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MTB news & racing round-up for January 27, 2006

Edited by Steve Medcroft

Welcome to our regular roundup of what's happening in MTB and Cyclo-cross. Feel free to send feedback, news and gossip to mtb@cyclingnews.com

Aussie Downhill Nats; Rennie lands title at last

By Andrew Threlfall/www.freewheel.com.au

Nathan Rennie
Photo ©: Andrew Threlfall

Nathan Rennie (Santa Cruz/Syndicate) and Tracey Hannah (Edge Cycles) have each secured the top spot in their respective categories to be your new Australian DH Champions. With picture-perfect weather conditions and a record 450 entrants the racing was always going to be exciting, especially as the 'jersey controversy' of '05 had been circumvented by MTBA - ensuring that the winners in Thredbo were the best on the day.

Previously, qualifying and racing had been held in the same afternoon, however with a change to the format of the racing - bringing the championships in line with UCI races - seeding was held on Saturday after a morning practice session.

Australia's longest DH course proved to be too much for many riders with all the tech crews in the pits being kept very busy. Flat tyres were common, but considering the amount of rocks on the course it was surprising there weren't more.

Elite Men

Jared Rando (Giant/Fox) came out blazing on Saturday and set the pace for the day with an impressive time of 6:05.42. Bryn Atkinson (GT/Hyundai) and Joel Panozzo (WTB) filled the next two seeding positions while 2005 DH National Champion Michael Hannah (Cannondale) was taking it easy back in twelfth position.

As Sam Hill (Ironhorse) didn't make the trek across from Perth for the championship all eyes seemed to be following Jared Graves (Yeti) and Nathan Rennie who seemed to have been conserving their energy in their seeding run. Graves was looking to carry on his impressive form from last season after securing the Sea Otter DH omnium, NORBA DH championship and NORBA MTNX Championship. Unfortunately it wasn't to be.

With the track deteriorating as more and more riders went down the course, it was a considerably rougher course than when the seeding was held on Saturday.

Read all the race reports, results and pictures from Australia's gravity national championships here.

MTBA awards 2007-2009 National Championships site

After an exhaustive selection process, MTBA has awarded the 2007-2009 Australian National Championships for Cross Country, Downhill, Mountain Cross and Bike Trials to Canberra, and the hosts, Canberra Off Road Cyclists (CORC).

"The National Championships are set to return to the national capital for the first time since 1999 and this is fantastic news for the sport of mountain biking and cycling in Canberra," CORC President, Mr Anthony Burton said today.

The Executive Officer for MTBA, Tony Scott, said, "Canberra is an awesome location to stage the nationals. It is centrally located to Sydney and Melbourne, has nationally connected direct airflights from most major state capitals, has a wide variety of accommodation options, has a wealth of alternative cultural activity opportunities and will be conducted on a purpose built mountain bike park, funded entirely by the ACT government.

"The current ACT Government has earmarked $6.5m in the development of the Mt. Stromlo area, devastated in the 2003 bushfires. The development includes buildings for event management, power, water and sewerage and telecommunications and the design and construction of mountain bike trails for all the disciplines. This, in conjunction with the fact that internationally respected course designer Glen Jacobs has been engaged to develop and manage the conceptual and design aspects of the mountain specific tracks and trails, suggests that the venue will the best ever in Australia."

Scott noted that the combined participation of the Mount Beauty XC nationals, the Thredbo DH and MTN X nationals and next week's Bike Trials nationals to be staged at Port Elliot in South Australia, would be close to the largest nationals ever held which was also staged in Canberra in 1999.

He concluded, "MTBA looks forward to working with the ACT Government and the host club, Canberra Off Road Cyclists, currently Australia's largest and most active MTB club, in ensuring that the 2007 Nationals (and beyond) are the best and biggest ever."

Big night out at Nite Rider Dusk Till Dawn

By John Flynn in Kooralbyn

David Wood
Photo ©: John Flynn

Nestled in the Border Ranges of South-East Queensland, Australia, the Kooralbyn Valley has developed a reputation as a must-ride destination for the sport of endurance cross-country mountain biking. Home to the Merida 24 Hour, Queensland's only one-day endurance mountain bike event and one of three major 24 hour races on the Australian calendar, Kooralbyn hosted its inaugural Nite Rider Dusk to Dawn 12 Hour at the weekend.

As all nighters go it was one to remember!

When dawn broke over the picturesque Kooralbyn Valley with two hours remaining in the Nite Rider Dusk Till Dawn 12 Hour, a light fog drifted across the mountain tops.

