This feature is a carry on from the first interview with Jodie Willett.
Beyond talking about her 2012 season goals and her new sponsor in, Jodie Willett spoke to MarathonMTB.com about Cross Country racing, Marathon Mountain Bike events and Stage Racing. Willett filled us in on her approach for gaining selection for the Australian Team: racing the South African World Cup round to get a better start position for the next World Cup race in Belgium. With such big fields and at the highest level, a better grid position is essential. This is different to the approach of others though.
“We heard from MTBA that non-European World Cups won’t count. Chris Clarke deemed that the racing in South Africa won’t be as competitive. But if I get a better position there I can start further up at Houfallize, which makes a big difference. Other girls are doing more European races from there, but I’m putting my effort into those first two World Cups.”
That is not to say that Willett’s season ends there, but the rest of the year will hinge on those results.
“If I got to London, then it’s all about some other races that I really want to do, or do again. Like the (Flight Centre) Epic, Langkawi (LIMBC) and the Tour de Timor.”
For someone who has announced their need to focus on Cross Country, this is a clear move away from the first part of the year. Cross Country Stage Racing is increasingly popular, races where each day isn’t a long slog in the saddle, but something more like an Olympic Distance Cross Country race. In 2011 Willett went to the Langkawi International Mountain Bike Challenge, along with an armada of the worlds best racers.
“I would love to go back. With the Marathon style Stage Races, such as TransAlp, you are on the bike for six or seven hours per day. At Langkawi, you race in the morning, but get to go out and see things in the afternoon. I guess it may feel like less of a ‘journey’ compared to a point to point Stage Race like the ABSA Cape Epic, or Trans Rockies. But this way you get to focus on discovering the local area, and don’t have to only focus on recovery. For anyone who works full time while racing, these races are holidays too. So it’s nice to still experience that element.”
With changes made to the 2011/2012 Australian National Series, these are now essentially mini-stage races. So surely this is something that Willett would enjoy?
“I’ve let my feelings be known about the new format after the first round in Perth. I can see that the aim has been to increase participation of non-Elites, but it shouldn’t be at the expense of Elites. The UCI points are only awarded on the XCO stage of the AMC (All Mountain Cup) regardless of overall position for the weekend but the prize money is only awarded on the overall finish. This puts Elites (well me at least) in an awkward position. Should I not ‘race’ the other events and focus on staying fresh for the XCO to get the points the not get any prize money to cover my costs for the weekend. Or do I race it like a stage race getting solid results each day instead of a stand out performace in the one race which counts internationally?”
Although some racers relish the inclusion of Super D and a point to point – others are just there for the points that are on offer. “I look at it as being concerned with the UCI points on offer, not the series” said Willett.
“It is hard to see value in the changes, especially when you get no choice with the entry fee. There are a few bugs to sort out. MTBA are considering this but it seems to be retrospectively, which is unfair on the people who changed their racing style to fit in with the stage race criteria.”
And this brings up the question of what other options are there for cross country racers who need experience, or even UCI points?
“We need to have stronger State based cross country races. While it would take a lot of work, an increase in the amount of club racing would really help. Having something like a dirt crit that is low cost and allows for the skill and speed development that XC requires.” Well it has worked in Canberra.
“UCI Class 2 events would let us get points and go overseas. It isn’t impossible, this is what a lot of European countries do. They don’t have a National Series, but some very good events that attract a C2 ranking.”
So the challenge is out there. Cross Country racing has taken a hit in the past few years, but with MTBA taking a big step to bring on a new generation of Elite Cross Country racers – perhaps it’s back on the up in Australia?