The final 3 events in the 5 event Real Insurance XCM Series are all happening in the space of just 13 weeks. Points are collected for each rider’s best 3 results in the XCM Series, which makes the Series still wide open, even for riders that have not done the first 2 events. The next event in the Series is the Husky 100K’er, on the 7 th of August.
Out of the 2,000 odd total field that have done the first 2 events, circa 200 ladies participated in the marathon distance and half marathon distance XCM Series events. In the XCM Series the marathon distance is done over a minimum of 100km off-road course and the half marathon over a 50km off-course.
The Marathon Series is currently led by Vanina Vergoz (City Bike Depot) with 3,589 points. Vergoz did very well in both the Capital Punishment (2 nd place) and the Dirt Works NSW (1st place). Vergoz will miss the next event, the Husky 100k’er, due to being in the United States. By not riding in the next event she will relinquish her lead until at least after the Bottlebutt 100.
Sue Thompson (Gu Energy) is currently ranked 2nd with 3 ,518 points and will wear the Real Insurance leaders jersey in Vergoz’s absence. If she can finish on the podium in the Husky 100K’er, she will almost certainly be the new official leader of the Series going into the Bottlebutt 100 on the 10 th of September. Thompson’s possible impending lead will be hotly challenged by especially Vergoz, Jenny Fay and Kirsten Vallance at the 4th and 5th events in the Series.
Jenny Fay (Clarence Street Cyclery) led the Series with 1,909 points after she won the first event in the Series, the Capital Punishment. Fay unfortunately broke her collarbone for the 2nd time this year the day before the Dirt Works NSW in May. Now recovered, and eager to race, Fay will need to capitalize on Vergoz’s absence. It will be game on for the lead of the Series at the Bottlebutt 100.
By finishing 2nd in the Dirt Works 100km Kristen Vallance (BikeWorx) is in a very good position to challenge for any of the top 3 spots in the Series with 1,806 points.
There are many girls who have done only one of the first 2 events, but even more who are yet to do their first. This will cause interesting changes in the standings as the next 3 events unfold. The final outcome of the Series is going to be determined by who is going to do the best in the next 3 events.
Top 10 ladies overall rankings below:
|
Ranking |
Name |
Points |
Events completed |
|
1 |
3589 |
2 |
|
|
2 |
3518 |
2 |
|
|
3 |
3467 |
2 |
|
|
4 |
3426 |
2 |
|
|
5 |
3274 |
2 |
|
|
6 |
1909 |
1 |
|
|
7 |
1806 |
1 |
|
|
8 |
1782 |
1 |
|
|
9 |
1765 |
1 |
|
|
10 |
1761 |
2 |
Entries for the final 3 events are selling out so make sure to get in early: