The Australian national cross country and downhill series continued at Threadbo on December 15-16th.
Cross country
Athens Olympian Sid Taberlay led from start to finish and claimed the quickest lap of the day. After six laps and an overall time of 1:47.37, Taberlay took the win in his stride. "I just powered up the hill in the first lap and didn't see anyone after that," Taberlay said.
Adelaide based Chris Jongewaard had the unluckiest ride of the day after riding five laps in second position before striking trouble. Jongewaard missed a feed on the final lap before suffering a flat tyre that caused him to drop six and a half minutes and finish in ninth place. Jongewaard was passed by the trailing trio of Dylan Cooper, Aiden Lefmann, and team mate Lachlan Norris who finished second, third and fourth respectively. A third place by current series leader, Lefmann maintained his series lead by a slim margin of two points
European-based rider Kate Potter caused an upset in the Elite Women's category at Thredbo. Potter made the winning move just before the final lap to pass early leader, Tory Thomas. A surge of energy from Potter was too much for the current series leader, Thomas.
In the early laps Thomas looked like she had the race sewn up until an old injury caused havoc on the climbing sections. The Victorian was told she would never ride again in 2005 when she was serious injured after being struck by a car. Thomas' second place by was enough to maintain the series lead.
For the complete cross country race report, click here.
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Downhill
World bronze medallist Nathan Rennie proved he is one of the best mountain bike downhillers in Australia by winning the third round of the National Mountain Bike Series at Thredbo. The reigning national champion qualified third fastest after blistering runs from Canberra's Ben Cory and Wollongong's Amiel Cavalier claimed the top two positions. On his first event since returning to Australia, course record holder Jared Rando placed second. Current series leader, Amiel Cavalier, secured third place to maintain his comfortable series lead with 178 points.
An upset in the women's downhill race saw veteran downhill rider Joanne Fox take the win over the race favourite, Emma McNaughton, by a clear four seconds. After being convinced by her husband at the last minute to ride up with Elite Women, Fox was elated but exhausted at the finish line. "I knew it wasn't going to be easy to win today," said the Sydneysider. "The first thing I'm going to do is have something to eat, I'm starving!"
For the complete downhill race report, click here.
