The stages at the ICME in Alice Springs have changed over the years, but the Hill Climb Time Trial up Anzac Hill has settled as a favourite of sorts, being around for a few years. Although some racers feel it should run on the Sunday as a Prologue, it’s not overly taxing having it as a second stage on the one day. It is only 300m after all.
Anzac Hill - it doesn't look too daunting.
In reverse GC order, riders took off in the golden afternoon sunlight. In the end it was Sarah Holmes who took the womens win, ahead of Naomi Hansen. And Ben Hogarth took the mens win in front of race leader Andy Blair. Both these two opted to run slick tyres. Reflective side walled commuter ones for Hogarth, and some skinny Maxxis road tyres for Blair.
Subaru-MarathonMTB.com Racer Naomi Hansen hasn’t had an easy run into this race – but many can probably relate to starting a stage race being a great way to shift some things aside for a little while.
“With no real expectations and and interesting cocktail of prescribed medications coursing though my veins I lined up alongside Terri Rhodes, Melissa Anset and several other ‘fit’ looking females on the start line of stage 1 Rapid Ascent ICME. The stage started with a pleasant neutral escort through town before the lead car abandoned us on a dusty fire road and race on. Within the first 5km I managed to lead 2 very innocent male riders astray in a typical female ‘no sense of direction’ way, only to be seen shortly later exiting the bush back onto the prescribed race trail with two guys in tow. Then it was catch up time as the adrenaline kicked in and all ideas of ‘resting’ my stitched knee flew out the window. The trails were primo but there were many riders on the side of the track with bike issues. I even shed a tear when i passed team mate Nick Both on the side of the track with tire issues, not once but twice…So was a bit of a lonely race I caught back two places in the female category and finished in 3rd behind a stomping Melissa Anset in first and Terri Rhodes not too far behind in second.’
By coming third at the Hill Climb TT on Anzac Hill, Hansen should be feeling confident for the week ahead.
More information on the race can be found on the ICME website