Riders from far and wide were in attendance at last weekend’s inaugural race at Woodford Island, approximately 50km North of Grafton.
Being the final round in the MTBA 2017 GE National Series, a strong outing was crucial for some in order to secure the series title; in the Under 17 Men’s category a total of four riders were in contention for the series title.
Under 15 Men and Women completed a slightly different course on Sunday; bypassing the first liason and being shuttled to the first stage and skipping Stage 4.
Riders had little time to enjoy the views of nearby Maclean or the Clarence River even during the liasons.
Daniel Hallam (Elite Men) briefly emerging from the trees along Stage 3.
Course analysis or cat videos? We may never know what Jon Gatt (Elite Men) or Harrison Dobrowolski (Junior Men) were watching whilst waiting for their start time on Stage 2.
With only days since the finishing touches were added to the trails used for the weekend, it offered a rare opportunity for out-of-town riders to approach a race weekend without being at a disadvantage to the locals. The sandy terrain and rocky features provided plenty of challenges to overcome for all riders, with even the Elite riders coming to grief in some sections.
Annelie Marquardt (Elite Women) counting down the seconds to Stage 2.
David Ludenia (Elite Men) looking focused over the mound on Stage 1.
Jane Taylor (Elite Women) getting airborne on Stage 1.
Oliver Scholey (Under 17 Men) looking ahead to the exit of the rock garden on Stage 1.
Sam Luff (Under 15 Men) cleanly taking the rock garden on Stage 1.
Bailey Winkcup (Under 17 Men) mentally preparing before setting off form the Event Village on the first liason stage.
Under 15 Men and Women completed a slightly different course on Sunday; bypassing the first liason and being shuttled to the first stage and skipping Stage 4.
The local coffee van, along with a number of other stalls, were on hand to keep both riders and spectators fuelled with the good stuff for the long day ahead.
Despite the long drive, the South-East Queensland riding community were well represented, with plenty of familiar faces from the popular Shimano Enduro Series in attendance.
Michael Ronning (Masters 3/4 Men) looking calm before the start of the race; he would eventually go on to take the win with a near-30 second gap to 2nd place.
The team from White Lightning Event were on hand throughout the weekend organising registration, shuttles and the trails themselves.
Masters 3/4 riders beginning the climb to the start of Stage 2. A sealed road was a welcome contrast to some of the hike-a-bike liasons to be faced later in the day.
Mel Hayes (Elite Women) is all smiles commencing her race run on Stage 2
Course analysis or cat videos? We may never know what Jon Gatt (Elite Men) or Harrison Dobrowolski (Junior Men) were watching whilst waiting for their start time on Stage 2.
Daniel Hallam (Elite Men) briefly emerging from the trees along Stage 3.
Riders had little time to enjoy the views of nearby Maclean or the Clarence River even during the liasons.
David Ludenia (Elite Men) tackling one of the many hairpin turns at the end of Stage 3.
Michael Botfield (Masters 3/4 Men) taking the A-line on Stage 4.
Harrison Dobrowolski (Junior Men) nearly came to grief in the rock garden on Stage 6, but managed to stay on the bike and finish the day with a commanding lead over his peers and a overall time that would’ve netted him 3rd on the Elite Men’s podium.
Across the top level podiums, Ben Cory took the win in Elite Men, Angela Williams in Elite Women (plus 3rd place in the series), and Harrison Dobrowolski taking out the win in Junior Male plus the series title. Clarence Valley Council mayor Jim Simmons was on hand to present the medals and prizes, and reinforced the council’s commitment to continuing to develop mountain-biking in the region.
The team from White Lightning Event were on hand throughout the weekend organising registration, shuttles and the trails themselves.
Michael Ronning (Masters 3/4 Men) looking calm before the start of the race; he would eventually go on to take the win with a near-30 second gap to 2nd place.
Despite the long drive, the South-East Queensland riding community were well represented, with plenty of familiar faces from the popular Shimano Enduro Series in attendance.
The local coffee van, along with a number of other stalls, were on hand to keep both riders and spectators fuelled with the good stuff for the long day ahead.
Aiden Lefmann (Elite Men) making short work of the last rock garden on Stage 6.
Harrison Dobrowolski (Junior Men) nearly came to grief in the rock garden on Stage 6, but managed to stay on the bike and finish the day with a commanding lead over his peers and a overall time that would’ve netted him 3rd on the Elite Men’s podium.
Michael Botfield (Masters 3/4 Men) taking the A-line on Stage 4.
David Ludenia (Elite Men) tackling one of the many hairpin turns at the end of Stage 3.
Not the way you want your last race run of the day to pan out. William Shaw (Elite Men) hitting the dirt, before quickly jumping on and finishing the stage for a 9th place category result (12th overall).
Riders enjoying a well deserved rest in the shade prior to the podium presentations.
Angela Williams, Ebony Tanzen and Mel Hayes on the Elite Women’s podium.
Horns up for a successful day on the hill for the Elite Men’s podium. Ben Cory in 1st, David Ludenia in 2nd and Jon Gatt in 3rd. Ludenia also took out the National Series win.
Full race results are available at http://whitelightningevents.com/Woodford/
Photos and Story // Mike Molloy for Element Photo and Video Productions
