australian riders are less likely to see their own champions, such as Craig Gordon, defend their Australian title. Under the proposed timings, riders who qualify at the Australian 24 Solo Champs, will have a minimum of 5 months to prepare for the worlds.
The 24Hrs of Adrenaline are happy to accept the qualifiers from both the 2006 Scott and the 2007 CORC Solo Only 24Hr into their 2007 World Solo 24Hr champs.
- To better manage the number of riders on track at the Scott 24Hr, because CORC would not be compelled to accept post cut-off solo entries. We currently accept these so we do not deny riders the opportunity to compete for the Australian Jerseys.
A series of Q&As have been developed below
Q1. Will CORC's Easter Solo-Only 24Hr be the Australian Championships? A1. Yes. The race at which the Australian Champions Jerseys are awarded will now be at Easter. For 2007 the race will be held over 7/8 April. This has been agreed by MTBA.
Q2. What happens to riders from the 2006 Scott who qualified for the 2007 24HRs of Adrenalin World Solo 24Hr Championships? A2. Those riders will retain their qualification places (and airfare prizes for the winners). All of the 2006 Scott and 2007 Easter Solo-Only qualifiers will be eligible for the 2007 24HRs of Adrenalin World Solo 24Hr Championships.
Q3. Will there still be a solo category in the 2007 Scott 24Hr? A3. Yes, but we expect it will be smaller because it will be subject to the normal entry limit cutoffs the same as all the team categories. We expect that this will reduce the number of solo entrants in the Scott 24Hr.
Q4. What will the prizes be for Solos at these 2 races? A4. The main prizes will follow the Championship race, so the Easter race will award the Australian Jerseys, large cash prizes and airfares to North America. Prizes for solos at the Scott 24Hr will then be similar to prizes for the team categories.
Q5. Will there now be more solo age categories at the Easter Solo-Only 24Hr? A5. We will expand some of the age category ranges to align better with the 24HRs of Adrenalin World Solo 24Hr Championships. But probably not to 5 year ranges, however, you will still be able to qualify for the 24HRs of Adrenalin World Solo 24Hr Championships in 5 year age range categories,as you do now from the Scott 24Hr.
Q6. Where will the race be held? A6. At Mt Majura in the ACT. This is where CORC's Easter Solo-Only has always been held. The Innabaanya Guide camp provides superb facilities for a solo 24Hr race, with fitted toilets, showers, office space and a range of buildings to house the event support. CORC has paid for some modifications to Innabaanya recently to make it easier to support MTB races, and is working with the ACT Guides to further expand these facilities.
Q7. Will it ever move to Mt Stromlo? A7. Certainly not in the near term. One of the main reasons for keeping it at Majura is that there is good tree cover, which provides sun and wind protection for the riders - an important factor when you are exposed to the elements for 24 hours. It will take years for Mt Stromlo to develop this level of rider protection.
Q8. Why is CORC doing this? A8. Having a dedicated solo-only 24Hr championships will allow riders unimpeded competition in which to prove themselves as the top solo riders in the country. It will allow for a shorter and more suitable track which will benefit the riders, and make it easier for spectators to keep track of their favourite riders on course. The big reason is that it will allow the Australian Solo Championships to better feed riders to the 24HRs of Adrenalin World Solo 24Hr Championships, which are held in Sep/Oct each year. With this change, the Australian qualifiers will have 5 months to prepare for the worlds, and still be able to compete in both championships. Right now, for example, it would be pretty much impossible for Australia's Craig Gordon to defend both the Australian and World titles.
Q9. Can we camp at Majura / Innabaanya? A9. Yes. There is even more camping area available there than at Kowen Forest for the Scott! But its a bit noisier, because its closer to Majura Road and under the airport flight path.
Q10. What date is Easter in 2007. A10. Block out 6 to 9 April 2007 in your race calendars.
Anthony Burton CORC President
Constitutional changes planed for MTBA December 21, 2006
When MTBA was incorporated in 1999 the constitution employed was based on the basic model rules given by the ACT Registrar General and took little heed of specific matters that would make the management of MTB more efficient, relevant and transparent.
The MTBA management committee resolved at the last meeting to change the constitution used since 1999 so as to:
1. update wording 2. make allowances for new technology 3. make allowances for new management practices
These changes are reflected in the new constitution available below and that will be offered to the MTBA membership on Saturday 27th January 2007 at the 2007 MTBA AGM.
What follows is a brief outline of the major and substantive changes made and the reasoning for those changes. These comments reflect the new constitution available below.
Part I 1(1a) MTBA has been noted as 'the association' and has been used throughout the document 1(1b). The financial year has been changed to reflect our current reporting practice, ie from 30th June to 31 December 1(1e,f) The term 'management committee' has been defined as being the office bearers (executive) and ordinary members 1(1k) general reference made to gender neutral text 2 MTB's objects have been added. These were not present in the model rules but are important to help define what MTBA does and how we act.
Part II 3(c) A class of membership called life member has been added 4(1a) electronic means is the standard these days and was not a major part of business in 1999. 6(2) MTBA membership is for a full year and insurance is paid on the basis of that.
Part III. This section on affiliates is to enable MTBA to more effectively and better manage what clubs and our other affiliates do. Previously affiliates were only managed by expulsion with no recourse to MTBA for appeal and furthermore had no method of dealing with what happened with a club's members in the case of cessation of affiliation.
Part IV 24 (1)The constitution and membership section has been defined to allow for the separation of the executive and ordinary committee members and to allow for other people to advise on MTBA matters such as the national coaches and rider reps 25(1,2) Election of the management committee members was thus changed 28. The functions and nature of the Executive Officer's role with the MTBA management committee has been added. In 1999 MTBA was completely volunteer driven. 31(2) Electronic means for meetings was added due to new technology 31(7) Management meetings often discuss sensitive matters which are confidential. The meetings also discuss plans for the future that still need to be worked through. For these reasons the management committee meetings are for management committee members only unless a special invitation is made. 33(2) Each member of the management committee only has a single vote (like the UN) 33(3) and each member may vote or put a view forward but if that member has a vested interest in the outcome of the vote then that vote is discounted 34 Text to make sure that MTBA management committee meetings are as transparent as possible
Part V no substantial changes
Part VI 50 The books are available to all members but MTBA has a well defined privacy policy that will preclude some information being made available (such as member's personal details). 52(2) This change allows us to distribute our surplus assets to a like minded entity and defines that no personal gain can be sought.
MTBA members are encouraged to attend the 2007 AGM to discuss and ratify the new constitution so that MTBA can more effectively manage and administer your organisation into the future.
Further information can be obtained from the MTBA executive officer after January 5th 2007.
KHS Bicycles to be major sponsor of the Working Week Series in 2007 December 21, 2006
Bright Orange Events are happy to announce the KHS Working Week Series for 2007, with KHS Bicycles assuming the naming rights mantle for the first time.
The Working Week Series, running since 2004, is comprised of 5 “8 Hour Endurance Mountain Bike Races” spread throughout the year, each event attracting an average of over 400 competitors. This makes the series comfortably Australia’s largest single-discipline mountain bike series. Competitors range from 9 to almost 90 in age, and come from all over the East Coast of Australia to major mountain bike venues including Lithgow, Southern Highlands, Newcastle, Sydney and Canberra. Bright Orange Events will again be promoting and managing the series in 2007.
KHS Bicycles Inc. was founded in 1974 as an American-based company distributing the KHS brand of bicycles. Since that time KHS has grown into a brand respected for quality, value, and integrity with distribution in more than 30 countries around the world. In Australia KHS Bicycles are distributed by leading wholesaler Dirt Works Australia.
Bright Orange Events are excited to have a major bicycle brand in KHS Bicycles to headline such a significant series in 2007. Riders can expect to see some new and exciting innovations as a result of this partnership, including:
- An additional race – making the KHS Working Week Series a “best 5 of 6 competition” for 2007 - The “Dirt Works Grudge Match” – which will allow riders to ‘race their mates’ for a trophy and prizes - The KHS Bicycles Give Away – competitors will have the chance to win, “lucky-draw” style, one KHS Dual Suspension Frame and one “$1000 KHS Bicycles Cheque” at each and every round of the series - Series Prizes from major brands including SDG, ODI, Hayes, Crank Brothers & Stan’s No Tubes. - And much, much more!
The KHS Working Week Series in 2007 will indeed be even bigger and better than ever, and we look forward to seeing you all at the events throughout NSW & the ACT.
2007 Insurance provisions announced December 21, 2006
In a first for the Australian cycling community Cycling Australia, BMXA and MTBA have joined forces to develop an insurance program for all their members.
Tony Scott, Executive Officer for MTBA said, "For the first time there is commonality of insurance cover across all competitive cycling disciplines. Not only has this yielded economies in the insurance cost for all three organisations, but the level of cover has been substantially improved."
Scott added, "MTBA will use the cost savings for insurance by investing in developing grass roots MTB possibilities. We will make announcements about our plans in this area early in 2007."
The insurance cover now available to MTBA members can be found in the summary document found in the membership section of the MTBA website or by contacting MTBA.
2007 MTBA Annual General Meeting, January 27 December 21, 2006
MTBA will hold the 2007 AGM in concert with the 2007 National Championships on Saturday evening 27th January.
At this meeting the current MTBA executive and ordinary members (the MTBA management committee) will stand down and a new executive and ordinary committee members will be elected.
This meeting will also ratify changes to the current MTBA constitution. Please see separate notice on this.
MTBA Management Committee Nomination forms will be available early 2007 from the MTBA website.
MTBA holiday arrangements December 21, 2006
The MTBA office will close from December 22 till January 5th inclusive. For urgent communications please send an email through the contacts page on the MTBA website.
All at MTBA takes this opportunity to wish all our supporters and their families a very joyful and safe holiday period.
We look forward to seeing you in the new year.
RENNIE ROMPS TO WIN THREDBO DOWNHILL December 17, 2006
Elite Men World bronze medallist, Nathan Rennie (#17) from the Gold Coast proved he is one of the best mountain bike downhillers in Australia by winning the third round of the National Mountain Bike Series at Thredbo today. Current National Champion, Rennie qualified third fastest but was not knocked out of the hot seat by the two faster qualifiers, Canberra's Ben Cory (#8) or Wollongong's Amiel Cavalier (#1). Course record holder, Jared Rando (#23) from Canberra in his first race back in Australia placed second but will not challenge any series leaders. The current series leader, Amiel Cavalier secured a podium third and maintains a comfortable series lead with 178 points.
Rennie was ranked in 17th position coming into the race and has moved up the rankings but will not have a chance of taking out the series after racing only the first round in Lithgow. Racing there was unexpectedly cancelled due to delays on the course and his slower qualifying run was recorded.
Adam Smithson (#2) from Newcastle finished in seventh but he stays in contention with third placing in the series. Dave Wesr (# 4) placed fourth again in this national race and now moves into second place.
The National Championships in Canberra in late January is the next event with the final in the national series in Mt Beauty, VIC in February.
Elite women
An upset in the women’s downhill race saw veteran downhiller, Joanne Fox (#310) from Sydney take the win over the race favourite, Newcastle’s Emma McNaughton,(#305) by a clear four seconds. After being convinced by her husband at the last minute to ride up with elite women, Fox was elated but exhausted at the finish line. “I knew it wasn’t going to be easy to win today,” she said. “The first thing I’m going to do is have something to eat, I’m starving!”
Third was last season’s overall leader, Claire Whiteman from Canberra who qualified second fastest. Another Canberra rider, Caroline Buchanan (#301) from Canberra placed fourth and just barely maintains the series lead by one point over Claire Whiteman.
Brisbane’s James Maltman sorted out earlier mechanical problems to win the Under 19 division today.
The third round of the downhill at Thredbo saw record entries to date for a national series downhill with 340 riders.
Thredbo DH3 results December 17, 2006
Nathan Rennie, World bronze medallists and current national DH Champion took out todays 3rd round of the national MTB DH series held in Thredbo for Elite men. Long time rider Joanne Fox took out the Elite women's class in a very dominant ride while James maltman placed first in U19 men.
Sid Taberlay and Paul van der Ploeg dominated the Elite and U19 XC today, while Kate Potter upset series leader Tory Thomas to take out 1st place at today's third round of the national XC series held in Thredbo.
Cycling Central, Australia's only cycling magazine program that features the best in cycling from around the world including road, track, MTB and more returns on Sunday 17 Dec - 5.30pm - 6pm. Presented by Mike Tomalaris. SMS Alert Code: 6413 www.sbs.com.au
First show includes:
Cycling Awards (Mountain Biking & BMX) Brindabella Challegne Plus more...
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Thredbo MTNX #3 results December 15, 2006
Luke Madill dominated the Elite men class at the third round of the 2006/2007 National MTNX series held in Thredbo today.
Olympic Games riders take to Thredbo slopes December 15, 2006
Olympic Cross Country racing return to Thredbo tomorrow as part of round three of the National Mountain Biking Series. After five years the ski slopes will once again see riders like Olympian, Sid Taberlay (#2) from Tasmania and fellow Commonwealth Games star, Chris Jongewaard (Adelaide) racing at altitudes over 1350m. A win from Taberlay will see him take the series lead due to the absence of current leader, Aiden Lefmann. The 2005 Series Leader, Dylan Cooper (Canberra) is currently in third spot with fellow Canberra rider, Shaun Lewis sitting poised in fourth. Jongewaard is ranked on equal eighth and a podium placing could mover him into contention.
Lachlan Norris from Bendigo leads the Under 23 division with Ben Henderson from Canberra close behind. Henderson’s younger sister, Rebecca has had stunning performance this season and at just 15 years of age is leading the Under 23 division in the women’s series.
Women’s elite racing is being dominated by Victorian, Tory Thomas. However two riders being developed as part of the “Dirt Roads to London” program, Zoe King and Renee Fortunato are sitting in second and fourth respectively. Caroline Jackson, a former English champion is third on the points tally while Rowena Fry from Launceston has consistent rides to place fifth overall.
The course in Thredbo has received good reviews by cross country riders with a vertical rise of 200m every lap. Elite women complete four laps and get underway at 9.30 am . The elite men and under 23 division will race for six laps of the 5.75 km course starting at 12.45pm.
Cross Country riders take a back seat on Sunday as many of the world's best downhill riders take to the ski slopes in round 3 of the National Series. World bronze medallist, Nathan Rennie from the Gold Coast will race current series leader, Amiel Cavalier from Wollongong.
ACT Government commits to $1m for 2009 MTB World's bid December 11, 2006
The ACT Government is to provide more that $1m to support the 2009 Mountain Bike World Championships if a bid to hold them in Canberra is successful. Full details as they come to hand.
The confirmation of the venue for the 2009 World's is expected just prior to the commencement of the 2007 Australian National Championships being staged at Stromlo Forest Park over 24-28 January.
The venue got its first real workout over the last 2 weekends as part of the 2006 Brindabella Challenge to great acclaim.
The full text of the release plus some comments from CORC President Anthony Burton is below:
Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation, Andrew Barr, today announced the ACT Government would provide over $1 million to support the 2009 Mountain Bike World Championships if a bid to hold them in Canberra was successful.
The ACT Government has joined with Canberra Off-Road Cyclists (CORC) and their event partners Apis Consulting Group in their bid for Canberra to host and manage the International Cycling Union 2009 Mountain Bike and Trials World Championships at Stromlo Forest Park in early September 2009.
“If successful in its bid for the world championships, Canberra would play host to the most significant mountain bike event of 2009 and have the capacity to attract in excess of 60,000 visitors and spectators over 4 days,” Mr Barr said.
