It was the final round of the 4x and the DS. It was also the 3rd round of the DH all at Mt Stromlo, Canberra. I was entered in Elite Men’s in all 3 events which meant I had a very busy weekend ahead. First up was the 4x. I was running 2nd in the series and could mathematically win the title but it was a long shot. I rode well in all my heats and semi, qualifying for the final. In the final I finished 3rd which wasn’t enough to take the title but 2nd overall in the series was a great feeling.

After the 4x it was straight up the hill for 2 down hill practice runs, as I haven’t ridden this track in 2 yrs a lot has changed. I got most of the main lines sorted, so I was happy.

The Dual Slalom was run on Saturday afternoon, I was in the same position as the 4x in the series points. Unfortunately I didn’t ride as well as I would have liked and finished 4th   for the day. This was just enough to hold onto 2nd in the series. After that it was back to the motel for some dinner and sleep.

Back at the track on Sunday morning and I was on the first bus up the hill as I needed to learn the track and get all the lines dialled. I got 4 practise runs in and come qualifying I managed to qualified 8th which I was happy with knowing I could go a couple of seconds faster come race run. With a clean run and a 200m out of the seat sprint at the bottom of the DH track I went 4 seconds faster than my qualifying time with a 2.55. I managed to finish in 8th for the day and I was happy to have a clean crash free run.

It’s good to see my new training program is starting to show some results so early. I couldn’t have done it with out the support from Bike Worx getting my bikes ready and running sweet.

Thanks Jarrad

Hi it’s Max doing the Ourimbah race report for race 5.  This round consisted of three short courses.  This photo above is AGAIN at the top of heart break hill.  The idea behind the short course races is more of a sprint and bunches the riders together,  keeping the race more interesting and fast.  This track included Bong Alley, Jurassic, the central fire road, Graveyard and finishing on Heart break hill, making a 4 k track.  B grade raced 2 of these laps.

This photo is in Browns in the second race.   This course was also started in Bong alley but then went  straight down the fire road and into Long Meadows in reverse, then up Short Meadows, down Browns, in Lost Forrest, Graveyard and also finishing on Heartbreak hill, making a 4.3 k track. B grade raced 2 of these laps.

The final race was a reverse loop.  I found this track to be the most fun because it was very flowing and fairly easy to find your rhythm in.  It was Heartbreak hill, Browns, Meadows, chute, the central fire road, the Missing link, Long Meadows and Bong Alley.  These where all in reverse, making a 3.5 k track.  B grade raced 3 of these laps.

MAX

Hi it’s Max doing the Ourimbah race report for race 4.  These photos are of me on my first lap going up the one and only Jelly Leg Climb.  It really isn’t that bad if you just push a slightly harder gear than you expect.  This method gets you to the top quicker than you think and the extra speed from the higher gear lets you roll over the rocks at the top.

This photo is at the top of heart break hill on my last lap. the method that I have gained from watching  Jasper Croft, is to pedal as hard as you can at the rock and slightly lift the front wheel and you roll up easily.

Max Richardson

Hi it’s Max doing the Ourimbah race report for race 3, this photo is at the end of the Jurassic park on my first lap. This race had the dreaded DEMTEL hill (but wait there’s more) in each lap, so it was a bit hard to keep a constant speed for the three laps. The switch back from the top of Demtel was the old downhill track so it was a couple of fun step downs and burmed  corners.

This photo is at the bottom corners of ROLERCOASTER this is roughly half way on my second lap, the corners were a little bit sandy and a little slide each time through kept me from setting it to cruise control.  The tyre set up of a MAXXIS IGNITOR on the front for a bit of steering grip and a MAXXIS RANCHERO on the back for a faster rolling speed is a good combination for the Ourimbah track.

MAX

Congratulations to The Erina Bikeworx female team consisting of Kellie, Theresa, Mel, Aime, Cheryl and Judith for taking out 1st place in the 2010 Mont 24 Six Packs Female category.  The first hour of the race was dedicated to Willo with a speach, a minute silence and a lap of honour in his memory.