McConnel/Fry take Jayco MTBA National series opener, racing not the winner?

In what was a weekend of few surprises, Team Torq rider Dan McConnel and current Australian National Champion and Tasmanian local Rowena Fry have taken out the first round of the Australian National Cross-Country series held in Glenorchy, Hobart at the weekend. Few would have bet against the pair who look likely favourites to take line honours at the Australian National Championships to be held in Adelaide in a little over a months time.

Up and coming stars Paul Van Der Ploeg and Bec Henderson took out the U/23 event in style, placing 5th and 4th respectively in the Elite category overall.

But the big talking points of the weekend were unfortunately not about the racing, rather the restructuring of firstly the commitment of Cycling Australia to the long term future of mountain biking and the new format of the National series.

The devastating decision of Cycling Australia to withdraw funding from the elite level of mountain biking effective immediately was clear, with numbers obviously down on previous opening editions mainly due to the now defunct Discovery Tasmania team, who bore the brunt of this brutal and rash decision. The up-beat atmosphere around the race site and determination of the riders themselves was positive enough for any spectator to leave with the impression that CA have clearly made a massive error. Fantastic rides from not just the winners, but some of our lesser known riders who seemed out to prove a point were particular highlights perhaps showing that the sport has a much brighter future than previously thought, with many carrying on the same form which led Australia to it's best ever World Championship results no more than three months prior.

Of course the fact that Tasmania is such a bloody long way to go could well be a contributing factor, or the re-jigging of the format for the 09/10 series. MTBA have seen fit to delete some of the more popular categories in favour of focusing on Elite XCO, XCC (short track) and a new four hour enduro series on the Sunday. Many are not entirely convinced that this is the best way forward. Infact a large percentile of those now racing in the Elite ranks have not come through the junior ranks at all but Sport or Expert classes. How those out of the Junior or Espoir ranks but not yet ready for Elite level competition are supposed to gain experience on our Countrys biggest stage is now beyond me. Bring them back!

The upsides are Jayco are now the major sponsor of the series, bringing funding and credibility. Specialized bikes have also come on board to lend a hand. Most notably is that three of the four rounds have been catergorised C2 events, meaning minimum prize money, UCI points and kudos.

And so the circus rolls on. Maybe the Christmas break will bring some answers, some sanity and some form. Some deep thinking from CA and some re-hashing from MTBA to get things back on track.

Sydney Crit racing

Why is Sydney Crit racing so damn negative?

Every race I enter, people just aren't willing to put it on the line and have a go. Seriously, it's not the World champs and that $30 for the win ain't going to get you a grill. It's a club race, no one cares if you go out the arse. YOU CAN'T SPRINT. Bottom line. Stop sitting on the wheel, following, not touching the wind. You know full well the dude on you left is the clubs best sprinter and he will whack you. Get out there and make yourself a better rider by attacking and giving it your all.

I'm the first to admit this may not get you many wins. I am proof of this. But if your last 200m is anything like mine currently, you don't have a choice. You have to go. And if the lame bastard behind you winds it up and drags the whole bunch back to your wheel, you have every right to get on your high horse and abuse him/her. This is exactly the point where someone should take the initiative and go BAM straight over you. WHACK, you're in the box. And the next person, and the next, and the next. Drop the clubs best sprinter, split the group work and narrow your odds.

Not hit the brakes when they catch you and sit on your wheel, expecting you to continue on in the wind. WTF is that? The chaser is doing 15km/h more than you, has just made the catch and he jumps on the brakes to take your wheel! Here's a novel idea, use your momentum.

Be positive.

Holidays

It's good to be back from a break and riding again. I'd forgotten how much fun it is. The early mornings, feeling tired all the time, 3.30itis, eating anytime you're not asleep.

With a basic plan and 4 solid weeks of riding in the legs pushing big gears, it was time to hit up some local races. Peleton sports put on a Wed arvo crit round the driver training centre for fun, and it is! Nice little course, but with no jump in the legs it makes going forward and sometimes back from the bunch pretty hard. 

Ourimbah 8hr or Fat Tyre Festival was on again, and there was some competition this year for the solo win.

Sydney MTB champs which turned into the Western Sydney champs.

And Thredbo to Khancobin return! ouch.

Still to come, Tour of Bright and National round #1 in Tasmania!

It's sad to note though that the Merida/Flightcentre gig is no more. Well for me anyway. The team will continue on with some young talent who are squarely focused on XCO. The management picked the team with the picture of Enduros and 24hr racing, which I believe I fit well, but they don't see it. I'm not bitter, infact it has renewed my enthusiasm for the sport and I look forward to new challenges. But it does perhaps show that the new management has absolutely no idea what they are doing. Best of luck to them.

Now where's that razor.....