“The ACT Government is pleased to announce our support for the event, which comes on top of an investment of $7.5 million in the facilities at Stromlo Forest Park.
“The ACT Government and CORC have successfully tested the venue as part of the Brindabella Challenge and CORC have been granted the rights, for three years, to stage the Australian Mountain Bike and Trials Championships at Stromlo Forest Park, commencing in January 2007.
“Given the stature of this event in the world and the growing popularity of mountain biking in Australia, it is a major opportunity to promote Stromlo Forest Park and Canberra as the number one mountain biking destination in Australia and a hot spot for mountain biking in the world.”
Mr Barr said CORC is the largest mountain bike club in Australia and has more experience than any other club or promoter in Australia in staging major international standard mountain bike events.
“This combined with Apis’ core project management and media marketing experience will no doubt ensure the delivery of a world class event” Mr Barr said.
'I am over the moon.' CORC President Anthony Burton said.
"As a club we have worked hard to get the attention of the government, built their belief in the sport and, worked together in developing a truly world class facility and now want to show this off to the world."
"This funding is goes to show what can be achieved when you are professional, courteous and persistent."
An announcement of the successful host of the 2009 Mountain Bike World Championships will be made in January 2007.
Mountain Bike National Championships in Canberra at Stromlo Forest Park
December 8, 2006
Registrations are now open for the 2007 Australian Mountain Bike Championships involving four mountain biking disciplines: cross country, downhill, mountain cross and trials.
The pinnacle of Australia’s mountain biking national season will be hotly contested on the newly
established courses of Mt Stromlo in Canberra from January 24 to 28.
This premier competitive mountain bike event in Australia will be staged at the new purpose-built $6 million Stromlo Forest Park and is expected to attract more than 1,500 competitors and 10,000 supporters and spectators over the four days of competition.
On the back of winning Cycling Australia’s highest honour for cycling events for the 2006 SCOTT 24hr Australian Mountain Bike Championships, CanberraOff-RoadCyclists (CORC) and Apis Events will again join forces to host the nationals
Mountain Bike Australia Executive Officer, Tony Scott said "Australia’s top riders will contest the nationals with an eye on winning the Australian title in their respective discipline. "
“Success at the pinnacle of Australian MTB competition will open up the possibility to be selected on the Australian team to contest the World MTB Championships, which in 2007 will be held in Fort William, Scotland,” Mr Scott said.
CORC president Anthony Burton said while the elite categories will attract Australia’s best riders, the event is open to all riders from junior (under 15) through to masters and super masters in the over 50’s.
“You don’t have to be a professional rider to compete in the nationals,” Mr Burton said.
Planning for the event is well underway and riders cannot only expect a challenging, and exciting event but they can also enjoy a weekend of riding with friends at a world-class mountain bike facility ten minutes from a major city.
The nationals will also provide an excellent opportunity to race on the course, designed by the internationally renowned Glen Jacobs (Sydney2000) that is also the proposed home of the 2009 UCI Mountain Bike and Trials World Championships.
CORC and Apis Events, who form the provisional organising committee for the world championships, will discover during the national titles if Canberra’s bid has been successful. If successful in its bid for the world championships Canberra would play host to the most significant mountain bike event of 2009 and have the capacity to attract in excess of 120,000 visitors and spectators.
“Fingers crossed we will be celebrating more than just national titles over the Australia Day long weekend.” Mr Burton said.
For further information and on-line entries go to: http://www.nationalseries.com.au.
Volunteers wanted for 2007 National Championships December 7, 2006
Don’t miss out on your opportunity to be a part of 100% mountain biking heaven by volunteering for the 2007 Australian Mountain Bike Championships.
Volunteers are urged to be part of Australia’s pinnacle MTB event, to be hotly contested on the newly established courses of Stromlo Forest Park, Canberra over the Australia Day Long Weekend - January 24 to 28.
You can enjoy the unique and exhilarating chance to witness Australia’s best riders in full flight - what better way to be part of the experience than being an official volunteer?
Volunteering is an integral component of every mountain biking event and your support is essential in delivering not only a successful but memorable national championships.
Volunteers are needed to fill a variety of roles for the week prior to the event, the week of the event and the week following.
Volunteers will perform a wide range of important tasks including course marshals, parking and traffic control, race and event installations, administration, timing, merchandise sales and general duties.
Volunteers will be recognized in a number of ways through our rewards initiative to reflect their level of contribution to the 2007 Australian MTB Championships.
This premier competitive mountain bike event in Australia will be staged at the new purpose-built $6 million Stromlo Forest Park and is expected to attract more than 1,500 competitors and 10,000 supporters and spectators over the four days of competition.
Planning for the event is well underway and riders can not only expect a challenging, and exciting event but they can also enjoy a weekend of riding with friends at a world-class mountain bike facility ten minutes from a major city.
Volunteering strengthens existing bonds with the local community and provides opportunities for volunteers to apply their expertise in a variety of ways. Volunteers are hardworking and have great fun in donating their spare time in sport they are passionate about promoting and developing.
For more information about volunteering for the nationals and/or to register your interest visit www.nationalseries.com.au or contact event coordinator- eventcoord@apisgroup.com.au
MEDIA CONTACTS APIS Events Name: Karrie-Anne Lawson Office: 02 6206 0000 Mobile 0418 669 549
CORC: Name: Anthony Burton Mobile: 0434 612 011
2007 National level Commissaire Course announced December 7, 2006
MTBA will be conducting a Commissaire course in conjunction with the 2007 National Championships between 24th and 28th January 2007 inclusive.
MTBA now invites nominations to attend this important course. Space is limited to 10.
To be eligible for selection you must be able to provide us documented evidence of considerable experience in managing at least state level MTB events for the past 2 years.
Each nominee must send to MTBA a personal CV regarding his/her experience and a supporting document from the nominee's club.
Nominations close 8th January 2007. If more than 10 nominees are received the successful nominees will be based on experience, and need. Successful nominees will be notified by the 12th January 2007.
The course is provided free of charge by MTBA. The successful nominees are responsible for travel costs to and from Canberra but MTBA will cover accommodation (on a twin share basis) and meals.
The course will consist of 2 days intensive class-room/on-site inspections followed by hands-on management of aspects of the National Championships. Successful nominees are expected to be available for the entire course (all 5 days) and will not be permitted to participate in the National Championship events themselves, ie will not be permitted to enter any races.
Further information can be obtained from Tony Scott via the contacts page of this website..
Shaun Lewis and Adrian Jackson win 2006 Urban Polaris December 5, 2006
The 7th Urban Polaris MTB navigation event was run in Canberra on Sunday 3 December with nearly 600 riders taking part. The event started and finished at the new Stromlo Forest Park, officially opened by the ACT Chief Minister on the weekend.
One of Australia's leading MTB riders, Canberra based rider Shaun Lewis, had little experience in MTB events with no fixed route. So he teamed up with World MTB Orienteering Champion, Adrian Jackson from Victoria and together they amassed 450points in the 7 hours to take out the overall title, riding some 130km and picking up 25 of the 37 available checkpoints. Lewis/Jackson snuck ahead of the 2005 winning pair, Canberra riders Adrian Sheppard/David Osmond who, whilst amassing the same number of points, were docked 8 penalty points for being 8 minutes late to finish on 442points.
In addition to checkpoints located deep in forest parks and on snaking singletrack, the Urban had its usual array of novelty points. These included swapping bikes for pedal boats on Lake Burley Griffin to reach a control in the lake, at the top of a climb in a rock climbing gym, a snake pit, trying to find a lone kayaker paddling on Lake Gininderra, at the cricket on Manuka Oval, amongst the crowds at the Old Bus Depot Markets and the embassy of East Timor...............
3rd to 5th Overall places were taken out by Solo riders with David Simpfendorfer (435pts) ahead of Wayne Bradbury (415pts) and Steve Fitchett (410pts) showing that two heads are not always that much better than one. Melissa Thomas/Mary Fien (340pts) took out the Womens category with Karen Graham (260pts) the Womens Solo winner and Robyn Simonato/Penny Maher (280pts) the Womens Vets winners. Mixed Veterans winners Juliet Fisher/David Morgan (390pts and 7th overall) would also have won against their younger Mixed compatriots on time with the winners of that category Ian Stewart/Marina Reid also on 390pts but 6 minutes behind. Stewart is the only person to have won the overall Urban Polaris title in both Sydney and Canberra in years past. Andrew Rowe/Bruce Luckham (360pts) won the Mens Vets and the evergreen 70year old Guido Simionato teamed up with his son Roger to once again (6 times in 7 years!) win the Super Vets category with 340pts.
Wildside MTB wins major tourism award December 1, 2006
At the Tasmania Tourism Awards conducted by the Tourism Council of Tasmania last weekend, Wildside MTB took out the award for the best major festival or event. This is fantastic recognition of the event and the positive effect it has had in promoting Tasmania and particularly the west coast as a mountain biking destination.
As well as a very nice little granite trophy, Wildside MTB is automatically entered into the same category for the Australian Tourism Awards which are being judged this weekend and will be announced next February. It will be interesting to see how we go against the Commonwealth Games! It doesn’t matter, it’s all great national exposure for Wildside MTB, mountain biking, and everyone that supports the event.
Thanks to you all. Without your support Wildside MTB would not be the success that it is.
And of course I never let a chance go by………remember that the next Wildside MTB is set for 19 – 22 January 2008.
For more information contact Nic Deka: mcdeka@southcom.com.au
Congratulations Nic from all at MTBA!
Taberlay and Thomas take mountain wins November 27, 2006
Local favourite, Sid Taberlay won convincingly today in the six lap elite men’s race at the second round of the National Mountain Bike Series in Hobart. The 26 year old Athens Olympian passed early leader Dylan Cooper in the second lap to eventually win by three minutes. Taberlay rode the quickest lap of the day in a scorching 17 minutes and 37 seconds which secured his eventual win. Second was the winner of the first round at Yellowmundi last month, Aiden Lefmann. A strong finish by Commonwealth Games rider, Chris Jongewaard from Adelaide saw him in third. Lachlan Norris finished in fourth and also won the under 23 category. Canberra rider, Shaun Lewis finished in fifth.just one place ahead of fellow rider, Dylan Cooper. Cooper was the early leader but stayed in contention to place sixth overall.
In the elite women's race, Tory Thomas was stretched to her limit by two English riders today but finally won. The 28 year old Victorian rider and Caroline Jackson an ex- British rider swapped places at the front for most of the race. Another British ranked rider, Kate Potter worked her way up through one of the largest fields in women’s cross country to come second. Jackson placed third just 1 minute 20 min behind the leader. Thomas pulled away during the last of four laps so as not to repeat the finish at the last round where she was out-sprinted on the line by Zoe King. Thomas was a favourite to win after recent form saw her win the National Marathon Championships in Toowoomba.
Local favourite, Rowena Fry from Launceston placed seventh. Fellow “Dirt Road to London” rider, Renee Fortunato was the highest placed finisher from that talent identification program in fourth. The youngest rider in the field, 15 year old Rebecca Henderson surprised spectators by finishing in 8th place and taking the win in the Under 23 division.
Young Cavalier takes win in elite downhill November 27, 2006
Amiel Cavalier stamped his claim on the elite men National Series today when he won the second round of downhill. The 18 year old from Wollongong won on the Glenorchy circuit in Hobart in a time of 3.07.52. Cavalier qualified the quickest rider in the first of the two runs in 3.07.38. This is Cavalier's first win ever in the elite division in a national race after dominating the junior ranks for many years The 2005 World Junior gold medallist, Cavalier said, "Yes it's good to be up with the elite men now."
Rick Boyer from the Blue Mountains (now based in Canberra) was the second fastest and shows his return to a podium position after serious leg injury several years ago saw him sidelined.
Adam Smithson from Newcastle claimed third place after a 3.12.65 run placed him in the hot seat for most of the final runs until Boyer raced down faster by 3 seconds. Cavalier now leads the ranking in the National Series taking it away from series leader after Lithgow, Brad Kelly from Sydney who finished the race in a respectable ninth place. The best local riders were brothers Simon and Stuart French who finished in 19th and 20th respectively. Simon French designed the downhill course which saw spectators line the final jumps and berms near the finish line.
Current World Junior Downhill Champion, Tracey Hannah was a clear winner in the elite women’s race. The 18 year old Cairns rider was 40 seconds in front of Claire Whiteman from Canberra. New rider in the National Series, Julie Martin from Adelaide was third. BMX rider from Canberra, Caroline Buchanan finished in fourth but remains the series leader overall.
Joel Bain from Perth won the Under 19 division.
The next round will be in the snow resort of Thredbo in mid-December.
Radio Interview - Katrina Miller - SEN 116 November 25, 2006
Radio Interview: 1116 SEN (Melbourne) Adrenaline Rush -Saturday between 3-5pm. SEN is available on webcast. Go to www.sen.com.au and click on the radio icon, top right.
Who: Katrina Miller, 3 time World Cup winner, 5 time NORBA Series winner
What: Recently retired the 31 yr old receives her 6th Cycling Award (Fri 24th Melbourne). After 10 years of professional racing in Europe and America the top Australian Mountain Cross rider received little recognition in Australia. Miller opens her new bike shop on the Gold Coast which is unique “Bikes and Beans” is near the surfing beach of Burleigh and looks after the BMX & mountain biking market.
Where: Via mobile –0414 320 370. She’ll be back on the GC with her award!
When: 4:20 - 4:30 pm Saturday 25th November (Vic time, 3.20 pm Qld time), Saturday 25th November, 2006.
Cadel Evans named 2006 Australian Cyclist of the Year November 25, 2006
Victorian cyclist, Cadel Evans, has been named the 2006 Australian Cyclist of the Year and awarded the Sir Hubert 'Oppy' Opperman Medal at a gala event at Melbourne's Arts Centre.
In 2006 Evans equalled the highest overall placing ever by an Australian at the Tour de France finishing the three week epic in fifth place. During the season he also won a stage and overall honours in the Tour of Romandie and finished the year ranked fourth on the UCI ProTour rankings. Evans was also named the cyclingnews 2006 Australian Male Road Cyclist of the Year.
Following is a partial list of award winners.
Male BMX Cyclist of the Year
Kamakazi - The Australian Champion, Kamakazi is the top ranked rider in the UCI Continental standings and is ranked number four in the world. He was a semi finalists at the World Championships in Brazil.
Female BMX Cyclist of the Year
Renee Junga - Junga topped the UCI Continental rankings for 2006 and reached the semi finals at the World Championships. She is Australia’s top ranked female on the World Standings in sixth position.
Sportscover Junior Male BMX Cyclist of the Year
Todd Pascoe - Pascoe's performances saw him finish on top of the UCI Continental rankings and make the quarter-finals at the World Championships
Sportscover Junior Female BMX Cyclist of the Year
Melissa Mankowski - Mankowski was a finalist in the Junior Championship Class at the World Championships where she finished fourth. She also topped the UCI Continental rankings and claimed the gold medal at the National Championships.
Sportscover Junior Male MTB Cyclist of the Year
Daniel Braunsteins - Braunsteins is the Australian Short Track Champion and was second in the cross country at the Australian Championships and Oceania Championships. At the World Titles in New Zealand he placed sixth.
Sportscover Junior Female MTB Cyclist of the Year
Tracey Hannah - Hannah had an exceptional year in 2006. She was the series champion and won up two rounds in the elite division of the NORBA series and ended her season with a gold medal winning ride to be crowned Junior Women’s Downhill World Champion.
