Bike Buller
Will Geor And April Mcdonough Pin Stage One At Bike Buller Mtb Festival; Jess Douglas’ Stage Misfortunes
News Release / 08.03.2014
(Mt Buller, Victoria; 8 March 2014): Stage One, the Schwalbe Stirling Circuit 50km and 35km XC kicked off the three-day Bike Buller MTB Festival presented by Kona, at Mt Buller on Saturday 8th March, 2014.
Will Geor of Ballarat, and April McDonough led close to 500 multi-disciplined mountain bikers on the opening stage of the sixth annual event in the scenic Victorian Alps with perfect ‘blue-sky’ riding conditions.
Stage One took riders out over Mt Stirling and up and down the infamous Stonefly trails, which saw Geor and second place-getter Joey Esterhuyzen battling it out all morning with just 23 seconds separating them over the finish line; and Tim Jamieson coming in third.
Geor, who rides for iRide Bikes said the course was quite technical and dry in parts today, but working with Esterhuyzen helped get them through the challenging climbs.
“We worked together for most of the race at the start; then when we got to the backside of Mt Stirling I made a bit of move.” Said Geor.
“But once we were on the other side I realised I’d gone a bit hard, so I eased up and Joey caught up again; then it wasn’t until just before the chairlift at the end that I was able to make my move, and it paid off.” Added Geor.
In the women’s premier field, we had another close battle on the Stirling Circuit, with just 1 minute separating McDonough and Jody Bush (TAS); and Amity McSwan rounding out the podium third place.
McDonough was very happy with her ride today.
“I went out today to ride my own race and not worry about what the others were doing.” Said McDonough. “I knew Jody (Bush) wasn’t too far ahead in the early stages so I just kept plugging away on the climbs and descents, and finally went past her on the final road section, so I’m really happy.”
2013 World 24hr Champion, Jess Douglas used her years of experience to overcome an unlucky day of tyre issues and punctures to finish with a very respectable fifth placing behind young duo McDonough and Bush.
Despite the misfortunes (Jess stopped three-times with mechanical issues on course!) Douglas’ positive attitude and love of mountain biking and Mt Buller got her to the finish line.
“I actually felt really good early on, especially going up the first climb and I could see the girls just in front as we’re winding on the single track. I was feeling my grove and was catching people, but it was then I could feel that something was wrong with my tyres.” Said Douglas.
“Every time I fixed the tyres, I’d say to myself ‘You know what to do, just do it!’, so I was passing people again, feeling really awesome. But by the third time I knew I wouldn’t place. But you don’t give up, because it doesn’t matter if you win or lose, it’s how you finish. So I finished, and I had a ball; whilst it was a disappointing stage for me, I just love riding up here.” Added Douglas.
There were plenty of smiling faces out on course and at the finish line as enthusiastic mountain bikers got their taste of the world-class trails on offer at Mt Buller, with many family and friends cheering them on.
For the first time tonight, Mt Buller will host the new Flow Pump Track Pursuit which is a head-to-head pursuit style format, open to all riders, and is sure to impress the crowd. The guys from Flow Mountain Bike will bring you all the updates.
Tomorrow, Sunday 9 March, sees riders take on the popular Mavic CrossMax Enduro which uses the ski lifts for a super downhill circuit before sending riders flying off down the hill to the finish at Picnic in the Park festival at Mirimbah.
Stage 2b, the Super-D, also held tomorrow, is a flowing 12km 1100 meter vertical descent, finishing at Mirimbah as well.
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