THE 2016 Fountain Springs Mountain Bike Classic, held on Sunday, attracted a record field of open age riders and also heralded the introduction of junior races to the event.
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In the event’s second year, the track was extended a further 20-kilometres to cater for more competitive riders.
The committee were asked to ‘toughen up the course’ after last year’s event for the experienced cyclists. There was also a shorter option for social riders.
Riders from around the North West took to the 84-kilometre course around the Fountain Springs area between Mount Isa and Cloncurry.
Townsville based brothers Daniel and Jeff Rubach took home first and third places with Mount Isa’s Les Rayner splitting the pair by finishing a strong second in the Open Age Men’s Division.
Daniel Rubach recorded a scorching two hours 20 minutes treating the many challenges of the grueling course with contempt.
Mount Isa’s Alison Whitehead demonstrated her fitness and big event experience by demolishing the Open Age Women's field with nearly 40 minutes to second placed Belinda Rayner who lead Clare Lehmann across the finish line.
Personally as a strong advocate of junior competitors it was great to see everyone getting involved in the sport as they are the future of this.
- Adrian Cameron
In the junior races Darcy Johns won the older division followed by Ryan Cameron in second place with Dusty Whitney in third.
The younger division of junior riders was closely contested with Bethany Bennett from the Cloncurry stable of Bennett cyclists pushing Renee Cameron and Charlotte Bennett into second and third places respectively.
Fountain Springs Mountain Bike Classic coordinator, Adrian Cameron, said the introduction and success of the junior races was particularly pleasing to him.
“Personally as a strong advocate of junior competitors it was great to see everyone getting involved in the sport as they are the future of this,” Cameron said.
Cameron praised the fitness and ability of the riders who finished at the top of the their respective male and female fields.
“The manner which the more seasoned riders moved around the course particularly the more technical and physically challenging sections was impressive given that some sections were virtually unrideable.”
Cameron also mentioned that course director Gary Baker’s effort of barely raising a sweat before pulling out of the race was a little surprising given Baker’s claims of having one hand on the winners trophy prior to the race.
The newly formed Stack City Mountain Bike club intends to continue this event next year.
The club also hope to host more events in the next few months.
Anyone who is interested in mountain biking can find the club page on Facebook for further information or contact Adrian Cameron.