Anaconda Mountain Bike Enduro
Red Centre, Mather and Bennett lead at the half way mark
Naantali Marshall - Rapid Ascent / 28.05.2009
A brief story of the action so far from Stages 1 to 3 The large field of 264 riders attending the 5 day, 7 stage event have been treated by mild low
20s weather and growing local support for a week that for most is more about the experience and socialising than racing.
Starting off the week with a 34km introductory stage winners were Matthew Fleming and Jodie Willett. These two maintained their lead after the Anzac Hill Climb, a sprint up a sealed road in the centre of town. Fleming was forced to hand the yellow leader’s jersey to Ben Mather after Stage 3, a 49km course of varied terrain while Willett managed to hold on to it. Both leaders had only a narrow margin this morning before Stage 4 and in the men in particular the overall lead could swing to one of about 5 riders in close contention.
Fast and furious Anaconda Stage 4 gives Bennett lead
Competitors awoke to a gloomy morning with some drizzle as buses arrived at the Heavitree Gap Outback Lodge at 5.15am to transport them to Owen Springs, the start of the Anaconda Stage 4. Locating their bikes on arrival, they were reassembled and competitors warmed up as the sun rose over the majestic MacDonnell Ranges.
The course had a last minute alteration due to a change of mind of authorities who decided not to let the race track through some National Park area. This reduced the length by 7km to bring the stage to 63km. The flat and less technical nature of the course always meant it was going to be a fast one but the pace was on from the first sound of the hooter. There were some obstacles thrown at competitors to keep them interested like fences to climb over and sand to navigate. In the men’s event it was a sandy river bed that was possibly the decider giving one competitor the opportunity to let their running prowess give them the win for the Stage.See All Event Posts
