… now they get handicap races too! More on that later, but first…

Round 2 of ATC Junior MTB Series - Bright

By Tim Ross

A crew from Mansfield journeyed to Bright on Saturday for Round 2 of the ACC Junior MTB series. On a largely flat XC course, times were fast!

Congratulations to Dirt Critters Logan H in his first race, along with Angus A & Willem M. Former Dirt Critters Ben & Alastair rounded out the Mansfield contingent with Ben winning the U15 category.

The next race in the series is at Yackandandah in two weeks time (Sat 29/11); details will be posted as soon as entries are open.

Mansfield will be hosting Round 5 of the series in early February.

South Blue Range track taking shape

Speaking of early February, the track the club plans to use is taking shape. Most of the Junior MTB ‘committee’ have spent the last two Sundays raking and digging the new circuit.

Taking in some of the old Enduro track plus LOTS of new single track, it should be ready to ride soon!

Gravity Enduro with handicapping

By Dave Empey

We had a big field of 20 riders turn out for the on-again, off-again Gravity Enduro. Bruce was putting into place the new handicapping system which, might I say, is working better than his left knee.

Racing was tight with three riders on the same time, to the second; newcomer Dale Larner, Luke Vivash and Ben Ross all 5.59 accumulated time with Ben Ross posting the same time for each lap.

Fastest time of the night went to Ryder Chadd posting a second lap time of 2.38.

Final placings after the handicapping was calculated saw Steve Curnow take the top step on the podium followed by Ben Grundy in second place and Nicole Hoebergen in 3rd place. Here are the results.

Gerry of the night goes to Spencer Carmen with a complete ‘over-the-bars’ out of the start gate and winding himself to boot. To be fair to, Spencer his front chain ring failed, causing all the watts going through the cranks to drive him over the bars and into the ground. He did manage to complete a chainless run and end the night on a high.

Well done all!

Ruttiman rides away!

By Dave Bock

Steve Curnow, Dave Bock, and new to MMBCC Thursday races, Jarrah O’Brien, lined up on Malcolm St, opposite the Lords Ground. Beginning their quest to chase down John Eisner and Dave Jagger, two and a half minutes ahead of them, on their way to Howes Creek Road, the trio made a determined start.

But they were mindful there was fourteen stronger riders trying to do the same to them; and of the stiff headwind they would be facing after turning left into Howes Creek Road until the turnaround point at the end of the bitumen.

Struggling with bike issues, Jarrah found the pace too hot and fell behind.

Three kilometres before the turnaround, with John and Dave in sight, and concentrating on the slowly diminishing gap, Bocky was startled to hear Steve talking to another rider! Mark Ruttiman had ridden away from his fellow 4-minute mark starters, Ben Grundy and another first time MMBCC racer, Fergus Schier, and was getting his breath back for another charge.

Not far after the turnaround, the charge came; Mark flew past Eisner and Jagger just as Steve and Bocky joined them. Even with what was now a tail wind, the four together could not reduce Mark’s lead and the four soon fractured into individual efforts.

Mark persevered to take a convincing win. Crossing the line next was Bocky, then Steve. Dave Jagger finished fourth a little before John, who had the bulk of the field breathing down his neck.

Ryder Chadd crossed with Carl Simmons, who picked up the fastest time prize for the night.

Less than 10 seconds in arrears were Andy Garrett, Bruce Halket, Ben Ross and Jarrod Appleton ,just ahead of Adrian Dowd and Janine Appleton. The final six, Fergus, Simon, Tim, Ben, Jock and Jarrah, trickled in over the next couple of minutes.