Event Merit Award
SCOTT 24 hour Mountain Bike Championships
The full list of finalists is available on the Cycling Australia website - 2006 Australian Cyclist of the Year Awards Finalists
For further information (media only) please contact: Gennie Sheer, Sheer Rhetoric - Communications Director, Cycling Australia Tel: +61 (0) 418 863 533 Email: gennie@compuserve.com
SEN Radio Interview - Mountain Bike track builder - Glen Jacobs November 16, 2006
Radio Interview: 1116 SEN (Melbourne) Adrenaline Rush - Saturday between 3-5pm. SEN is available on webcast. Go to www.sen.com.au and click on the radio icon, top right.
Who: Glen Jacobs, world renowned track builder.
What: On location at the Glenorchy Mountain Bike Park – site of the 2nd National Series. Jacobs is constructing Mt Stomlo Mountain Bike Park, Canberra. It will be the location of the next National Championships 26 - 28th January. Also the bid is still hopeful for the 2009 World Championships there as well. The world renowned track builder, Glen Jacobs has constructed over 200 courses in 18 countries including the Sydney 2000 Olympic Cross Country course.
Where: Via mobile –0407 674943. Glen is originally from Cairns but is now based in Canberra and Switzerland.
When: Rescheduled from last week to 3.30 pm (Vic & ACT time), Saturday 25th November, 2006
Ride-test the 2007 National Championship courses November 15, 2006
Yes, you have heard all about it - $6.5m of ACT government money, Glen Jacobs design and Canberra Off Road Cyclists know-how - all have contributed to the development of the venue of the 2007 National MTB Championships.
Now you can come and test-ride the courses that will be used then at the 2006 Brindabella Challenge.
The Brindabella Challenge 2006 is a multi-sport event here in Canberra that, over two big weekends, hosts a very large number of cycling events all around the nation's Capital.
DH On the same track as will be used for the National Championships in 2007, the first chance to ride it, freshly finished by Glen Jacobs, an entry fee of just $70 ($55 for CORC members), and a fantastic event will make it a well worth event to race. 9th and 10th of December
4X On the 9th of December riders will be able to hit up the 180,000 tonnes of dirt freshly moulded into the biggest 4X track in Australia, the track for the Aus. National Champs in 07, and a Glen Jacobs masterpiece, for $30.
XC There will also be a XC race on the 07 Nats track, with all categories from the CORC club series being run, and points being awarded towards that series. $30 entry ($15 for CORC members).
There are also a number of Skills sessions being run, as well as social rides and a National Series Trials competition.
A full list of all the MTB parts of the '06 BC can be found here. <http://www.brindabellachallenge.com.au/ridesandraces/mtb.html>
‘Dine with Cadel’ at the Sydney World Cup November 14, 2006
The organising committee of the Sydney round of the UCI Track Cycling World Cup Classics has announced an exclusive offer for sports fans is now being auctioned on www.eBay.com.au
This is an exclusive opportunity to enjoy a night with cycling royalty when Australian sporting hero, Cadel Evans, hosts dinner for nine lucky guests at the UCI Track Cycling World Cup Classics at the Dunc Gray Velodrome this Friday night. The profits from the auction of this ‘Inner Wheel’ table will be donated to the Amy Gillett Foundation and Renee Junga Appeal. The auction closes on Thursday morning at 10.00am (AEST)
Evans, a two time Mountain Bike World Cup Series Champion, this year equalled the best ever result by an Australian when he finished fifth overall in the Tour de France and was today named one of three finalists for the 2006 Australian Road Cyclist of the Year Award. He will be trackside to lend his support to the Australian riders and give his guests a personal insight into his career. He has donated his time to help highlight road safety awareness amongst motorists and cyclists through the Amy Gillett Foundation and to assist BMX star Renee Junga in her rehabilitation.
A sensational experience is guaranteed with the table located right in the thick of it – in the middle, the inner sanctum – where the Australian and international teams will be in readiness for competition. The offer includes a two course dinner and drinks package.
The hottest track talent in the world is racing at the World Cup with 250 cyclists representing 32 countries contesting 16 events in a bid to secure qualification for the 2007 World Championships. You will be close enough to see every sinew and grimace as some of the finest cyclists in the world race at top speed for victory. Click here for the official UCI Track World Cup website.
It doesn’t get any better than this and ‘Dine with Cadel’ is an exclusive opportunity not to be missed.
The Amy Gillett Foundation Amy Gillett was a truly one of Australia’s sporting elite. The nation shared the grief of her family and team mates when she was tragically killed during a training ride with the Australian team in Germany in 2005.
Amy had a successful career in rowing that saw her represent Australia at the Atlanta Olympic Games, before she turned her talents to becoming a champion cyclist.
But sport was not her only passion. Amy had a Bachelor of Applied Science (Exercise and Sports Science) and Honours in Human Movement. Amy had commenced her PhD which was to study how women react to life after sport, irrespective of their level, achievements and profile. Her unwavering commitment to excellence in all she pursued and intense love of life stand as an inspiration to all of us.
The Renee Junga Appeal Bicycle Motocross Australia (BMXA), Cycling Australia (CA) and Mountainbike Australia (MTBA) have jointly launched an appeal for injured athlete Renee Junga.
The 20 year old, who won a Silver Medal at last years World BMX Championships in France and was the 2005 Australian Female BMX Cyclist of the Year, crashed in August this year on the 4X (Four-Cross) course at the World Mountainbike Championships in Rotorua, NZ.
Renee broke the C1 and C2 bones in her neck and suffered spinal trauma at the T6 vertebrae. She has also suffered two broken ribs and a fractured sternum. She is now in the spinal unit of the Princess Alexandra Hospital in Brisbane working hard on her rehabilitation and adapting to her new lifestyle.
For more information or tickets for the Track World Cup visit www.trackworldcup.cycling.org.au or contact 02 9738 2505.
Finalists for the 2007 Australian Cyclist of the Year awards November 14, 2006
Cycling Australia is pleased to announce the finalists in thie 2006 Australian Cyclist of the Year Awards. The gala celebration of Australian cycling will be held on Friday November 24th at the Arts Centre in Melbourne.
A range of awards will be presented culminating in the presentation of the “Sir Hubert Opperman Medal” to the 2006 Australian Cyclist of the Year.
The complete list of finalists is available at http://www.cyling.org.au. The MTB nominations are:.
Male MTB Cyclist of the Year
Jared Graves Jared claimed victory in the 4X at the Willingen World Cup in Germany and was second in the Brazilian round. He also placed fifth in both the Vigo (ESP) and Mont St Anne (CAN) rounds.
Sam Hill Sam produced a thrilling run at the World Championships to claim the gold medal in the elite downhill. He was consistent throughout the year picking up two World Cup wins in Great Britain and Austria to finish second overall in the World Cup Series. He won the NORBA Series and finished the year as the number one ranked downhill rider in the world.
Chris Jongewaard Chris won the Australian MTB XC Series and was second at the Australian Championships. At the Commonwealth Games he delighted the Aussie fans with an early attack that saw him lead for most of the race before finishing fourth across the line.
Female MTB Cyclist of the Year
Katrina Miller Katrina’s final year of international competition saw her again challenging on the international stage. She won the 4X at the Mont St Anne World Cup (CAN) and was second in both the German and Brazilian rounds to finish the Series ranked fourth overall.
SBS Television Coach of the Year
Scott Sharples 2006 marked the culmination of five years of exceptional work by Scott. At the World Championships in New Zealand his riders claimed gold, bronze, fifth and sixth in the men’s elite downhill and gold in the junior women’s downhill. Scott has steered Australia to the position of the world’s number one ranked men’s downhill nation.
Sportscover Junior Male MTB Cyclist of the Year
Ben Bell Ben raced with the elite field in the American NORBA series finishing second in Round 2 and fourth in the third round.
Daniel Braunsteins Daniel is the Australian Short Track Champion and was second in the cross country at the Australian Championships and Oceania Championships. At the World Titles in New Zealand he placed sixth.
Sportscover Junior Female MTB Cyclist of the Year
Tracey Hannah Tracey had an exceptional year in 2006. She was the series champion and won up two rounds in the elite division of the NORBA series and ended her season with a gold medal winning ride to be crowned Junior Women’s Downhill World Champion.
Best Photograph
Mikkeli Godfree - Commonwealth Games Chris Jongewaard, was physically and emotionally shattered after the Commonwealth Games cross country event where he led until the final lap when his body could take no more.
Renee Junga and Wade Bootes are also nominated in BMX categories.
BMX South Qld fundraising day for Renee Junga, 11th Nov. November 8, 2006
We invite All riders (both BMX & MTB) to what will be a fantastic fun day for all.
All funds raised will be donated to Renee.
We also have a Huge raffle running including four bikes, a pocket bike,...and many many many other great prizes, made possible by those kind people who have donated prizes. Please check the raffle list, and also checkout the contacts of those kind people who have donated goods.
If you wish to purchase tickets in this Mega-Raffle, please do so ASAP at the contacts provided. Don’t miss out..., as there are many great prizes on offer, and all money raised goes towards Renee’s fundraiser... a great cause.
If you wish to purchase Raffle tickets in Renee's Day Please contact SQ Sec. Kayelene on 07 38122494 or email kmewd@optusnet.com.au
For payment of Raffle Tickets, please make cheques payable to;
BMX South Qld and post to; The Secretary BMXSQ 6 Vernon St. Ipswich 4305 Qld
OR
You can Direct Deposit to;
Bank/Branch: Bank of Qld - Booval BSB Number: 124053 A/C Number: 10296866 A/C Name: BMX South Qld Inc.
Please leave your name in the "Reference" field.
All raffle ticket sales will be receipted. All raffle payments must be received prior to drawing of raffle (so please get in now).
There will also be a Special Photo Album being set up on the day. Here's how it works. As soon as you get to the Centenary Plains BMX track this Saturday find Jamie-Lee & Julie. They will have the digital camera set up, where you pay/donate $1 (to the cause). Your Picture will be taken (group shots & funny photos welcome - $1 per head). All Picture Taking will FINISH at END OF MOTO ONE. Why.., because the girls will then race off and get all the picture processed (printed), bring them back to the track, paste them all in a Special Album for Renee, and you then get to write a short note to Renee next to your picture in this Special Album. The Album will be presented to Renee at a later date, and will be a great recollection of the big day... But Remember... dive in & get your picture taken ASAP.. as the girls will be VERY busy on the day organizing this fantastic gift. Please don't be left out of this Album.. anyone can be a part of it... for one dollar per head.
You can check updates to raffle list, and all other info at: http://southqld.bmxa.com.au and click on the big pink "RENEE’S DAY" button.
QORF Awards Recognise Achievements in MTB November 3, 2006
The prestigious, annual QORF (Qld Outdoor Recreation Federation) awards have featured mountain bike accomplishments in three out of the eight categories. Accolades were presented to Lindsay Klein, President of the Toowoomba MTB Club for Outstanding Achievement of an Organisation. Lindsay and the club worked with Toowoomba City Council to produce Queensland’s first competitive downhill track on public land.
The Epic marathon received the Best Outdoor Event award. Peter Creagh was presented with the award as event manager of Australia’s first 100km marathon and the 2006 inaugural MTBA Australian MTB Marathon Championship.
The QORF Government Achievement Award was accepted by the Mayor of Nanango for opening the 23km rail trail from Linville to Blackbutt. Hopefully this enterprise will lead to the extension of the rail trail through the Brisbane Valley back to Ipswich.
The MTB theme continued through the award ceremony. Local elite MTB rider Narelle Ash was recognised for her contribution to outdoor education. Eric Andrews, Queensland Orienteering Association with extensive experience conducting MTBO events received the Individual Achievement Award.
The Trail Care initiative of Brisbane City Council, represented by Chris ‘Oppy’ Maierhofer was runner up in the Environment Award.
Elite Men outnumbered by Women's field October 23, 2006
Two sprint finishes decided winners in the elite races of the Olympic Cross Country at Yarramundi today. Women's winner by a tyre width, Zoe King (Manly) passed National Marathon Champion, Tory Thomas (Mt Beauty), to win the first round of the National Series. The 29-year-old slipped past Thomas on the finish line, after Thomas suffered cramps in the final of four laps.
In a repeat performance in the men's race, Aiden Lefmann (Harbord) beat Canberra's Dylan Cooper by a bike length. Cooper, 27, lead for the first two of six laps and had the fastest lap of 21 minutes 11 seconds. The 23 year-old Lefmann surged in the final two laps to pass mid-race leader Matthew Fleming (Helensburgh). Cooper passed Lefmann in the final kilometre but in the final 200 metres Lefmann outsprinted Cooper. Matthew Fleming placed third just 14 seconds behind Cooper. Athens Olympian, Sid Taberlay was in the top placings throughout the race a finished a creditable sixth.
"I'm just stoked," Lefmann said. "Like Zoe (King) I was just looking for a top 10 finish. Then it all went better than I thought!"
Third in the women's race was United Kingdom's Caroline Jackson (Mt Waverley) now based in Melbourne.
For the first time ever in mountain biking history in Australia the number of women competing exceeded the number of elite men. Fourteen women from the 'Dirt Roads to London' program run by the AIS raced at their National Series event. The winner of the elite women's race, Zoe King is part of the program.
One elite rider, Garron Hutchison-Menzer from Chatswood was airlifted to hospital on a Careflight helicopter and his condition is unknown at this stage.
Dirt Roads to London Update – Women’s Cross Country MTB October 23, 2006
The first race of the MTBA National Series was held at Yellowmundee Regional Park in Yarramundi (NSW) on Sunday 22nd October. A field of 28 riders competed, the largest women’s elite field in many years and even more competitors than the elite male field. Of the 28 competitors, 11 were in the final squad of the Dirt Roads to London Program and another 5 had participated in the 3 month trial period leading up to the race. This was a much anticipated test for the girls against the seasoned XC Olympic distance riders.
The race was on from the start with such a big field vying for the best position leading into the single track. Tori Thomas and Jenni King battled out the first lap but Zoe King and Renee Fortunato kept in touch with the leaders. The gap between the top 5 riders was very small throughout most of the race until Zoe King and Tori Thomas paired up in a great battle for line honours. In a sprint finish to the end, Zoe King took the win from Tori Thomas by one hundredth of a second, the closest women’s race seen in a long time. Of the top 7 finishers, 4 were from the Dirt Roads to London Program and the top Under 23 rider, Lindsay Gorrell, is also part of the program.
Congratulations to Zoe: Zoe has been an adventure/endurance MTB rider previously with little experience in Olympic distance XC MTB, which is much shorter than her usual racing distance. Coach Donna Dall has been giving Zoe a lot of high intensity work to develop her ability to work at the intensity required for the Olympic format and it has paid off.
All the girls competed exceptionally well in the race and for many it was their first National Series MTB race. The girls were presented with a jersey as recognition of their involvement in the program. There was great support from the mountain bike community for the program and many commented on what it has done already for lifting the competition in Women’s mountain biking. There has already been support offered from a race organiser to provide free entry into many of the races which will greatly assist the girls.
A special thank you to the coaches: Michel Vermande, Garron Buckland and Donna Dall for all their efforts and time commitment to the program. Also to the many people who have assisted with skills sessions (esp. Matt Dall), race support (Warren: Zoe king’s partner), and to MTBA and CA for providing racing licences.
Website: http://www.nationalseries.com.au/news/index.asp#xc061 and http://www.nationalseries.com.au/results/2007/xc.asp
We look forward to the upcoming races and monitoring the development of the riders.
Yellowmundee national series XC#1 - Olympic Cross Country Sprints Decide Winners October 22, 2006
Two sprint finishes decided winners in the elite races of the Olympic Cross Country at Yarramundi today. Women’s winner by a tyre width, Zoe King (Manly) passed National Marathon Champion, Tory Thomas (Mt Beauty), to win the first round of the National Series. The 29 year old slipped past Thomas on the finish line after Thomas suffered cramps in the final of four laps.
