Breakthrough wins and back to back celebrations at CX National Series rounds

A breakthrough performance for Nick Smith and back-to-back wins for Fiona Morris highlighted the weekend of racing at Round 3 & 4 of AusCycling Cyclo-cross National Series in Brisbane.

ELITE MEN

It was hard, fast and frenetic racing from the gun at Victoria Park and Tristan Nash, who won the opening two rounds, brought his “A” game north in the elite men’s race on the Saturday.

The West Australian was again clinical in the saddle around the course as he took the chequered flag by nearly a minute to local Max Hobson in second and Nicholas Smith in third.

Tristan Nash claimed his third straight win at Round 3 at Victoria Park in Brisbane.

However, the next day would see an upset at the top of the podium for Round 4.

Nash was again involved in the lead group which contained Smith, Hobson and Domenic Paolilli.

But by the halfway mark the current overall leader began to fall away which left a three-way battle for the lead.

The New South Welshman, Smith would prevail by 20seconds to Hobson who again picked up silver while Paolilli rounded out the podium.

Nicholas Smith claims his first elit men national series victory in Round 4 at Victoria Park in Brisbane

Nash still leads the overall standings by 50 points to Smith.

ELITE WOMEN

Alpine Cycling Club member Fiona Morris soaked up the sunshine and the pressure to put her foot down with her first victory of the series.

The Victorian proved too strong for her rivals as she swept to a +31 second victory ahead of South Australian Anna Kublis with local Nina Wright in third as the sandtrap claimed a number of victims across the seven laps.

A number of riders felt the full force of the sandpit during their race at Victoria Park in Brisbane.

A different loop was added to Sunday’s course, but it would still see a similar result at the pointy end after six laps.

Morris added to her Round 3 success with a second straight win in Queensland, Kublis and Wright again splitting the minor medals.

Fiona Morris made it back to back victories in Round 3 & 4 at Victoria Park in Brisbane

Round 3 results.

Round 4 results.

The final two rounds of the series will be held at Heffron Park in Sydney July 20-21.

Photo Credit: Mat Gilfedder