The 2012 racing season had many highs and lows around the globe, from club levee events up to the biggest events in the world. As we try to cover the range of events and experiences on offer at MarathonMTB.com, there are certainly a few highlights from the past year. These may be different to your own highlights, but get in contact if you have exciting stories to tell from the world of Marathon racing. Here is our pick, in no particular order.
Karl Platt and Stefan Sahm winning Stage Two of the ABSA Cape Epic – story
Team Bulls lead the charge across a river on stage 3. Photo: Sportograf
The Team Bulls dream team had not been firing on all cylinders, since Sahm underwent surgery in late 2011. However this duo have won more prestigious stage races than most of has have even been able to enter. So winning here in a tight sprint finish was a great way to cement their long term partnership. This has changed a little since then, but seeing this original power duo winning again was a great moment.
Andrew Blair wins the Convict 100 – story
Andy Blair rolls in for the win at the Convict 100. Photo: Rich Tyler
Andy Blair has been one of the most successful Australian Male mountain bikers over the past few years. But 2012 was the first year that he committed to Marathon racing more intensely. Although he had always racing the Highland Fling, Dwellingup 100, and other premier events, the prestige of the 2012 Real Insurance Series had Blair attend all six events – amongst others. However at the 2012 Convict 100, Blair showed he could not only be one of the most consistent and strong riders – but he could win one of the Real Insurance races too. He followed that up with another win at the Wollmbi Wild Ride, and of course winning the National Marathon Championships in June.
Alban Lakata and Robert Mennen win the 2012 Transalp – story
Overall 2012 CRAFT BIKE TRANSALP winners Robert Mennen (GER), left and Alban Lakata (AUT) of Topeak Ergon Racing Team. © Sportograf
Robert Mennen and Alban Lakata are two of the strongest racers in the European Marathon and Stage Race scene. Lakata especially has had some amazing runs of form, and was 2010 Marathon World Champion. However, starting the 2012 Transalp, they lost a lot of time on the leaders in stage one due to multiple flat tyres. Showing maturity, grace and professionalism, they never panicked. Instead, they used their class to chip away at the deficit, netting some stage wins as they went – and had the leaders jerseys on their shoulders coming into stage eight and the final day into Riva del Garda. A well deserved victory, with tight racing and great team work by the Topeak Ergon duo throughout.
Jenny Fay – winning just about everything in 2012
The lovely Jenny Fay is showing her competitors a clean pair of heels this season. Photo: CycleNation
It wasn’t just the 2012 Real Insurance XCM Series that Jenny Fay dominated this year. As a fiercely competitive racer, Fay also won numerous other events around Australia, including a 3rd place in the Australian Marathon Championships after a very aggressive race. No doubt this will continue into 2013, as she aims to keep on winning – and racers outside of the top 20 elite men are worried.
Alban Lakata wins a poorly organised Leadville 100 – story
Alban Lakata crosses victorious at the 2012 Leadvill 100. Photo: Mike Blewitt
The Leadville 100 is renowned as ‘the’ marathon race to do amongst some racers. There are better racers, there are harder racers. But little have as much self import as the Leadville 100. It’s list of previous winners is impressive, and Dave Wien’s record could well run longer than it does. In 2012, Alban Lakata and 2011 Marathon World Champion Christophe Sauser attended to put their stamp of authority on it. Despite wrong course markings, and other top 10 racers cutting the course, the cream came to the top, and Lakata won ahead of Sauser. The rode the whole course, plus out and back along the wrong markings. They didn’t grumble, they just rode hard and defined the race.
Ilias Perikilis Wins the XCM World Championships and Langvad repeats – story
Greek racer Ilias Periklis at the finish, 2012 XCM Champion, sporting lucky 13.
The UCI Marathon World Championship was run in atrocious conditions on a testing course in Ornans, France. Feedzones held team helpers with power washers, fresh wheels, and giving any support that was legitimate to help their racers. Ilias Perikilis was a surprise winner to some, but astute readers of MarathonMTB.com would have noticed his success at the 2011 Alpentour trophy, and the Roc Laissagas UCI XCM round on Easter Sunday. And although Annika Langvad was unranked coming into the championships, despite being the defending rider, she survived mechanical problems to win the race and wear the rainbow stripes again.
Record field at the 2012 Crocodile Trophy
Grassy Hill, Cooktown. It’s a struggle to get there, but a great place to finish the Croc Trophy. Photo: Nadene van der Merwe
The Crocodile Trophy has never drawn huge numbers. It is too remote, too hard, and too unforgiving for most. But those who do go are rewarded for their efforts with the sense of satisfaction, and the stories and new friends they gain. That’s not to say it was just a nine day tour. The racing was on from the gun every day, with 132 racers taking the start in Smithfield.
Naomi Hansen wins the 100 mile Highland Fling
The women’s Highland Fling 100 mile podium
This may be a little bit biased, but seeing our Subaru-MarathonMTB.com Team racer Naomi Hansen finish off a great year with a win in the 100 mile Fling was a great bonus. While never sure she would make the distance, she pushed hard and lead from start to finish. This can also be a celebration for women’s racing in general. The women’s 100 mile field was closely fought, and highly competitive.
So what will 2013 hold in store for the world of Marathon racing? Have a safe New Year celebration, and if you see one of our riders at a race or on the trail in 2013, come up and say hi, share your stories with us!