The Marathon MTB World Championships are this Saturday, 27 June, and MarathonMTB has been speaking to some of Australia and Great Britain’s representatives to hear what they think of the course, how their preparations are going, and what gear they’ll be using. To find out more about the course, check out our preview, and be sure to tune into MarathonMTB.com for live streaming from 3pm AEST.
Sarah Riley is one Australia’s quiet achievers, having steadily climbed her way to the top of our XCM and XCO rankings over two years of consistent results. She describes her transition from standing in feed zones to the front row of the start grid.
- Has representing your country been a long term goal, and have you been in this position before?
I got into mountain bike racing through my husband Murray Spink. I saw the determination, sacrifice and dedication that was required and I admired it so much. After he won the National Marathon Championships in 2009 I was so inspired to give bike racing a real go myself. After my first marathon Mtb race the Otway Odyssey 2013 and finishing 5th I decided to race the National Marathon Championships 2013. To finish 3rd in my first ever nationals, even after mechanicals, got me even more motivated to succeed. I don’t think either of us thought at that stage I would race for Australia. When I saw the opportunity in 2014 to compete in the Cairn’s World Cup I swapped to XCO and racing that race was the best experience of my life and so the seed was planted and here we are today!
Sarah Riley tackles the Cairns XCO course. Photo: Mike Blewitt
- How did you qualify for Worlds this year?
After a back injury straight after the XCO season I was in the back foot with the XCM series starting so soon after. With the unfortunate cancellation of the Convict 100 I knew the National Champs would have to be a good race. I’d have to say it was definitely not my best race struggling in the cold but it was enough to get me though. With the UCI points I have from the XCO season I am also eligible to race the World Cup in Switzerland.
- What have you heard about the route?
The course will be brutal with the elevation gain and already at altitude the aim will just be to get through the race. After national champs due to illness and the late announcement my preparation has been short but I am motivated more than ever!
- Given the climbing and altitude, have you done any specific training?
I have just been riding steep 20% plus climbs in the Dandenong Ranges but honestly I should have already been at altitude to train but I have done the best I can in the time I had. I have enthusiasm that counts for something right?!
- What bike will you be taking, and have you made some course specific changes to your equipment?
I will take my Giant Obsess hard tail just for the fact that it is light. I have also changed the ratio on my gears to help me get up the steep climbs.
- What do you know of the area – are you planning to stay on a bit longer?
A: I have seen many stunning photos but have never been to Northern Italy. I hear it is absolutely breathtaking… literally! I am also planning a trip to Livigno for some riding and a trip to ride/drive the Stelvio Pass… that has always been on the bucket list! I’d prefer to drive it in a Ferrari though!
Rachel Fenton is one of Britain’s top marathon racers with years of European summer racing under her belt, including dozens of marathons and two XCM Worlds.
- Has representing your country been a long term goal, and have you been in this position before?
I’ve raced the XCM Worlds twice before. In the mud in Ornans in 2012 where I was 33rd and did comparably better because of having ridden in the UK all winter. In 2013 I suffered horribly because of the amount of climbing and finished 50th.
You just can’t train for mountains without riding in mountains.
- How did you qualify for Worlds this year?
I qualified through the top 20 in a UCI World Series race criteria. I was 9th in the La Forestiere race in France September 2014 and managed top 20 again at the end of season blow out the Roc d’Azur. I am glad I managed to qualify in the autumn because I’ve had a busy spring away from the bike and probably wouldn’t have had time.
- What have you heard about the route?
I’ve heard the route is a beast. Mainly the first climb. I’m slightly scared of it to be honest, but then it’s a World Championships and ought to be the hardest race going. I like climbing but compared to the front runners I’m not great so we’ll have to see how it goes on the day. Ultimately the challenge of the World Championships for me is not the position. It’s great to start with the best in the World but I’m realistic I know I’m not racing them.
- Given the climbing and altitude, have you done any specific training?
I’m currently in Livigno in Italy getting acclimatised to both altitude and climbing. Although I fear this may be too little too late. We’ll stay here until Wednesday when we head for the Dolomites. Having had a bad experience because of lack of preparation before I’d like to at least have a few mountain passes in my legs and head before next weekend.
- What bike will you be taking, and have you made some course specific changes to your equipment?
I have an Open 1.1 built up to my own specifications. I’ve changed the chainrings for a 36–22 combination on the advice of MarathonMTB’s Mike Blewitt! I’m already enjoying being able to spin up climbs – which is my preferred technique anyway. I have also made the switch from Schwalbe to Maxxis this year because they seem to work perfectly with my Kappius wheels. I’ll use the EXO sidewall protection because of the rocky terrain. The extra weight is more than counterbalanced by my peace of mind.
- What do you know of the area – are you planning to stay on a bit longer?
We raced in the Dolomites in 2013 at the Dolomiti Superbike. It seemed like a lovely region (they gave us a box for an apple which I thought was very sweet) but I believe there is a lot more to see. I hope to explore a bit more during my taper next week. Unfortunately we have to leave on the day after the race so I can get back to work on the Monday. Sometimes the real world sucks!
