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Marathon Effort for Mountain Bike Champs

FRIDAY, 25 SEPTEMBER 2009


Bendigo Mountain Bike Club has taken on the massive task of running the Australian Marathon Championships at Sedgwick near Bendigo. After bushfires destroyed the previous location, Bendigo was the chosen location. According to club President, John Harvey, this will be the biggest event undertaken by the club.

In what will be first ever national mountain bike event to come to Bendigo support has come from various quarters including the City of Greater Bendigo and local businesses. The ROCKSHOX Golden Triangle Epic is also being run in conjunction with the championships.

The region will play host to Australia's best riders including local elite rider, Joanna Wall, who was part of the successful Australian Team to recently compete at the World Championships in Canberra plus local youngster, Shelly Flood will race the half marathon.

Also on the start line will be two of Mountain Bike's 24 Hour Solo World Champions, James Williamson (2008) and Jason English, the current world champion.

In form rider, Ben Mather from Tasmania, is expected to be a top contender after taking the King of the Mountain title at the Grafton to Inverell race last weekend.

"We have definitely attracted the top riders," claimed Harvey. "The national jersey is a big draw card. There are still some entries coming in too."

Elite riders will be vying for the green and gold national champion’s jersey and possible selection to compete at the 2010 UCI World MTB Marathon Championships in Germany.

It is not just about the elite riders though explains Harvey."We look forward to welcoming a large field of riders ranging from the novices and juniors doing the 25km or the 50km event along with the elite riders battling it out over the longer 105km. Some of the half and quarter distance riders will go hard and some will just be out to enjoy the ride and the scenery."

Racing gets underway from 7.55 am for the full distance riders. The award ceremony will be held at 3.30 pm.

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