Vic Schools MTB finale

By Tim Ross

Last weekend was the finale of the Vic Schools MTB Series.

Saturday’s race venue was the Castlemaine Secondary College, with the course running through the school grounds and out onto single track through adjoining bushland. Perfect conditions saw Ben and Alastair Ross and Alex and Henry Manning pit themselves against riders from all over the state on fun but challenging courses including several sets of stairs. Alex finished third in his race, while Ben was just out of the placings in fourth.

On Sunday the race was at Bendigo’s Spring Gully, usually a dry, dusty and rocky bushland course. Except when it starts raining just before the first race, and keeps raining. Before long the trails had water running along them and slippery, treacherous corners.

No matter, our crew (along with all the others) gritted their teeth and battled it out. Alastair raced last and despite having the worst of the conditions had one of his best races of the series.

Series presentations were held after the races (during a brief respite from the rain); Ben only missing out on 3rd in U15 courtesy of a mechanical DNF in his final race. That’s racing!

A bit of a break in the XC racing calendar now until the Vic Champs Series kick off in November.

Talia Rwanda bound

Talia Appleton has been selected for the Australian team to ride the Road World Championships in Kigali, Rwanda.

If you can help, she needs a hand to get there…

Club kit

MMBCC Central has had some enquiries about ordering MMBCC Ventou club kit.

As you might remember, we need a minimum of ten pieces to meet the minimum requirements.

If anyone else is interested, please email Bruce and we’ll organise to get the Ventou webshop open to take orders. (We’re looking at you John!)

News Shorts

A new cycling-related iPhone App called CFP (Cycling Fashion Police) has just been released. MMBCC Central has received repeated notifications that there’s now only one MMBCC member who contravenes the App’s basic standards now that Ian Conrick has left town. (The App’s looking at you John!)
The MMBCC road calendar will be published shortly. The first race is planned for Thursday 9 October. As usual, we’re still waiting on permits.
Seymour Broadford Cycling Club applied for two weekend races at Yarck later this year and hoped to run ‘Combine’ races for MMBCC and SBCC. Unfortunately, Murrundindi Shire wouldn’t agree to a permit, so we’ll have to try again next summer.
ATC Gravel Rides are still on at 5.30pm Wednesdays, weather permitting. The Strava segment challenge is still going…