Playing in the sand at Port to Port

Now in its fourth year, Port to Port has cemented its position as the leading mountain bike stage race on the east coast of Australia, really only outdone at a national level by Cape to Cape, the race organiser's original event which celebrates its 10th year this October.

The Port to Port gets it's name as it runs from one Port to another over 4 days – in a round about fashion. Day 1 starts in Port Stephens, on the picturesque waters at Nelson Bay.

Jumping into the sand pit

Events around Australia all have their own character, and in a stage race like Port to Port is no exception, except each stage here is a little different. Stage 1 is all about fast riding, and managing sand. With rain yesterday morning the trails were tacky and the sand was well-packed. Who would it suit?

As we all congregated at d'Albora Marina, eyes darted around – who was in shape? Who could take the lead today? Would it be last year's winner Tristan Ward, or national XCM Champion Brendan Johnston? Would Mark Tupalski slip into the leader's jersey? And without a prevous winner in the women's field, who would come out on top?

As the race got underway the answers to many of those questions were answered. The front group took off and riders like Em Viotto, Kathryn McInerney and Jess Simpson were well up the field.

Same same but different

Today's 34.5km course was very similar to previous years, except some sections had been reversed, most notably the infamous Three Bears climb. There are no imported bears, or koalas, just three big lumps on loose terrain to get up and over. And it's the loose or sandy terrain that typifies this stage. If you're not good in sand – you won't have much fun.

And what does being 'good in sand' mean? Mostly it means not stressing out too much, don't steer, and keep your pedalling consistent. With short hills thrown into the mix, with more loose rock on them plus sand, that also adds another level of difficulty.

But if you negotiate all that, chances are you'll enjoy the fast blast through the surrounding parkland, with a finish back at the marina.

And today while it was Brendan Johnston who was the best on the sand and steep climbs, with Ryan Standish and Rohin Adams almost 20 seconds in arrears.

In the women's race, Em Viotto took a great win, showing the huge leap in performance she's had over the past 12 months. Jess Simpson and Kathryn McInernery were neck and neck for 2nd and 3rd.

Full results are online.

Race, eat, sleep, repeat

And now – the race to do it all again! Riders lazed around at the finish, soaking up the sunshine and getting some food from the local cafe. With the next two stages in the Hunter Valley, cars were in motion to be packed up, shuttling riders, bikes, partners and families to one of Australia's most popular wine regions ahead of tomorrow's stage.

With a course profile that heads uphill pretty quickly from the start, it doesn't look like Johnston or Viotto should be too worried given their form, but they don't have big enough time gaps to be comfortable.