Australian MTBO Riders Take on Australia's Biggest MTB Race

Monday, 30 January 2006

Australian Champion and 2nd ranked MTBO rider in the world, Adrian Jackson is showing his credentials in the Wildside MTB race in Tasmania.  Wildside is one of Australia's premier MTB stage races, running from Cradle Mountain to Strahan on Tasmania's wild, west coast.  With 7 race stages over 4 days it's one of Australia's toughest MTB races and attracts the best riders in Australia.
 
In Stage 1 yesterday morning, Jackson rode conservatively to place 8th in a field of about 300, just behind well known MTBO rider, Alex Randall.  Both were only a short distance behind MTB Olympian Sid Taberlay and Australian Commonwealth Games team rider Chris Jongewaard.  Jongewaard was fresh from a stunning 9th place in the pro-tour Tour Down Under road race.
 
Jackson unleashed the fury in Stage 2 yesterday afternoon, taking 2nd place to Jongewaard and leading a pack of Australia's best MTB riders home, including Alex Randall in 7th place, although Taberlay lost six minutes after puncturing twice.
 
Stage 3 yesterday morning was a tough race over the pass between Tullah and Rosebery, mostly on technical, clay single track through some of Tasmania's finest rainforest. Overnight rain made the stage very difficult riding.  Jackson again showed his calibre with a strong 5th place, only a few seconds behind 3rd.  Adrian is now 3rd outright in the general classification to only Jongewaard and Taberlay and leads the U23 race over Australia's best up-and-coming MTB riders.  Alex Randall is in 7th place outright in the general classification and in striking distance.
 
Yesterday afternoon's Stage 4 was lengthened to run from Rosebery to Zeehan along an old rail route, once again through beautiful forest and past Montezuma Falls, the tallest waterfall in Tasmania.  A mix-up by the organisers saw Jackson, Randall and a number of other riders miss their elite wave start and have to ride alone and overtake two other start waves.  Despite this setback they rode the 4th fastest time of the day.
 
Rumour has it that the question on everyone's lips is "Who the hell are these guys who've come out of absolutely nowhere and are beating the best riders in the country?"  But of course, those of us in orienteering circles know better! 

In the women's race Sydney's Katrin Van der Spiegel is placed 3rd outright in her first attempt at Wildside, having come 3rd in each of the first 3 stages to Olympian Lisa Mathison and Canberra rider Niki Fisher, both who've raced Wildside before.  In the Montezuma Falls stage, Katrin rode very strongly to take 10 minutes out of Lisa Mathison and now lies 2nd in the general classification. 

These stunning results against the best riders in Australia show the strength of Australian MTBO and augur well for the forthcoming World Championships in Finland in July.
 
