In a new series of feature interviews, we caught up with fast man James Downing, from Canberra, to talk food, riding, going sideways, and how he managed to score the biggest win of his career at the Flight Centre Epic. Name: James Downing Age: 40 Team: Cannondale-Sugoi Factory Racing Team (athlete and manager) Started Racing: […]
Kowalski Classic 2014 Race Video
There’s always someone that stands out from the crowd, like the naughty kid at a family get together. The class clown. Rogues. Mischievous types. And the same goes for marathon racing – and not just the racers! While the sport does enjoy have loners, rogues who excell without the company of others, and who march to […]
Giant Odyssey open to enter for 2015
Entries have opened for the 2015 Giant Odyssey Mountain Bike Marathon, set for Saturday 21st March on the phenomenal trails around Forrest, South-West Victoria. Coming into its 9th year, the Giant Odyssey is one of Australias biggest and best marathon MTB races thanks to the quantity of epic singletrack, the climbs and blitzing descents, race atmosphere and sense of […]
Johnston and King the rulers of Kowalski
The Kowalski Classic has become a fixture of the Australian Marathon racing calendar in a short period of time, and this 3rd iteration was won by Brendon Johnston with a strong solo attack from 50km out, and by Jenni King, who attacked her closest rival about 60km into the race. The course for the Kowalski […]
Goal-Setting for Marathon MTB Racing
Many of us compete in the same marathons again and again, trying to improve our performance each year (or maybe just beat our mates). That’s where some systematic goal setting comes in handy, if you’re looking for motivation to succeed. Most of us don’t bother setting goals properly because, as marathon racers, we’re already intrinsically-motivated, […]
Variety – The key to life
Variety is the key of life. Especially, variety packs of chocolates. But mid-year racing variety is always good to keep things fresh and interesting. Preparation for the Kowalski Classic and races later in the year is going well, with races and rides both on the road and, thankfully, on the dirt. Last weekend was the […]
Kowalski Classic Course Preview
After its Winter hibernation, Australian Marathon racing comes back with a bang in September – with some classic races across most states. Whilst many will claim to be unique, tough, unusual or even ‘full of singletrack’ none of them will match The Kowalski Classic against those four criteria. The Kowalski – both the 50km and […]
Sauser and Landtwing win National Park Bike Marathon
In late August you could often be forgiven for thinking summer was well and truly over in the Swiss Alps. Last weekend, the Grand Raid was raced in clear but very cold conditions, and this weekend, the 13th National Park Bike Marathon, in the Graubunden region of Switzerland. The race gets it’s name as it […]
Marathon Racing Bling from Eurobike – Part 1
The 2014 Eurobike show had certain highlights – new colours, e-bikes and fatbikes. There has been a lot of refinement in the ranges and offerings from many manufacturers, but overall, it’s general improvements more than ground breaking new technology for Marathon and Stage Race mountain bikers. Here are a few of our favourite items that […]
XCM Championships to Derby
Mountain Bike Australia (MTBA) has announced that the Australian Cross Country Marathon Mountain Bike Championships (XCM Champs) will be heading to Derby in Tasmania for the next two years. MTBA will partner with Dorset Council and Launceston Mountain Bike Club as a joint venture to deliver the premiere Marathon MTB event in Australia. It is […]