Hometown hero Paul Van Der Ploeg took out the rain-delayed 2010 FELT Alpine Assault Mountain Bike race in Victoria on Sunday with a commanding ride through Australia’s southern alpine region.
The race was originally scheduled for mid-December, 2010, but heavy rains forced the postponement until the new year. The 100km mountain bike enduro began in Falls Creek, then headed north across the spectacular Alpine National Park before descending down into the township of Mount Beauty.
130 riders took part in the event which was eventually taken out by Paul Van Der Ploeg in a time of 4:41:25, some ten minutes ahead of Phillip Orr who suffered the misfortune of a flat tyre putting to an end his chances of victory. The shorter 67km version of the event was won by Justin Wornes in a time of 3:25:51.
Billed as Australia’s “ultimate 100km event”, race organisers Finishline Events built a course which would appeal to those riders with technical prowess. The downhill sections into Mount Beauty where described by riders as “epic”, and “very rewarding for riders with a love for downhill, high risk, all-mountain style riding”. The speed and nature of the downhill has many riders adjusting there bikes before the race to be more compliant over the bumps.
The downhill open fire trails were rough, and with water damaged from the recent rains, made for tricky riding conditions. Many logs, rocks and obstacles remained partly hidden from the rider’s field of view at speeds that sometimes exceeded +65kph. Many riders paid the price for running tyres with too low a tyre pressure.
The race culminated with two laps of the Big Hill Mountain Bike Park in Mount Beauty. With the temperature now into the low 30s (Celsius) this took its toll on competitors. A 600m vertical climb over 9kms, riders had to ride this section of the course one-and -half-times, proved as tough mentally for many riders as it did physically.
The iconic single track of Mount Beauty played with riders minds as the awesome turns had be balanced with saving the legs and the body, for the final 7kms to the finish.
As the event grows over time with the support of Falls Creek, riders can expect even more single track to be incorporated into the course as Falls Creek continues to expand its mountain bike offering.
For those of you that like the alpine country and challenge of one of Australia’s best 100km events, then the Alpine Assault is for you. Just remember, you have been warned, as one competitor who looked absolutely shattered said after the race, “that was hardest thing I have ever done in my life! But it was also the best MTB enduro I have done!”