It was a cool start for riders on the way to Telegraph Station, the start for todays 3rd stage of the Ingkerreke Commerical MTB Enduro today. But things warmed up pretty quickly as we took off. The pace lifted dramatically before the hard right hander into soft sand, but no one dropped it, and the pace maintained a good tempo along the river.
Soon after, there was a fairly distinct group of about a dozen riders who were clear, with all of the protagonists from Monday present. Billy Sewell had a dig, but this was easily covered by race leader Andy Blair.
The decisive moment occurred when we came to crossing the Todd River. The visible line was to the left, but pre riding knowledge lead Andy Blair, Subaru-MarathonMTB.com Racer Nick Both, myself and one or two others on a more direct line to the right. The sand at this part of there over was more compact and allowed people to stay on the bike. And that’s what they did. Blair and Both got a gap, with Hucker and Haig chasing. I was with other riders such as Hogarth, but there were a lot of people on their own and chasing.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zb3MfF6jqRA&feature=youtu.be
“I was happy to keep the Torq boys at about 50 metres behind – I wanted to prolong their chase” explained Blair. With plenty of the race still ahead, Blair had time to gas it and make a bigger gap. Nick Both had a huge mental boost, after suffering two flat tyres yesterday. He was sitting in second place behind Blair, until Haig caught him within the last 10kms – so Both finished third. The final stretch of the race was pretty quick, along the pipeline, through some sand and causeways, a cycle path – and then across what feels like a building site into the Lasseters Hotel front lawn. This 50m or so was a real let down, with concrete blocks and grass hiding holes. Robbie Hucker crashed here, and will hopefully be alright to start tomorrow.
Today highlighted the great trails around Alice Springs. There was real variety. But it’s pretty sharp out there. I managed to flat badly while sitting painfully in 6th. Plenty of riders rolled over the line with grazes from tumbles, or just sharp plant life.
The women’s race again had Melissa Anset as a clear leader, with Naomi Hansen (Suabru-MarathonMTB.com) just in front of Terri Rhodes. With a knee still stitched up and painful, Hansen was pretty happy to move unto 2nd on GC as well.
There is an interesting battle developing in the Masters category. Swiss rider Marc Baechli won Stage one yesterday, which put him in the sights of Gary Harwood – who took the win and leaders yellow plate today. The gaps aren’t huge, but Harwood has been on location for the past month, and has these trails dialled – which is a big advantage. As a Croc Trophy veteran, Baechli knows how to hurt, and ride sand. An interesting battle.
Baechli and Harwood put on a friendly face for the camera
Paul Darvodelsky consolidated his lead in the 50+ category. He has raced every iteration of this event, moved to Alice Springs, and his business (Alice Springs Cinema) sponsors a variety of primes within the race.
Full results can be seen online at the Multisport Australia website.