2nd Wildside MTB - NE

Tasmania, Australia, February 1-4, 2003

Main Page Results Previous Stage

Stage 7 - February 4: Hells Gates, 36 km

Taberley reigns, Patterson under pressure

Wildside MTB came to a close today with riders speeding 36km through coastal plains, pine forests and along Strahan's Ocean Beach for the final challenge.

The township of Strahan was a sea of colour this morning as some 260 competitors left the main street in a mass start.

Sid Taberlay (TAS) reigned supreme winning Wildside MTB for the second year in a row smashing his previous record. Taberlay did it with ease taking out five of the seven stages over the four days of competition.

Eleanor Patterson (TAS) found herself under pressure today, losing valuable time on her overall lead and the last stage with a puncture, allowing Jaci Low (SA) to get through to win the final stage. Patterson managed to hang on to keep her overall lead winning an outstanding six of the seven competition stages.

In the under 23 men category yet another Tasmanian, Jai Crawford was the overall winner for his category with an impressive ride in the last stage coming in equal third. Trent Lowe (VIC) current junior world champion eliminated himself from a placing in the top three, failing to finish stage six yesterday with an irreparable bike.

The elite they came and they conquered, but the adventure riders can hold their heads high with many vowing to return for Wildside MTB 2004. Competitors from across the nation and overseas covered seven competition stages, linked by seven cruising stages over four days, a format which is unique in Australia.

Serious about sport these competitors showed an amazing zealous with some incredible stories of defiance to complete the event. One rider yesterday rode the final 10km of stage six with a broken collarbone and other surface injuries.

Relieved riders finished in Strahan on the west coast of Tasmania at lunchtime today with many competitors taking a quick dip in Macquarie Harbour to ease their weary bodies from the four day journey and the heat of the day.

Results

Overall
 
1 Garth Hennessy (NSW)    1.00.32
2 Peter Hatton (NSW)         1.19
3 Sid Taberlay (TAS)         1.20
4 Jai Crawford (TAS)         1.20
 
Men Under 23
 
1 Peter Hatton (NSW)      1.01.51
2 Jai Crawford (TAS)         0.01
3 Trent Lowe (VIC)           0.05
 
Men Open
 
1 Garth Hennessy (NSW)    1.00.32
2 Sid Taberlay (TAS)         1.20
3 Paul Rowney (NSW)          3.40
 
Men Masters
 
1 Rob Eva (VIC)           1.08.40
2 Brett Stevens (QLD)        1.52
3 Saul Britton (NSW)         2.25
 
Men Veterans
 
1 Brian Scarborough (SA)  1.11.40
2 Hans Dielacher (VIC)       2.11
3 Kerry Ryan (VIC)           2.54
 
Women Under 23
 
1 Julie Borschmann (VIC)  1.25.42
2 Sam Jesney (TAS)           6.16
3 Rowena Headlam (TAS)      11.31
 
Women Open
 
1 Jaci Low (SA)           1.13.13
2 Eleanor Patterson (TAS)    3.29
3 Cathy McAuliffe (TAS)     13.47
 
Women Masters
 
1 Jane Rusden (VIC)       1.30.16
2 Sybil Edwards (NSW)        5.50
3 Louise Broomhead (QLD)     9.40
 
Final general classificaton
 
Overall
 
1 Sid Taberlay (TAS)      5.28.22
2 Garth Hennessy (NSW)      15.01
3 Paul Rowney (NSW)         24.36
 
Men Under 23
 
1 Jai Crawford (TAS)      5.54.39
2 Peter Hatton (NSW)         5.00
3 Luke Wisby (TAS)           1.40
 
Men Open
 
1 Sid Taberlay (TAS)      5.28.22
2 Garth Hennessy (NSW)      15.01
3 Paul Rowney (NSW)         24.36
 
Men Masters
 
1 Rob Eva (VIC)           6.12.07
2 Brett Stevens (QLD)       39.47
3 Saul Britton (NSW)        43.10
 
Men Veterans
 
1 Hans Dielacher (VIC)    6.45.00
2 Brian Scarborough (SA)    33.23
3 Kerry Ryan (VIC)          47.34
 
Women Under 23
 
1 Julie Borschmann (VIC)  8.44.12
2 Sam Jesney (TAS)          33.29
3 Rowena Headlam (TAS)      49.44
 
Women Open
 
1 Eleanor Patterson (TAS) 7.04.15
2 Jaci Low (SA)              3.06
3 Cathy McAuliffe (TAS)     21.17
 
Women Masters
 
1 Jane Rusden (VIC)       8.45.29
2 Sybil Edwards (NSW)       30.43
3 Louise Broomhead (QLD)    57.38