Eliza Kwan, known as the smiling assassin, is one of Australia’s best technical XCO racers, known for her ability to tackle Mt Stromlo’s Hammerhead (an ultra-gnarly rock drop that only a few women in the country can face) while grinning, she’s been racing for several years, but has recently shot to the top of national XCM racing, finishing second at Aussie XCM Champs in May.
- Has representing your country been a long term goal, and have you been in this position before?
The long-term goal is to keep learning and getting better, I suppose racing internationally (and racing for Australia) becomes a natural progression for this goal, so the short answer is: yes. In another life I competed for Australia in Tae kwon do, and in a more recent life as an age-grouper in Triathlon.
- How did you qualify for Worlds this year?
I was unable to race any of the other MTBA national XCM rounds needed to qualify so I was relying heavily on a good race at XCM nationals in Derby. Thankfully, I made the cut!
- What have you heard about the route?
It looks and sounds brutal: 4 major passes in the Dolomites to conquer. There’s no mucking around: the first climb out of Selva Val Gardena is 5.6km with an average gradient of 14%. I’ve YouTubed media coverage of past events and it looks stunning: soaring rocky outcrops, a route that drops into open green valleys and climbs to the snow-line. If I’m with it enough to not be staring at my stem it’s going to be beautiful. If not, I guess it’s a good thing that my stem and front wheel aren’t a bad view either.
- Given the climbing and altitude, have you done any specific training?
To be honest, I was pretty floored after XCM Nats, so the focus has been getting me over there fit and not in hole. I’ve had some good races in the last couple of weeks and some good weekend rides in the Brindies which is always good practice for fire-trail climbing. The altitude is going to be interesting: we start at 1500m and climb to almost 2300m throughout the route.
Australia really doesn’t have anything that high that would be practical for acclimatisation to altitude… And I don’t have an altitude tent (it’s third on the list right behind building a pump track and plunge pool in my backyard), so how the body responds to that is a bit of an unknown.
- What bike will you be taking, and have you made some course specific changes to your equipment?
I’m going as light as I possibly can! I’ll be taking my Liv Obsess (hardtail) across as the course doesn’t look too challenging from a technical point of view; I’ve swapped out the front chainring for a 28 tooth; and taking some slightly lighter wheels (Giant P-XCR 0 wheelset). That’s it.
- What do you know of the area – are you planning to stay on a bit longer?
I’ve just discovered that there’s an Enduro event on the day after – 2km away from where we’re staying for the race (Canazei)!! It’s a shame I couldn’t go over earlier: the race organisers have a whole week of activities and races (there’s an XCO event on that we’ll miss). It sounds like there are some rad trails to be found across the region. Sarah and I are travelling together: we’ll stay in the area for an extra couple of days to take in the sights then head to Switzerland. I was pretty stoked to discover that the Stelvio pass and Livigno is conveniently on the way to Lenzerheide(!!) so we’ll spend a night there on our way through.
- Anything else to put down?
I’d really like to thank everybody for the shout-outs and wishes of encouragement, it’s been really nice and means a lot to me. The sponsors for my team: Team Onya Bike (Onya Bike Canberra, Liv Cycling Australia, Hammer nutrition, Maxxis Tyres and Gloryfy unbreakable) have been wonderful for me over the past year, but particularly a massive thank you to my partner, my boss and my work-mates: without their encouragement (and leave approval) and covering for me while I’m gone this wouldn’t be a reality for me. Thanks 🙂
After years of putting in the hard yards this looks like a breakthrough year for Ben Thomas who, with the British National Champion’s jersey on his back and recent win at Beskidy Trophy stage race in Poland looks set for a great result.
- Has representing your country been a long term goal, and have you been in this position before?
This will be my fourth year I’ve had the opportunity to represent Great Britain at the Marathon World Champs. Last year I couldn’t go because of the costs involved with flying out to South Africa, however in 2012 I raced Worlds in Ornans, France and in 2013 Kitzbuhel, Austria. I’ve never had that great a ride at Worlds, my best to far isn’t really anything to shout about so I’m pretty determined to get a better result this year.
- How did you qualify for Worlds this year?
This year I was selected by British Cycling after winning the National Championships back in May.
- What have you heard about the route?
I know the climbs are slightly bigger than the ones I train on!!! The hill I ride regularly is a huge 50 metres of ascent! I’ve studied plenty of course info on the internet so feel fairly prepared.
- Given the climbing and altitude, have you done any specific training?
My training hasn’t really changed for this event over what I’ve been doing all year. I’ve done a few less short sprints and concentrated on increasing the number of longer intervals to get into peak condition for the longer climbs but that’s about it.
- What bike will you be taking, and have you made some course-specific changes to your equipment?
