Over the past year or two cyclo-cross has had a massive increase in popularity in Australia. This has seen local state series’ being held in a number of capital cities including Melbourne, Sydney and Adelaide. And now this year , for the first time,  a Nationals series has been setup.

Adelaide had the privilege of hosting the 3rd and 4th rounds, held as back to back races over the weekend of August 11th-12th.

Check out the video of the mens race from Sunday, Round #4 held in Adelaide.

After the success of the double round in Melbourne it was good to see a decent amount of interstate competitors made the effort and headed over for the Adelaide races. Both races were held in the heart of the city in the surrounding parklands with loads of help from volunteers and particularly PACC (the Port Adelaide CyclingClub) who have been putting on the local summer and winter series over the past year. Despite being close together the two tracks were very different making racing unique for both days. Sundays track consisted of a slightly tighter course making getting a good break out to the front of the field difficult if you were stuck mid field. With far more rolling sections, a very steep climb and a number of hurdles and logs, this course was great for spectators with its tight proximity.

Jade Lean (Focus), Adrian Jackson and Lachlan Norris were a powerful force at the front of the race from the get go.

Lachie Norris (Giant) stuck with the lead pack like glue and with about 2 laps to go unleashed and got a healthy gap on the other two podium getters.

Elite Mens Podium
2nd. Adrian Jackson – 1st. Lachlan Norris – 3rd. Jade Lean

Results for :

CX National Race #4 Results Women and CX National Race #4 Results men

Over the past year or two cyclo-cross has had a massive increase in popularity in Australia. This has seen local state series’ being held in a number of capital cities including Melbourne, Sydney and Adelaide. And now this year , for the first time,  a Nationals series has been setup.

Adelaide had the privilege of hosting the 3rd and 4th rounds, held as back to back races over the weekend of August 11th-12th. The first course of the Nationals series CX weekend was overall a flatter track but still contained a sharp climb, some nasty boggy sections, stairs and of course the sandpit, which claimed many a victim.

Lisa Jacobs tackling the boggy bark chip section, and coming out on top. 1st – Rnd3

Melissa Anset, 2nd takes on the stairs.

Gemma Kernich, 3rd, attacks the climb up to the boggy section.

Jackie Schapel getting through the most difficult section of the course, the sandpit

Results and the course animation can be found at CX National Race #3 Results Women and CX National Race #3 Results Men

Last weekend the 5th round of the South Australian Downhill series was held up at the always popular  MTB mecca that is Fox Creek. Fox has been raced at for over a decade and has a great trail network for all types of riding.
Although the track used, officially called “Fox Creek Fast”, has been round for a few years, this was the first time a race was held on this course specifically. The boys had been eagerly digging and prepping the track over the past two weeks. Some new doubles and big gaps made the course super quick, and it was really living up to its name. That was until of course, race day!

Ngari Jenkins loves hangin it all out.

It seems to happen all to often at SA MTB races, and this was no different. Come Sunday the gods let loose with rain all night and strong cold winds and multiple showers throughout the day.
This resulted in a very boggy track, since the most is thick red clay.

TB – as fast as ever

After a few months off after a massive injury, it was good to see Troy back on the bike racing again for the first time since his big off in Austria earlier in the year.

Tyson floating over one of the biggest gaps up near the top of the course on his seeding run.

One person that wouldn’t have minded if Troy had just sat this one out, Tyson Schmit, who stormed onto the podium for the first time in 2nd place, behind Troy.