Sunday was all about the XCO. Over the years the Cross Country Olympic discipline has changed from a multi hour event (perhaps one of the first in Aus was raced at Buller in the 90s) to a red lining 1 hour and 20 minute smash fest. The course set out for this years Nationals was a relentless climbing course that had little time for rest, however… The Bureau of Meteorology had other ideas. It was known for a few days that Sunday was going to be a wet day, but the severe storm warning only came through the night before which left organizers in a spot of bother. The predicted high winds could cause issues with tree fall (indeed, I myself saw a huge tree fall during Saturday’s DH race).
So the first race was postponed and the course was altered to about half the length, there was only a short section of single track but a nice off camber grass descent and a long, steep fire road climb remained. The alterations felt more like an 7minute XCC course. Aus Cycling endeavoured to deliver the event and time was made up by combining all of the Masters Mens and U17s together, luckily the amount of double track fire road per lap was a much higher percentage so congestion wasn’t really a problem…
Highlights of the early events during the day were
- U17 Women Charli Edwick storming away from the field and wining by over 3 minutes!
- The Masters Women in Australia are some of the fiercest competitors in the world, great battles for each podium place here.
- Myles Higgins from Masters 10 is the oldest competitor of the week and he slogged it out in the rain battling alongside kids 60 years younger than him. What a legend!
But the main show of the day was in the Elite events. The closest racing of the whole week was our Elite Women, Rebecca Henderson winning in dramatic style with a sprint finish against Isabella Flint after 9 laps of racing. Henderson would crash on lap 1, injuring her shoulder and thumb in the process, Zoe Cuthbert and Flint would work together for multiple laps and gained a lead over the rest of the field, the race quickly blew wide open with almost every athlete riding by themselves. Henderson would eventually bridge the gap back to the front and settle in with Cuthbert and Flint. Behind them the battle for the 5 person podium was between Kathryn Mcinerny, Katriina Dower and the returning Sarah Tucknott. Ella Menigoz would fly to the U23 victory, surviving an early challenge from Ruby Dobson, while Amelie Burrel rode strong to win the U19 category.
Isabella Flint and Rebecca Henderson would drop Zoe Cuthbert with a few laps remaining when the wind and rain really started to pick up. It would be Hendersons 21st National Title and am sure it was the hardest she’s had to fight to win on home soil.
The Elite men had the wettest race I’ve seen for a long time, although the fog from the women’s race had disappeared which was a plus. Defending champ Cam Ivory pushed the pace early, the only other athlete to stick on his wheel was Sam Fox, but after only a few laps, Ivory began to fade. Fox had no choice but to push on out front solo. Behind him the battle was between pre race favourite Jack Ward, Reece Tucknott, Toby Stewart, Tasman Nankervis and Scott Bowden. Harry Doye would back up his XCC title with a victory in the XCO in U23, Sam Northey keeping him honest. While Connor Wright rode to a commanding victory in U19.
Sam Fox would continue out front, consistently riding 10 seconds faster than everyone each lap, he would cruise to his 2nd Elite National title, paving the way for all the bike packers out there! Ward, Tucknott, Stewart and Nankervis would continue to swap places but would eventually round out the minor placings. Unfortunately the Women’s podium presentations was in the middle of the Elite mens race so I apologize for not being able to cover that. All results can be found here: https://my.raceresult.com/330418/results
The weather really was severe all afternoon and it was fantastic that we were able to have this event run today. I’m looking forward to drying out my cameras. Congratulations to all athletes this week, it was another great National MTB Championship!