I’ll be racing on one of our team edition Scott Scale hardtails which weighs in at a little under 20 pounds. Not bad for a bike fitted with Schwalbe Snake Skin tyres and a Rotor INpower crankset! I’m taking a selection of QX1 chainrings with me so I have the choice between 28, 30, 32 and 34. The bike hasn’t had any changes from our normal specification, there’s not much if anything you could upgrade on our bikes. Mountain Trax carbon wheels, Rockshox SID XX Carbon forks, Sram XX1, Syncros carbon finish kit is all pretty lightweight but reliable stuff.
- What do you know of the area – are you planning to stay on a bit longer?
Sadly we will leave Italy the day after the event, driving all the way back to the UK in one day, that’s going to be a long drive! This will be my third visit to Italy. Last year I visited when we raced Transalp and then earlier this year I raced the Tiliment Marathon.
- Anything else to put down?
It’s great to see British Cycling sending such a large team this year. Hopefully we can all put in good rides we are happy with and can celebrate our success Saturday evening.
Australia’s Morgan Pilley races in Europe full-time for Italian team Santa Marinella-Tonica, focusing on 24-hour and XCM events. With two Sellaronda Hero races under his belt, he knows exactly how tough the racing around the iconic mountains will be.
- Has representing your country been a long term goal, and have you been in this position before?
It’s a dream for any athlete and something I always wanted to achieve as a kid. I was in the National Junior Squad as a squash player and for mountain biking this will be my third time racing for Australia; it’s always special feeling wearing the national colours and definitely a goal each year.
- How did you qualify for Worlds this year?
I managed to qualify on “time within the winner” at the UCI Tiliment Marathon and also have had a fairly solid season to date with some good results at world level.
- What have you heard about the route?
I’ve raced the Sellaronda Hero twice before and have done a few other races in the Dolomites so I know the route and terrain fairly well but they’ve also included some new sections this year and they’ve somehow managed to squeeze in more climbing. It’s basically four major climbs that are long but also steep; which also means the recovery time on descents is short. Some of the climbs are fairly open so you can see what is coming up, which can mentally crack you as well. Hardest marathon course I’ve done.
- Given the climbing and altitude, have you done any specific training?
As I live and race in Italy, my training generally involves a lot of climbing but I increased it in the past few weeks leading up to the race, especially doing specific efforts on longer climbs of 30–60mins. I’ve also been doing a lot more strength work on the bike as it’s not a case of just riding a good tempo over mountains but also being able to push hard up the steep sections.
- What bike will you be taking, and have you made some course specific changes to your equipment?
I’ve actually just picked my bike up from my mechanic Maurizio at Bike Farm Roma, and it’s ready to roll…
I’ll be racing on my Bianchi Methanol (hardtail). Given the amount of climbing, weight is important and it’s coming in it around 8.5kgs, so it’s nice and light. I’ll also be using Lauf forks. But also you want to have faith in your equipment and I raced the Finale 24hr a few weeks ago so was able to give everything a good going over. I’m currently tossing up about tire choice but will be testing a few combos in the week leading up to the race.
- What do you know of the area – are you planning to stay on a bit longer?
Oh, the most beautiful area in the world, I’d love to live there. The entire Dolomite/Tirol region is amazing, if you ride a bike on or off road, it should be on your bucket list.
Unfortunately I have to head home soon after as I’m racing the Serenissima 24hr near Venice the weekend after.
- Anything else to put down?
Last two World Champs I haven’t had any luck so I’m hoping for 3rd time lucky! I’m looking forward to it, it’s like a “home” race for me. I’m trying not to set a specific target and just focus on racing as best as possible. I’ve had great support from my team Santa Marinella and major sponsor MJO Legal, so I hope I can turn in a solid result.
Will Hayter is the veteran of several years of marathon and marathon stage racing, having raced events in just about every country in mainland Europe.
- Has representing your country been a long term goal, and have you been in this position before?
I decided in late 2011 that qualifying for Worlds would be a good target – I wasn’t sure if I could do it, so it would be a real stretch; but it would be fun trying.
- How did you qualify for Worlds this year?
At the Meda 100 in Portugal in May, scraping into 20th place. I was in a group for 8th at one point, but faded over the last 20km, just hanging on by the skin of my teeth!
- What have you heard about the route?
Steep! Both up and down. But it also sounds like a stunning area for a bike race.
Photo: Dan Mazilu
- Given the climbing and altitude, have you done any specific training?
Much as I would have loved to go on a three-week altitude training camp, no I haven’t. Since qualifying, work, new fatherhood and wedding preparation have meant doing any training at all has been something of a struggle. I’m hoping that a mid-week XC series and one or two other rides a week will see me through…
- What bike will you be taking, and have you made some course specific changes to your equipment?
I will be on my Open 1.0 with a pair of Kappius wheels, which at least means I know the bike couldn’t be much lighter, even if I could. I have been planning to go single-ring on it, to increase mud clearance and keep taking weight off it; but have delayed doing so as a result of having seen the route for this!
- What do you know of the area – are you planning to stay on a bit longer?
Much as I would love to stay longer, this is only a four-day foray out to Italy – back to work on the Monday.