Surf Coast Six Hour Mountain Bike Festival is set to grow
Sophie Smith
October 28th, 2009
THE Southern Exposure Surf Coast Six Hour Mountain Bike Festival will come back bigger and better next year after a successful meet on Saturday.
Event manager Sonia Ivetac yesterday confirmed plans to enlarge the twilight meet were already in the pipeline. "There may be a few new surprises in store," Ivetac said of the 2010 agenda for the race.
"We've seen huge growth from the first year we ran it to the third year. We've had about 500 per cent growth in terms of competitor numbers, supportive spectators and sponsor involvement."
Ivetac put the event's growth down to the bush and beach location, the quality of smooth fast flowing track and the timing of the event.
"The other really big deal is the fact that it's a twilight bike race and there are no other six hour mountain bike rides that go through the night in Victoria, so that's a huge attraction."
More than 400 mountain bike riders from entry level to elite ranks descended on Eumeralla to compete in one of two gruelling races - a three hour ride designed for social or entry level riders and a six hour endurance event.
Former World Solo 24-hour Champion Troy Bailey, who was the 2007 winner, was among the stars who contested the elite men's six hour solo category, which was won by defending champion Scott Chancellor in a time of six hours, 25 minutes and 44 seconds.
"All the climbs had rewarding downhills and the race had a fantastic atmosphere," Chancellor said.
"It was a close finish with the other guys just minutes behind me. I guess it was my lucky day."
Ashley Bleeker followed Chancellor, whose brother Sam also contested the trying endurance race, in second with Nathan Larkin in third. Bailey rounded out the top five.
Courtney Shinn adopted an aggressive riding style to take out the elite women's solo category in 6:29:35 ahead of Torquay's Jo King in second and Linda Wylie in third.
Shinn converted to the sport from triathlon earlier this year and purchased her first mountain bike in March. "I haven't done much night riding but the event was so well organised that I had nothing to worry about - just jump on the bike and start peddling," Shinn said. "The sandy sections and short steep climbs kept the race challenging."
Aside from the elite field, Ivetac was also impressed with junior entries. "Hopefully these junior riders will continue to build skills, ride for fun and may continue to pursue racing. It's great to see so many keen young riders out there," she said.
Results - Six Hour Male Solo: Scott Chancellor (12 laps) 6:25:44; Ashley Bleeker (12 laps) 6:27:26; Nathan Lorkin (11 laps) 6:05:02; Brad Davies (11 laps) 6:05:34; Troy Bailey (11 laps) 6:08:10.
Six hour female solo: Courtney Shinn (10 laps) 6:29:35; Jo King (10 laps) 6:31:52; Linda Wylie (9 laps) 6:09:58; Jac Connell (9 laps) 6:16:41; Tanya Wiggins (9 laps) 6:30:26.
Three hour male solo: Adrian Jackson (6 laps) 2:54:55; James Kennedy (6 laps) 2:57:15; Sean Hurley (6 laps) 3:01:11; Craig Borham (6 laps) 3:08:01; John Jacoby (6 laps) 3:09:45.
Three Hour Female Solo: Rebecca Freeman (5 laps) 3:27:44; Carolyn Jackson (5 laps) 3:28:23; Katie McKie (5 laps) 3:39:52; Karmel Bartolich (4 laps) 2:56:23
