Worlds: Tough going for Australia against dominant opponents in Observed Trials

Despite showing signs of promise throughout three days of events, Australian Trials riders faced a tough task trying to contend against their commanding opponents in Glasgow.

The Australian team did however create a small piece of history during the campaign and will undoubtedly return home with a better understanding of the riding needed to compete at UCI level.

Team Trials

Australia takes irreplaceable experience away from its first ever Team Trials event at a world championship. Victorian Matt Harding was the best performed Aussie, scoring 80 points as the lead rider.

With each Team Trials member needing to ride a different Trials classification, Nathan Mummery rode a 20” bike instead of his usual 26” steed. Nonetheless, the Queenslander added 50 points on his run and could have easily added to the tally, only to come off the bike pushing for more with time expiring.

Janine Jungfels contributed another 30 points to give Australia a final score of 160 points, but the margin to eventual winners Spain (810 points) reflected the difference in competition.

Janine Jungfels

Elite Women Semi Finals

Jungfels finished just a handful of points short of progressing through to the Elite Women’s Final on Thursday. The 2015 world champion scored points on every section in each of her three laps, and remained in contention for a top-six qualification position throughout the session.

The 34-year-old also put together back-to-back laps of 180 points on her second and third circuit of the course, but a slow start of 140 points on the opening lap proved costly; just 30 more points and Jungfels would have jumped into sixth place and the last qualifying position.

However, a ninth overall in Glasgow is the second top-10 placing for the world number 26 in just a matter of weeks, after she also placed tenth at a world cup in France late last month.

Elite Men Semi Finals

With only six qualification spots available, it was always going to be a big ask for the Australian men to progress beyond the semi-final stage against a field of 39 riders, which featured the top 10 riders in the world.

Mummery rode above his world number 48 ranking however, regularly posting scores of 30 in each section and hovering mid-table throughout the afternoon. A final score of 310 points and 24th place suggests Mummery has what it takes to compete at this level.

Nathan Mummery

Despite the commendable result, Mummery felt he left points out on the sections at Glasgow Green.

“I’m pretty disappointed in my result, being my worst result since 2009. In saying that, the level of the world’s best is astronomical! This has been my tenth worlds and I’m so honoured to have represented Australia once again,” the 34-year-old said.

“My first lap was very poor, thankfully my second and third lap came back stronger even with the heavy rain.

“It’s been so special to be a part of such a huge Australian contingency for this year’s worlds. The highlights included Australia completing in our first team event and Janine coming top 10 in the women’s event.

“Training prior to the event in Spain showed us just how beneficial having specific training facilities can make. The European riders have incredible trials parks and frequent competitions, which certainly creates a disadvantage for riders outside of Europe.”

Harding also rode to his limit in the semi-final, regularly scoring points and appearing to make the most of his first world championships. The world number 67 finished with a score of 110 points and 34th place.

With a knee and wrist heavily strapped, Sebastian Zepeda Flores appeared to be hampered by injury and possibly lacking the power to attack many of the difficult gates, managing two gates on the day.

Matthew Harding

Final Standings

Team Trials

• Australia (160 points) – 13th

Women Elite Semi Finals

• Janine Jungfels (500 points) – 9th

Men Elite Semi Finals

• Nathan Mummery (310 points) – 24th
• Matthew Harding (110 points) – 34th
• Sebastian Zepeda Flores (20 points) – 39th

For more coverage of the ARA Australian Cycling Team at the UCI Cycling World Championships, visit our Glasgow 2023 Hub. To subscribe to daily updates, click here.

Photos: SWpix.com