NewsIllinbah vidoes
Thursday, December 4, 2008Enjoy watching some of the "Local Heroes" at the National Mountain Bike Series round 2 at Illinbah.
Below are the links for the video and blog.
http://player.video.news.com.au/couriermail/#WLwpnVNWFq9QaAOanR9DJZeHwCy_Mj5E
http://blogs.news.com.au/couriermail/amandalucas/
Kovarick claims national series round two
Tuesday, December 2, 2008World 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
Mountain biker pursues her London Olympic dream
Sunday, November 30, 2008O’Shea Touché
Mountain biker pursues her London Olympic dream
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
Adelaide Elite and Junior Final DH video is up at Freecaster
Monday, 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!
Practice & Junior Finals
Men's Finals
Created by Ira Fehlberg.
2009 Felt MTBA Australian Marathon Championships - Entries now open
Monday, November 10, 2008Mountain 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
Thursday, November 6, 2008Please 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.
Document Download:
DH4X HP Statement.pdf (PDF - 261 Kb)
OLYMPIAN GOES DOWNHILL - DH#1
Monday, November 3, 2008 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 - XCO#1
Monday, November 3, 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.
Results are available through the event calendar.
For further information, interviews, photos contact:
Sharon Payne
Media Manager
Mountain Bike Australia
Mob +61 (0) 412 773500
sharon@bikemedia.com.au
BMX Olympian kick starts Mountain Bike season - 4X#1 Sydney Olympic Park
Saturday, October 18, 2008BMX Olympian Luke Madill (Penrith) is on track winning the first round of the Red Ass National Four Cross at Sydney Olympic Park today The 28 year national champion took the win away from last season’s overall leader, Leigh Darrell from Canberra. Madill admitted he has his sights set on an international career in mountain biking.
“I’m just looking at getting to all of the World Cup rounds this year,” Madill stated. " Today was great. I always wanted to race it internationally and it's a change from BMX."
The stage was set in the final with Madill leading into the first corner with Darrell matching his every move. Third was Victoria's David Habicht (Sebastopol) while Sydney's Alex Lloyd (St Clair) claimed fourth.
The women’s national champion, Caroline Buchanan from Canberra secured her first win of the national series. After winning the World Cup round in Canberra recently the 17 year old looked confident all day. A return to racing from top Australian rider, Sarsha Huntington (Redland) from Brisbane made a top field but Huntington was outdone in the second straight by Shannon Jobson (Blaxland) and Danielle Beecroft (Londonderry). Jobson and Beecroft finished in second and third place respectively.
Graham Mudd (Woodberry) won the Under 19 men’s while Taylor Barnes (Oakville) took out the women’s category.
Round two in the national series continues tomorrow at the Monster Mountain Cross track at Sydney Olympic Park. Racing starts at 12 noon.
For further information contact:
Sharon Payne
Media Manager
Mountain Bike Australia
Mob +61 (0) 412 773500
sharon@bikemedia.com.au
Red Ass Australian Four Cross Rounds start the mountain bike season
Tuesday, October 14, 2008The 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.
Register now at www.rockytrailentertainment.com to save on racing fees:
- 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.
Check out the Rider Info Document for further details.
For media queries contact:
Sharon Payne
Media Manager
Mountain Bike Australia
Mob +61 (0) 412 773500
sharon@bikemedia.com.au
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