Mt Buller Recap.

Just got home from an awesome weekend of racing in Mt Buller. Mt Buller is really lending itself to mountain biking. The mountain has some excellent trails on offer, both DH and XC, all developed by a great team of local trail builders, headed by Mr Glen Jacobs.
The race was ran over Saturday and Sunday and consisted of three stages.
First up was the 25km XC race, one big loop of the mountain. Starting at the clock tower we headed up the road towards the summit, Giant rider Murray Spinks attacked within 5 minutes and there was only the two of us left as we started the descent. I had to stop on the next climb to investigate a horrible noise that was coming from my forks, turns out my wheel was about to pop out, the skewer was loose! Murray pulled away as I stopped, I thought that was the last time I would see him. Luckly for me, he flatted in the next technical descent, what an opportunity! From there I smacked it with everything I had, throwing it all on the line. Finishing about 4 minutes up in 1st!

The second stage was a 16km Super D. I started the stage thinking that I would just hang back and not let anyone get to far up the track. It didn't take to long and was just Murray and I out the front again. The descent was fast but relatively easy. At around 13kms I needed to attack if I wanted the stage win. The track followed a big valley down the mountain and boys had told me that there was about 12 creek crossing and the valley opened up into a big park and the finish line. So I attacked, riding probably beyond my ability, it was super slippery and wet, drifting around the corners, it didn't matter I was on a mission, I wanted the win. Across the last creek and sprinted at the line, 1st, by about 15 seconds.

The last stage was 50km out and back loop to Mt Stirling. Big descents = big climbs! My strategy for today was just to hold Murrays wheel for as long as I could. He pulled away on the first major climb up Mt Stirling, but I was able to catch up on the descent, from there I was like glue on his wheel, until the final sealed climb up to Buller. Keeping him in eyesight meant that he would struggle to get the 5 minutes he needed to take the overall win.  He crossed the line just 20 seconds up. So I took the win. Super stoked. A big thanks to AYUP for making it possible, supersports for my TOMAC, cognition for keeping it rolling, and Onza for some insane Canis tyres ( these are the best tyres, Ever!) cheers. Next up Solo 24hr Nationals, Canberra.

Pictures from Rapid Ascend, Bridget Jacoby, Nicola Drummy