Ten new Enduro MTB national champions crowned

There were plenty of thrills and spills on the first day of the 2023 AusCycling MTB Enduro National Championships, which saw E-MTB, adaptive, and junior riders battle it out at Red Hill Mountain Bike Park.

The constant rain added an extra challenge, particularly early in the day, with riders struggling to gain traction on slick parts of the course.

E-MTB riders kicked off the action, and it wasn’t long before the first national champion of the day was decided, with Thiago Boaretto (Greenvalleys Mountain Bike Club) taking honours in the men’s.

BMX Olympian and multiple world champion, Caroline Buchanan added another jersey to her collection with gold in the E-MTB women.

“I’m super stoked. It’s always amazing to represent anything two wheels, and in enduro this is my first national title,” Buchanan said.

“It was definitely a challenge out there today in the elements, super muddy and technical. We had two power-up stages, six down, so eight in total, so it was quite an adventurous day, everyone did so well, out there in the elements just thriving.”

Adaptive riders tackled four stages of the course, with a number competing in their first national championships.

Among them was Lee Ferrier (Manly Warringah Cycling Club), who won bronze in A3.

“It was great experience, I loved it,” he said.

“Just the whole day riding new trails and the comradery with new riders. We’re super competitive but we all still support each other.”

Luke Searl (Hunter Mountain Bike Association) won the A3 title, after his third place last year in the combined adaptive category.

“(Stage 3) Fall Line was pretty challenging but it probably was the most fun out of the four stages,” he said.

“It was pretty loose, pretty chunky, but good fun.”

Patrick Best (Mersey Valley Devonport Cycling Club) took out the A2 category.

It was a thrilling finish in the U17 men, with just one second separating first and second going into the sixth and final stage.

Cooper Northey (Alpine Cycling Club) would go on to claim the title over Connor Wright (South West Mountain Bike Club).

“I only learned I was in the lead about 2 minutes before my last drop-in on stage 6, that it was only one second,” Northey said after the win.

“I was pretty pressured just to pedal my heart out, because the rider in second place he won cross country nationals and I was really nervous about it.”

U17 men podium: Connor Wright, Cooper Northey and Oliver Colthup.

Elleni Turkovic (Garigal Gorillas) powered to the national title in U17 women.

Tomorrow will see the masters riders take to the course early in the morning before the elite's hit the trails in a bid to be crowned the Australian champion.

Full results here.

Main photo: U17 women podium, Lacey Adams, Elleni Turkovic, and Hannah Elliott.