Ward and Flint too hot to handle in Tasmania

It was a repeat of the opening two rounds of the AusCycling Cross-Country National Series with Jack Ward and Izzy Flint taking the top steps for Round 3 & 4 in Hobart. 

Despite the typical cool weather climate in Tasmania, the thermometer was on high for the weekend in Glenorchy and riders were trying to keep their cool as they chased maximum points to add to their series tally. 

A rider keeps cool during racing in Round 3.

The elite men faced six laps around the dust bowl of a course on the Saturday and local Scott Bowden was up at the front driving the pace along with Victorian Ward. 

Ward, who took the opening two rounds in Bendigo last December, showed his form had not dissipated after the Christmas breack as he staved off the challenge from Bowden and Harry Doye to make it three from three by 30 seconds. 

Jack Ward kept his winning streak going with a strong win in Round 3.

The Sunday race would see Ward take charge this time from the opening lap and he would not let it go as it was another master-class in riding from the 2024 National Championship silver medalist. 

The Yarra Ranges Mountain Bike Club rider undefeated after four rounds and top of the series standings. Bowen and Doye would again fill out the minor placings. 

Jack Ward showed he is the man to beat with another win in the XC National Series.

It would be a Tasmanian podium in Round 3 of the elite women, but the main spoils went the way of Flint who reveled in competing in her home state. 

The Launceston local would outgun Karen Hill from the Hobart Dirt Devils by just over four minutes with Kaydee Raths picking up the bronze. 

Izzy Flint takes a comfortable win in the elite women's race.

On Sunday it would be another five grueling laps in the hot sun with Flint again keeping her cool to notch up her fourth straight win this time by nearly eight minutes. 

New England Mountain Bike Club’s Katherine Hosking, who finished fourth on Saturday, found the extra legs to take the silver ahead of Sarah Tucknott, who is making her return to XC racing. 

Elite Women podium L-R Karen Hill, Izzy Flint, Katherine Hosking

Connor Wright and Ruby Taylor both added another two victories to also notch four straight wins. 

Full race results can be found here. 

National Series standings can be found here. 

Photo Credit: Cycling Photos Tasmania