It was hard to believe only 12 hours earlier, I was at the Kenrick Tucker Velodrome in Rockhampton 1000 kilometres away in the tropics, covering the prestigious Cup on Wheels. And tired though I was, after a day and night on-the-run, scenes like this are worth the sleep deprivation.

In the distance, beyond the sweet single trails of Kooralbyn, Queensland's magnificent border ranges and the iconic Mount Barney disappeared behind a stream of cloud and filtered early morning light.

For the benefit of U.S. readers of Cyclingnews, the backdrop is not unlike The Cascades of Washington State during the summer. Spectacular country, of steep mountains and flowing streams and of course, sweet singles. The beauty of cross-country mountain biking is that it never ceases to take you to magic destinations and the hilltops around Kooralbyn are right up there!

Read the entire Nite Rider Dusk Till Dawn race report, results and photos here.

NZ National Series #3; Avery and Joseph conquer the Vulcaniser

By Karyn McQueen

In complete contrast to the Coronet Peak course, today's (Sunday January 22 2006) course at Waipara was as technical and involving as it was picturesque with a record number of riders enjoying the course in Round 3 of the 2006 New Zealand Community Trust National Series. As expected, New Zealand Commonwealth Games selection contenders Clinton Avery and Rosara Joseph both put in strong performances to further increase their prospects with solid wins in the Elite Men's and Women's Categories.

The much anticipated return of Rosara Joseph (Christchurch) to the National Series saw Joseph sharing the lead with the current series leader Annika Smail (Rotorua) until midway through the third lap where Joseph broke away to finish with an 18 second lead. Rotorua's Sonia Foote comfortably held onto third position throughout the entire race to finish 3 minutes behind Joseph.

Clinton Avery (Rotorua) once again showed he was a serious Commonwealth Games contender with a convincing win over Marcus Roy (Te Anau) after Kashi Leuchs flatted early in the race. Leuchs displayed a fiercely competitive attitude in fighting back to eleventh position from twenty eighth. Brendan Sharratt (Wanganui) backed up his first round podium finish with another third placing with a 1.56.06 hour race.

It was a family affair with Avery's Mum Mary Ann and younger sister Monique both winning their classes also.

All riders were extremely enthusiastic with "The Vulcaniser" course with the tight and twisting single track through native forest and rolling farmland and special thanks must go to the landowner Ross Little and family for opening up their working farm to the National Series.

Next weekend's National Championships in Nelson will see the nations best Cross Country riders competing for Oceania and World selection. In addition to the usual Downhill and Cross Country, Hill Climb and Four Cross will also be contested.

For the rest of the race report and partial results, click here.

ScottUSA signs Niki Gudex

Niki Gudex
Photo ©: Scott USA

Scott USA announced last week that it will add mountain bike racer Niki Gudex to its family of riders. "I am very excited to be involved with Scott," remarked Niki. "The Scale is an absolutely beautiful bike and I am really keen to race it knowing how great it is. I can't imagine having a better bike to compete at the World Cup level with."

Gudex joins a strong group of female athletes assembled by Scott to help shape its Contessa line of bicycles, apparel and accessories. "It's so important for us to align ourselves with top level athletes like Niki that can give their input on the Contessa line. The more feedback we get from these riders, the more function specific the category becomes," said Scott Montgomery.

"Cycling is a sport that can be enjoyed in any form and at any level and Scott caters to everyone from children to World Cup athletes. I think this is what I admire most about Scott, they are making cycling an attractive recreation for everyone and that's a positive thing for the future of cycling. I must admit, I am very proud to become a part of that," added Niki.

"I've watched Niki progress so much over the last few years of XC racing," commented Adrian Montgomery. "I believe her determination and hard work in developing herself as a World Cup racer deserves recognition. It's these types of extraordinary people that Scott USA wishes to work with."

24 Hours of Landahl becomes newest addition to 2006 Granny Gear series

Birthplace of Ginger Rogers, Independence, Missouri, just east of Kansas City, will play host to a different kind of foot-stomping entertainment on September 16th-17th, 2006. The 24 Hours of Landahl will convene mountain bike racers from all over the Midwest to compete on Landahl Park. The regional mountain-bike park in the Jackson County, Missouri park system offers a race venue unparalleled in access, design, variety, and flow.