In a repeat performance in the men’s race, Aiden Lefmann (Harbord) beat Canberra’s Dylan Cooper by a bike length. Cooper, 25 lead for the first two of six laps and had the fastest lap of 21 minutes 11 seconds. The 23 yearold Lefmann surged in the final two laps to pass mid-race leader Matthew Fleming(Helensburgh). Cooper passed Lefmann in the final kilometre but in the final 200 metres Lefmann outsprinted Cooper. Matthew Fleming placed third just 14 seconds behind Cooper.
“I’m just stoked,” Lefmann said. “Like Zoe (King) I was just looking for a top 10 finish. Then it all went better than I thought!”
Third in the women’s race was United Kingdom’s Caroline Jackson (Mt Waverley) now based in Melbourne.
For the first time ever in mountain biking history in Australia the number of women competing exceeded the number of elite men. Fourteen women from the “Dirt Roads to London” program run by the AIS raced at their National Series event. The winner of the elite women's race, Zoe King is part of the program.
STROM TAKES SECOND IN OPENING NATIONAL MTNX ROUND October 22, 2006
Australian National 4X Series, Round 1, Sydney Olympic Park, NSW
Luke Strom (Blaxland) has made a great start to the defence of his national series title crown with a second place finish in Round 1 of the 2006/2007 Series overnight.
Competing on the BMX-style Olympic Park track, which has generally been dominated by the Pro-BMX riders who race the event as a one-off, Strom held at bay several Olympic squad hopefuls through his quarter and semi-finals to post the strong result. The result is a huge improvement on his slow start to last season and, with his SsangYong Team support allowing him to ride every event this year, it puts him in a good position overall.
Olympic BMX hopeful, Alex Cameron (Macquarie Fields), won the round in front of Strom, whilst Cameron's fellow BMX riders , Terry Scarr (Campbelltown) and last year's winner Alex Lloyd placed third and fourth respectively.
"I am happy to have been the only real full-time MTB rider in the field in the final, as it gives me a lot of confidence for the rest of the season. I think Alex(Lloyd) will be the biggest threat for the rest of the series as most of the other riders will return to the BMX UCI rounds after this", said Strom.
Strom is coming off the back of a solid overseas season where he placed 7th at the Mont-Sainte-Anne World Cup and took two top four finishes in the NORBA rounds.
High Res Picture will be available on www.syfmtb.com on Monday morning
BMX Olympic hopeful wins round 1 of National Mountain Cross October 22, 2006
Beijing Olympic hopeful Alex Cameron (Macquarie Fields) won the first round of the National Mountain Bike Championships at Sydney Olympic Park today.. The BMX rider raced in his first mountain cross race to beat the more experienced Luke Strom (Blaxland).
“I didn’t know what to expect but it’s a lot like BMX but bigger,” he said. “I was surprised I made it through to the final after I had a flat front tyre just after the start in the quarters. I nearly went over the bars!”
Cameron had been coaxed by track designer, Brett Barnes to attend and rode a borrowed mountain cross bike. Fellow BMX club rider, Terry Scarr (Campbelltown) and last year’s winner Alex Lloyd placed third and fourth respectively. The two mountain bike hopefuls, bronze World medalist, Nathan Rennie (Gold Coast) and former World Champion, Amiel Cavalier (Wollongong) were eliminated in the quarter and semi-finals respectely. National Mountain Cross champion, Wade Bootes (Gold Coast) hurt his back while training on the coast and was unable to start.
National Mountain Cross Champion, Caroline Buchanan, won in convincing style in the finals. After a crash in last year’s event the young 15 year old was determined to make amends. “I wanted to win. Last year Katrina (Miller) and I fell,” I won all my heats and I was always first into the first corner. I’m really excited that the Nationals are going to in my home town, Canberra.” Second was Sarsha Huntington (Brisbane) and third was Julie Boer from Canberra. Last year’s winner, Grace Ireland made the finals and finished in fourth place. Buchanan will prepare for the BMX Olympics in London as she is too young to race in Beijing's Olympics.
Racing in the first National Series Olympic Cross Country event starts tomorrow at 9.30am at Yarramundi, near the Blue Mountains.
Photos, vision & interviews available. Sharon Payne Media Manager Mountain Bike Australia E: sharon@bikemedia.com.au M: 0412 773500
President of Southern Highlands Cycling Club in World Record Attempt October 18, 2006
Richard Vollebregt, President of the MTBA-affiliated Southern Highland’s Cycling Club, is currently attempting to break the record for cycling from Sydney to Perth.
Currently standing at 9 days, 23 hours and 25 minutes, he’s hoping to cover around 450 kilometres per day to bring him in ahead of target. In true Southern Highlands style, he’s also looking to break the unofficial record of 9 days, 9 hours and 17 minutes. That record has only stood since last October, when Perth rider Tristan Barnes completed the journey in the east to west direction.
Richard is very well known in both the road cycling and mountain bike communities in Australia. His road racing resume is extensive, and previous feats in the endurance racing domain include winning numerous 12 hour races on both road and dirt.
Head to http://www.southernhighlandscc.com.au/ to follow the journey – the site is being updated with progress reports 2 – 3 times a day.
Gordon New World Champ in 24 Hour Solo October 12, 2006
Australian mountain biker, Craig Gordon won the 24 hour World Solo Championships in Conyers Georgia, USA on the weekend. Gordon completed 30 of the 8 mile laps in the 24 hours and was one lap ahead of six-time World Champion Chris Eatough from the United States. Eatough was the favourite going into the race as he aimed for his seventh consecutive title. Gordon, a veteran of eight World Championships in Olympic distance cross country, had other ideas.
The 34 year old technician from Woolongong moved ahead of Eatough at the mid point and throughout the night never looked like getting beaten. Gordon averaged 38 – 47 minutes per lap during the 24 hours and was able to slow his pace in the final 90 minutes. The effort put in by Gordon took its toll however while he was attempting to win by a convincing two laps. He was taken to hospital and treated for muscle breakdown.
After three days in hospital on a dialysis machine, Gordon was discharged and is expected back in Australia early next week.
“Yes, I'm wrapped,” said Gordon. “I’ve had so many wins over the years but this is a World Championship after all.”
Gordon praised his support crew including Hamish Elliot. “I couldn’t have done it without them,” he said.
On returning to Australia Gordon has only one thing on his mind. “I’m going to spend one day with my wife.”
Gordon won the 2005 MONT 24hr MTB Solo Championships in Canberra which gave him automatic entry into the World 24hr solo MTB Championships. He then went on to win the first National Marathon Championship in Toowoomba in early September.
Also contesting the World Solo Championships were Katrin Van der Spiegel who finished in a very respectable fourth place. Other placegetters were winner of the 35 – 40 yr Damian Richmond and winner of the 45 – 49 yr Craig Peacock. Coming third were Brisbane’s Andrew Wegener in the 30 – 34 yr and also Trevor Kloeden in the 50 -54 yr category.
For interviews, information or photos contact:
Sharon Payne Media Manager Mountain Bike Australia E: sharon@bikemedia.com.au M: 0412 773500
2006 Roostmaster Junior XC traning camp October 12, 2006
MTBA and the National High Performance MTB Program proudly present the 2006 Junior Olympic MTB Cross Country Development Camp
Are you 15 and 16 years old?
Do you race MTB XC?
This camp will teach aspiring MTB XC racers how to better develop their best. teaching elite level skills in race craft, technique development, bike set up and race planning.
Dates: Tuesday December 12th to Sunday December 17th 2006
Where: Thredbo Alpine Resort NSW in conjunction with the MTBA National Series Cross Country race 3 on Saturday December 16th
For Further Information contact: Damian Grundy, National MTB Coach BH: 03 9495 1055 Mobile: 0411 045 771 Email: mtbcoach@bigpond.net.au
Thanks to Gu Energy gel and Shimano who are PROUND SUPPORTERS OF THE ROOSTMASTER TRAINING CAMPS
Craig Gordon wins World Solo 24hr MTB Championships - an update October 9, 2006
After wining the 2005 MONT 24hr MTB Solo Championships which gave him automatic entry into the world 24hr solo MTB Champs, Craig Gordon has now added that title to his already impressive list of accomplishments, beating long-time World solo MTB winner Chris Eatough by one lap
Also contesting the World Solos was Katrin Van der Spiegel who finished in a very respectably 4th place, Trevor Kloeden who placed 3rd in the 50-54 year old race category, Craig Peacock who won the 45-49 age group, Damian Richmond who won the 35 -39 age group and Andrew Wegener who placed 3rd in the 30-34 age group.
Some of the results are here. For full results go to http://www.twenty4sports.com/twenty4/index.cfm?fuseaction=dsp_raceResults&eventContentID=701d36dd-7e90-e2a3-b54c-9446f148c77d
World Solo 24hr Championships
Elite Men
1 Craig Gordon (Aus) 30 laps 2 Chris Eatough (USA) 29 3 Brandon Draugelis (USA) 29 4 Mark Hendershot (USA) 28 5 Ernesto Marenchin (USA) 27
Elite Women
1 Sue Haywood (USA) 26 laps 2 Rebecca Rusch (USA) 25 3 Louise Kobin (USA) 25 4 Katrin Van der Spiegel (Aus) 24
Men 50-54
1 Marshall Reeves (USA) 22 laps 2 Ken Vandermeer (USA) 21 3 Trevor Kloeden (Aus) 19 4 Douglas Smith (USA) 19 5 Randy Profeta (USA) 18
Men 35 to 39
1 Damian Richmond (Aus) 24 laps 2 Craig Bartlett (Can) 22 3 Steve Swenson (Can) 19
Men 45-49
1 Craig Peacock (Aus) 24 2 Brian Culbert (Can) 19 3 Chris Baker (Can) 13
Men 30 to 34
1 Brian Sevall Soledad 24 2 Toby Porter 21 3 Andrew Wegener (Aus) 19
James Williamson and Kim McCormack crowned 2006 Solo 24hr MTB Champions October 9, 2006
In a show of power, strength and mental courage James Williamson rode from start to finish at the front of the solo men pack at the 2006 solo 24hr MTB championships held on the weekend at Kowen Forest in Canberra.
Very dusty conditions, a change from previous solo championships which has seen sleet, snow, mud and minus 7 degree temperatures, made the event tough for all 3000 participants, especially at night where deep bull-dust drifts hid braking ruts and covered everything in close proximity to the track in a thick cover of brown dust. The 20km course proved to be test for all riders.
Williamson rode 22 laps in a time of 24h26m32s, almost a lap ahead of his closest rival Andrew Bell (21 laps, 24h44m,47s) and Graeme Albon (20 laps, 24h2m14s) picking up the third place podium.
When asked about his intent to contest the Wolrld Solo Championships like last year's Australian 24hr solo winner Craig Gordon he rerplied, "Gorgo is still a level above me at the moment but I will work on it". Gordon, who was in fact contesting the World Solos in Atlanta (US) last weekend won the event beating long-time winner Eatough by 1 lap (see additional news entry).
Another local rider, Kim McCormack, won the solo women class by a narrow 11 minutes (16 laps, 24h5m50s), outlasting 2nd ( Alexandra Kiendl, 16 laps in 24h16m47s) and 3rd (14 laps, 24h1m54s). Kim said of her win "It was unexpected".
The over male 40 years old solo categories were won by Neil Dahl (18 laps in 24h53m22s), closely followed by Ray Giddins (18 laps, 25h6m22s) and Craig Honeybrook (16 laps, 24h48m6s) while the female over 40 class was placed by Roz Edmunds (9 laps, 24h6m35s), Jo Beaumont (6 laps, 24h6m23s) and Jenny Carroll (5 laps, 24h55m6s)
The final solo championship class awarded was the solo single speed which was won conviningly by Brenden Den (18 laps, 25h3m8s) followed by Andrew Roco (17 laps, 24h39m12s) and Steve Partridge (17 laps, 25h2m36s).
Full details for the entire season is available on the MTBA national season website: http://www.nationalseries.com.au
Mt. Stromlo development video September 29, 2006
Check out the 14 minute mini documentary made on the new trails and facilities going in on Mt. Stromlo. It covers Stromlo's history, it's current state, what is happening to the place, as well as talking about the Scott 24 hour's future and the 2009 worlds champs.
It's a 50MB download - does not require any passwords or logins and is free.
Thanks all, Sam Davies Assistant DH coordinator Canberra Off-Road Cyclists
MTBA national season information booklet published September 22, 2006
Grab your copy here to find out all about the calendar, events and the sport of mountain biking by clicking through to MTBA's national season website, http://www.nationalseries.com.au.
The 12 page booklet outlines all the things that participants should know about in preparing to be a part of what is fast shaping up to be the best national season ever.
BMX World Championships awarded to Australia September 20, 2006
The UCI (International Cycling Union) today awarded the hosting of the 2009 BMX World Championships to Australia.
The Championships will be staged in Adelaide, South Australia and the bid received substantial support from SA Events, a division of South Australian Tourism. The 2009 Worlds will be held indoors at the Wayville Showground and organisers expect around 1800 entrants from an anticipated 35 countries.
BMX Australia National President Graham Arnold says the event will provide a fabulous opportunity for competitors from the southern hemisphere.
“It is not well known that BMX Australia has the second largest competitor membership in the world, and events of this magnitude allow those riders to experience the excitement of world class competition in their own backyard,” said Mr Arnold of the event forn which 600 Australians can qualify across a range of divisions and age groups.
“The inclusion of BMX into the Olympics has seen strong growth at all levels”, he said, “Although it (Olympics) will directly impacy on only five elite athletes, the fact is the increased profile of BMX will benefit everyone in the BMX community."
Cycling Australia President, Mike Victor, who is in Slazburg, Austria where the UCI Commission meeting was held, says the event will again showcase Australia's expertise in mountin major events.
"Australia has a fabulous track record in organising major sporting events and SA Events has extensive cycling experience," said Mr Victor. "We look forward to welcoming the world's star BMX riders to South Australia for what, I am sure, will be a hugely successful Championships."
Cycling Australia website www.cycling.org.au BMX Australia Tel: 03 9654 2790 or website www.bmxaustralia.com.au
For further information (media only) please contact: Gennie Sheer, Sheer Rhetoric - Communications Director, Cycling Australia Tel: +61 (0) 418 863 533 Email: gennie@compuserve.com
2006/2007 Victorian Downhill Series - Preliminary details September 18, 2006
The 2006/2007 Victorian Downhill Series has been finalized with all Victorian Clubs agreeing to a huge 8 round series.
The series will consist of 7 rounds plus the last round incorporating the state championship at Eildon. The series will finish with the Presentation/ Ride Day at Long Gully in May.
As the series has 8 rounds riders will have the opportunity to drop their worst 2 rounds, so your best 6 rounds will count toward the series tally.
A competition is now running for the poster person for the series, a series poster/ flyer will be created and we need a photo from last year’s series. If you have a great snap check out http://www.clubmud.com.au and the winning snap will pick up a Crumpler Camera Bag.
Here are the dates for the series: Round 1 11th&12th November Long Gully Fat Tyre Flyers Round 2 2nd & 3rd December You Yangs Geelong Mountain Bike Round 3 13th & 14th January Mt Buller Mt Buller Lifts Round 4 3rd & 4th February Yackandandah Beechworth Chain Gang Round 5 17th & 18th February Barjarg SMBP Round 6 17th & 18th March Granton Fat Tyre Flyers Round 7 14th & 15th April Ararat Club MUD Round 8 28th & 29th April Eildon FTF & Club MUD (inc State Championship)
Presentation Day 13th May Long Gully All Clubs
For more details contact Wayne Hines at Club MUD Ballarat (websitte as above)
UCI 2006 World Cup Standings September 11, 2006
The finals have been run and the World Cup concludes for another year. The top 100 are listed.
