Rebecca McConnell and Josh Carlson Charge To E-Bike Titles

Rebecca McConnell (ACT) and Josh Carlson (NSW) claimed the first national titles at the 2021 AusCycling Mountain Bike National Championships at Maydena Bike Park, Tasmania, today.

Carlson charged off the start line for the first of four laps on the XC course that challenged even the best cross-country rider with the pinch climbs really putting the battery power to the test.

There would be no looking back for the New South Welshman as he put a seven-minute gap into silver medalist Rohin Adams while Danny Taugge claimed bronze.

McConnell also had her way out in front of the open women, putting in her fastest lap of 14:05min to claim her first E-bike gold medal, 10 minutes ahead of Isabella Hosking (NSW) with Bev Anderson (ACT) in third.

Five teams of four lined up for the XC team relay to close out the days racing, and it was the Trek-Shimano Australia team lead out by Matthew Dinham who got the early jump on their rivals,

With Zoe Cuthbert and Ryan Smith holding their place in front of the chasing pack, it was left to Simon Smith to ensure top of the podium.

After the first climb and descent, Smith held the lead by more than a minute before a chasing Rohin Adams reeled him in from the VIC MTB Champ Series team, who beat home a fast-finishing Dominic Paolilli from DUKE-Flanders Racing with Smith rolling across the line to hand his team the bronze.

PERFORMANCE OF THE DAY

Rohin Adams produced the ride of the day in the Team Relay.

Racing for the VIC MTB Champ Series team, Adams was the last rider out on course in the four-lap race and was chasing down Simon Smith from the Trek-Shimano Australia team, who was more than a minute and a half in front heading into the second climb.

Adams made his move with three corners to go until the very top of the course, passing Smith on the inside of a switchback berm before riding away with his second consecutive relay gold.

QUOTES

Rebecca McConnell:

“Really cool, first time doing an E-Bike race, I have an E-bike so I thought I get around and see what its all about A lot of fun.”

Josh Carlson:

“We need to make it a different challenge, different course Today was a different race, very hard, technical race up and down Really stoked.”

Rohin Adams

“I caught the rider in front and I thought all I got to do is hold this together in the descent which isn’t my strongest point of riding but I played I safe no jumps.”

RESULTS

Team Relay

E-Bike