THE Newhaven College MTB Team competed at the Australian Mountain Biking Inter-schools in Thredbo last week, with 1500 of the country’s best junior mountain bikers descending on Australia’s premium mountain bike park to test themselves on Australia’s best gravity trails and to represent their respective schools.
As the team’s first experience racing the big leagues, it was a huge week for parents and students alike. Although the week was hampered by the wind halting lift operations which affected the scheduling and cancellation of some races, there was still plenty of riding across the week.
While the ‘All Mountain Assault’ race was scrapped for Years 3/4, 5/6 and 7/8 due to roster congestion, the main event ‘Fox Flow Motion Cup’ still went ahead.
With hundreds of riders in each category, Flynn Wright was super competitive in the Years 3/4 division placing 14th overall.
Rufus Hollole claimed bragging rights over his mates with a clean and fast ride in the Years 5/6 division placing 35th overall.
Year 6 student Hugo Wright was tracking for a top 20 but crashed in the final stages of the race trying to pass the competitor in front, whom he had caught.
Miller Micallef enjoyed the experience in his first ever MTB competitive race while his mate Jude Rigby showed resilience and adaptability after experiencing mechanical issues in practice and having to compete on a borrowed bike.
Newhaven College MTB team coordinators Eve Hollole and Michael Wright said unfortunately, the highs of the days racing were somewhat soured with Year 8 student Harvey Strachan breaking his collarbone in practice, which was a quick end to his week. “Kudos to Harvey who still managed a thumbs up for his mates from the Thredbo Medical Centre.”
The weather improved later in the week and after his successes in various cross-country series last year, Year 12 student Kade Rigby tested his downhill skills in both the Fox Flow and All Mountain Assault against Australia’s best juniors, finishing a respectable mid field and most importantly, enjoying the challenge of racing on Australia’s premier gravity trails.
A little closer to home and back across the border, Ethan Tilley also did the college proud, placing 20th in a field of 70 in the Year 7/8 division at the Rocky Trail Academy series at Mount Buller.
Ethan was competing in a category which comprised many well represented high country schools and half the whole field.
Last month, Council resolved to appoint a BMX, Mountain Bike and Pump Track reference group to advise Council on suitable locations for pump tracks across the shire. Although progress has been slow to date, this is certainly a step in the right direction.
Thredbo 2023 MTB Inter School Results:
Fox Flow Motion Cup
Div 5 - Yr 3/4
Flynn Wright - 14th (6:32)
Div 4 - Yr 5/6
Rufus Hollole - 35th (6:12)
Hugo Wright - 60th (6:23)
Miller Micallef - 116th (6:58)
Jude Rigby - 139th (7:40)
Div 1 - Yr11/12
Kade Rigby - 80th (10:13) - long course
All Mountain Assault
Div 1 - Yr11/12
Kade Rigby - 86th (8:58)
Rockshox Pump Track
Div 4 - Yr 5/6
Rufus Hollole - 26th (26:56)
Mount Buller Rocky Trail Academy Results
Ethan Tilley - Yr 7/8 20th (11:13)
