Young guns Ward and Van de Hoef wrap up XCO national series

Jack Ward (Team Bridgelane) and Alanna Van de Hoef (Orbea Women’s Racing) have been crowned the 2024 AusCycling MTB XCO National Series elite men’s and women’s overall winners.

It was a particularly special series victory for the emerging talents, with both Ward, 18, and Van de Hoef, 19, stepping up into the elite category this year.

The five-round series culminated with a thrilling finale in wet and muddy conditions at Mount Cotton, Queensland hosted by RATS Cycling Club.

Ward, who went into the final round leading the series, was pushed to his limit by U23 National Champion Joel Dodds (Ipswich Offroad Cyclists).

Dodds pushed the pace early, with Ward starting to suffer from lap 4 where he began conceding time to Dodds.

From there it was a test of Ward’s mental strength as he had to place second to wrap up the overall series win.

“It was pretty special to win the series as first year out of Juniors and good to build some experience racing against Aussie’s best,” Ward said.

“The final round was a tough one with the conditions and how steep those climbs were.

“Joel put in a cracking first bit of the 4th lap and after that I was happy to just make it around to claim the series win.”

Dodds won Rd 5, and took second overall in the National Series. Daniel Aurik (Launceston Mountain Bike Club) rounded out the series podium.

In the Women’s Elite category, consistency proved the key for Alanna Van de Hoef who raced all rounds of the series. After getting her 2024 campaign off to a solid start at her home track in Nerang for rounds 1 and 2 of the national series, Van de Hoef continued to accumulate points across the series.

“It means a lot to produce some solid results for the Orbea Women’s Racing team, especially after Katherine (Hosking) winning the title last year, Van de Hoef said.

“This was actually the first year I’ve contested all of the rounds, so super happy to put together some solid results to take the title.”

Van de Hoef’s teammate and 2023 overall winner Katherine Hosking put in a dominant performance to win Round 5, and securing third for the series. Luca Turton (South Burnett Mountain Bike Club) placed second overall.

See the full series results here.

Pictures: Hixit