DHI Men 1, GBR19740617, PEAT Steve: 974 2, AUS19850721, HILL Samuel: 936 3, RSA19811113, MINNAAR Greg: 890
World MTB Championships on the Box September 8, 2006
Yep, our friends at SBS support MTB once again with a 1 hour program of highlights from the 2006 UCI World MTB Championships held a few weeks ago in Rotorua, New Zealand.
Sunday September 10: 11.00 am: SPORT: UCI MOUNTAIN BIKE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS 2006
Make sure you let SBS know how much you appreciate their support of our sport!
Renee Junga Appeal launched September 6, 2006
Bicycle Motocross Australia (BMXA), Cycling Australia (CA) and Mountainbike Australia (MTBA) today jointly launched an appeal for injured athlete Renee Junga.
The 20 year old, who won a Silver Medal at last years World BMX Championships in France and was the 2005 Australian Female BMX Cyclist of the Year, crashed on August 22nd while training on the 4X (Four-Cross) course in preparation for the World Mountainbike Championships in Rotorua, NZ. Renee broke the C1 and C2 bones in her neck and suffered spinal trauma at the T6 vertebrae. She also suffered two broken ribs and a fractured sternum. Surgeons operated to fuse together the bones in her neck and to insert a surgical rod and screws to stabilise her spine. Renee remains in Auckland City Hospital recovering from the surgery but is expected to fly back to Brisbane late this month where whe will initially be admitted to the Princess Alexandra Hospital.
"The purpose of the appeal is to raise funds to assist Renee with the challenges she faces in the future," said Cycling Australia CEO, Graham Fredericks. "A number of fund-raising efforts have already commenced in Australia and New Zealand and this support is greatly appreciated by Renee and her family.
"Renee is a very strong and determined young woman and we all wish her well with her rehabilitation," said BMXA Australia President, Graham Arnold.
Renee yesterday was visited by former motorcyle Motocross racer Niki Urwin who suffered spinal injuries in a racing accident in Horsham, Victoria several years ago. Urwin, who is paralysed from the chest down, is the coach of New Zealand mountain bike cyclist Vanessa Quin.
"It was good to speak to someone who has actually been through what I am going through," said Renee. "He told me about what I can expect and shared some of his experiences with me."
Today Renee achieved a milestone when she sat upright for the first time.
"I got onto the edge of the bed, feet on the ground and bent at 90 degrees," said Renee. "It only lasted for about five minutes because I got a bit dizzy but the physios were pretty happy with that.
"They are going to set me up with a temporary wheelchair later this week."
Renee has been fitted with a brace, neck to waist, which she must wear for around twelve weeks but says the pain from her surgery is beginning to ease.
"Today I also saw the dentist about my left molar which I cracked pretty badly in the crash," she said. "They'll probably try and put a temporary cap on it next week but there's not a lot more they can do until the brace comes off because it restricts my neck movement."
People who wish to contribute to the Renee Junga Appeal can do so by: Cheque – payable to ACF – Renee Junga Appeal C/- PO Box 7183 Bass Hill NSW 2197
Credit Card – (Mastercard, Visa, Bankcard) by phone to CA (02) 9644 3002 or in writing by fax (02) 9644 3006 or e-mail (acf.info@cycling.org.au)
Direct Deposit (Commonwealth Bank) BSB: 062 314 Account No: 1008 8234 Branch: Flemington Markets (Sydney, NSW) (Please e-mail acf.info@cycling.org.au to advise of your contribution amount, time of deposit and contact details so we can record and respond to your valued support)
Please note Renee and her family are not in a position to do media interviews at this stage and we appreciate your continued cooperation in not putting pressure on them at this time. Renee has indicated she will speak to the media when she is back in Brisbane.
Tory Thomas Defies Odds to Win Marathon September 5, 2006
Mountain biker, Tory Thomas (Mt Beauty, Vic) has defied all odds to win the first National Marathon Championships in Toowoomba today. In early 2005, the 28 year old was hit by a car suffering serious back and pelvis injury and told by specialists she would never ride again.. Thomas won in 4.55.35 a full 3 minutes ahead of Commonwealth Games rider Emma Colson, 37 from Melbourne. The pair had ridden side by side for three-quarters of the race until Thomas took off on one of the final climbs.
“In March I had a screw taken out of my back by my lovely surgeon. I had no power in my left leg. I was constantly cramping. The cramps today paled in comparison to what I used to get,” Thomas said at the finish line.
“It can go next to my 24 hour title now I’ve just to pick up the cross country title now (Olympic distance) and I’m a happy girl,” said Thomas.
Thomas celebrated her 28th birthday yesterday.
Third was Rosemary Barnes, 28 from Canberra taking 5.11.29 in her first race back after competing in the World Marathon Championships in Oisans, France last month where she placed.23rd.
Craig Gordon (NSW) won the men’s title after riding alone for most of the 110 km mountain bike race. Gordon, 34 from North Woolongong finished in 4.10.11 with Tim Bennett, 30 from Perth finishing in 4.13.24. Shaun Lewis, 25 from Canberra.
Gordon broke away from the lead group just after the first of four stages. “I went on the first climb on the first prime (preem),” he said. The incentive to win was not purely for Australia’s first national jersey. “On the way up here I got booked for speeding so it has been expensive weekend. It’s cost me a lot of money. I wanted some money back!”
Over 1000 riders competed in the 110 km or the 50 km including legendary Ironman Guy Andrews and World Triathlon Champion, Miles Stewart completed the 50 km.
Previous mountain bike Epic winner Tim Bennett (Perth) won the Scott Hill Climb today in Toowoomba (QLD) beating Sydney rider Nick Both (Turramurra) and Canberra’s Shaun Lewis placed third. The 30 year old bike shop owner from Kalamundra, Perth still claims it is a different race to tomorrow’s inaugural National Marathon Championships.
“Nick was catching me today but tomorrow is more serious,” Bennett said. After winning in 2004 and then placing 10th last year, Bennett is keen to make his mark this year. “I didn’t travel from Perth for nothing,” Bennett stated. “This is the premier endurance event in Australia.”
The chance to win a National title has added extra incentive for the top riders. “It will be nice to look back one day and tell family and friends about it. Then I will have a jersey to prove it,” Bennett said.
Bennett is joined this year by his wife, Jo who is an accomplished athlete in Ironman and adventure racing.
Nick suggests that this longer distance will suit Jo. “It is so much like what she trains for in Ironman and she won’t need to get off the bike to run after it either!”
The women’s Scot Hill Climb was won by Brisbane’s Imogen Smith in a tight finish with Perth’s Jo Bennett just a bike length behind. Third was Naomi Hansen from the Sunshine Coast. Smith also thinks this year’s National Marathon race of 100km will be the more competitive than last year’s Epic where she placed second. “All the top girls are up from down south," she stated. " Smith will use her experience in the event. "I plan to eat and drink better. Generally just ride a little smarter," she said. "In a race like this the fittest will win."
Racing gets underway at 7.30 am from Preston Peak Wines.
Backhander to champ; Qantas spirit blasted August 31, 2006
CAIRNS teenager Tracey Hannah may be a world champion sportswoman and patriotic Australian – but our national airline could not care less. The 18-year-old, three-times Austral- ian downhill mountain bike champion, last weekend won the world junior title in Rotorua, New Zealand. But, with other members of the Australian team, she was forced to fork out, on the spot, $600 in excess baggage by Qantas officials to fly her bike over the Tasman – despite protests from the Australian team manager.
On the way back she was able to cut the extra cost to $100 by sending the bike next day via air cargo – still a shocking backhander from Qantas which constantly boasts its nationalistic spirit. Hannah, whose elder brother Michael came sixth in the men’s professional event at the titles, is supported by her parents in her quest to become the senior women’s champion and her only sponsorship comes from Orange Bikes, who paid for her airfares to the United States in June.
“Every person who was with the group had to pay excess baggage – I’d say half the Australian team,” a still angry Hannah said yesterday. “They charged us $18 per kg extra, and a bike would weigh just over 30kg. Some riders had two bikes but I just took one bike because I couldn’t afford to take any more – I couldn’t afford to pay that much extra for one.
“They said I could leave my bike behind. I said ‘I’m going to the world titles and I need it’. They didn’t care. “The total weight of me (55kg), my luggage and my bike would be less than 110kg yet the person standing next to me in the line was 110kg by himself. It doesn’t make sense.”
It was the one incident that left a sour taste for the otherwise jubilant Hannah, the petite blonde whose frame defies her bulldog-like toughness and high-speed skills on the bush slopes – and whose favourite other pastime is riding her motorbike.
She spent 21⁄2 months in the US from June competing against America’s best women and came first in the NORBA American national series, beating French woman Sabrina Jonnier, who last weekend again took the world pro title in New Zealand.
Despite being one of the first on the track in Rotorua when the course was muddy and slippery, a decided disadvantage against other girls who enjoyed a harder more compacted track later in the day, she finished 10th overall in the senior women, but was winner of the junior category.
Hannah admits she “sucked” when she first took up the sport and soon after was knocked unconscious and broke her collarbone in a race. But now she has the world at her feet. Her parents, Helen and David decided that if she worked hard enough, they would pay for her world challenge and she gave up her job as a “check-out chick” to concentrate on improving her riding. Now she is hoping to pick up more sponsors and join brother Michael on the elite professional circuit.
MTBA also notes that all of our Bike Trials athletes were also charged for excess baggage.
Marathon National Title Tackled in Toowoomba August 31, 2006
Toowoomba
will host the inaugural Australian Marathon Mountain Bike Championships
this Sunday. Over a 1000 competitors from Perth in the west to Cairns
in the north as well as New Zealand and Canada will compete over the
weekend. Most will line up on Sunday to compete in the challenging 100
km Flight Centre Classic with a chance to wear the green and
gold. Others will start at Mt Sylvia for the 50km Pure Blonde Half
Epic. Although this is the first Marathon Championship in Australia,
this distance has been a regular on the Australian and World scene for
many years now and been a World Championship event for three years. The
World Championships for 2006 were held last month in Oisans,
France.
The
event starts at the Preston Peak Winery just south of Toowoomba and
follows parts of the Bicentennial Trail finishing at Peppers Hidden
Vale resort. Each competitor must pass through three checkpoints during
the race and navigate some very hilly terrain.
With
the first ever national jersey in the marathon distance up for grabs,
racing will be fierce and the race record of 3 hours 45 min set by
Murray Spink (Dingley, VIC) last year could be shattered. Currently
only six other riders can lay claim to a sub-four hour including Shaun Lewis, Mark Frendo Craig Gordon, Perren Delacour, James Williamson and Richard Vollebrecht.
Spink raced only one week ago at the World Mountain Bike Championships in Rotorua finishing 45th but could be challenged by 2004 winner, Perth's Tim Bennett or Ironman legend, Guy Andrews from the Gold Coast.
Melbourne's
Commonwealth Games rider, Emma Colson will return to racing alongside
fellow Victorian, and 2004 Solo 24hr Champion, Tory
Thomas. A bout of flu could affect Queensland Cross Country Champion,
Imogen Smith's chances of improving on her second place against last
year's winner Narelle Ash also from Brisbane. Return of Canadian and
first Epic women's winner, Emily Miazga to the event could see a battle for the finish line.
Triathlon
World Champion Miles Stewart will race the Pure Blonde Half Epic. This
year there are four out of the six previous winners trying to repeat
their success.
With
events ranging from 6 hour 12 hour and to even 24 hours the endurance
sport of mountain biking has taken off by storm. Participation has
increased exponentially in these of events.
Racing in the National Marathon Championships starts at 7.30 am on Sunday.
Previous Winners
2005 Winners
Male: 1st Murray Spink, 2nd Shaun Lewis, 3rd Mark Frendo
The 2006 UCI MTB and Trials World Championships have concluded with a
brief closing ceremony and an official hand-over to Fort William in
Scotland, the hosts for 2007.
Australia did itself proud with 2 gold (Sam Hill - Elite Men DH and
Tracey Hannah - Junior Female DH) and 1 bronze (Nathan Rennie - Elite
Men DH). Those exceptional performances aside we also placed 2 others
in the top 10 in Elite men DH and 3 in the top 10 in Junior Men DH. In
Elite Women DH Claire Whiteman placed 17th.
In XC a strong ride by Daniel Braunsteins yielded a 6th position and in
U23 XC men we placed 31st (Daniel McConnell) after a poor start where
he was tied up in a start loop crash.
Joe Brewer, ranked second going into the finals for Junior 26in Trials,
ended up in 5th place his best performance to date in that category.
Australia didn't qualify any trials riders through to the finals in
Elite 20 and 26in.
In Elite XC men, we finished in 31st position with Sid Taberlay.
Overall we finished 3rd (2 Gold, 1 Bronze) on the medal tally behind
Switzerland (3 Gold, 3 Silver, 3 Bronze), Great Britain (2 Gold, 2
Silver, 1 Bronze).
All the Australian results are here.
Junior XC Men
1. 2 FLÜCKIGER Mathias SUI 1:19:37
Distance : 23.60 kms - Average speed : 17.78 km/h
2. 38 FANGER Martin SUI 1:20:29 + 51
3. 24 MEYER Pascal SUI 1:21:00 +1:22
6. 42 BRAUNSTEINS Daniel AUS 1:23:04 +3:27
34. 48 VANDERPLOEG Paul AUS 1:29:33 +9:55
37. 53 PAISLEY Jamie AUS 1:31:07 + 11:29
40. 29 BRITTEN Cal AUS 1:31:41 + 12:03
45. 51 STEWART Glenn AUS 1:34:15 + 14:37
50. 55 HALLAM Daniel AUS 1:35:42 + 16:04
56. 7 JOHNSTON Daniel AUS -2Laps
U23 XC Men
1. 2 SCHURTER Nino SUI 1:54:58
Distance : 29.50 kms - Average speed : 15.39 km/h
2. 4 LONGO Tony ITA 1:55:48 + 50
3. 12 PLAXTON Max CAN 1:57:33 +2:34
31. 23 MCCONNELL Daniel AUS 2:10:04 + 15:05
36. 33 NORRIS Lachlan AUS 2:12:04 + 17:06
48. 35 MAEBUS James AUS -1Lap
Elite Men XC
1. 1 FRA19800816 ABSALON Julien FRA 2:09:07
Distance : 41.30 kms - Average speed : 19.19 km/h
2. 2 SUI19760413 SAUSER Christoph SUI 2:09:51 + 43
3. 4 SWE19800517 KESSIAKOFF Fredrik SWE 2:11:06 +1:58
31. 32 TABERLAY Sid AUS 2:22:50 + 13:42
37. 35 JONGEWAARD Chris AUS 2:24:44 + 15:36
45. 60 SPINK Murray AUS -1Lap
56. 82 MILLER Brent AUS -2Laps
57. 68 DELACOUR Perren AUS -2Laps
Junior DH Men
1. 4 COLE Cameron NZL 1:54.35 3:28.29
Course length : 2200 m / 1.37 Mile - Average Speed : 38.02 Kmh / 23.63 Mph
2. 20 BLENKINSOP Samuel NZL 1:57.87 3:29.45 +1.16
3. 3 BADOUARD Antoine FRA 1:55.39 3:29.84 +1.55
5. 34 MALTMAN James AUS 1:59.74 3:36.12 +7.83
7. 41 DELFS Mitchell AUS 2:00.67 3:37.26 +8.97 4
9. 18 BEL Ben AUS 2:03.08 3:39.93 + 11.64
11. 38 SWANN Alex AUS 2:02.40 3:40.17 + 11.88
26. 43 BRODIE James AUS 2:11.91 3:50.92 + 22.63
27. 2 BAIN Joel AUS 2:14.41 3:51.51 + 23.22
32. 30 GOWEN Luke AUS 2:14.47 3:55.23 + 26.94
Junior DH Women
1. 5 HANNAH Tracey AUS 2:18.71 4:07.07 200.0
Course length : 2200 m / 1.37 Mile - Average Speed : 32.06 Kmh / 19.92 Mph
2. 4 FRA19890417 PUGIN Floriane FRA 2:14.94 4:11.74 +4.67160.0
3. 3 CAN19880821 GATTO Micayla CAN 2:37.52 4:40.91 + 33.84140.0
Elite Men DH
1. 3 HILL Samuel AUS 1:44.59 3:11.03
Course length : 2200 m / 1.37 Mile - Average Speed : 41.46 Kmh / 25.76 Mph
2. 9 MINNAAR Greg RSA 1:46.81 3:15.25 +4.22
3. 7 RENNIE Nathan AUS 1:47.48 3:17.16 +6.13
5. 10 KOVARIK Chris AUS 1:45.14 3:18.04 +7.01
6. 6 HANNAH Michael AUS 1:48.21 3:19.21 +8.18
13. 20 ATKINSON Bryn AUS 1:50.83 3:23.12 + 12.09
17. 29 CAVALIER Amiel AUS 1:53.09 3:25.83 + 14.80
25. 43 RANDO Jared AUS 1:55.19 3:30.76 + 19.73
Elite 4X Men
Final
1. PROKOP Micha l1 CZE 250
2. RINDERKNECHT Roger 3 SUI 200
3. TSCHUGG Guido 4 GER 150
4. ATHERTON Dan 22 GBR 120
15. LLOYD Alex 21 AUS 50.26 10 (1/4 Final)
20. CAVALIER Amiel 17 AUS 49.65 (1/8 Finals)
23. RANDO Jared 20 AUS 49.95
28. STROM Luke 27 AUS 51.02
Australian third on medal table at Mountain Bike Worlds August 27, 2006
CYCLING AUSTRALIA MEDIA ADVISORY
Australia has placed third on the medal
table at the Mountain Bike World Championships in Rotorua, New Zealand.
