mtbv

14 Mar 09 Round 6 VSS 2008/2009, Mt Buller, State Championship Round

Club – none

Riders = 46, only the die-hards this time!


Thankyou to the crew at Mt Buller for putting on the “Victorian State Series Cross Country Championship Round”, without the aid of a Victorian State Club. From those who were able to attend, your efforts were greatly appreciated.

It was a tough day to be running a XC MTB race, 12 deg C, fog/cloud so thick you could only see 5 meters ahead at the best of times, cold wind and then rain.

The fireroad sections were fairly dead and difficult to get any real speed from, but when it started to rain, it held together and didn’t turn into a bog. The wisdom of the route chosen really paid off when the rain came.

The single track on the blackest soil ever seen, was quite challenging with the low visibility and then rain. Was great to follow the Elite men and women to see how it can be done.

It was quite novel for a VSS XC race to finally see each rider have a transponder and electronic timing.

When looping up through the Village and through the timing gates, it was a little like riding in one of those European world events, which most of us only get to see on the TV or Youtube. It was missing the crowds, but so was the race.

Numbers were well down on other races in the series. Likely factors being weather, distance, publication, other recent and upcoming events. The XC rider doesn’t seem to like to travel too far, unlike the DH dudes.

More than a few riders were disappointed with the prizes presented, especially after being lured to the race with the promise of “Over $10,000 in cash and prizes for winners in both disciplines and a great weekend of riding” posted on the Mt Buller website, didn’t help but set very high expectations unfortunately.

Pre-race registration appeared to go ok, even though not everyone has access to a fax machine, in comparison to online (internet) registration, where one can get immediate feedback/confirmation; your submission has been successful.

The results were able to be printed and posted on the day, which was no mean feat considering the wet conditions. Results available online at:

http://www.mtbuller.com.au/userfiles/Vi ... esults.pdf


The venue was considerably more up market than what most are used to, real toilets, a change room, indoor heated area to hangout between practice and race time. And access to the local shop for some hot food, after a very cold race.


Thankyou to the crew at Mt Buller for putting on the “Victorian State Series Cross Country Championship Round”. For putting together a course that held together well when the rain came and doing your best efforts. From those who were able to attend, your efforts were greatly appreciated.

AB