Reigning champions triumph at Observed Trial National Championships

Nathan Mummery and Janine Jungfels have successfully defended their observed trials national titles at Stromlo Mountain Bike Park over the weekend.

On a hot and still Saturday with temperatures above 30 degrees, Mummery and Jungfels again proved a class above the competition, just as they did in 2023.

As the sole elite women’s competitor, Jungfels’ win was assured but the former world champion rode with trademark determination, only once failing to score points on her three laps through the five sections.

Jungfels’ final score of 610 points out of a possible 900 was better than all other riders – men included – with the sole exception of elite men champion Nathan Mummery, who amassed an impressive 790 points to win ahead of Matt Harding (590 points) and Sebastian Zepeda (230 points).

Despite the loose gravel surface making it difficult to gain traction and build momentum in the run-up to gates, Mummery dominated the course and was a convincing winner. His final score included seven perfect sections of 60 points, and the Queenslander never failed to score less than 40 points on any lap through each of the five sections.

It was Mummery’s seventh consecutive 26-inch title and 10th national title overall (including the 20-inch category), putting him within touching distance of 11-time national champion Andrew Dickey.

Mummery said a focus on fitness helped him achieve another observed trials win in 2024.

“I've been trying to work on my cardio fitness a little bit. I went to World Champs … and I think going there was a bit of an eye opener to the way that they train in Europe, which is where the best riders are. And so, I guess I tribute a bit of it to me just working on my conditioning a bit,” Mummery said.

Mummery, who turns 35 on Wednesday and will race in the Masters cross-country category at the GWM Mountain Bike National Championships in Awaba this week, reflected on where the title ranked among his other nine.

“I think your first one is always going to be your biggest one, because I don't think that anyone can take that away from you once you win one national title. It's like, ‘I've been Australian champ.’ That's pretty special.

“Until I win 10 in 26-inch, I feel like this one's kind of like, ‘Oh yeah, it is 10 but it’s kind of not officially,’ if that makes sense. I almost don't count the 20-inch because we don’t ride it anymore. But no, it's still pretty cool. I think every year is pretty special if you can win. The Australian jersey, to win that is really, really special. It still means a lot.”

Jungfels also said a focus on fitness was important in the hot conditions.

“I think managing the heat probably helped. It was very warm. We rode it, I think it started about 1pm, and it was about 30 degrees in the sun,” Jungfels said.

“So, yeah, it was just making sure you're on top of the hydration and electrolytes, and trying to get in the shade when you could.”

The 2015 world champion said she hadn’t lost her motivation despite dominating this event over the past decade.

“I guess when you come down, you still want to make sure that you're riding consistently and riding well, and I guess there's that little edge of competitiveness where I still want to be able to get through a couple of the sections. So, that's what's kind of motivating me at this point,” She said.

The new course layout at Stromlo was inspired by a venue near Barcelona, where all four elite riders trained before competing at the UCI World Cycling Championships in Glasgow last year.

“Alex (Markwart, Event Organiser) did a really good job of getting the sections all completed for the comp,” Jungfels said.

“They’ve got a lot of obstacles available, a lot more than in recent Nationals years, so yeah, it was just good variety of obstacles and plenty of stuff for everyone to ride.”

Mummery said, “It’s a really cool format in that it runs in the same way that they do at World Champs and World Cups now, where they run them in a line of sections. So, it definitely matches that professional format, which is good for spectators, too.

“We've got a bit of a basis to run competitions here in the future, so yeah, I think it's really good.”

Elsewhere, Zoe Cuthebert took out the novice classification convincingly in her first time competing at a trials event. Riding a new bike, the Australian XCO championship silver medallist used her experience to get through the course and post a winning score of 540 points.

Full results: https://assets.auscycling.org.au/s3fs-public/2024-03/2024-bike-trials-national-champs.pdf

Elite Women

1. Janine Jungfels (610 points)

Elite Men

1. Nathan Mummery (790 points)
2. Matthew Harding (590 points)
3. Sebastian Zepeda (230 points)

Expert

1. Lehel Kovacs (600 points)
2. George Tsarhatsidis (380 points)
3. Angus Apps (340 points)

Sport Masters

1. Craig Pearce (540 points, winner on countback)
2. Talon Weaving (540 points)
3. Sam Hull (450 points)

Sport

1. Cade Cooper (450 points)

Novice

1. Zoe Cuthbert (540 points)
2. Nick Cormack (470 points)
3. Matt Rousu (280 points)

Images: Matt Rousu Photography