Australia’s first gravel stage race, the Shimano Gravel Muster Stage Race, took place in the Red Centre from Thursday 22nd to Sunday 25th August 2024. The unique event mixed the experience that Rapid Ascent has of running stage races in the area, the boom in gravel riding, and a fun mix of racing and social stages – all with a truly outback experience.
Gravel heroes Karl Michelin-Beard and Ella Bloor were crowned as overall champions with the fastest cumulative times across all four stages.
“It’s been a very fun four days on some very unique terrain up here especially with the long flat gravel roads which are a rare find back home,” said Michelin-Beard.
Alice Springs and surrounds has one of the best backdrops for any bike race, with the stunning East MacDonnell Ranges near Alice Springs in the Northern Territory ever present during the event. The Shimano Gravel Muster challenged riders with four stages over four days of riding on quality outback gravel roads. The varying racing segments were a highlight, allowing riders to experience the thrill of fast-bunch-racing with timed racing segments within each stage, and social riding with friends during the untimed cruising sections.
Former professional cyclist and Shimano ambassador Richie Porte said it was a no-brainer to be part of the event;
“For me at the moment, it’s been hard to get a little bit of my fitness back; so to come up to the NT and have a good crack on each stage, I really enjoyed it,” said Porte. “We had a really good crew who pushed pretty hard… and that’s what it’s all about at the Gravel Muster – pushing hard when it’s timed, and chilling out in the other segments!”
Day 1 on Thursday 22nd August saw the 78 riders set out on a 47km loop from the Alice Springs BMX Track – along a number of popular local gravel tracks – to the top of Flagon Hill for the events’ first social ‘pop-up-bar’ finish line. Racing included 1 timed segment of 17km with Michelin-Beard setting a solid pace early on to take out the inaugural stage win.
Some may have gone to bed nervous for day 2, with a total of 153km with two racing segments totalling 94km to conquer. Riders headed out from Alice Springs on a journey towards their first outback cattle station evening at Hale River. The demanding country roads made for some tough riding from the front of the pack with the likes of Porte, Michelin-Beard, Mitch Anderson and Mitch Lorkin, throughout the field to the tail-enders; all whilst marvelling at the quintessentially Australian landscape.
Saturday’s Stage 3 began from Hale River to competitors’ second outback stay at Ross River Station, with a 90km course (and two racing segments totally 47km). And what a jewel of a stage it was thanks to the diversity and sense of journey felt throughout the breathtaking landscapes of the Artlunga Plateau and Trephina Gorge in the heart of the East MacDonnell Ranges.
Headed up once again by Bloor, Porte and Michelin-Beard, competitors raced across dry river beds and past timeless rock formations and a labyrinth of green gorges.
MarathonMTB.com Team racer Imogen Smith who placed 2nd on Stage 3 for the women said it was an eye-opener how tactical the unique style of racing was;
“The event format is not something I’ve done before, so I’ve had to learn pretty quick how to switch on and off out of race mode; and it was quite tactical at times too,” said Smith. “But honestly, this whole experience is like going to another planet! It’s not something you’ll get anywhere else in the world – and this race really does take you places you would never, ever go otherwise!” continued Smith.
The final Stage 4 on Sunday 25 August saw riders jump on the infamous Numery Road and surrounds as they traversed back to Alice Springs clocking up 95km, and celebrating with a brew at the Alice Springs Brewery. The 55km racing segment was hailed a Roubaix-esque rattler with Porte showing his international class at the front of the pack.
The overall General Classification title in the men’s field was won by Michelin-Beard who hung onto his narrow lead, holding off a charging Porte on Stage 4 while also holding some broken handlebars together. Michelin-Beard clocked a total cumulative time of 5 hours 56 minutes and 25 seconds over the 4 stages; with Mitchell Anderson and Mitch Lorkin finishing in the minor placings.
For the women, Bloor extended her lead taking the inaugural Gravel Muster title in a cumulative time of 6 hours, 19 minutes and 40 seconds, with Shauna Frey and Imogen Smith in second and third place.
As Australia’s first ever gravel stage race, the team at Rapid Ascent and Shimano could not be happier;
“This event may well have broken a number of riders down, to only rebuild them stronger and wilder,” said Maffett. “We are completely blown away to see each and every one of our participants finish with a sparkle in their eye and the knowledge that they’ve just experienced something truly magical!”
“When Rapid Ascent first came to me with this proposal – this one really stood out as something that was unique and different,” said Toby Shingleton, Shimano Marketing Manager. “This is a race, not a Gran Fondo; and whilst there are a lot of people who love to pin a number on to race and challenge themselves in that way – the majority here were looking for that experience to push themselves in a new direction and that’s something we’ll continue to support in years to come.” Said Shingleton.
The evenings were spent together nestled in the heart of the Northern Territory with campfire stories shared, friendships and memories made beneath the star-studded sky.
“Our final day in particular felt more like we were a band of life-long friends – hardened by the desert and bonded by memories that are impossible to describe in words,” reflected Maffett.
The event was supported by the NT Government which has assisted Rapid Ascent to design, develop and deliver this new event at a national level. All photos from Forktail.