Merriman and English win race elite titles, Richardson takes over series lead at Ourimbah
Four-time World Enduro Motor Cross Champion Stefan Merriman took out the four-hour Elite Men’s race at the SHIMANO Mountain Bike Grand Prix (MTB GP) near Wyong on the weekend, winning against series leader Paris Basson. With 14 completed laps Jason English won the seven-hour competition ahead of Andrew Lloyd and Max Richardson from Wamberal, who takes over the reigns as new series leader in that division. In the women’s competition, Lana Moy further increases her series lead in the four-hour event, whilst Kirby Knowles held onto her seven-hour series lead finishing second behind a dominant Laura Renshaw, the Elite Women’s winner of round three.
The depth of field was impressive as almost 350 riders gathered at the start line at Ourimbah MTB Park for the third round of the SHIMANO Mountain Bike Grand Prix Series. Multiple National Champions and the 24-Hour World Champion Jason English were at the start line, as well as one of Australia’s biggest names in motor cross racing: Stefan Merriman. After a win in the 40+ master category in round one with Rocky Trail earlier this year at Awaba, the 41-year old from Port Stephens showed that his talent for two-wheeled sports also extends into mountain biking and won in the elite male category with 8 laps completed in 4:01:13, putting none other than series leader Paris Basson in second ahead of Qantum racer Michal Kafka who came third.
The race track at Ourimbah MTB Park was just over 10 km long and regarded as the toughest one in the series yet. With its fast descents, tight corners and rocky climbs it is under the guard of the Central Coast Ourimbah MTB Club and one of Sydney’s oldest and most popular mountain bike trail networks.
Richardson new local series leader
The new SHIMANO MTB GP series leader in the seven hour competition is Max Richardson. With 13 laps in 7:09:27 the 21-year old from Wamberal claimed the third place behind Quantum Racer Andrew Lloyd from Newcastle and race winner Jason English, the multiple 24-Hour Solo World Champion from Port Macquarie and only solo racer who completed 14 laps on the day.
“This was a tough and long lap – with such a huge field the guys from Rocky Trail included a lot of sections we don’t normally race to increase the length to over 10km. That played with my legs and with my head – I wasn’t used to it,” said Max Richardson who was happy that his top-placing on his home track resulted in the series lead.
In second, by 26 points is Newcastle’s up and coming mountain bike marathon and endurance racer, Andrew Lloyd. Right from the start he was in for a tight battle with Jason English who was able to break away towards the end, taking on the challenge from his student Billy Sewell and team mate Tristan Ward for the overall race win and line-honours. “For English to hang onto us as a two-man team is just phenomenal”, said National World Cup team racer Ward, who secured the overall race win at Ourimbah for his team on the last lap.
In the women’s seven hour race Laura Renshaw from Newcastle won the Elite category and the overall women’s line honours went to Meredith Quinlan from Sydney who completed 10 laps in 7:20:36 and won the master category.
The SHIMANO MTB Grand Prix round will take the Rocky Trail racers to The Australian Botanic Garden, Mt Annan near Campbelltown on 9 August 2014. The next cross-country endurance race by Rocky Trail will be held at James Estate Winery with the JetBlack 12 Hour race on 12 July in the Upper Hunter Valley.
For detailed results and more event information, visit www.rockytrailentertainment.com
Top results SHIMANO MTB GP Round 3 at Ourimbah
GP4 Hour Male Solo Elite
1. Stefan Merriman / Corlette NSW / 8 laps in 4:01:13
2. Paris Basson / Magellan Racing / 8 laps in 4:05:34 / +4:21 min
3. Michal Kafka / Quantum Racing / Sydney NSW / 8 laps in 4:08:53 / +7:40 min
4. Trent Pons / Spring Farm NSW / 8 laps in 4:21:18 / +20:05 min
5. Daniel Watson / Bathurst NSW / 8 laps in 4:30:16 / +29:03 min
GP4 Hour Female Solo Elite
1. Lana Moy / Collaroy NSW / 7 laps in 4:17:59
2. Michelle Morris / Shelly Beach NSW / 7 laps in 4:31:38 / +13:39 min
3. Wendy Stevenson / Waverton NSW / 6 laps 4:03:16 / – 1 lap
4. Sarah Neumann / Kahibah NSW / 6 laps in 4:04:17 / – 1 lap
5. Leah Childs / Wingello NSW / 5 laps in 4:21:04 / – 2 laps
GP4 Hour Male Solo Junior
1. Bryan Dunkin / Breakaway Cycles / Wallsend NSW / 8 laps in 4:25:11
2. Aden Paterson / Adamstown NSW / 7 laps in 4:13:40 / – 1 lap
3. Jackson Frew / Gowrie ACT / 6 laps in 3:58:34 / -2 laps
GP7 Hour Male Solo Elite
1. Jason English / JetBlack Red Racer / Port Macquarie NSW / 14 laps in 7:05:57
2. Andrew Lloyd / Quantum Solo Racing / Barnsley NSW / 13 laps in 6:57:04 / – 1 lap
3. Max Richardson / Bikeworx Riot / Wamberal NSW / 13 laps in 7:09:27 / – 1 lap
4. Jason Pearce / Quantum Racing / Sydney NSW / 13 laps in 7:22:13 / – 1 lap
5. Roger Harrison / The Berm – Pushys / Hackett ACT / 13 laps in 7:27:03 / – 1 lap
GP7 Hour Female Solo Elite
1. Laura Renshaw / Drift Bikes / Hamilton NSW / 10 laps in 7:31:48
2. Kirby Knowles / Boolaroo NSW / 8 laps in 7:21:59 / – 2 laps
3. Alyssa Glyde / Forrest ACT / 7 laps in 6:59:15 / – 3 laps
Overall race winners:
Team Torq Performance Nutrition / Billy Sewell and Tristan Ward / Shoalhaven NSW / 14 laps in 7:03:31