I can’t ever think of a time that the wind made such a difference at a MTB race. I’ve done some road races where I’ve spent just as much time in the gravel as on the road, I even remember one time on a wet climb when the whole bunch got blown into the paddock, usually the wind isn’t something you have to deal with on the MTB. The wind this weekend probably made more of a difference to the race than the course itself. With some parts of the course having a block head wind it made attacks or attempted attacks short lived, and ultimately kept the front group together. Come the last lap with the four of us still together, all the places that would normally suit me to get away were taken away by the disadvantage of the wind. I figured the best plan of attack was safety in numbers come the last 2km’s with a tail wind, so I went to the front and set the tempo to make sure we were still together to that point. Unfortunately for Max and I, Todd seized the opportunity before we did and put us on the back foot. Todd’s perfectly timed attack earned him a well deserved win, congrats Todd

After Saturdays XC, where I was somewhat reserved or put simply: I snooze, I loose. I wasn’t going to be messing around in the short track, especially now in its new 15 minute plus one lap format. I had a good start off the line, but was soon under pressure trying to hold Ryan Trebon’s wheel, though I did do better than everyone else. I found myself off the back on the flat through the start finish, though I was able to carry a little more speed around the corners to stay in contact. Ryan settled down after two and a bit laps and there was a small, but sustainable gap on the rest of the field, I set the pace until two laps to go when Ryan then put the squeeze back on me. I managed to last the lap and jumped him into the last half a lap, which was full of corners to take the win. Thanks to Max for playing policeman back in the chasing group

Sid Taberlay