McKenzie makes it look easy

By Simon Hall

Last Thursday was the return to road racing for Mansfield Mt Buller Cycling Club. Driving in to Mansfield presented an interesting weather proposition, a huge storm cell to the east and clear skies to the west. Luckily the course used Howes Creek Road, Cummins Road and O’Hanlon Roads. After a brief delay to the start, riders were provided with pleasant yet windy conditions for racing.

The handicapper sent everyone off in either pairs or singles. John Eisner leading the way a full 20 minutes in front of the loan Scratch rider. Eisner was followed by Tim Hall and David McDonald, then Jarrod Appleton. Heath Hammond missed both his partner who was a late cancellation and somehow his start time. Then came in-form Steve Duke with Simon Hall, Ryder Chad and Bruce Halket and finally Talia Appleton.

On the way to the McMillan Point turn around, McDonald rode away from T Hall and took the lead with Hall and Eisner pairing up. Duke and S Hall picked up Hammond and then the threesome rode well together, collecting Appleton and making good inroads into the leaders.

The biggest factor for this course is the uphill finish that knocks everyone around at the end of the race. This is where the places changed. With a good ride, McDonald was safe by a couple of minutes, followed by S Hall and then Duke.

Chadd, Halket and Appleton all finished at the back in their starting order, Talia taking fastest time by just 3 seconds!

Thanks goes to the MMBCC committee and volunteers to keep such good racing going. And to Tony Copland for his weekly images.

Here are the results.

Next week it’s the new-ish Whitfield / Barwite Road course, finishing at the Showgrounds.

Weekend results

VDHS, Mt Beauty

Stu Clark - 4th, Veteran Men.

Cooper Hoebergen - 14th, U15 Men.

Jake Terry - 17th, U19 Men.

Ewan Rogan - 42nd, U17 Men.

Here are the detailed results.

Blue Range XC track

A quick reminder about the new XC course in the pines at the top of the hill, at The Vanderhaydens Property “Blue Range” 206 Rifle Butts Road for our hosting of the Alpine Junior MTB Series XC race on Saturday 7 February.

Twice weekly, Tuesdays at 5pm and Sunday mornings at 9.30am, come on up and help us bed the track in. Depending on numbers and interest we may run some impromptu races as well.

If you are looking for a lift up please shoot me a message (Damian 0411 045 771) to give me a heads up.

Be great to see people up there, if you are between the age of 4 and 15 then there will be a race for you on February 7th so come on up and have a look at the track.

In Summary:

Tuesday 20 January – 5pm

Sunday 25 January – 9.30am

Tuesday 27 January – 5pm

Sunday 1 February – 9.30am

Tuesday 3 February – 5pm: the first Dirt Crits XC race for 2026