victorian downhill series
By Dave Empey
The first round of the VDHS series was held by MMBCC last weekend, and it did not disappoint. Perfect weather a sold-out event and great racing across all classes. Carnage was the order of the day on both Saturday and Sunday. Many riders and equipment falling foul of the rough and demanding trail. Returned local rider Matthew Empey succumbing to the trail with a flat tyre in his race run. The medical team of Graham Slaney and Shannon Rademaker had earnt a beer by Sunday night.
Racing was tight across all classes with less than a second separating many of the podium positions in the Elite categories. Some excellent local results were had:
Selena Green 2nd U/15 women
Sam Mosley 9th U/17 men (80 in class)
Zac Empey 23rd U/17 men (trail bike)
Bella Green 3rd Elite women
Elise Empey 1st Elite women
Many thanks go out to our army of volunteers, who without we would not be able to run this event. Covid also has presented the event with a special set of challenges which were met and overcome by the organizing committee.
First road race of 2022
By Allan Gerrans and Bruce Halket.
The first MMBCC road race of 2022 on Thursday 20 January was greeted by 17 enthusiastic entrants. Awaiting them from the Botanic Park was 25km out to Sawpit Gully Road and back and then the little kick up Mt Battery Road to the Showgrounds.
On a warm evening we gave a very warm welcome to first time racers with the MMBCC, John Findlay and Geoff Maguire.
First away was former handicapper John Eisner, who no longer gets an armchair ride, as the lone Limit rider on 14 minutes; then came Findlay, Alex Green and Ian Conrick at 9.30; Steve Curnow, Tim Hall, Janine Appleton and Rob Skinner at 6.30; Tim Ross and Darren Bakker at 4.00; the Chopping Block group was made up of Ant Bateup, Jarrod Appleton and Maguire at 2.00; and Scratch were last - Chris Miller, handicapper Dave Moore, Steve Duke and Bruce Halket.
All groups started strongly into the wind - of note was Eisner who showed exceptional intestinal fortitude to ride alone into the wind and he was still ahead at the turnaround.
The 6.30 group of Skinner, Janine Appleton, Hall and Curnow were looking particularly good - partly explained by Skinner’s youthful clean-shaven face.
Conrick had started to struggle by the Broken River and by the tomato farm he’d been detached from the Green-Findlay train. Hall was the next detachment near Tabletop Road but help was on the way.
Meanwhile, the Scratch group was flying! Reigning club champ Miller was taking monstrous turns on the front and block were caught on the descent after the turnaround.
Bakker and Ross rode tremendously together. They’re the joint namesakes of a certain unofficial club award but there was no hint of regurgitation, only concentration. Hall tagged onto these two from the turnaround through to the Broken River on the way back but couldn’t maintain their pace.
After Long Lane Moore went to the front and lifted the speed from 40 km/h to 50! It was a huge turn which made up heaps of ground on Bakker and Ross. Like a shooting star, he burnt brightly, even fiercely but then fizzled out… and dropped off the back.
Curnow, Green and Findlay were caught near Barwite Road leaving only Janine Appleton and Skinner with a chance to hold off the rampaging Miller. Appleton and Skinner, the remains of the 6.30 group, still looked likely on the outskirts of town.
More power on the front from Bateup, Ross, Halket and Miller saw gaps opening in the peloton. A big effort from Bakker closed one of those gaps, with Green dragging Maguire onto the back too.
At Redgum Court, Skinner was startled when, seemingly from nowhere, Scratch came past heading downhill to the final corner.
Miller, Maguire, Bakker, Bateup and Ross rounded the corner into Mt Batter Road together and headed up the hill with Halket and Maguire trailing by about 10 metres. But the uphill finish straight slowed the leaders just enough to let Halket sneak past to take the win. Miller held on for second ahead of Bateup and Maguire. They were followed by Bakker, Skinner, Ross, Janine Appleton, Curnow and Findlay rounded out the top ten in his first race in thirty years! That meant Halket also rode fastest time of 39.45.
Many thanks to the recuperating Allan Gerrans, Mel Green, Mick Pearce, Justin Berry and Alistair and Ben Ross for officiating.
Next week will see the MMBCC host its only Individual Time Trial of the season, with an out-and-back course on Graves Road. Entries via the Team App by 8pm Wednesday.
Many thanks to Tony Copland for the pics (below) and here are the results.
The GOAT x MMBCC
The newest and greatest 4-day mtb stage race is hitting your local trails Feb 24 - 27 and we want you out there showing the out-of-towners how it’s done.
Enter before midnight Jan 27 and you’ll get $40 off your 4-day entry by using the code “GOAT-MMBCC’’ at the checkout - be quick though, the code is only valid for 50 uses!
What’s in store you ask?
4 epic stages based out of Yackandandah, Mt Beauty & Bright (twice!)
136.5km total distance covered
3,340m total vert climbed
3 different race categories to choose from (XC, Gravity & E-Bike)
Endless cold beers & good vibes waiting for you back at the race village
Don’t miss the chance to flex your hometown advantage and save some cash while you’re at it.
Visit the GOAT website for more details and to enter using the discount code.
update on the Mansfield Hotel Tour powered by Orcoda
In case you’ve been living under a rock, you should know that our Tour is coming up - 19 & 20 March - that’s less than two months away!
If you have a look at the event page, you’ll see the Ventou jersey designs have been published… plus there’s an extra jersey this year!
Things are coming together nicely - we just need you. Please keep that weekend free. We’ll be calling/texting you soon about staffing for the weekend.
The GOAT Volunteer team – Registrations are open!
New in 2022 The GOAT offers passionate mountain bike riders great courses with race categories to suit everyone – all set in the beautiful high country of Victoria.
24 – 27 February will see Bright come alive with enthusiasts of all ages and skill levels as they descend on the High Country for some of the best trail riding they’ve ever experienced.
As well as receiving a GOAT truckers cap this will be a great fundraising opportunity for your local MTB club. We will be offering a $50 donation for every shift filled.
Volunteers are integral to the success of great events and we promise you a memorable experience when you join The GOAT volunteer team. Stunning countryside, incredible trails and great company. The GOAT village will be buzzing in your down time with endless entertainment, delicious food and the opportunity to relax amongst kindred spirits.
SIGN UP TODAY using this link.