A further step for Alice to become a mountain bike Mecca

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2529 mountain biking OKLETTER TO THE EDITOR
 
Sir – The mountain bike spectacular Easter in the Alice is done for another year and the club is recovering from the huge efforts put in by so many enthusiastic members over the weekend.
 
The event was great success, running smoothly once again and receiving outstanding feedback from all who attended.
 
This year saw a 60% increase in competitors (230 riders) and over double the number of interstate visitors brought into town.
 
LEITA has a participation rate of 30% women, which is the highest in the country for any mountain bike race.
 
The club members have worked tirelessly to make this event a success and I believe the work we’ve put in over the last two years places us in a position to significantly grow the event in the coming years.
 
Racing across all classes was fiercely competitive.  In the elite classes Cameron Ivory (Trek) won narrowly from Brendan Johnston (Giant) and local star Ryan Standish (Bicycle Centre-Merida) in the men’s.
 
In the women’s Anna Beck (Cyclinic) won from Karen Hill and Kim Willocks.
 
Outstanding performances also came from a number of Alice Springs locals.  In the Masters 3/4 class David Atkins won a very hotly contested field with Rachel Taylor winning Masters 3/4 Women.
 
Solid riding saw two more locals Madi Russell and Tarneyl Sylvester taking the top places in the Open Women’s class.  Perhaps the most outstanding local result of the weekend was Henry Hackett coming second in the Under 17 Men and placing 10th outright on the last day with an absolute flyer.
 
IMAGE:  Ryan Standish from Alice Springs leads last year’s winner Brendan Johnston and this year’s winner Cameron Ivory through the rocks.
 
Paul Darvodelsky
Event Director
CARR-Alice Springs Mountain Bike Club
 
 
 

1 COMMENT

  1. Having coffee in Launceston recently when a group of riders pulled in. Got talking as one does and several had been to Alice and ridden some of our tracks.
    They could not speak highly enough of the time they were here, the rides and what a great spot it is.
    BUT, then came the hit and comment from them was: “Don’t think we will be back as it was too expensive.”

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