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Chocolate Foot Round 3 Singletrack Mind Series

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Written by Charlton Durie

A misty morning unveils a stunning day and great racing at Stromlo Forest Park

27.06.2011

After clearing a thick layer of ice from cars and mountain bikes as well as applying as many layers of clothing as was feasible, Round 3 of the SRAM Singletrack Mind Series hit the trails of Stromlo Forest Park in Canberra for a 7 hour test of team work and endurance. The hosting club CORC serving up an 11km course that unusually for Stromlo didn't feature many substantial climbs but riders finding it to be still challenging but most of all enjoyable.

With 350 riders on the start list it was a packed starting grid and a chaotic start as Trek's Brendan Johnston had a mechanical problem after only a few meters and riders had to swerve to avoid the talented young local. As competitors returned from the opening lap, it was of little surprise to see local riders off the front including Ben Henderson, Shaun Lewis and Dylan Cooper. Normally suited to shorter events, Lewis and Cooper stepped up to the challenge of riding the 7 hour event solo, Cooper saying it was a good opportunity to get quality training in for upcoming events. Cooper led the solo mens category from start to finish winning by a complete lap from Andrew Hall and Ed McDonald.

The Womens solo race had a surprising twist in the closing hours as 3rd placed Erin Zimmer found her second wind, putting in two 39 minute laps in a row to accelerate her up the leader board into first place, which she held until the 7 hours were up. It was a quality field with less than 9 minutes covering all three podium positions.

The pairs categories are generally regarded as being the elite categories and competition was fierce across all four divisions. The local Canberra duo of Gary James and Richard Peil had a slow start but regained momentum to take the the Masters pairs category with the amusingly named teams of 'Bruce Banner and the Incredible Hulk' and 'Beware Hulk Here Comes Horccules' in 2nd and 3rd. Three very closely matched teams were entered in the women's pairs, every team finished with 10 laps and only 10 minutes separated all three teams at the end, Gill Lugg and Kirsty Cummin's team 'On Safari' making the best of the 3-way battle. The Men's pairs were the biggest field of the event with 41 teams, it was also the most star packed with World Cup level riders Ben Henderson and Andrew Blair featuring. Leading the category and leading the event overall from the first lap was Henderson who crossed the line with solo winner Dylan Cooper on his wheel, Henderson with team mate Greg Doerkson defended their lead all day, finishing with 3 minute buffer to 2nd place.

The leader board of the Mixed pairs category see-sawed continually throughout the 7 hour duration, a testament to the high quality of the field. After a blinder of a start, 'Bike Culture Nowra Physiotherapy' 

started to slip while the 'Bike Culture Pups' did it the hard way starting from 9th position then climbing up to 3rd place but they effectively ran out of time to catch Bree Webb and Jason McAvoy who sat just seven minutes ahead in 2nd. The team of Vanina Vergoz and Gavin Burland also had to work back from a slow start but the 'City Bike Depot' combo hit the front from the three hour mark and didn't look back taking the win by just 3 minutes.

The CORC club also showing that they have a whole new generation of talented riders coming through as they won the Junior teams category with Hamish Prosser, Cameron Prosser and Toby Stewart taking the win over Wollongong's Cameron Tavener-Smith, Callum Carson and Connor O'Dwyer.

The category winners received over $10,500 in cash and prizes from series sponsors SRAM, Avid, Rockshox, Truvativ, Leyzne, Merida, Hammer Nutrition, Muc-Off, Kenda Tyres, Nzo clothing, Mountain Biking Australia magazine, Jimmy Jack wines and Aussie Butt cream. Full results will be posted at www.chocolatefoot.com.au/singletrack-mind-series/results

The SRAM Singletrack Mind series moves to the NSW Southern Highlands with another 7 hour enduro in Wingello State Forest on 21 August. For entry and information see: www.chocolatefoot.com.au