Two new Oceania MTB Enduro Elite Men and Women’s Champions were crowned on Wednesday, with Archie Winter (Western Australia) and Connor Mielke (New South Wales) claiming victory in Collie, Western Australia.
After a thrilling day of action at the Wambenger Trails, it was local boy Winter and the feel-good story in Mielke that stood atop the podium.
The talented duo won against two competitive fields, with Winter claiming three stages and winning in a time of 25:05.13, just ahead of Gus Kyme (25:09.73) and defending national champion Andrew Hacquoil (25:15.91).
Mielke’s time of 30:06.33 was enough to see her sit atop the podium ahead of Willow Long (30:13.66) and Amelia Freeman (32:24.40).
The victory was a special one for the 22-year-old who ended last year’s Oceania Championships in hospital following a nasty arm injury.
“I’ve never been so stoked in my life,” Mielke said.
“The turnaround last year, with being in hospital with the worst injury I could have imagined. I did not expect to be on the podium at all, let alone on top so I’m so happy.
“I’m so grateful to everyone that’s helped me overcome the injury. I've done a lot of Oceania's and national races and never won a jersey ever in my life, so I guess this is a pretty good comeback."
For Winter, he said winning an Oceania Championship in front of friends and family made the victory all the better.
"It was pretty special to lay down a result at home in front of my friends and family here," Winter said.
"A little bit of rain last night made the tracks perfect for racing today."
Both Winter and Mielke will compete in Sunday's National Championships, hoping to leave Collie with two jerseys.
Austin Ridley claimed victory in the E-MTB Men's category while Carol Willcocks-Daniel took out the E-MTB Women's Championship.