2009 Oceania Champs, Thredbo

Another Thredbo race, another shambles of a course. What joy is there in racing up a grassy ski slope? The demise of Raw NRG, thank God, would usually bring about change for the better. Alas the people that matter, the riders, were left wanting, as usual by unimaginative course design, regulation red tape and interference of MTBA to produce another anticlimax when this race should be elevated to a higher pedestal than even the National Championships. With more points on offer, higher price money pool and racers from all over Oceania, why not put on a spectacle that will make people WANT to ride and race in Australia. Show them the best of what we have, use an established venue that is easy to travel to if you're arriving from Tahiti and promote it as a riding destination? It's little wonder that mountain biking is in this kind of state with this kind of support.

Team Merida Flightcentre Impractical Hot Hatch turned out in style with an array of small, turbo charged cars that no other team could hope to match. No, you can't carry much in the way of equipment, but that's not the point. They're quick and we were hoping to be just that this weekend. JK was towing a trailer the whole way which he couldn't shake at any stage during the race.

And so to the race proper!

A highly strung field turned out to gather points for the upcoming European season. Although a slightly sub par turn out from the Kiwi's in Elite men, missing their highest echelon of riders meaning they would not feature in the results.

A rough, hardly ridden course and fetus like start loop greeted the riders as did 7 laps which maybe should have been 6.

The team didn't start well with most of us falling into the back half with a frenetic start the culprit. AJ's ginger staying power did see him work through the field along with Mick Bosch, with usual German precision. JK seemed to suffer from a lack of legs during the race, which was evident before and after the event just from looking at them.

Earlier in the day, a cocky P-Hen showed us all how it was done by winning the small fry category. Could "Ze Bosch" and his Ginger friend emulate such success?

Short answer is no, but these two Gladiators of modern day mountain biking made a good show of it, entertaining the masses by slaying anything in their path, including natives of the home country, both espoir and senior, Tahitians and Kiwis alike. None were spared and in the end a podium place was presented to "Ze Bosch" for a well ridden 4th place in Elite men, with "His Holy Gingerness" a few spots back in 6th.

A well earned break (for some) now awaits.