News2009 MTBA Australian MTB Marathon Championships - Rescheduled
Wednesday, 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.
Cory captures series final and Douglas upsets
Tuesday, March 3, 2009In 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
Monday, March 2, 2009South 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
Sunday, 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
Saturday, February 28, 2009The 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
Thursday, February 19, 2009Big 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
World Champ whiz and Douglas claims career first
Tuesday, February 3, 2009Two-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
Saturday, January 31, 2009Newly 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
Thursday, January 29, 2009Australia’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:
Jacqui Whitby
Marketing Manager
Buller Ski Lifts
5777 7821
0418 555 066
Jacqui.whitby@skibuller.com.au
Olympian relieved with Mountain Cross win
Saturday, January 24, 2009CANBERRA: 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
Archive
|
