National Champion Going for Epic Double
News Release / 14.09.2012
Reigning Australian women’s mountain bike champion Jenni King begins her campaign to defend the national crown when she seeks back-to-back wins in the 10th anniversary Flight Centre Epic in South East Queensland on Sunday.
Melbourne-based King is seeking to atone for the disappointment of missing out on the London Olympics and her new season’s program starts with the 87km Epic marathon at Spicers Hidden Vale in the Lockyer Valley, west of Brisbane.
King won by 12 minutes in her first Epic start last year but she faces some tough competition on the weekend from Queenslanders Jodie Willett and Naomi Hansen.
The 32-year-old said she was unconcerned about further changes to the Epic course which has been extended 12km this year after forced alterations caused by the January 2011 floods.
“It’s hard to know how you are going to go at this time of year as we come out of winter,” said King, who is part of the Anytime Fitness/Trek MTB team.
“I don’t worry too much about the course. I just ride and give it 100 per cent. I’m definitely hoping to win and I don’t go into races to come second.”
A former triathlete who took up mountain biking after the Sydney Olympics, King clinched the National XC Championship in Adelaide last February and is building towards her title defence in the coming summer.
An ill-timed viral infection while she was competing in Europe ultimately contributed towards King missing selection for London 2012 but she remains philosophical about that setback.
“I was disappointed but not devastated,” she said.
Three time Epic winner Willett from Brisbane will be King’s main threat on Sunday while Sunshine Coast-based Hansen is looking for a maiden win after being runner up on four occasions.
The men’s race in the 10th anniversary Epic should again be a battle between Merida Flight Centre teammates Adrian Jackson of Victoria and Port Macquarie’s world 24 hour champion Jason English. The pair finished first in a dead heat last year.
A record 1700 riders are expected to compete in the various Epic events over the weekend.
The Epic weekend includes the 50km Merida Pursuit, the 20km Spicers Chaser, and Mini and Minor Epics for children. A new 10km 99 Bikes Family Fun Ride has also been added to this year’s attractions as a growing number of families have joined the Epic ranks.
The Epic marathon starts at 8am on Sunday.
SleepMonsters
