The AdvantageCard Tassie National in Hobart over this weekend could see a tussle between top ranked riders. The fifth and final round of the National Mountain Bike Series gets underway on Saturday with Cross Country followed by Four Cross later in the day. Downhill riders will race on Sunday.
On home turf, Tasmania's Leigh Douglas could upset the current national champion, Claire Whiteman in the downhill final on Sunday. Kingston currently trails by only eight points and is in good form following a win at the previous round in Mt Buller. Douglas is expected to use her recent form and local track knowledge to her advantage.
In the elite men’s current series leader, Joshua Button, has a more comfortable buffer of 31 points may get challenged by former World Junior Champion, Amiel Cavalier Button currently holds a comfortable 31 point lead.
The Under 19 men’s downhill will be the closest race of the season with only 12 points separating all top three riders. Current leader, Queensland’s Tamryn Murrell, is closely followed by last year’s series leader Shaun O’Connor Currently in third place is national champion, Rhys Willemse. The winner on the Glenorchy course will be sure to take out the series.
The Cross Country Olympic series winner will be decided tomorrow. An early lead in the season by Queensland’s Jodie Willett could hold off Victoria’s Katherine O’Shea. Willett’s narrow margin of six points may be ample if she places in front of O’Shea. National Champion, Rowena Fry from Launceston, is also in the line up along with last round’s winner Zoe King, however the pair are not in line to take out the overall series.
The strong women’s field could see several of this season’s top riders with the potential to win.
Three time national champion, Chris Jongewaard from South Australia, looks like a certainty to take the series after winning three of the four previous rounds. Ben Henderson from Canberra is the closest rival but a full 56 points looks impossible after seeing Jongewaard’s current form. Henderson also sits second in the cross country criterium series.
The Under 23 series leaders are Canberra pair, Gracie Elvin and Nathan Haas. Elvin hopes to maintain her 27 point lead over South Australia’s Terri Rhodes while Haas has to starve off Victoria’s Neil van der Ploeg also trailing by 27 points.
Four Cross elite men’s series leader, Thomas Hubert has withdrawn due to recent injury which leaves the series lead open for BMX Olympian, Luke Madill.
The current elite women’s leader, Caroline Buchanan, also suffered an injury last week and is not competing which should allow Sarsha Huntington to secure a series win.
Sharon Payne
Media Manager
Mountain Bike Australia
On home turf, Tasmania's Leigh Douglas could upset the current national champion, Claire Whiteman in the downhill final on Sunday. Kingston currently trails by only eight points and is in good form following a win at the previous round in Mt Buller. Douglas is expected to use her recent form and local track knowledge to her advantage.
In the elite men’s current series leader, Joshua Button, has a more comfortable buffer of 31 points may get challenged by former World Junior Champion, Amiel Cavalier Button currently holds a comfortable 31 point lead.
The Under 19 men’s downhill will be the closest race of the season with only 12 points separating all top three riders. Current leader, Queensland’s Tamryn Murrell, is closely followed by last year’s series leader Shaun O’Connor Currently in third place is national champion, Rhys Willemse. The winner on the Glenorchy course will be sure to take out the series.
The Cross Country Olympic series winner will be decided tomorrow. An early lead in the season by Queensland’s Jodie Willett could hold off Victoria’s Katherine O’Shea. Willett’s narrow margin of six points may be ample if she places in front of O’Shea. National Champion, Rowena Fry from Launceston, is also in the line up along with last round’s winner Zoe King, however the pair are not in line to take out the overall series.
The strong women’s field could see several of this season’s top riders with the potential to win.
Three time national champion, Chris Jongewaard from South Australia, looks like a certainty to take the series after winning three of the four previous rounds. Ben Henderson from Canberra is the closest rival but a full 56 points looks impossible after seeing Jongewaard’s current form. Henderson also sits second in the cross country criterium series.
The Under 23 series leaders are Canberra pair, Gracie Elvin and Nathan Haas. Elvin hopes to maintain her 27 point lead over South Australia’s Terri Rhodes while Haas has to starve off Victoria’s Neil van der Ploeg also trailing by 27 points.
Four Cross elite men’s series leader, Thomas Hubert has withdrawn due to recent injury which leaves the series lead open for BMX Olympian, Luke Madill.
The current elite women’s leader, Caroline Buchanan, also suffered an injury last week and is not competing which should allow Sarsha Huntington to secure a series win.
Sharon Payne
Media Manager
Mountain Bike Australia
