The action from the Real Insurance XCM Series continues this weekend as competitors head to Atherton in North Queensland for the fourth round of the five race series.
The Tablelands Classic and will be headlined by women’s series leader and XCM national champion Melissa Anset (VIC), as well as four time world 24 hour mountain bike champion Jason English (NSW).
Anset, who has won two from three rounds of the series as well as the national marathon title, expects a tough and humid race this weekend.
“The track is a bit moist, its pretty rocky and it will get really slippery if it rains, [but] I’m hoping for a nice fast dry track. I’m looking forward to it, I feel pretty good coming into this race and checking out the course, it’s got lots of single track and should be lots of fun,” said Anset who revealed her successes in 2014 have come as a surprise to the Victorian.
It’s damp, but not flooded.
“It was a surprise, I did the first marathon in Bright just because I was there and I didn’t expect the win. I thought I would do the rest to see how I went and I’m having a pretty good year.”
Anset will face off against Cairns local Jasmine McMillan and Sarah Riley (VIC) who has finished third twice this season, along with Jenny Fay and Imogen Smith.
Melissa Anset – no stranger to mud..
The men’s field may well be dominated by Jason English, who won the 2013 National Marathon title on a similar course. or perhaps visiting Canadian National Marathon champion, Cory Wallace. Wallace is no stranger to these trails, having raced here in the Crocodile Trophy in 2012 and 2013.
Almost 120 riders will take part in the event with ages ranging from 15 to 59 years. The Real Insurance series concludes on May 3 with the Convict 100 in St Albans, NSW.
A local brew will help get racers started in the morning.