Wildside 2008 champion Adrian Jackson sits safely in the chasing pack (Image credit: Rick Eaves / www.rickeaves.com)
24 year-old Victorian Adrian Jackson won the fifth Pure Tasmania Wildside Mountain Bike Ride which wrapped up Tuesday on Tasmania's west coast in Australia. Throughout the race, Jackson was challenged by fellow Victorian Daniel McConnell and Tasmanian Ben Mather. 27 year-old Sid Taberlay, who ended up ninth overall, won several competition stages, but remained out of contention for the win after a puncture early in the race on day one.
"Dan and Sid are good racers, I was hoping to get a podium finish, but I didn't expect to win, I'm so excited," said Jackson. "To win is unbelievable, fantastic, it's my biggest win so far in Australian mountain bike riding, I've never won anything this prestigious before."
25 year-old Rowena Fry convincingly won the women's overall title with an almost nine minute lead over Julie Blake and more than half an hour's advantage over third placed Stephanie Russell.
"I was really happy with my ride; it's a challenging event but a really enjoyable course," Fry said.
More than 450 riders competed in the four day, multi-stage event through some of Tasmania's remote wilderness, from Cradle Mountain to Strahan. Conditions were perfect for most of the ride, although the riders did battle drizzle on the Cradle Mountain stage.
