GIANT Odyssey

Jongewaard Takes Out The Giant Odyssey For The Fifth Time

Press Release / 28.04.2014

Chris Jongewaard has continued his reign over the 100km Giant Odyssey mountain bike marathon in Forrest Victoria with another win today, his fifth title at the event.
 
Jongewaard took a strong lead right from the start and the chasers just couldn’t touch him, finishing 5 minutes in front. It was a hot contest for second place with Shaun Lewis (Maverick Series leader) and Adrian Jackson jostling the whole way around the course. In the end, it was Lewis who was victorious in a photo finish. Jongewaard, from South Australia, finished in 4:27:19. Lewis from ACT and Jackson from Ivanhoe, Victoria finished in 4:32:32. “The trails are unbelievable,” said Jongewaard. “Towards the end I knew I was losing time but I just had to hold on and I’m pretty happy with the result,” he said.
 
Although Lewis and Jackson worked together to chase Jongewaard, Lewis said the fatigue set in and they couldn’t push any harder so they were happy to see the finish line. “It was a very tough race. Chris got the gap early and we chased really hard but just weren’t able to pull him back,” said Lewis. “But the Red Carpet single track was great and I gave it all I had out there today so I’m happy with the result,” he said. The second place will secure Lewis’ lead in the Maverick Series (of which the Giant Odyssey is race 2), heading into race 3 of the series, the Kowalski Classic in the ACT in September.
 
It was a convincing win in the women’s event as well with Rebecca Locke winning by almost 7 minutes, ahead of Jo Bennett and Naomi Williams. Locke, from Northcote Victoria finished in a time of 5:23:51. The women’s Maverick Series leader, Naomi Hansen finished sixth. “It was really tough out there. I completely forgot about how hard the last bit is but the trails were great and I had so much fun,” said Hansen. “There was a massive contingency of good female riders so the competition was really strong but I’m hoping to still be able to hang onto the Maverick Series yellow jersey,” she said.
 
The eight edition of the Giant Odyssey confirmed its’ status again as the most challenging and respected mountain bike marathon in Australia, courtesy of the spectacular single track and tough climbs that Forrest is famous for. Over 1,300 riders enjoyed perfect riding conditions with a crisp start to the day followed by perfect blue skies and mild temperatures in the afternoon. Riders came from near and far for the event with every state and territory in Australia represented, as well as competitors from the UK, the Philippines and New Zealand.
 
Garry James from Canberra said he’s done every 100km race in Australia and the Giant Odyssey is right up there as one of the best. “The trails were superb. I had so much fun, it was just great day and I loved it. It was worth the 9 hour drive,” James said.
 
In conjunction with the 100km event, nearly 650 participants raced the 50km Shorty event, which took in some different, but just as challenging, sections of this mountain bike mecca of Forrest and the Otway ranges. In the 50km Shorty event Harrison Ernst from Warrnambool took the win in a time of 2:28:58 ahead of Mitch Greenway and Bradley Morton.
 
Fifth place getter Roeland Suys said the long 10km climb near the start was good to stretch the field out. “I just had to make sure I got to the single track with the first group of riders and then stay with them as best I could,” said Suys. “I loved the course, had good fun and will definitely be back next year,” he said.
 
The women’s 50km finish was a little tighter with April McDonough from Emerald finishing less than a minute in front of Kylie Hackett from ACT, who was followed by Philippa Birch in third.
 
Starting and finishing at the Forrest Football Oval in Forrest Victoria, each course passed through the oval at least once, creating an exciting event atmosphere for riders and spectators.
 
In the afternoon over 100 youngsters and newcomers to mountain biking hit the trails for the Giant Pioneer 15km race. First across the line was a very happy Nathan Scarlett, finishing in just 36:24.
 
The Giant Pioneer participants were joined by 6 hand cyclists who completed their own 6km course as part of the event. According to Campbell Message, who finished second in the hand cycling category, it was great to be involved. “It was awesome out there and we were really happy to be included,” said Message. “It’s the first time we’ve been integrated into a mainstream mountain biking event and to be able to really test our hand cycles. “The course was great and I’m really looking forward to next year,” he said.
 
The hand cycling event was inspired by a young mountain biker, Michael Blyth, who was rendered paraplegic in a mountain biking accident in 2013. Michael was appointed an ambassador of the Giant Odyssey and did the official start of the 100km event.
 
RESULTS
 
100km Giant Odyssey
 
Male
1.       Chris Jongewaard 4:27:19
2.       Shaun Lewis 4:32:32
3.       Adrian Jackson 4:32:32
 
Female
1.       Rebecca Locke 5:23:51
2.       Jo Bennett 5:40:29
3.       Naomi Williams 5:43:46
 
50km Giant Shorty
 
Male
1.       Harrison Ernst 2:28:58
2.       Mitch Greenway 2:32:10
3.       Bradley Morton 2:32:35
 
Female
1.       April McDonough 2:56:09
2.       Kylie Webb 2:56:59
3.       Philippa Birch 3:01:47
 
15km Giant Pioneer
 
U16 Male
1.       Nathan Scarlett 36:24
2.       Finn Jones 36:36
3.       Jonas Wolfe 38:44
 
U16 Female
1.       Courtney Snowball 38:25
2.       Rey Logan 41:17
3.       Sabrina Ernst 48:11
 
Handcycles
 
1.       Kevin Hayley 34:22
2.       Campbell Message 35:33

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