With the Briars Highland Fling just over two-months away; now is the time to take a long hard look in the mirror and ask yourself if you’re ready to ride in Australia’s largest mountain bike marathon.
If you answered yes – you’ll be happy to know Narcissus Corner will return in 2012 offering you the chance to check out your form during the race.
If you answered no – don’t despair – eight-weeks seems to be the standard ‘whip yourself into shape body challenge’ duration, so there’s still time.
We’ll even Fling some more motivation your way!
The Briars Highland Fling is the final and biggest event in the Real Insurance XCM Series, carrying an extra 15% point weighting. You’ll earn more ranking points for doing The Fling than any other event in the Series.
It’s also the event where you’ll see Australia’s largest elite field take to the trails, and 2000 every day athletes enjoying the festival weekend atmosphere that includes race events: the 110km Full Fling, 55km Half Fling and 100Mile Fling, along with side events such as the Casual Fling, Bundanoon Dash, Battle of The Businesses, Kids Fling and much much more.
While The Briars Highland Fling is in its eighth year, there’s still a few firsts. For the first time there is a full female category racing the 100Mile Fling including 24-Hour World Champion Jessica Douglas from Victoria and Queensland’s well known endurance rider Naomi Hansen, from the Subaru-MarathonMTB.com Team.
This year also sees the inclusion of a new mountain bike race category to the Australian scene. Introducing the Great Grandmasters age category for riders aged 70 and over. This category celebrates the love and longevity of the sport of mountain biking. There are already 4 entries in the Half Fling for this.
The competition up the front in the blue ribbon Full Fling will be fierce. With over 50 men in the Elite category defending Briars Highland Fling and Real Insurance XCM Series champion Dylan Cooper has relinquished the latter title to team mate Shaun Lewis, winner of the Fling in 2006 and 2007. Lewis has been unstoppable in all of the sprint finishes so far in the XCM Series this year with 3 out of 4 wins but with two races to go Andy Blair will no doubt be challenging Shaun Lewis for the Series. At the Fling there are any number of riders who could take the victory.
Shaun Lewis takes the Husky 100 win from a bunch sprint. He hasn’t lost a sprint in the Series this year. Photo: CycleNation
Jenny Fay has dominated the women’s XCM Series, but won’t be taking it easy at The Fling as she sets out to complete her objective of winning six from six.
‘The Briars Highland Fling seems to get more priority in my race calendar by the year, and 2012 is no different. Everyone wants to win the Fling – its prestige and reputation as being the best and most hard fought marathon race in Australia means everyone will come with their best game on the day. As defending champion, I will have it hard from the line, but I’ll enjoy the challenge and a magical day out as always with my fellow competitors and the Wild Horizons crew!” said Jenny recently.
If you See Yourself at the 2012 Briars Highland Fling there are limited entries left – book your ticket today. The event is to be held on 11th November 2012.
Jenny Fay, crossing the line triumphantly. Photo: www.cyclenation.com.au