How Great is the Great Otway Gravel Grind!

Otway Odyssey MTB presented By FOCUS

How Great is the Great Otway Gravel Grind!

Press Release / 01.03.2022

Riding the Otway Gravel Grind / © The Matt Image and Photos4Sale

In its 6th year the Great Otway Gravel Grind held on Sunday 27 February 2022 attracted its’ biggest field to date with over 600 riders experiencing just how great riding in the Otways is!

The 97km and 49km courses followed a magical line along the smooth rolling dirt roads of the Otway Ranges; with riders also being wowed by the spectacular views over the Great Ocean Road region.

Getting to the first time-out zone of the 97km Course seems to be the trick to staying at the pointy end of the field which saw riders Tasman Nankervis for the men, and Courtney Sherwell for the women executing race tactics throughout the course to take the wins.

As the field continued to re-group at each time-out zone, it always seems to come down to a final mass sprint to the finish line in Forrest for the men.

Official results take into account these ‘luxury’ time-out zones seeing Nankervis taking out the win on the 97km Course in a collective overall time of 3:46:38, ahead of Griffin Knight (3:47:08) and third Matthew Bird (3:47:08).

“Yes, we used those standard gravel racing tactics and it was that third section of the course where I managed to get up the climb ahead of the boys and hold on for the win,” said Nankervis.

Sherwell proved why she is Queen of the Otways, backing up her third place in the 100km Odyssey MTB by placing first overall in the 97km Big Ring Gravel Grind.

“My climbing legs felt good so I was looking forward to the climbs today,” said Sherwell. “This year it didn’t feel as steep to me, so knowing the course helped a lot.”

“I went out as hard as I could at the start to get a good gap on that first section; then waited at the first time out zone for my team-mate – but she never came so I cruised on for the rest of the ride by myself!” added Sherwell.

Sherwell finished the race in a time of 3:37:52, with Kate Kellett second in 3:46:25, and Liz Taylor in third place overall in 3:54:47.

The day also saw some quality riding in the 49km Gravel Grind Course with Lewis Crofts proving too strong over young rider Alex Holden in 1:39:42 and 1:43:37, respectively. For the women, it was Annie Millison in an impressive time of 2:12:52.

“That was a lot of fun on the mostly smooth roads; a really nice course, despite the climb being tough, it’s enjoyable and very scenic,” said Lewis.

As often mentioned by the riders, a unique and popular feature of the Great Otway Gravel Grind are these ‘time-out’ sections on course. Riders can stop for a coffee or wait for their friends without impacting their race time—in the style of true gravel grinding.

Complimenting the Gravel Grind on Sunday was the 30km mountain bike course as part of the Otway Odyssey weekend.

More than 300 riders took to the popular Forrest trails on a course that is designed specifically for novice mountain bikers and developing juniors.

First across the line was pocket-rocket Sam Harberts in a time of 1:17:29. Belinda Hadden was first across the line the 30km Odyssey Angels category for female riders, posting a time of 1:26:45.

“It was fun, tough and dusty – the highlight was racing down the Red Carpet!” said Sam.

For more event information head to www.TheGOGG.com.au and www.OtwayOdyssey.com.au

2022 OVERALL RESULTS:

Great Otway Gravel Grind 97km

Top 3 Male

1. Tasman Nankervis 3:46:38

2. Griffin Knight 3:47:08

3. Matthew Bird 3:47:08

Top 3 Female