Australia claimed two gold and one bronze medal to finish behind Great
Britain (two gold, two silver and one bronze) with Switzerland topping
the table with a total of nine medals, three of each colour.
Australia's
medals all came in the downhill competition where Sam Hill and Nathan
Rennie placed first and third respectively in yesterday's elite men's
race and Tracey Hannah won the gold in the junior women's competition.
Australian mountain bike coach, Damian Grundy, says across the board the Australia team rose to the challenge.
"It's
absolutely a great result, not only with the medals but we had a fifth
place in the junior (26") trials (Joe Brewer) and a sixth in the junior
men's cross country (Daniel Braunsteins)," Grundy said. "But the
downhill performances were just brilliant.
"What
a talent pool!" he said. "Four in the top six in the men's elite and
young Hannah's junior women's win - the results speak for themselves."
Grundy
is also confident Australia is on track to qualify two starters in the
men's cross country competition at the Beijing Olympic Games. The
qualification process is based on the international ranking system in
place for 2006 and 2007 and Grundy says Australia's results this season
have been promising.
In
today's men's elite cross country final Sid Taberlay and Chris
Jongewaard, who both lined up for Australia earlier this year at the
Commonwealth Games, finished the 41.30km event in 31st and 37th places
respectively. Taberlay was 13min42sec off the time of Frenchman Julien
Absalon, who claimed his third straight rainbow jersey, while
Jongewaard crossed the line 15min36sec behind the winner.
"This
year's performances secure a place for us, at this stage, in the group
of countries that will qualify two places for men's cross country in
Beijing," said Grundy. "We have the talent and are where we should be
amongst the nations that qualify two but you have to be realistic and
say we are not yet at a point where we are in the top five countries
which is how you qualify the maximum of three starters."
However Grundy says the challenge now is to develop the cross country program to capitalise on the talent available.
"We (cross country) haven't had an exceptional championships but we have seen some really promising performances," he said. "I
was really heartened today by the rides put in by Sid (Taberlay) and
Chris (Jongewaard) because for them it's been a long year and they
really stuck it out in the race.
"They
finished right about where they should have when you look at their
ranking and that's ahead of where we've been for the last couple of
years," he said. "They need to see this as a really positive
performance and take that with them into next year."
Grundy
is developing plans to increase the links between the cross country
program and the Cycling Australia/AIS high performance program in Italy
where the South Australila.com-AIS team and women's road program are
based.
"It would be a positive
step forward to offer the guys a real home and foothold in Europe,"
said Grundy. "The Italian base offers good support and a good set up
and from there they can contest races in Europe.
"Sid
and Chris are both exceptionally gifted riders capable of medals in the
future but the ball is in their court now and they've got to commit and
really chase it with everything."
For
his part Jongewaard, who spent some time at the Italian High
Performance base earlier in the season, was happy with his ride in
Rotorua.
"Coming into this
event I knew it definitely wasn't my type of track because 2000 metres
of climbing is definitely not my forte," said Jongewaard. "But I went
in motivated got a good start and tried to hold my position all day.
"I slipped back a bit towards the end but that was expected so overall I'm still pretty happy."
Australian score two gold and a bronze at Mountain Bike World Championships August 27, 2006
CYCLING AUSTRALIA MEDIA ADVISORY Australia today claimed two gold medals and
a bronze in the downhill competition at the Mountain Bike World
Championships in Rotorua, New Zealand.
West
Australian Sam Hill, 21, was crowned men's elite downhill World
Champion after he blitzed the steep, challenging 2200m course which
runs down the slopes of Mount Ngongotaha to cross the finish line in a
time of 3min11.03sec. His time was more than four seconds better than
second placed Greg Minaar of South Africa (3min15.25sec) while
Queensland's Nathan Rennie, 25, stopped the clock at 3min17.16sec to
clinch the bronze.
Hill was the sixth last rider to leave the gate and his time booted his team mate, Chris Kovarik, out of the leader's hot seat.
"I
was pretty happy with my time as I knew I'd given it my best run but it
was pretty nerve wracking waiting for the other guys to finish," said
Hill who won the Junior World Championship in 2002 and 2003. He scored
the bronze medal in his senior debut in 2004 and last year was the
silver medallist. "The track was a little slower than it was for the
qualifying but I had a pretty flawless run today, hit all my lines and
pedalled pretty strongly everywhere.
"It
was good fun course to ride but I didn't think it would really suit me
that well which makes the win even better," said Hill. "It was a lot
about carrying your speed because there was quite a few flatter
pedalling sections and areas where you couldn't pedal because it was
bumpy, so you needed to carry your speed over there."
Rennie
was the last rider to start having posted the fastest time in the
seeding run and knew he would need a near perfect ride to unseat his
team mate.
"I knew
Sam had done an 11 and I thought I could probably go faster," said
Rennie. "But I had a pretty sketchy run whereas my qualifier was pretty
smooth.
"I did the
best I could but I made a whole bunch of mistakes," said Rennie who
admits being the number one seed for the final didn't do him any
favours. "I usually get a little bit screwed up before my final race
runs anyway and the pressure of qualifying fastest didn't help that.
"But
I'm happy with the outcome of getting my first senior World
Championships medal," said Rennie who was the Junior World Champion in
1999. "I'm stoked for Sam and stoked for myself and everything went
'semi' to plan."
Kovarik, whose intermediate split time
was the fastest of the day, finished in fifth place in 3min18.04sec
just ahead of fellow Queenslander Mick Hannah who placed sixth with his
time of 3min19.21sec. The other Australians, Bryn Atkinson
(3min23.12sec), Amiel Cavalier (3min25.83sec) and Jared Rando
(3min3min30.76sec), finished 13th, 17th and 25th respectively.
Earlier
in the day Queensland teenager, Tracey Hannah, opened Australia's medal
campaign with a gold medal performance today in the junior women's
downhill competition at the Mountain Bike World Championships in
Rotorua, New Zealand.
The
18 year old Cairns cyclist was the second last rider to contest the
course. She clocked 2min18.71sec at the first time check but powered
through the bottom half of the course to cross the finish in
4min07.07sec. Fastest qualifier Floriane Pugin (FRA), 17, was four
seconds faster than the Australian at the time check but could not
match her speed and skill in the last half and had to settle for silver
in a time of 4min11.74sec. Bronze was awarded to Canadian Micayla Gatto
(4min40.91sec).
"I
was trying to take it easy because I'd had some bad runs in practice
going fast and crashing or sliding out," said Hannah. "I knew I would
have to do really fast pedalling to make up the time so tried to do
that and I guess it paid off."
Claire Whiteman was the best placed Australian in the elite women's downhill final placing 17th with Sarah Booth 26th.
In
the junior men's competition James Maltman was the best performed of
the Australians finishing fifth in a time of 3min36.12sec, almost eight
seconds off the pace of new World Champion, Cameron Cole of New Zealand
who posted 3min28.29sec. His team mate and fatsest qualifier, Samuel
Blenkinsop, couldn't match it but secured silver to give the home crowd
something to cheer about.
Two
other Australians made the top ten through Mitchell Delfs (7th in
3min37.26sec) and Ben Bell(9th in 3min39.93sec). Alex Swann tied for
11th in 3min40.17sec while James Brodie, Joel Bain and Luke Gowen
placed 26th, 27th and 32nd respectively.
Renee Junga Update August 25, 2006
Queensland cyclist, Renee Junga, remains in
intensive care in Auckland City Hospital after yesterday undergoing
surgery to stabilise spinal injuries.
The
20 year old crashed last Tuesday during training on the 4X (four cross)
course at the Mountain Bike World Championships in Rotorua, New
Zealand. She broke the C1 and C2 bones in her neck, two ribs and her
sternum and sustained spinal chord damage at the T6 vertabrae.
"The
surgeons say they are happy with the way the (10 hour) operation went,"
said Junga's mother, Sallie Howie. "They put rods and screws in to
straighten her back and fused the two broken neck bones.
"They've
told us there is a one in 800 chance she may regain feeling below T6
but that is a chance and doctors really don't know why some people with
spinal injuries regain feeling and others don't," said Mrs Howie.
"There isn't really anything more they can do surgically."
Doctors
say her ribs and sternum are healing well and they hope to have Renee
sitting up by Tuesday. Barring any complications she is expected to be
flown back to Australia by mid-September.
Australia in the medal hunt at Mountain Bike World Championships August 25, 2006
Australia will be in the
medal hunt tomorrow in the finals of the downhill and trials
competition at the Mountain Bike World Championships in Rotorua, New
Zealand.
Six
Australians yesterday qualified in the top 20 times for the elite men's
event with Queenslander Nathan Rennie, 25, the fastest of the 60 man
field on the 2200m course. In the junior men's six Australians are
seeded in the top 16 riders while in the junior women's Tracey Hannah
was the second fastest qualifier.
In Saturday's 26" trials final Joe Brewer will fly the flag for Australia.
In
today's final of the U23 men's cross country, Dan McConnell, 21, was
the best placed of the Australians crossing the line at the end of the
29.5km race in 31st place, 15min05sec behind the winner, Switzerland's
Nino Schurter. McConnelk's team mate Lachlan Norris was further two
minutes back in 36th position.
In
the finals of the 4X (four cross) competition Australian Luke Strom,
Amiel Cavalier and Jared Rando failed to progress through to the first
round while Alex Lloyd was knocked out of the competition in the
quarter finals.
Rennie fastest in downhill seeding at Worlds August 25, 2006
Reigning
Australian Downhill Champion, Nathan Rennie, 25, (Qld) has posted the
fastest qualifying time after the seeding run for the downhill final at
the UCI Mountain Bike World Championships in Rotorua, New Zealand.
Rennie
covered the 2200m course in 3min12.00sec, 0.35sec faster than second
seed Steve Peat of Great Britain while South African Greg Minaar
rounded out the top three in 3min13.14sec.
"I'm
pretty happy with the run but it's weird being the fastest qualifier
because it adds that little bit of extra pressure," said Rennie who
believes he can improve on his time in Saturday's final. " I think I'll
use a couple of different line selections for the final which will make
my run a little faster and, of course, put in some added effort."
Fellow
Australians Michael Hannah (3min15.45sec) and Sam Hill (3min15.90sec)
also finished in the top ten qualifiers in fifth and sixth respectively
with Jared Rando (3min21.77sec) 15th, Amiel Cavalier 3min22.01sec)
16th, Chris Kovarik (3min24.11sec) 20th and Bryn Atkinson
(3min30.98sec) 35th.
In
the junior men's the six Australians qualified in the top sixteen with
West Australian Ben Bell the best performed posting the fourth fastest
time of 3min23.87sec in his run. New Zealand's Samuel Blenkinsop
claimed the top ranking in 3min17.39sec, almost two seconds faster than
his nearest rival.
Queensland's Tracey
Hannah claimed second seeding in the junior women's downhill in
3min54.96sec, 0.63sec off the pace of fastest qualifier Floriane Pugin
of France.
In the
Junior Men's Cross Country final Melbourne cyclist, Daniel Braunsteins,
achieved the best result for Australia finishing the 23 kilometre (six
laps of a 5.9km circuoit) in sixth place, 3min27sec off the pace of
winner Matthias Fluckiger who led a Swiss clean sweep of the podium.
Braunsteins,
who studies Engineering at the University of Melbourne, says he is
happy with his result despite some problems with his start and in the
final lap of the race.
"I
didn't get a good start and lost a lot of ground there but up the climb
the first time I started drawing people back and by the top of the
climb I managed to get into sixth or seventh position," said
Braunsteins. "Then it was a case of riders dropping me a bit on the
climbs and me getting back to them on the descent - it was like that
for the rest of the race really.
"On
the last descent I was in fifth place, just behind fourth place, when I
crashed on the final descent," he said. "There is this one corner that
is off camber and has a (tree) root sticking out and I just went a
little bit too hard and slipped on the root. Then I slipped under the
bunting and while I was trying to put my chain back on the Italian
rider came past me.
"Then when I got going again and hit those last few pinches approaching the finish line I was just gone."
Australian XC Mountain Bike Coach, Damian Grundy, said he was happy with how the team performed today.
"They
prepared really well for this and as a group they've been fantastic,"
he said. "The course is really tough with very hard climbing and very
technical descents in the forest.
"It's
the type of course you'd find in Switzerland so no surprise the Swiss
dominated today," said Grundy who predicts it will be a very hard day
on the bike for the U23 men tomorrow and elite men and women on Sunday
if the weather turns wet.
"The course is hard when it's
'dry-ish' but I when it's wet the descents are trecherous and almost
unrideable," Grundy said. "The climbs will just be a slog."
In
the junior men's 26" trials, 18 year old Joe Brewer booked a berth in
the final with his second place in the semi finals competition. Brewer
tied with Frenchman Aurelien Fontenoy on points who was ranked first on
a countback. The final will be raced on Sunday.
World Mountain Bike Championships in full swing for Australians August 25, 2006
World Mountain Bike Championships in Rotorua gets into full swing for the AustralianTeam today with Under 23 Cross Country (8am AEST) and the Four Cross (1pm AEST). Under 23 National Silver medallist, Dan McConnell from Bruthen will join two other Victorians, Lachlan Morris (Castlemaine) and James Maebus (Nunawading), alongside Adelaide’s Shaun Lewis.
