English, Dimozantos lead overall at Mountains to Beach

The first three stages of the Mountains To Beach were run, and won on Monday. The first stage, the Mountain Run started riders off in fine weather from the top of the Kosciuszko Chairlift to ride 12km with a finish in the middle of Thredbo Village.

While the weather didn't last, Jason English continued his form from 2009 with a winning time of 0:33.09. Andy Blair, second overall last year, was a close second (0:34:19) behind by one minute and 10 seconds. Andrew Fellows was hot on Andy's tail, 25 seconds later, with a time of 0:34:44.

The women's race was more hotly contested with Belinda Porter (0:48:21) conceding first place to Megan Dimozantos (0:48:06) by just 15 seconds. Amanda Sanderson came in third a further one minute, 22 seconds behind with a time of 0:49:43.

The weather turned to a light drizzle for the stage 2 cruise from Thredbo to Lake Crackenback Resort.

It then improved to provide ideal riding conditions, overcast with the track damp for stage 3 the Muster around Lake Crackenback Resort. The weather wasn't the only thing to change at Lake Crackenback Resort. The Muster has new tracks added this year with a loop through the National Park, making the track now 31km long and a little more challenging.

The track must have agreed with the lead riders, with a group of seven hotly contesting the first lap. At the finish line, it was Andy Blair who edged out Andrew Fellows on the line to win in 1:15:24, with Brad Morton coming in a second later at 1:15:25.

The women's race wasn't as tightly contested, with Megan Dimozantos finishing in 1:35:22, four and half minutes in front. Second and third places were contested with Belinda Porter (1:39:59) coming in just one second ahead of Clare Lonergan with 1:40:00.

Blair's win wasn't enough to take first place overall off English, who is one minute and eight seconds ahead overall on 1:48:35. Andrew Fellows is in third place with a total time of 1:50:08. Megan Dimozantos leads the women's overall at 2:23:28. Belinda Porter is just under four minutes behind on 2:28:20 with Clare Lonergan third on 2:30:00.

After the day's short stages, tomorrow will see the first of the long treks through the high country. Starting with a ride in the Ski Tube to Perisher, riders will then make their way through spectacular Kosciuszko National Park to Buckenderra Resort on the shores of Lake Eucumbene in the 80km Mountain Traverse.

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