The QLD XC MTB State Championships, Sunday 17th October 2010

The State championships were held last weekend with some fantastic results from the local MTB club, Noosa Trailblazers. It was one of the most demanding courses of the year and was fitting that the state championships were held there. This was at Mt Crosby, west of Brisbane, its one hilly course.There was 107 riders racing for a state Championship, the Noosa Trailblazers gave it their all .  The results are as follows:
Under 11's Male
Nick Dodds      3rd
Josh Dodds       4th
Under 15's Male
Nathan King      2nd
Blair Galloway- a big crash saw Blair DNF the race (no worries Blair)
Under 17's Male
Ethan Kelly         7th - great consistent laps!
Seb Vejby           9th
Zack Agius         10th
Sport Male
John King           3rd

Well done and congratulations to everyone for traveling the distance and having a go!
Below are some pictures from the day, taken by Kemore Cycling Club, I could not find all our riders however more photos are to come

Seb Vejby, under 17's

Ethan Kelly, under 17's

Zack Agius, under 17's

Josh Dodds, under 11's

Ethan Kelly

National Junior Mountain Bike Development Camp

Congratulations to Jack Jude, Rodger Pogson-Manning and Declan Wharton, Noosa Trailblazers juniors for gaining places in the National Junior Bike Development Camp. This camp is aimed at preparing our MTB atheletes both male and female for the world championships and professional careers in the sport of mountain biking by introducing a long term approach to the development of Australian junior MTB athletes.
The training camp will be held this weekend at the Australian Institute of Sport in Canberra, the coaches include National Sporting director Chris Clarke and National XC coach, Tim Ellsion.
Have fun boys and train hard!

At the airport!

Solo 24 Hour Worlds- Greg and Mark's Trip

I've always had a passion for seeing people do something that they are really good at, whether it is a sporting activity, an art or a career, the end result is marvellous.

As many of  you know Andy Fellows is a local rider and he is really good at mountain biking, his chosen discipline is endurance racing.

Andy's Machine at Transition

This past weekend Mark Whitney and I had the opportunity to see him at his best and we were not disappointed. The 2010 Solo 24 Hour World Championships were held in Canberra at Mount Stromlo. One of Australia's premier MTB destinations. CORC, Canberra Offroad Cyclists, organised a fantastic event which drew in 1000's of people. It was an overwhelming sight to see when all these people are set up for a weekend of racing action.

Andy had raced and placed third at last year's event and was motivated and well prepared to better that placing this year. With bikes ready, nutrition and pit crew organised the race was on! Mark and I were lucky enough to have pit passes to give assistance to former Solo 24 hour age winner and Sunshine coast resident Jeff Toohey. This put us right in the action in pitt lane with all of the worlds best and the action was HOT!. Racing started from the word go and did not let up for 24 hours. When I first stopped and looked at the clock, it had been only 4.5 hours, I was wondering how they could possibly continue for another 20.
The pace was fast, the level of competition high and the Stromlo track dusty and hard!

We were impressed with the riders from Canada, the UK and Argentina. Worth noting were their pit crews, and their efficiency and knowledge of their riders and ability to convince them that  they could continue on, are qualities found in the best and was a pleasure to watch.

In the end the race winner was Jason English, our man Andy was pipped on the last lap for 2nd and came home with the 3rd place medal. Andy's performance was outstanding, I only saw him get off his bike to change to his second one, I never saw him sit down or complain. He raced hard and he raced well.

I look forward to the next time I can watch him test his limits.
Please stop into the shop or chat with Mark for more stories of the best in the world.

Keep riding and have fun

Greg L