Jongewaard takes Wildside crown

Former Australian cross country champion and Commonwealth Games contender, Chris Jongewaard from South Australia, has taken out the 2006 Wildside MTB in convincing style after completing the last manic stage along Ocean Beach at Strahan.

It's the first time the 26-year old part-time chippie and full-time hard-man has secured the title, in an overall winning time of 5hours 33mins and 7 secs to cover over 200-kilometres and seven stages of the best trails Tasmania has to offer from Cradle Mountain to Strahan. Jongewaard put the hurt on the competition king, Sid Taberlay (5:39:50) from stage 2 and never looked back, the final margin a whopping 6 minutes and 43 seconds.

After the event a triumphant and relieved Jongewaard took the Wildside crown from Taberlay, its only owner to date. "The only guy to win it is Sid so it's pretty special, to get up in the Wildside. I'm stoked," he said.

For the rest of 2006 Wildside MTB Stage Race final stage race report, click here.