The first stage of Lasseters Easter in the Alice doubles as the opening rounds of the Australian XCM Series – so not only does the 75km race decide who takes the LEITA leader’s jersey into stage 2 tomorrow, it also denotes who leads the XCM Series ahead of the 2nd round – which is also […]
XCO National Series Round 3 and 4 – inferno on the Commonwealth Games Course
I arrived early for Round Three of the Australian XCO National Series at the Commonwealth Games course at Nerang and watched the junior men race. By 8:30am it was already over 32 degrees and very, very humid. The field was completely devastated by the heat, many youths ending up in the first aid tent. I […]
2018 Australian XCM Series revealed
Mountain Bike Australia (MTBA) have just confirmed the dates and venues for the 2018 National XCM Series. Next year the series is trimmed down to five events, including the National Championship, in a bid to have more riders attend more of the series, according to MTBA CEO Shane Coppin. “We really hope this condensed series […]
End of the beginning: Imo races the Flight Centre Epic
Related Event: Flight Centre Epic
Last year when Queensland’s biggest and oldest MTB marathon, the Flight Centre Epic rolled around, I had recently returned from World XCM Championships and had had some time off. It had also been raining. The prospect of pedalling through thick black mud for five hours held little attraction for me, and Mike and I sat that […]
Henderson and Johnston win 2017 Australian Marathon titles in Townsville
Related Event: Australian XCM Championships - UCI XCM Series
On the 30th April, the 2017 Australian Cross-Country Marathon (XCM) titles were hard-fought at Cape Pallarenda in Townsville, Queensland. The event is due to be held for two consecutive years in Townsville, and the initial course we rode in January had some modifications for race day. With the age group and open races decided on […]
Who can win the 2017 Australian Marathon Championships?
Related Event: Australian XCM Championships - UCI XCM Series
The elite titles for Australia’s 2017 Cross-Country Marathon (XCM) Championship are set to be decided on 30th April. For this year, the XCM Champs have travelled north to Townsville, being run in conjunction with the Townsville MTB Festival for this year and 2018. Townsville is home of the Townsville Rockwheelers mountain bike club (one of […]
Course preview: Australian XCM Championships in Townsville
Related Event: Australian XCM Championships
Earlier this year, I was lucky enough to visit Townsville to take a look at the proposed course for the 2017 and 2018 Mountain Bike Cross-Country Marathon (XCM) Championship, which is to be held on the last weekend of April this year in conjunction with the Townsville Mtb Festival. When the venue was announced, I […]
The Golden Triangle Epic, National champions reign supreme.
Related Event: Golden Triangle Epic
The second round of the Australian XCM championship has been run and won in the Victorian gold mining town of Bendigo. The ‘Golden Triangle Epic’ has established itself among local recreational and nationwide elite riders alike. Drawing riders from all across the country, it is easy to see where the appeal of this event lies. […]
Alternative Facts at the Willo Enduro
Related Event: James Williamson Enduro Challenge
One of the most important breakthroughs in knowledge in the past few years has been the ascension of the alternative fact. The alternative fact basically means something that you deem to be true because a) it’s more convenient to your preconceived opinion than the actual truth or b) because you couldn’t actually be bothered to […]
National XCO Racers back up in Armidale
Armidale’s University of New England campus hosted its second round of the National XCO Series today on a day that began with perfect sunny skies but gave way to brief storms in the afternoon. Today’s track included some elements of yesterday’s course, with the same start loop and a few early trails in common, but […]