After crashes in practice marred the Australia's assault on the Four Cross event there will be plenty of interest in the remaining top riders. Last year’s Junior Downhill World Champion, Amiel Cavalier (Wollongong) and Jared Rando (Canberra) winner of the National Downhill Series last season are expected to feature on this course.
The scheduling of the Mountain Cross just one day before the finals of the Downhill caused a conflict for Cairns downhiller, Michael Hannah who withdrew from the four Cross. Michael’s sister, Tracey will be the sole Australian in the women’s race after Renee Junga crashed earlier in the week. Following crashes by her other team mate, Wade Bootes, Katrina Miller (Gold Coast) 2005's silver medallist decided to withdraw.
Australia’s hopes will then focus on the Downhill finals on Saturday. Australia’s National Junior Champion, Ben Bell qualified fourth fastest with Australian team mates, Joel Bain (7th), Alex Swann (8th), James Maltman (12th) and Mitchell Delfs (13th).
The Western Australian pair, Bell and Bain, is expected to do well in the Juniors as well as Perth’s world silver medallist, Sam Hill who qualified sixth fastest yesterday.
National Champion, Nathan Rennie qualified fastest in the elite men’s seeding with medal chances possible from any of the top World Ranked riders such as Michael Hannah (Cairns) or Chris Kovarik (Gold Coast). Jared Rando (Canberra) qualified15th just one spot in front of 2005’s World Junior Champion, Ameil Cavalier (Wollongong).
After qualifying second fastest in the Junior Women, Tracey Hannah could become the first Australian female to win a medal in downhill racing.
Claire Whiteman (Canberra) was the fastest qualifying Australian (22nd) in elite women with Newcastle’s Emma McNaughton (25th) and South Australian, Sarah Booth (27th).
Bootes Injury Update August 25, 2006
National
Mountain Cross Champion, Wade Bootes, 32 was released from Rotorua
hospital today after doctors kept him in overnight after crashing
during the warm up for qualifying yesterday.
Although
Bootes has a break in his right collarbone he can still move his arm.
“It’s the hardest I’ve ever hit my head,” said Bootes.
“I
was practicing for the qualifying rounds and came up short in one of
the jumps. Because it’s a downhill course it is a long way down,”
explained Bootes.
Bootes was expected to race in America
in the Jeep King of the Mountain race and the BMX Supercross over the
upcoming weeks. “Basically it’s made me have a forced break,” he added.
Doctors will recheck Bootes neck injury on his return to Australia to see if it is a result of this incident or an old injury.
The
racing accidents have forced last year's Silver Medallist, Katrina
Miller, also from the Gold Coast to withdraw from the Mountain Cross
event which she was intending to be her final World Championships.
Renee Junga Medical Update August 25, 2006
Queensland cyclist Renee Junga today underwent further scans ahead of tomorrow's surgery. The 20 year old who crashed during training for the 4X (four cross) event on Tuesday is expected to be in the operating theatre for between four and six hours as surgeons work to stabilise her injuries.
Doctors at Auckland City Hospital plan to use surgical pins, screws and rods to stabilise her spine at the T6 vertabrae and will screw together the broken C1 and C2 bones in her neck. Doctors hope to have her sitting up by the middle of next week.
Junga to undergo surgery - Cycling Australia Media Statement August 24, 2006
Queensland cyclist Renee Junga, 20, will undergo surgery on Friday in the wake of a crash during training for the 4X (4 cross) for the MTB World Championships in Rotorua, New Zealand.
"It was at the first double on the course," said Junga from her hospital bed. "I noticed the other girls were falling short on the jump so I put in an extra crank and missed it badly and flat landed."
Junga has broken the C1 and C2 bones in her neck and has suffered spinal trauma at T6. She has also suffered two broken ribs and a fractured sternum.
Surgeons will operate on Friday to screw together the C1 and C2 bones. They will also operate on her back to stabilise her spine.
Junga has been buoyed by the well wishes, flowers and balloons sent by her friends in the cycling community.
Junga's mother, Sallie Howie, arrived in Auckland last night and will be joined by husband Alistair, Junga's stepfather, tonight.
Junga, who won the silver medal at last year's BMX World Championships in France, was the 2005 Australian Female BMX Cyclist of the Year.
Meantime Renee's team mate, former MTB World Champion, Wade Bootes, will spend the night in Rotorua Hospital after crashing the warm up for today's qualifying round of the 4X competition. Bootes has suffered a broken nose, broken collar bone and concussion and will be kept in overnight for observation.
For further information (media only) please contact: Gennie Sheer, Sheer Rhetoric - Media Manager, Cycling Australia Tel: +61 (0) 418 863 533 Email: gennie@compuserve.com
Worlds MTB XC Relay August 23, 2006
The first official event of the 2006 UCI MTB and Trials World Championships was held today in conditions that varied between balmy sun to overcast and sleet. The Team XC (XCR) was won by Switzerland, narrowly outlasting second place Italy (+0:50) followed by Poland (+1m4s). The full results are available from the Worlds site, http://www.2006rotoruamtb.com/english/results.php.
Wednesday sees Junior and U23 Women ride the XC course, although Australia has no girls entered. The first race for Australia is the Junior Men on Thursday morning, 11am. On a course that can change minute by minute depending on the variable weather here everyone is looking keenly at the weather and trying to second guess what tires to use. The course can start out very tacky and which rides sure and true to to treacherous slippery mud-fest on which even running is a chore.
Stay tuned. _
Junga airlifted to hospital after training crash - Cycling Australia Media Statement. August 23, 2006
Queensland cyclist Renee Junger, 20, has been airlifted to Auckland City Hospital suffering suspected spinal injuries after a training accident ahead of competition at the MTB World Championships in Rotorua, New Zealand.
Junger, who is also a member of the BMX High Performance Program targetting the Beijing Olympic Games, crashed during training on the 4X course on Tuesday afternoon.
The Championships' medical team was quickly on the scene and she was initially taken to Rotorua Hospital. After extensive tests, including an MRI, CT scan and x-rays, doctors decided to transfer her by helicopter to Auckland City Hospital.
Her mother, Sallie Howie, was notified immediately after the accident and was on the first available flight to Auckland. She arrived shortly before midnight local time.
The full extent of Renee's injuries is not yet known. Doctors have confirmed however that she has suffered spinal trauma.
Renee, who won the silver medal at last year's BMX World Championships in France, was the 2005 Australian Female BMX Cyclist of the Year.
No further details will be released without permission from her family.
______________________________________ Cycling Australia website www.cycling.org.au
For further information (media only) please contact: Gennie Sheer, Sheer Rhetoric - Communications Director, Cycling Australia Tel: +61 (0) 418 863 533 Email: gennie@compuserve.com
Australia: World Sheep Bike Trials Champions August 20, 2006
In a world first, Australia easily took out the inaugural sheep bike trials in Rotorua today in a blistering time of 1m14s. The Trials, which required 3 bike riders to shepherd 3 prime fat fully wooled New Zealand sheep into a pen was a great crowd pleaser on an overcast day with intermittent rain. The weather, however, gave perfect conditions to the Australian riders who were able to demonstrate superb bike handling skills to out-manouver the sheep on their way to the the finish pen. The Trials were contested by 4 teams from New Zealand, 2 from Australia and 1 from each of England and South Africa.
The effort by the Australian Junior team 2 was an exercise in precision sheep handling. The riders, Glen Stewart, Daniel Braunsteins and Paul Van der Ploeg kept the 3 sheep calm which essentially allowed the sheep to walk their way to the win. Although the organisers unkindly indicated that the win was a fluke the Australia Junior Team 2 members disagreed, saying that it was all down to careful planning and an expert knowledge of sheep behavior.
The final results were:
Australia Junior Team 2: 1m14s
New Zealand Rotorua: 1m 30s + 16s
England: 2m53s + 1m39s
New Zealand 1: 3.47s + 2m33s
South Africa: 3m49s +2m35s
New Zealand 2: 4m34s: +3m20s
New Zealand 3: DSQ
Australia Junior Team 1: DNF (not counted due to change in rules)
For their efforts the 3 team Australia Junior Team 2 members walked away with NZ$500. A good return for a bit of fun in the lead up to the main game here; the 2006 UCI World Mountain Bike and Trials Championships which gets underway tomorrow (Monday 21) with XC training and DH course inspection by foot. This side event allowed the participants to get some play in what in all other respects is very serious and intense training.
MTBA announces dates for the 2007 - 2008 National MTB Series Season August 18, 2006
MTBA has set the dates for rounds in the 2007/2008 National MTB calendar. The calendar also includes the date in 2008 for the Australian MTB Championships. The dates for are:
October 27 -28 XC,DH,MTNX round 1 November 24-25 XC,DH,MTNX round 2 December 15-16 XC,DH,MTNX round 3 January 23 - 27 Australian MTB Championships, Canberra February 2-3 XC,DH,MTNX round 4
Tony Scott, MTBA Executive Officer said, "This maintains a tight 4 race series, with the final series round the week after the Nationals in Canberra, which by then will be in the second year of its 3-year hosting contract for the pinnicle of Australian MTB competition. The series scheduling will greatly help those participants who come from the farthest locations in Australia to pick up at least 2 national level events in the span of a week. "
Scott added, "MTBA maintains a strong preference for venues that can host at least XC and DH at the one venue and same date. Hosting both XC and DH at the one venue on the same weekend presents organizers with, potentially, a more financially viable event, provides more spectacle for the spectators and provides sponsors and funding agencies with better value in return for their support of the event."
MTBA now calls for expressions of interest to host a round of the 2007/2008 National MTB series. Simply contact MTBA and a bid document, that will outline all the obligations for hosts will be sent to you.
The date and venue for the 2007 Australian MTB Marathon Championships will be announced later this year.
Thredbo to host 2007 Oceania Mountain Bike Championship August 16, 2006
Mountain Bike Australia (MTBA), in conjunction with Cycling Australia and the
Oceania Confederation, has awarded the 2007 Oceania Mountain Bike
Championships to Thredbo, NSW.
The event will feature Downhill, 4X and the Olympic discipline, Cross Country, and
will be incorporated as part of the 3rd annual Australian Open of Mountain Biking
from March 22-25, 2007. the enticement for elite riders in the Oceania area will be
competing for over $10,000 in prize money.
The Oceania Championships sit between National Championships in Canberra and
the International World Cup Series. The Oceania Championships represent an
opportunity for aspiring riders to accumulate valuable points enabling them to
compete on the world stage.
“The Oceania’s represent the last opportunity for Australian, New Zealand and some
Pacific basin elite riders to contest an international event in our region before the
IOC (International Olympic Committee) allocates the number of riders each country
can send to the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, " said Tony Scott, CEO of Mountain
Biking Ausralia.
Each country can nominate up to 3 riders, depending on the nation's UCI ranking
which is determined by the points accumulated by the top three riders from each
country. Australia expects to have over 50 riders attending from New Zealand and
other Oceania Confederation Nations
"The level of competition will be fierce across all disciplines.” said Scott.
“The village of Thredbo is right behind this event and we’ll be working hard to put
together a top quality event on quality race courses,” said Event Director Colin
Battersby. “Race courses and organisation will be tested and fine-tuned at the
second round of the MTBA National Series Round 2 this December 16-18. We’ll be
looking to showcase all that Thredbo has to offer to mountain bikers both in terms
of race organisation and the legendary Thredbo village atmosphere,” added
Battersby.
“We plan to provide a series of support events in Gravity and Endurance, and
encourage mountain bikers of all levels to come along and have a go. They’ll will
then have an opportunity to support the elite of our sport competing high stake,.”
said Battersby.
A full program of events will be released at the end of August, 2006.
Current Australian UCI rankings (as at 3/8/06):
XC Men:
Sid Taberlay (Hobart. TAS) 34th
DH Men:
Sam Hill (Perth, WA) 2nd
Michael Hannah (Cairns, QLD) 5th
Nathan Rennie (Gold Coast, QLD) 6th
Chris Kovarik (Gld Coast, QLD) 8th
Bryn Atkinson (Kergunyah, VIC) 21st
DH Women:
Tracey Hannah (Cairns, QLD) 18th
MTNX (4X) Men:
Jared Graves (Toowoomba, QLD) 2nd
Bryn Atkinson 19th
Michael Hannah 19th
Chris Kovarik 22nd
Luke Strom 28th
Contacts:
Colin Battersby
Event Director
Raw NRG Pty Ltd
PO Box 131
Thredbo NSW 2625
PH 0264 576 234
M 0418 225 265
Tony Scott
Executive Officer
Mountain Bike Australia
PO Box 17
Mirani Queensland 4754
+61 7 4959 1913 (office)
0416 228 016 (mobile)
tony.scott@mtba.asn.au
Entries are open and rapidly filling for some of Victoria’s most popular mountain
bike events. Each year these events go from strength to strength and this year is no
different. Every event gives a different experience in mountain biking!
The Kona Week In - Weak Out Dirt Crits are a chance to have a mid-week ride at a
uber-urban park. Take it seriously, take it cruisily, take it as it comes, just as long
as you have fun and finish with a grin. Every Thursday night in 2006 at Westgate
Park, Port Melbourne.
The Subaru Interactive @ Docklands Melbourne 12hr MTB Enduro - if you own a
mountain bike then this event is for you. Solo riders or teams of up to six people
compete to ride as many laps as possible in a 12 hour time frame. Whether you're a
strong rider or a recreational rider; the course is designed to accommodate all
levels.
The Kona 24hr is among the best Mountain Bike events in Australia!! Awesome
course and great camping. With 70% single track and 30% firetrail, this course will
challenge and excite every rider, from solo entrants to beginners. A true test of
endurance for all abilities – bring your tent and your team, of 2,3,4,6 or 10 people.
Proudly brought to you by
Subaru Interactive @ Docklands – Kona – Catlike – Anaconda – Crumpler - Mavic –
Adidas – Hammer Gel – Nite Rider – CycleOps – Weldtite - Marzocchi – Fibrax – Full
Gas Pedallers – MTBA – Parks Victoria – Coliban Estate
Highlights from the 2006 UCI BMX World Championships will be shown on SBS 11.30
am, Sunday 13th August. So make sure you tune in to catch all the action.
Amendment to Australian Team for Mountain Bike World Championships August 11, 2006
Cycling Australia today confirmed two changes to the Australian team to contest the
2006 Mountain Bike World Championships being staged in Rotorua, New Zealand
from August 22 to 27.
Jared Graves and Michael Robinson have withdrawn from the team and will be
replaced by Liam Panozzo (Elite Men Downhill) and Alex Lloyd (Elite Men 4X). Graves
is injured but will attend as a spectator while Robinson has BMX commitments which
have prevented him from racing in New Zealand.
The Elite DH and 4X team is now:
Downhill Elite Men
• Sam HILL (WA 21.07.85)
• Michael HANNAH (QLD 21.11.83)
• Chris KOVARIK (QLD 01.03.78)
• Nathan RENNIE (QLD 31.05.81)
• Amiel CAVALIER (NSW 24.03.87)
• Liam PANOZZO (VIC 14.11.87)
• Jared RANDO (ACT 22.06.81)
• Bryn ATKINSON (NSW 09.12.82)
4X Men
• Wade BOOTES (QLD 30.05.74)
• Luke STROM (NSW 29.02.84)
• Michael HANNAH
• Alex LLOYD (NSW 19.09.87)
• Amiel CAVALIER
• Jared RANDO
Australian Team for Mountain Bike World Championships August 3, 2006
Cycling Australia today confirmed the Australian team to contest the 2006 Mountain
Bike World Championships being staged in Rotorua, New Zealand from August 22 to
27.
