Ingkerreke Commercial MTB Enduro

Subway Mt Gillan Stage 2

A shorter course than day one Stage 2 began with a rolling start under Police escort through the streets of Alice Springs. An unforgettably dusty dirt track caught a few riders out early then it was onto the rocky railway access track that undulated beside the rail line. At this point you could cast an eye across the tracks and see fellow competitors tackle similar terrain as the course did a u-turn across the rail line. It eventually turned to single track and the trail wound its self over and around the natural obstacles that litter the countryside in this area. Many of the smoother trails we rode are recent additions and were an absolute blast to ride, easily connecting sections as to maintain momentum and flow.

Before I knew it we had hit the water point and linked right back into more fun trails. Gradually winding around the spectacular terrain we were to head back towards the rail line but not before a pump section which could be used to accelerate across what did originally look to be a long grassed flat. Then it was back over the train tracks, cyclocross style, and on to attack the sharpest hill for the day. Over the top and down some 4wd trail you could sprint into the velodrome for a famous one-day-classic style finish.

At the front in Subway Mt Gillan Stage 2

By all accounts the only one rider that managed to ride over the top of that last climb did so to open a gap from the lead group and maintained the time to take the stage win. Andrew Blair took the stage line honors some twenty seconds in front of Jason English, just a short time later Aiden Lefmann crossed the line and rounded out the podium.

Anna Beck had a target on her back for stage 2 after taking the win on day one. A small incident early in the race saw Anna crash in the dust but she was back up almost instantly. Problems may have plagued the rest of Anna's ride due to the early incident and Jess Douglas crossed the line first shortly before Anna. Looks to be some serious competition in the woman's field.