   
news list
Fryer Runs 233km in World 24 Hour Champs Monday, 27 February 2006 Martin Fryer of Weston Emus (ACT) has had a brilliant international representative running debut over the weekend, finishing 11th in the World 24 Hour Ultramarathon Challenge in Taipei, Taiwan.
South Australian Sprint Championships Monday, 27 February 2006 Lachlan Hallet and Susanne Casanova win the first championship of the year.
Ultimax Sydney Sprints Series a great success Friday, 24 February 2006 The final of the Ultimax Sydney Sprints was held on Monday on the grounds around Macquarie University. The 5 race series has been a great success.
Orienteers Play Big Part in XPD Multi-sport Challenge Thursday, 23 February 2006 Follow Australian and New Zealand orienteers as they take part in the 670km XPD multi-sport challenge through Tasmania.
Australian team selection update Tuesday, 21 February 2006 Various bits of information for those aspiring to Australian elite team selection, including WOC, the World University Championships and the Australian Bushrangers team to take on New Zealand
Bushrangers Coach Tuesday, 21 February 2006 Expressions of interest for a new Bushrangers Coach
2006 MTBO WOC Manager Appointed Tuesday, 21 February 2006 Orienteering Australia announce that Andrew Rowe has been appointed to act as Team Manager for the 2006 Australian MTBO World Championships team.
Gareth Candy appointed Executive Officer Thursday, 16 February 2006 Bob McCreddin, President, Orienteering Australia, has announced that Gareth Candy will be the federation’s first Executive Officer. He will take up the position in Canberra on 1 April 2006.
Round the Grounds Tuesday, 14 February 2006 With the National League season fast approaching. Here is some insight into whats happening around the country in preparation. It might help with your theFOOL tipping.
Double Victory to Orienteering Internationals Sunday, 12 February 2006 Orienteering internationals David Schneider (Switzerland) and Jo Allison had comfortable victories in today’s ACT Mountain Running Championships on Mt Tennent.
2006 JWOC Training Camp Elite Helpers Sunday, 12 February 2006 Expressions of interest are invited for Australian Elite Orienteers to help at the 2006 JWOC training camp in Lithuania.
Tasmanian Forester Grace Elson wins the Cradle Mountain run Wednesday, 8 February 2006 NSW and Tasmanian Orienteers completed the 82 Km Cradle Mountain Run last Saturday. The race travels along ‘The Overland Track’ through World Heritage listed Cradle Mountain National Park.
Venue announced for 2006 World Rogaining Championships Monday, 6 February 2006 The 7th World Rogaining Championships will be held near Coonabarabran, New South Wales, on 13-14 October, 2006
Hanny Allston - 2005 Tasmanian Junior Female Athlete of the Year Monday, 6 February 2006 At the Tasmanian Sports Star Awards held in Hobart on Friday night Hanny took out the award for 2005 Junior Female Athlete of the Year.
Nominations sought for European Orienteering Championships Sunday, 5 February 2006 Orienteering Australia is calling for nominations to compete at the European Orienteering Championships in Estonia, from 7-13 May.
2006 foot orienteering world cup rules released Friday, 3 February 2006 Rules governing the 2006 world cup in foot orienteering have been released by the IOF
WOC nomination form now available Tuesday, 31 January 2006 Contenders for WOC 2006 should complete and submit their nomination by 5 March (or 8 February if not intending to compete in the Australian selection trials)
Great results for Katrin Van der Spiegel, Adrian Jackson, and Alex Randall in the Wildside MTB Race Tuesday, 31 January 2006 Adrian Jackson 4th, Alex Randall 7th and Katrin Van der Spiegel 2nd in the final placings in the Wildside MTB race.
Internationals star in Ultimax Sprints Race 2 Tuesday, 31 January 2006 The 2nd race in the Ultimax Sprint Series took place today in Hunters Hill, Sydney. The technical 2.9km course had sections of urban, bush and park orienteering.
MTBO Team Nominations and Selection Procedures for WMTBOC 2006 - Finland Monday, 30 January 2006 A reminder that all athletes who wish to be considered for selection in the Australian team for WMTBOC 2006 are required to submit an Expression of Interest.
Australian MTBO Riders Take on Australia's Biggest MTB Race Monday, 30 January 2006 MTBO riders Adrian Jackson, Alex Randall and Katrin Van der Spiegel are matching it with Australia's best MTB riders in the Wildside MTB race in Tasmania. Wildside is to MTB like Easter is to orienteering and is the biggest MTB stage race in Australia.
