A point to point stage, the new Stage 4 crosses through remote desert terrain starting from the Ltyentye Apurte Community (Santa Teresa). The country surrounding Santa Teresa is rich in rock art, artefacts and ceremonial sights.
It is this sort of stage where groups of riders form, taking turns pacing on the front. The most efficient rides or the best sprinters then fight it out for line honours over the final few hundred meters. But after 80 or so kilometres and with possible attacks throughout the ride the lead bunch would be a pretty select group.
While the results are live, there was an issue with the course marking in the final section of Stage 4. It will be interesting to hear from the riders who completed this beautifully outback enduro stage. All the bunches, splits, horses, fences and compasses?
Local guru Paul Darvodelsky was sitting in 2nd overall for the 50-59 (Vintage) category after Stage 3 but during Stage 4 he lost close to 10 minutes to some of his closest rivals. Peter Selkrig (from the Hunter Valley) was the biggest winner in the category finishing 3 minutes in front of Laurie Berryman and John Allison. Peter will now sit pretty in the Vintage overall GC as the number one rider, with a more substantial buffer. Steve Billington (from Sydney) looks to have finished with a respectable time, at this stage it is most likely to hold onto the 3rd position in the Veteran overall GC.
It is this sort of stage where groups of riders form, taking turns pacing on the front. The most efficient rides or the best sprinters then fight it out for line honours over the final few hundred meters. But after 80 or so kilometres and with possible attacks throughout the ride the lead bunch would be a pretty select group.
While the results are live, there was an issue with the course marking in the final section of Stage 4. It will be interesting to hear from the riders who completed this beautifully outback enduro stage. All the bunches, splits, horses, fences and compasses?
Local guru Paul Darvodelsky was sitting in 2nd overall for the 50-59 (Vintage) category after Stage 3 but during Stage 4 he lost close to 10 minutes to some of his closest rivals. Peter Selkrig (from the Hunter Valley) was the biggest winner in the category finishing 3 minutes in front of Laurie Berryman and John Allison. Peter will now sit pretty in the Vintage overall GC as the number one rider, with a more substantial buffer. Steve Billington (from Sydney) looks to have finished with a respectable time, at this stage it is most likely to hold onto the 3rd position in the Veteran overall GC.
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In other exciting news, it was announced yesterday that the Territory Government are investing in the Alice Springs area with funding to improve facilities. This has a two pronged effect, bettering locals lifestyles and also increasing tourism potential. One of the items on the cards are a series of trails at Telegraph Station, that will be graded for all levels of competency. Go mountain biking in Alice!
Great work Peter Selkrig looking good in the 3C kit
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