Enduring Alice
A unique five-day, seven-stage mountain bike event was recently held in Alice Springs in the NT. The Anaconda MTB Enduro, which took place under the gaze of the MacDonnell Ranges at the end of May, featured a Tour De France–style stage format.
Leading riders sported yellow jerseys, competitors received time handicaps and the end result was calculated on a cumulative time difference determined from the outcome of seven different course stages. The sections ranged from a big 90km off- road marathon, to a taxing night course and a 60-second hill sprint.
Most riders stayed at basecamp, Heavitree Gap Outback Lodge, and the sense of community between the mountain-biking brethren visibly strengthened as the event unfolded. Riders gathered by the pool, the barbecue, or at the local tavern for nightly presentations, to share stories about accomplishments and mechanical woes, and to compare bumps and bruises.
Adrian Jackson from Victoria set up his Open Male victory from the start, winning the first stage in a sprint finish at Desert Park and performing consistently in the remaining six stages to reign supreme.
Attributing his win to mental toughness and the ability to focus despite the tricky conditions, Jackson took home the $2500 prize money
with a cumulative time of 10 hours 42 minutes and 18 seconds. The Victorian said it, “was the toughest stage race I’ve ever done.”
Jackson’s victory was a family affair, with his mother Carloyn finishing first in the Vintage Women category, and his sister Belinda placing in the top 10 in the Open Women.
Perren Delecour (10.46.01) and Matthew Fleming (10.49.23) took second and third, but the race literally left a mark on both these NSW riders. In the 46km Verofit Stage, Fleming was stopped in his tracks by a monstrous rock, which sent him flying over his handlebars and head first into the gravel, and Delecour gashed his arm just 10km from the final finish line, an injury that required multiple stitches.
The Open Female title was a tug-of-war between Imogen Smith and Naomi Hansen from Queensland. Smith was victorious overall with a total time of 14.40.51, while Hansen finished second (14.50.29) and Jenni King from Victoria nailed third (15.13.05).
It was an unforgettable week of riding in the Red Centre for over 200 cross-country mountain bike enthusiasts, and many more will be looking forward to next year’s event.
Special report by Ali Gronow