OA Head Coach Appointment Monday, 30 January 2006 Grant Bluett has been appointed as the Head Coach of Orienteering Australia.
Fantasy Oz Orienteering League Sunday, 29 January 2006 The Fantasy Orienteering League - theFOOL 2006 - is starting up again. The Southern Arrows fundraiser plans to be fun for everyone with an interest in Australian Orienteering
First Ultimax Sydney Sprint Race Tuesday, 24 January 2006 The first race in the Ultimax Sydney Sprints was held tonight in Riverview. An excellent course was put on by birthday girl Tracy Bluett, weaving through the harbour-side park. Forty-six people enjoyed the event won by Rattray.
Doug Goodwin 1924-2006 Monday, 16 January 2006 Doug Goodwin, current Australian M80 champion, died recently as a result of a cycling accident, and will be missed by all Tasmanian orienteers.
MTBO WOC manager 2006 Saturday, 14 January 2006 Orienteering Australia seeks expressions of interest for the position of manager of the Australiam team for the the world mountain bike orienteering championships in Finland in July 2006
Race details for the first MTBO Selection Trials, 25/26 Feb available Friday, 13 January 2006 Race details and pre-entry requirements are now available on the ozmtbo.com website.
NSW Ultimax Stingers launch website!! Tuesday, 10 January 2006 The NSW Elite Squad has just launched a new website at www.nswstingers.com
Just where did I go wrong at the Christmas 5-days? Thursday, 5 January 2006 Christmas 5-days results are now available on the Splitsbrowser website.
"Orienteering Today" International updates Thursday, 5 January 2006 Orienteering Today, the independent international orienteering magazine, has started daily international updates on its webpage. Each monday, Australia, NZ and East Asia will be covered by Australian Rob Plowright, now resident in Japan.
Winners are grinners Tuesday, 3 January 2006 Anitra Dowling says thanks to the Melbourne Bicycle Centre and Orienteering Service of Australia.
Elson and Morris wrap up the Christmas 5-days Saturday, 31 December 2005 Despite a 4th place on day 5, three firsts and a third ensured that Grace Elson had done enough to ensure overall success, and a win for Eric Morris on day 5 gave him a clear win in the men's competition.
Christmas 5-days day 4 Friday, 30 December 2005 Results from the 4th day of the Christmas 5 days
Christmas 5-days heats up Thursday, 29 December 2005 Increasing temperatures are beginning to take their toll in the Christmas 5-Days as competitors begin to wilt, reports Ben Rattray..
Selection Criteria for WOC 2006 Wednesday, 28 December 2005 Orienteering Australia has announced the selection criteria for WOC 2006 in Denmark
Christmas 5-days: Report on days 1 & 2 Wednesday, 28 December 2005 Report on the progress of the Christmas 5-days from our team in Jindabyne.
Christmas 5-days: Morris takes the lead Wednesday, 28 December 2005 Eric Morris takes the lead on the first day of the 2005 Xmas 5 days.
Selection Criteria for WOC 2006 Tuesday, 27 December 2005 Orienteering Australia has announced the selection criteria for WOC 2006 in Denmark
National Squads Announced Tuesday, 27 December 2005 Orienteering Australia has announced the National Senior Squad and High Performance Group for 2006
Manager (High Performance) signs off Tuesday, 20 December 2005 A message from the Manager (High Performance), Jason McCrae, who is finishing his work with Orienteering Australia today.
Cycling jersey Fundraiser for National MTB-O Squad Friday, 16 December 2005 The National MTB-O Squad has designed an ozmtbo.com cycling jersey to promote the sport and raise money for the World Championships Team to Finland next year.
WOC Coaches 2006-07 Friday, 16 December 2005 Orienteering Australia is pleased to announce the appointment of WOC Foot-O Coaches for 2006-07 - Brett Weihart and Sue Neve.
Early bird entries for Easter 2006 close on December 31 Thursday, 8 December 2005 If you want to take advantage of the early bird offer for the 2006 Easter 3 day carnival in Victoria, get your entry in by December 31.
MTBO Selection and World Ranking Events Thursday, 8 December 2005 The World Ranking Events (WRE) and Australian team selection criteria for 2006 MTB-O WOC are now available.
Selection Panels Tuesday, 6 December 2005 At the OA conference held last weekend the Selection Panels for the 2006-07 period were confirmed.
WOC 2006 Sprint Maps Friday, 2 December 2005 Have a looksie at one of the areas for WOC 06 to make your training well-informed over the summer.
A personal message from Trevor Sauer Friday, 2 December 2005 To all my orienteering friends, from Trevor Sauer.