Squidly Didly
13-01-2008, 11:37 AM
It was more like a running race in the final 10 metres of the elite women’s mountain bike race today at the National Four Cross round at Ebenezer just west of Sydney. In the fifth round, early leader Caroline Buchanan, 17 year old from Canberra crashed just metres from the finish line. Buchanan was then passed by Brisbane’s Sarsha Huntington however Huntington suffered the same fate. Both riders ended the race by running with their bikes over the finish line with Buchanan winning and Huntington running across the line to claim second. Third was Canberra’s Julie Boer and Gracie Ireland (Mt Annan) rode in for fourth place.
The elite men’s race had some change of placing throughout the race but it was last year’s series winner, Terrance Scarr (Raby), who made sure he got a clear run. Current series leader, Leigh Darrell (Canberra) had mechanical trouble in the first straight but regained some ground to place third. Second was Queensland’s Adam Nicholson while Tom Hubert’s earlier clash with Nicholson saw him relegated to fourth.
After being gripped by fear in practice today it was Courtney Taylor’s determination to ride the tricky downhill section of the course that scored her accolades plus a win in the junior women’s race with local favourite, Danielle Beecroft, in second. Taylor Barnes and Emmy Tatum placed third and fourth respectively.
First event to put in rock drops and dusty sections which suited the downhillers
Under 19 men’s division saw an upset as downhillers, Shaun O’Connor, won over current national series leader Ryan Hunt. Matt Walker gained third place while James Horton got fourth.
It was the Under 17 men’s race that amazed spectators with their speed. Ryan Henderson took the win over Benjamin Clark with Blake Neilson able to finish in fourth and unlucky Graeme Mudd (Lake Macquarie) to loose his earlier lead to finish last.
The veteran men’s category was eventually won by Canberra Mic Longhurst. Local Steven Humphreys ended with second while newcomer Albert Bacci placed a respectable third.
Racing in the final four cross round in the National Series gets underway today at Koorajong Grass Ski Park just west of Sydney.
Sharon Payne
Media Manager
Mountain Bike Australia
The elite men’s race had some change of placing throughout the race but it was last year’s series winner, Terrance Scarr (Raby), who made sure he got a clear run. Current series leader, Leigh Darrell (Canberra) had mechanical trouble in the first straight but regained some ground to place third. Second was Queensland’s Adam Nicholson while Tom Hubert’s earlier clash with Nicholson saw him relegated to fourth.
After being gripped by fear in practice today it was Courtney Taylor’s determination to ride the tricky downhill section of the course that scored her accolades plus a win in the junior women’s race with local favourite, Danielle Beecroft, in second. Taylor Barnes and Emmy Tatum placed third and fourth respectively.
First event to put in rock drops and dusty sections which suited the downhillers
Under 19 men’s division saw an upset as downhillers, Shaun O’Connor, won over current national series leader Ryan Hunt. Matt Walker gained third place while James Horton got fourth.
It was the Under 17 men’s race that amazed spectators with their speed. Ryan Henderson took the win over Benjamin Clark with Blake Neilson able to finish in fourth and unlucky Graeme Mudd (Lake Macquarie) to loose his earlier lead to finish last.
The veteran men’s category was eventually won by Canberra Mic Longhurst. Local Steven Humphreys ended with second while newcomer Albert Bacci placed a respectable third.
Racing in the final four cross round in the National Series gets underway today at Koorajong Grass Ski Park just west of Sydney.
Sharon Payne
Media Manager
Mountain Bike Australia