McConnell claws his way back, Emotional win for Fry in CanberraSaturday, 13 March 2010
Beijing Olympian and Australian cross country champion Dan McConnell has shrugged off a disappointing season to secure his first victory in the colours of the national jersey at the final round of the 2009/10 Jayco Australian MTB Series in Canberra today.
An emotional Rowena Fry comfortably won the women’s race, tributing her victory and series title to a close friend and fellow rider who tragically passed away during the week.
After three rounds of thrilling action, the 2009/10 Jayco Australian MTB Series comes to its crescendo this weekend at Stromlo Forest Park, the home of the 2009 UCI Mountain Bike World Championships.
Men’s Elite Race
After pulling out of the last two rounds in Shepparton and Thredbo mid-race, an out-of-form Dan McConnell rode up to the start line today as the underdog. But as his competitors knew, the Victorian was not to be written off.
The 25-year-old went out hard early, powering up ‘cardiac climb’ and the renowned 225 metre hammerhead section, with series leader Lachlan Norris and local favourite Ben Henderson in hot pursuit.
However things nearly fell apart on lap three, when McConnell flew over the handle bars just before the famous hammerhead climb. Stopping to grab a new wheel in the feed zone, Norris and Henderson caught up and made the most of McConnell’s misfortune, accelerating away.
A determined McConnell gave chase and regained his lead on the fourth lap, with Henderson pushing hard on his tail. By the fifth and final lap, McConnell had slightly extended his lead, opening up a 30 second gap to claim an emphatic victory.
“It’s been a while. I came here today just hoping for a good ride and to finish the race but I’ve come away with the win,” said McConnell.
“After nationals it was hard to get the motivation back. I just couldn’t finish a race. It was disappointing to come off a nationals win and not be in the hunt. It bought me back down to earth pretty quickly. It probably took me a month to realise it was just one race and there was plenty to go in the season.
“The last three or four weeks I’ve got my act together. It’s good to get the burden off my back and it’s my first win in the national jersey.
“There’s a fair few quick guys in Australia at the moment, and I guess you can’t be too far off the ball if you want to race. Hopefully this is the start of a good year.”
A fast-finishing Henderson rolled over in second position for the third time in the series.
In a thrilling fight for third, Andy Blair (NSW) crossed the line just one tenth of a second in front of Joshua Carlson (NSW). Importantly the third place also moved Blair up to third position in the final series standings.
Unfortunately Lachlan Norris suffered a front wheel flat mid way through lap four which knocked him back to seventh place and out of contention for a podium finish.
However the 23-year old did just enough to retain his series lead and confirm his position as the No. 1 rider on the series standings in his first year at senior level.
“It didn’t go quite according to plan today,” said Norris. “I didn’t feel really good on the bike and technically I felt a bit off.”
“You have good days and bad. I’m pretty happy with the season, it’s my first series win as a senior, so hopefully I can kick on from here.”
Victorian Paul Van Der Ploeg took out the under 23 men’s win and series title.
Women’s Elite Race
As was the case for the majority of the series, national champion Rowena Fry went out hard from the outset, leaving local young gun Rebecca Henderson and Heather Logie to battle it out for second.
Despite having to dodge kangaroos out on the course, Henderson had the early advantage, holding onto second position for the first two laps.
A woman on a mission, Logie, closed the gap during lap three. Attacking on the fire road, Logie came up to Henderson’s shoulder and pulled away to establish a generous 48 second break heading into the bell lap.
Meanwhile out in front, Fry completed the four laps of the 8.4km course unchallenged. Despite encountering some gear trouble on the final lap, Fry crossed the finish line in 1:47:19 to secure her third victory of the season and the series title.
Fighting back tears, the 28-year-old payed tribute to Will Robinson, her friend and riding partner who tragically passed away in a training accident last Saturday.
“I’m really happy to get the win and take the series. I lost a close friend during the week and it was good to win for him today,” said Fry. “It’s been a really emotional week, and I was really happy to be able to do this for him and his family.”
“I just wanted to ride by myself with my own thoughts today. I was in a groove, and just let my body do what it does.”
“It’s been a really good start to the season, and hopefully it will keep going well when I head overseas in April.”
Despite entering the race with a shoulder injury after tumbling over her handlebars in training on Monday night, Logie crossed the finish line in second position for the third time this series, 94 seconds behind Fry.
Henderson rolling over in third place, enough to secure the under 23 series title.
In the women’s under 17 race, Zoe Binder (NSW) was too strong, taking the win ahead of Karuna Henderson and Kyna Millan from the ACT.
Donations to support the family of Will Robinson, can be made via the ‘Dave & Pennie Support Fund’ – visit www.tas.cycling.org.au for further information.
The action at Stromlo Forest Park concludes tomorrow with the men’s and women’s enduro, short track and downhill.
Highlights of all of the action from the Canberra stage of the 2010 Jayco Australian MTB Series will feature in a 30 minute program on SBS on Sunday, 4 April at 12pm.
For further information including entry lists, results and overall standings, please visit www.nationalseries.com.au.
2009/10 Jayco Australian MTB Series – Cross Country Final Standings
Elite Male
1. Lachlan Norris (VIC) - 241 points
2. Ben Henderson (ACT) - 228 points
3. Andrew Blair (NSW) - 165 points
Elite Female
1. Rowena Fry (TAS) – 295 points
2. Heather Logie (ACT) – 243 points
3. Joanna Wall (VIC) - 176 points
Under 23 Men
1. Paul Van Der Ploeg (VIC)– 141 points
2. Aaron Benson (QLD) – 64 points
3. Cal Britten (VIC) – 59 points
Under 23 Women
1. Rebecca Henderson (ACT) – 196 points
2. Therese Rhodes (SA) – 125 points
3. Sarah Holmes (SA) - 117 points
Round 4 – Canberra cross country results
Elite Male
1. Daniel McConnell (VIC) – 1:53:03.4
2. Ben Henderson (ACT) – 1:53:34.9
3. Andrew Blair (NSW) – 1:53:44.8
4. Joshua Carlson (NSW) – 1:53:44.9
5. Paul Van Der Ploeg (VIC) *U/23
6. Aiden Lefmann (QLD)
7. Lachlan Norris (VIC)
8. Peter Hatton (NSW)
9. Na Sanghoon (ACT)
10. David Johnston (ACT) *U/23
11. Brenton Jones (VIC) *U/23
Elite Female
1. Rowena Fry (TAS) - 1:47:19.3
2. Heather Logie (ACT) - 1:48:53.5
3. Rebecca Henderson (ACT) *U/23 - 1:51:14.0
4. Joanna Wall (VIC)
5. Peta Mullens (VIC) *U/23
6. Niki Fisher
7. Therese Rhodes (SA) *U/23
8. Katherine O’Shea (VIC)
9. Jaclyn Schapel
10. Sarah Holmes *U/23
Competition Schedule
Round 4 – Stromlo Forest Park, Canberra
Sunday, 14 February
8:00am : Cross Country Enduro - 4 hour solo and teams
12:30pm : Downhill – U15, U17, expert, masters, vet and sport supermasters men, U15, U17, vet, masters, sport women
1:00pm : Short Course Cross Country
3:00pm : Downhill - elite and U19 men, elite and U19 women
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