News

Nation’s best to battle it out in Series decider
Thursday, 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,
 
Friday, 12 March
4:30pm : 4X seeding
6:30pm : 4X finals
 
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

2010 Nemisis MTBA Australian MTB Marathon Championships
Thursday, 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.

On-line entry for Round 4, Stromlo Forest Park, ACT
Friday, 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. 

On-line entry for Australian 24hr Solo MTB Championships now open
Friday, February 19, 2010

Cory and Buchar too strong in Thredbo
Sunday, 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
Sunday, 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
 
Elite women
1   Heather Logie ACT
2   Rowena Fry TAS
3   Rebecca Henderson ACT
4   Katherine O'Shea VIC
5   Joanna Wall VIC
 
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
Saturday, 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
 
       *Under 23 men
 
Elite women
1.                Rowena Fry  (TAS)   1:59:17  (28:20, 29:17, 30:41, 30:58)
2.                Heather Logie   (ACT)  2:01:08  (28:27, 29:47, 30:59, 31:53)
3.                Rebecca Henderson*  (ACT)  2:05:56  (29:44, 30:56, 32:09, 33:06)
4.                Joanna Wall   (VIC)   2:06:20  (29:51, 31:29, 31:43, 33:16)
5.                Katherine O'Shea   (VIC)   2:10:46  (30:23, 32:22, 32:53, 35:06)
6.                Peta Mullens*  (VIC)  2:12:50
7.                Jenni King   (VIC)  2:15:15
8.                Sarah Holmes*  (SA)   2:15:52
9.                Therese Rhodes*  (SA)  2:18:23
10.            Stephanie Russell  (WA)  2:25:04
 
      *Under 23 women
 
2009/10 Australian MTB Series - Round 4
Saturday, 13 March to Sunday, 14 March 2010
Stromlo Forest Park, ACT

-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
 

Darrell defies conditions to secure comeback victory in Thredbo
Saturday, 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
 
Elite women
1.         Sarsha Huntington
 
Junior Female
1.                                 Harriet Burbridge-Smith
2.                                 Danielle Beecroft
 
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 faces tough assignment in Thredbo
Thursday, 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

Latest Schedule for 2009-2010 national Series
Tuesday, February 2, 2010

Download the latest schedule here.

Document Download:
0910NationalSeriesScheduleV7b.pdf (PDF - 75 Kb)

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