Cross Country U19 Men
• Cal BRITTEN (VIC 17.03.88)
• Daniel BRAUNSTEINS (VIC 10.04.88)
• Daniel JOHNSTON (NT 14.10.88)
• Jamie PAISLEY (VIC 21.06.88)
• Paul VAN DER PLOEG (VIC 09.11.89)
• Glenn STEWART (NSW 25.08.88)
• Daniel HALLAM (QLD 19.09.89)
Cross Country U23 Men
• Shaun LEWIS (SA 14.08.86)
• Daniel McCONNELL (VIC 09.08.85)
• Lachlan NORRIS (VIC 21.01.87)
• James MAEBUS (Vic 09.09.85)
Cross Country Elite Men
• Chris JONGEWAARD (SA 18.07.79)
• Sid TABERLAY (TAS 22.01.80)
• Perren DELACOUR (NSW 24.11.75)
• Brent MILLER (ACT 19.04.81)
• Murray SPINK (VIC 01.06.79)
Downhill U19 Men
• Ben BELL (WA 05.12.88)
• Joel BAIN (WA 24.09.89)
• James MALTMAN (QLD 02.03.89)
• Alex SWANN (VIC 12.01.88)
• Luke GOWEN (ACT 24.08.88)
• James BRODIE (NSW 08.03.89)
• Mitch DELFS (WA 25.07.89)
Downhill U19 Women
• Tracey HANNAH (QLD 13.06.88)
Downhil Elite Women
• Emma McNAUGHTON (NSW 31.01.83)
• Claire WHITEMAN (ACT 05.09.78)
• Sarah BOOTH (SA 28.01.79)
Downhill Elite Men
• Sam HILL (WA 21.07.85)
• Michael HANNAH (QLD 21.11.83)
• Chris KOVARIK (QLD 01.03.78)
• Nathan RENNIE (QLD 31.05.81)
• Jared GRAVES (QLD 16.12.82)
• Amiel CAVALIER (NSW 24.03.87)
• Jared RANDO (ACT 22.06.81)
• Bryn ATKINSON (NSW 09.12.82)
4X Women
• Katrina MILLER (NSW 15.09.75)
• Tracey HANNAH (QLD 13.06.88)
• Renee JUNGA (QLD 18.07.86)
4X Men
• Wade BOOTES (QLD 30.05.74)
• Luke STROM (NSW 29.02.84)
• Jared GRAVES
• Michael HANNAH
• Amiel CAVALIER
• Jared RANDO
• Michael ROBINSON (QLD 09.12.82)
Bike Trials
• Joe BREWER (VIC 08.02.88)
• Lindsey COLLA (SA 05.08.82)
• Andrew DICKEY (VIC 05.10.85)
• Adam KELLY (NSW 18.03.83)
• Craig PEARCE (NSW 23.10.80)
• Joel WHITBURN (SA 08.10.87)
Australian riders for the Cross Country Marathon World Championships being
staged in Oisans, France on August 13.
• Rosemary BARNES (ACT 27.08.82)
• Anna BAYLIS (VIC 16.12.76)
MTBA wishes all these athletes the very best in their efforts in New Zealand.
Information for ACT Schools MTB Championships - 20 September 2006 July 26, 2006
Canberra Off-Road Cyclists have opened entries for the 2006 ACT Schools
Mountain Bike Championships, to be held on 20 September. The championships
are a ACTSSSA event managed by CORC and consist of a 4 hour enduro for teams
of 4 riders, with male, female and mixed categories across 3 secondary
school year groups, 7/8, 9/10 and 11/12.
CORC will also be holding a skills training afternoon on 19 September for
those students who want to get some tips from some of Australia's top
riders.
The event will be held at the legendary Majura Pines in the ACT. Both the
race and the skills afternoon are free, as part of CORC's junior rider
development initiatives, and schools from outside of the ACT are more than
welcome to enter. Overnight camping is available at Majura for interstate
visitors.
You can find out more information at the
CORC website in the news
items or under the Juniors section.
2006 NSW XC Championships results and NSW DH Series rankings July 17, 2006
A great day in Arcadia with 124 riders at the 2006 NSW XC Championships. The
results are
here. Also here are the current 2006 NSW DH rankings.
UCI awards 2008 MTB World Championships July 16, 2006
The UCI Management Committee met in Lausanne on 6 and 7 July. Opened by Mr
Jacques Rogge, President of the International Olympic Committee, the session in
particular awarded the following UCI World Championships:
2007-2009 Masters Mountain Bike: Pra Loup (FRA)
2008 Mountain Bike/Trials: Val Di Sole (ITA)
As forecast the dates in 2008 are reportedly between 16-22 June 2008, which
effectively precluded the ACT bid from
being considered, despite putting up an awesome bid.
The UCI, have however, agreed to roll over the 2008 World's bid to 2009 and all the
Australian bid team are very confident that this will be successful. The UCI decision
for the venue of the 2009 World MTB Championships is likely to be made later this
year or early in 2007.
Stay tuned.
New Bike Helps Strom to NORBA Podium July 10, 2006
10 Jul 2006 - NORBA, Park City, Utah
Luke Strom has built on his top-eight World Cup finish in Mont-Sainte-Anne to
claim a podium spot at his first NORBA of the year. This caps off a great three
months for the SsangYong Team - with four World Cup podiums, a Maxxis Cup
Podium and now Luke's NORBA result.
Riding a new Yeti, Strom powered to fourth at the Rad Canyon BMX Track, behind
Jared Graves (AUS), Jared Rando (AUS) and Petr Hanak (USA).
"We have had a bunch of issues getting my team bikes into the US, so it was really
awesome that Yeti were able to assist me at such short notice and so late in the
season. The bike performed great out there today, and with Jared (Graves) winning,
me getting fourth and Rich Houseman taking fifth - it was a pretty dominant
performance for Yeti in the 4X".
"I am really getting stuck into preparing for the World Championships in New
Zealand now. I will be continuing to ride BMX and will hopefully do a bunch of
Mountain States Cup and NORBA rides before heading home. My family all moved
to NZ last year, so it is kind of a second home now".
"I lost a month's worth of training early in the season, so it's good sign that I can
still take a NORBA podium. It gives me a benchmark to plan the rest of my training
around and I know what I have to work on. My starts are going well, but I was
losing out in the end of the races, just through a lack of final speed. I can fix that -
so I am pretty happy".
The SsangYong-fusion Pro Team is in its first year, but has been setting a high
standard in terms of results. Bringing together a mix of youth and experience, the
team is a big part of 4WD manufacturer SsangYong's commitment to lifestyle sports
and activities.
Freesport Management
Ph: 03 9898 3343
'FREE' MTB Episode, Sunday 2pm Channel 10 July 8, 2006
2pm this Sunday, on Channel 10, ‘Free’ is doing an entirely MTB show. They’ll be
profiling Sam Hill, Cedric Gracia and Johnny Waddell, plus they’re also doing a piece on
[R]evolution Mag. ‘Free’ is a pretty good show that’s been covering a heap of stuff over
the last few weeks such as BMX, Moto and Skate, and now with MTB.
Cyclinic in Sydney: 29th July 2006 July 7, 2006
The next date for Paul Rowney and Rob Eva's Cyclinic skills and coaching sessions is:
when - Saturday 29th July
where - St. Ives Mini Wheels Club, back of St. Ives Show Ground
with - Rob Eva and Paul Rowney
cost - $110 (includes goodie bag, lunch and spot prizes)
NSW State MTNX Championships: 29th July 2006 July 7, 2006
The entry form is attached, and if the previous events at Blackhill are anything to go by
this event will be huge.
TWP Coffs Mountain Marathon, 2nd july 2006 July 7, 2006
From Jim Trail
Well, Al and I drove a very long way for a rather long ride ? and had
a damn nice weekend to boot.
Nine hours of driving saw us (sans a pneumonia-ridden Garrett) arrive
in Woolgoolga - where we found accom, given Coffs was full of Uni
Games people.
7.30am at the start in Nana Glen was chilly, but not minus, so the
selection of short sleeves and easily removable armwarmers on the
strength of a beautiful 19 degree forecast was a delight for
Canberra boys in July!
Away after a late and somewhat disorganised start (Gordon Garrad,
eventual 40-49 winner was way back gibbering to us, rather than up
front where he should have been ? given the PA call-up announcements
many thought it was a staggered start). I jumped in behind a very
nice Ventana tandem for a look, and got sucked along to the base of
the first climb as a bonus! I reckon they pulled me past about 30
people ? including Al! They slowed when the hill hit, and I never saw
?em again.
Up the escarpment to the tune of ~350m vertical ? like riding up
Ainslie, but nowhere near as steep - and I found a quick easy
rhythm. But my HRM suggested I was batting along comfortably at
90%!?!? I thought it may have been a furphy, but no. It seems I
prepared well. Al and I climbed together, watching a few people drive
by ? and a few people come back to us - - the first climb was always
going to sort out the pack!
At the top Al had faded a few meters and I was chasing yellow-guy,
who I knew I?d get on the descent given his riding style ? I was
right, but it was more fun than I expected! The first drop was a
ripper ? ?bout 300 vertical metres of rough firetrail ? think the
steep dirt road down from Ainslie, or Shephards Gully near Wiseman's
(but with more corners) ? and a couple of better descenders got in
front of me so I stuck to their lines, thankee. The Yeti wasn't
perhaps the ideal bike for climbing - but no-one out-descended me!!
Gravy.
A hub deep creek crossing at the bottom, then a couple of short techy
climbs - the only of their ckind in the event, before major grindage
back up again. Most of the going here was very good dirt roads - but
very few cars. I looked back to try and spot Al. There were dots, but
we were well stretched by now.
A few(!) undulations later, the ~38km Checkpoint D was the cut-off
for half-course riders and, reading Qld's mtb-dirt, many many 100km
riders were pissed at being directed to the short course after only
about 10.30am! That?s a lot of daylight to not be allowed to ride
the last 60km in... Shame, cause there was a heap of good riding in
the second half, and they could have had a diversion further around -
onto 10km of tar as late as 3pm.
I made it, as did Al, and then we hit another massive descent down
from D, passing a bunch of riders and making it around a tight track
junction ? missed by a few! More max-down fun to the valley floor,
track degrading all the way to another creek crossing.
Back to grovel ? up to checkpoint E. Al took the 75km option here,
opting for a short link-road to the base of the final climb. I had
already taken the full-bite, down another great descent over kombi
sized waterbars and rocky FT towards the coast. Feeling the taste of
the ocean ? and even glimpsing it through the trees, I hit some muddy
firetrails and the singletrack of a race course near the Princes
Highway. Very nice, a touch slimy, but a little hard to attack after
60km! Checkpoint F was in the middle and here I did my only stop for
water and to mix more go-fast juice.
Back on the bike, the next goal was the top of the escarpment for the
last time ? and I knew the final climb was going to be a bugger. The
altitude increment looked good on my Polar as I climbed from about
50m, but at 200m there was a screamer back down and I lost 50
valuable vert meters ? then again and again, **BUGGER** The trees
finally parted to show the escarpment looming some 300m over head.
The road was good (too good for some, much whingeing up north about
?not enough mtb?, but mostly from those punted to the short course)
so the climbing wasn?t tooooo hard. On fresh legs you?d race up it in
the middle ring - but it went on and on and on and after 75km it sure
wasn?t easy. I managed to resist survival mode and kept it in the
hardest gear I could. I passed three or four people who were well
cooked ? one saying, ?this must nearly be the top. I didn?t have
the heart to tell him my Polar said 380m ? and I was confident there
was another 150m vertical!
From the top the last 20 was nice, undular at first then the last
15km was strawberries and cream as we descended the road we?d climbed
first ? 50-60kmh and ripping!! I?d have liked a tandem again to
draft along the flat 3km to the finish too, but it wasn?t to be and I
rolled in knackered after about 5.50 and 2555m of climbing.
I was pleasantly surprised by how well I rode. 7th in class, only 20
minutes away from the podium (or 15 seconds per km as I perfer to
think of it). No cramps, and I never got to the grovel I experienced
at both DW100#1 and the Highland Fling. Even the tough final climb
hand me clicking to harder gears in a manner almost beyond my own
comprehension!
...don?t think I didn?t suffer though!! It hurt.
Three days, 1800km driving (200km by me - thanks Al), 95km riding ?
very nice.
MTBA assists in developing Australia's next female MTB Olympians July 6, 2006
Recently a call was put out to women athletes all over Australia to be part of a talent
ID process named "Dirt Roads to London'. Managed by the National Talent Search
Program of the AIS, it involved the selection of female athletes to under go specific
MTB coaching and training as a lead up to the 2012 London Olympic Games.
Twenty five women were selected from a group well over 100 as part of the training
squad for the next 3 months, with the final squad being selected at the end of
September. MTBA has provided all these women with full competition memberships
under a VIP initiative so that they can readily contest our events as they come up
regardless of whether they make the final “Dirt Roads to London” squad.
We look forward to seeing the women in action over the 2006/2007 national season
and beyond and to see how they improve under the tutelage of some of Australia's
most respected MTB coaches.
Congratulations to all the recipients of the MTBA VIP memberships and to the AIS
for taking this initiative in developing our female MTB athletes.
MTBA announces the bid process for the 2007 Australian MTB Marathon Challenge July 3, 2006
The MTBA marathon series around Australia is now a reality. Called the Australian
Mountain Bike Marathon Challenge it will be comprised of up to 12 events in 2007,
including the 2007 Australian MTB Marathon Championships, all in some of
Australia's most beautiful and stunning locations and regions.
Tony Scott, MTBA's executive officer said, "Each event in the Challenge will be
principally focused on participation at all levels of ability. Each event will cater for
Elite, as well as Veteran and Master aged men and women. Recreational riders will
be catered for and in most cases a half-marathon will be held as well."
Series winners will be determined by a rider's best 4 events and the 2007 marathon
championships will be given additional status by accounting for extra points.
MTBA will bring to each host it's comprehensive insurance program that is available
to all participants as well as host promoters, but to make it even sweeter for
promoters MTBA will institute, for the first time, a sliding scale for day permit costs.
Tony Scott also said, "The sliding scale for day permits will make hosting a large
scale event such as a marathon more financially rewarding for the promoters of
these events - a just reward for the effort that they put into the significant human
management needs in events such as these. This, and the availability of MTBA's
comprehensive technical advice and assistance will mean that even those hosts who
have not previously staged a marathon event can be assured that their event will be
as successful as possible."
Scott added, "The sliding scale for day permits is also available to every MTBA
sanctioned event, not just endurance focussed ones such as marathon, and is
available immediately." The details of the program can be found on the policy
section of the MTBA website.
Full details for the Australian MTB marathon Challenge can be obtained from MTBA
or can be downloaded from the MTBA website.
The closing date for event nominations is 2nd October 2006.
Kovarik and Miller triumphant at Canadian MTB World Cup June 27, 2006
Queenslanders Chris Kovarik, 28, and Katrina Miller, 30, have both claimed wins in
the Mont Sainte Anne round of the World Cup in Canada.
Kovarik (MS Intense Factory Racing) was triumphant in the downhill final with a
winning time of 4min444.20sec to edge out South African Greg Minaar who was .32
seconds slower and fellow Australian Sam Hill who took third in a time of 4:45.44. A
third Australian, Nathan Rennie was eighth in 4:50.73.
The World Cup standings after the fourth round now see Hill (579 pts) and Rennie
(546 pts) placed third and fourth respectively with Kovarik seventh on 485 points.
Great Britain's Steve Peat leads the series on 698 points.
In the women's 4-cross competition Miller, who had qualified fifth, dominated in the
final to claim the round. Miller remain
