Stage set for 2023 AusCycling MTB Enduro National Championships

Australia’s best enduro riders will battle it out for the coveted green and gold National Championships jersey at Red Hill Mountain Bike Park, Victoria this weekend.

The 2023 AusCycling MTB Enduro National Championships will see almost 500 riders fight for national titles, from juniors and masters, e-MTB and adaptive, to the elites.

2022 Elite National Champions Tim Eaton and Jess Hoskin will be back to defend their titles across the six-stage race, but they will have some tough competition if they are to reclaim their crowns.

Ryan Gilchrist (Coffs Harbour Mountain Bike Club) will contest the elite men’s title this year, after being crowned the U21 champion in 2022 at the same venue.

Having recently finished his first season racing professionally for the Yeti Shimano Factory team at the UCI Mountain Bike World Enduro Series, he will be one of the favourites for this year’s enduro national title.

“After a season racing incredibly gnarly ski slopes and high altitude jank, it’s nice to come to Australia and race some short, punchy and physical tracks. I love pedalling and pumping and these tracks suit me quite well. It’s been a very long season and I’ve definitely placed my focus on the international races in the middle of the year but I’m still looking forward to tackling Red Hill aboard my Yeti SB160,” Gilchrist said.

“I finished up the block of racing fully aware that fun is the driving force behind racing. When I’m having fun I’m going fast, and I had a lot of fun this year.”

In the elite women, Lia Ladbrook (Beechworth Chain Gang), who represented the ARA Australian Cycling Team at the UCI Downhill World Championships at Fort William, is looking to take the experience she gained competing overseas into racing on Sunday.

“Spending the season overseas this year was an amazing experience,” she said.

“The riding is on a whole other level over there, with bigger mountains and more challenging trails.

"I feel that I have learnt so much from my time in Europe, so I am really excited to see how I fair on home soil at the Enduro National Championships this week.”

Follow the live results here.

For more information on the event head to the event webpage.

Main Photo Credit: Chad Bromley Media