NSW / ACT Mountain X State Series #4 - NE

Mt. Stromlo, Canberra, Australia, August 3, 2008

2007 Results Results

Darrell dominates but Hubert hunts to the line

Canberra's Leigh Darrell and Harriet Burbidge-Smith dominated the elite divisions of the Mountain Cross state series final round held at Mt Stromlo.

Darrell passed World Cup rider Thomas Hubert to win by a bike length. According to Darrell it was close until the finish line. "I chose lane one and he (Thomas) was in lane three. We stayed together on the first straight. I had the lead then he did. By the third straight I'd regained my lead."

The riders had only faced each other once during the preliminary races with Darrell getting the better of Hubert.

Darrell did not underestimate Hubert's ability. "He was looking pretty fast in practice," admitted Darrell.

Another pair from Canberra, Ryan Henderson and Aidan Nemet, placed third and fourth respectively.

Darrell took out the overall series win while World Cup rider Cody Eichhorn (Picton) placed second overall in the series even though the Sydney rider raced at the World Cup round in Bromont, Canada, instead. Canberra's

Darrell also felt pleased with the day's result but admitted racing in the World Cup round in four weeks time would be a lot tougher. "It was good to get some race practice on the track. Now I've got some better and faster lines through the corners," said Darrell.

Four cross race director for the Mountain Bike World Cup Jeff Hughes said the course will get some minor changes in the lead up to the World Cup. "The track rode well and we have decided to do three minor changes. One of the changes will be to take one of the rock drops to make it flow. We should have that done this week."

Harriet Burbidge-Smith won the elite women's division. At just 12 years of age, the youngster beat older riders to win the overall series. Second today was Sydney rider Danielle Beecroft and third was Vanessa Thompson from Bowral.

The under 19 win went to BMX rider Graham Mudd while the overall lead went to Blake Nielson. Newcastle rider Ben Leslie won the Under 17 race today and took the series. In the under 15 division it was Kyle Hughes who took the win but Sydney's Aiden Vahtrik wins the overall series.

Riders will now prepare for the State Championships in Kurrajong, west of Sydney on the August 23-24 while several elite riders will focus on the upcoming World Cup on the August 30.

Results

Elite Men

1 Leigh Darrell (CORC)              
2 Thomas Hubert (WSMTB)             
3 Ryan Henderson (CORC)             
4 Aiden Nemet                       
5 Timothy Dunn                      
6 Gavin Turner                      
7 Terry Scarr                       
8 Thomas Rafferty (CCOMTB)          
9 Brett Minion (CORC)               
10 Jarrad Connolly (CCOMTB)         
11 Russell Hood (WSMTB)             
12 Mitchell Scarr                   
 
Elite Women

1 Harriett Burbidge-Smith (CORC)    
2 Danielle Beecroft (WSMTB)         
3 Vanessa Thompson (WSMTB)          
 
Under 19 Men

1 Graeme Mudd (HMBA)                
2 Liam Melville (TORC)              
3 Ryan Hunt                         
4 Blake Nielsen (WSMTB)             
5 Seaton Humphreys (WSMTB)          
6 Bradley Jolliear (CORC)           
7 Matt Walker (WSMTB)               
 
U17 Men

1 Ben Leslie (WSMTB)                
 
Under 15 Men

1 Kyle Hughes (WSMTB)               
2 Aiden Vahtrik (WSMTB)             
3 Phil Pender (CORC)                
4 Jordan Butler (CORC)              
5 Max Hughes (CORC)                 
 
Junior Women

1 Emma Tatum                        
2 Tayla Barnes (WSMTB)              
 
Under 13 Men

1 Andrew Hughes (WSMTB)             
2 Joel Willis (CTMBC)               
3 Jackson Frew (CORC)               
4 Ben Dengate                       
 
Sport Men

1 Luke Mackenzie                    
2 Thamba Pat                        
 
Masters 3 & 4

1 Brett Thompson (CORC)             
2 Albert Bacci (WSMTB)              
3 Steven Humphreys (WSMTB)