13 August 2009

Following on from their highly successful 6Hour Championships, Forrest MTB & Cycling Club had 17 riders compete in the latest round of their Saturday Slog winter series of races.

This event was a 90 minute mini-enduro around a testing 4km circuit of the Red Carpet and Barlidjaru trails at Forrest. The course provided three varying sections, the first a flat winding trail along the banks of the West Barwon river, then onto a twisty technical climb up Barlidjaru, and finally onto the fast and flowing Red Carpet trail back down to the transition area.

Riders commented on the climb becoming more difficult with each lap, resulting in some riders losing concentration on the downhill section and missing corners.

"Temperatures were cold, but with the sun shining riders and spectators were able to enjoy the course and some fast lap times resulted," said Race Organiser Roland Eck. "It was great to see first-time riders and club regulars together today, the race had a fun atmosphere with a competitive edge."

With a cold southerly blowing the race started right on 3.00pm. Wanting to warm up and get into a rhythm, eventual A Grade Solo winner Stewart McKenzie set a cracking pace with the fastest lap of the day. His consistent lap times over the full 90 minutes were too much for 2nd placed Adrian Dillon and 3rd placed Neil Harrington. Adrian and Neil had a great dice, swapping positions right up until the last lap, with Adrian triumphant by less than one minute.

Colac Adventure Racer and Forrest MTB Club member Tristan Read finished 4th several minutes back.

In B Grade Ben Culton had his first win as a club member, completing seven laps, with Bruce Jackson, Jack McLaren, and Colac Junior Hayden Maxwell following close behind on six laps

In the Pairs section, Barongarook Junior, Ben Scott and Jeremy Veenstra teamed up to complete eight laps in 1 hour 40 minutes for first place.

The next race in the winter series will be a stage race at the Forrest Recreation Reserve on Saturday September 5. Registration 2.30pm, racing 3.00pm