2023 Australian MTBO championship
- Details
- Last Updated: Thursday, 21 September 2023 15:11
Last week the Australian MTBO championship was held in Brisbane, this was also the first Aus/New Zealand challenge in four years (since COVID) and round three in the MTBO National Series. A good representation of riders from NSW from three different clubs raced over 3 days and four high-quality events:
Mass Start race:
The Aus. The New Zealand challenge kicked off on Friday morning. With the sun shining down on the Brisbane Entertainment Centre and the sound of wheels spinning over diverse terrain, the 2023 Australian Mountain Bike Orienteering Championships had kicked off in style. The terrain promised a thrilling challenge—a mix of bitumen, concrete, dirt roads, and tracks, with open grassy areas and scattered trees that riders could navigate through. As expected from a mass start, The race was fast and furious.
The NSW placegetters were:
Newcastle riders: 1st Andrew Haigh M50, 2nd Nicole Haigh W40 and 3rd Robert Vincent M60
Garingal’s rider: 2nd Michael Ridley-Smith M50
Uringa’s, Ori Gudes reported to have a great race, but unfortunately, he miss-punched at control 12.
Aus/NZ Challenge result: 4:4
Sprint Race:
Saturday morning took our NSW MTBOers to the Alexandra Hills TAFE and school campus for the Sprint race of the Australian Mountain Bike Orienteering Championships. Riders were set to navigate the complex terrain of the educational campus, featuring a mix of buildings, playing fields, and pathways. With diverse controls mapped out, the Sprint race tested both riders’ agility and navigation skills.
The NSW placegetters were: Newcastle rider: 2nd Andrew Power M60, 
Garingal’s rider: 2nd Michael Ridley-Smith M50 and Uringa’s rider: 3rd Ori Gudes M40
Aus/NZ Challenge result: 4:4
Middle Distance:
In the afternoon (I must say, a very hot afternoon), participants converged at the Scribbly Gums Conservation Area for the Middle-Distance race. Riders prepared themselves to tackle the gently undulating bushland terrain. With a network of MTB tracks and maintenance paths, the race offered a balance of challenges. The riders embarked on their courses, facing gradients and varying surfaces.
The NSW placegetters were: Newcastle riders: 2nd Andrew Power M60, 3rd Andrew Haigh M50 and 3rd Robert Vincent M60 and Garingal’s rider: 1st Michael Ridley-Smith M50 and Aus/NZ Challenge result: 1:7
Long Distance:
On the last day of the Australian MTBO championships, riders assembled at the Bayview MTB Trailhead in Redland Bay for the Long-Distance race. Riders were ready to explore the undulating bushland terrain, featuring MTB tracks and fire trails. The race offered a mix of challenges, including fire breaks and single tracks some of which were one-directional. With the Long-Distance race underway, the competition continued to test their endurance and skills in this prestigious event.
The NSW placegetters were: Newcastle riders: 2nd Andrew Power M60, 3rd Andrew Haigh M50 / Garingal’s rider: 2nd Michael Ridley-Smith M50 and Uringa’s rider: 3rd Ori Gudes M40, despite 40-minute delay due to mechanical issue in which he broke two spokes and had a flat in his tubeless tire. This also helped to complete the day with 5:3 win against the Kiwis.
Unfortunately, the Kiwis won the overall challenge by 18:14, we will definitely challenge them again in 2024..(-:
Well done to all riders who made the long journey to Queensland, and congratulations to Craig Steffens and his team of volunteers in organising top level races over three intense days.