"Landahl Park mainly consists of hard-packed single-track with several limestone rock outcropping formations," explained local mountain bike racer Danny Hooks, "'babyhead' rocks to actual spots where limestone walls are 6-8 feet high - where you'll be riding right between them provide just enough variance without disrupting the best thing about Landahl - its flow."

With the signature LeMans-style start at noon on September 16th, racers will spend the next 24 hours riding, resting, refuelling or strategising as they devise new ways to beat the competition. With Granny Gear Productions' reputation for producing first-rate events, the 24 Hours of Landahl expects to attract racers from as far away as Little Rock, Oklahoma City, Des Moines, Chicago, Indianapolis, and Nashville. Even Rocky Mountain racers from the Denver/Boulder area are within striking distance of the 24 Hours of Landahl.

Local support for the 24 Hours of Landahl has been overwhelming. The event will be the first of its kind to take place in the Midwest. 2005 24-hour US National Champion, Cameron Chambers, said there is no way he would miss the 24 Hours of Landahl, especially since he's raced at Landahl more times than anywhere else in his career and it's not far from his Kansas home.

"This race is huge because with all other races, I pre-ride the course but I still don't know what the trail is like at race speed," Chambers said. "With Landahl, I have the advantage of knowing what the course is like during a race. Plus, the trails are laid out superbly; the locals in Kansas City have put a lot of work into Landahl and can take a lot of pride in their trails."

For more information, visit www.grannygear.com.

Susie Pryde appointed NZ endurance coach

Susie Pryde has been named as BikeNZ's national endurance coach. As a cyclist, Pryde represented New Zealand on numerous occasions, and is a Commonwealth Games silver medalist in both road and mountain biking. She is an Olympian and has been selected for eighteen World Championship New Zealand teams.

"BikeNZ is fortunate to be able to invest as per the High Performance plan in Susy's appointment, because it allows us to prepare both short and long term in our athletes and coaches," said Michael Flynn, BikeNZ High Performance Director. "Susy's passion, knowledge and enthusiasm towards understanding what is required to being an elite athlete will be a massive advantage to the New Zealand athletes that she will work with."

Pryde will be involved in training and leading the national women's road team, and both the men's and women's cross country mountain biking teams.

"BikeNZ have created an opportunity, which for me, is like first prize, an opportunity to work hard at work worth doing," said Pryde. "Under our collaboration, I only hope the riders continually feel the wind at their heels."

New Zealand's Commonwealth Games team announced

The New Zealand Olympic Committee has announced that New Zealand is sending the maximum number of cyclists allowed to represent the country at the 2006 Melbourne Commonwealth Games. Included in the 33-strong cycling team are 15 road cyclists, 12 track cyclists and 6 cross country mountain bikers. Some riders will ride in both road and track events.

The team:
Clinton Avery - MTBXC (Rotorua)
Sonia Foote - MTBXC (Rotorua)
Rosara Joseph - MTBXC (Wellington)
Kashi Leuchs - MTBXC (Dunedin)
Mike Northcott - MTBXC (Taupo)
Robyn Wong - MTBXC (Wellington)

Staff:
John Lee - Men's MTB Coach

Canadian Commonwealth Games team announced

The Canadian Cycling Association has announced its team for the 2006 Commonwealth Games in Melbourne, Australia, from March 16 to 26. A total of 19 riders have been named to the team. "The process of selecting a team of 19 riders covering the men's and women's categories in three disciplines and 12 medal events was very difficult," said CCA High Performance Director Kris Westwood. "Some tough choices were made and some experienced riders were left off the team, but the limited team size made those decisions necessary. Every rider was evaluated based on his or her ability to either win medals or provide support to a medal candidate, and I'm very happy with the work our national coaches and High Performance Committee accomplished."

The mountain bike team will compete in the Oceania championship in Rotorua, New Zealand, on March 5, and will stay there for a week before travelling to Melbourne. The team staff will include National Mountain Bike Coach Michel Leblanc.

MTB Team roster

Mountain bike XC women:
Marie-Hélène Prémont
Kiara Bisaro

Mountain bike XC men:
Geoff Kabush
Seamus McGrath

Tilford to lead Midwest Trek/VW squad

Multiple cyclocross and mountain bike champion Steve Tilford will head another new Midwest team in 2006, when he lines up as rider/manager for the Midwest Trek-Volkswagen team. Tilford brings over 20 years of racing and team management experience to the squad that will focus on the larger Midwest races including the Tour of Kansas City, Gateway Cup, Lincoln Plating Spring Cycling Classic as well as select National Racing Calendar events.

Click here for the full roster

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