The revamped Mountain Bike Challenge took place in the grounds of Langford last Sunday.
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Over 100 riders turned up to enjoy spectacular scenery, local hospitality and to tackle Heartbreak Hill. Local riders again achieved some excellent results and had great fun. There were also many Walcha families and juniors who enjoyed the ride around the shorter and flatter family 5km track.
“With the support of all the riders that participated in the Walcha MTB Teams Challenge this year, they have helped to raise funds to keep the Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service operating free of charge to those that need assistance,” said Michael Wilson community liaison officer for Westpac Rescue Helicopter.
“Next year will be the 10th year for the Walcha Teams Challenge and with the Langford course and its beautiful location it will be again another great day. Thank you to the festival committee for arranging a fantastic family day out.”
The overall winners on the day were BCM a three-man team with members Michael and David Harris from Armidale and local lad Jack Feltham who completed nine laps in 5 hours and 41 minutes; followed by Michael Hoynes who completed seven laps in 5 hours and 16 minutes and the TAS MTB coaches who completed seven laps in 5 hours and 24 minutes.
In the solo male three hour category Patrick Mazzetti came first completing four laps in 3 hours and 16 minutes; Walcha local Bill Wake came second completing four laps in 3 hours and 33 minutes and Leo Mazzetti came third completing four laps in 3 hours and 40 minutes.
Alyssa Rogan came first in the solo female three hour category, completing four laps in 3 hours and 48 minutes and Sue Tripney came second completing two laps in 2 hours and 7 minutes.
In the Junior Mixed three hour event it was down to the second to distinguish the winners - The Giants (Tom Cannington, Tristan Rozendaal, Toby Markerink) came first completing three laps in 3 hours and 33 minutes 54 seconds; Walcha team Head over Hangers (Tom Nivison, William Swales, Patrick Woodburn) came in second completing three laps in 3 hours and 33 minutes 55 seconds and TAS (Finn Kennett, Hamish Newton, Alex Kirk) came in third completing three laps in 3 hours and 33 minutes 56 seconds.
The men’s team of two, six hour category Team Merida (Nick and Josh Chisholm) came first completing seven laps in 5 hours and 32 minutes and 28 seconds, Spuds Cycle (Andrew Donoghue and Dave Boundy) were second completing seven laps in 5 hours 32 minutes and 40 seconds and Vintage 64 (Stephen Ramage and Ian Targett) came third completing seven laps in 5 hours and 56 minutes.
BCM (Michael and David Harris and Jack Feltham) placed first in the men’s three completing nine laps in 5 hours and 41 minutes; Fully Loaded Men (Graeme Wall, Chris Feltham, Bernard Chisolm) were second completing seven laps in 5 hours and 29 minutes and The Scraps came third completing five laps in 5 hours and 14 minutes.
The team of three, mixed, six-hour event was won by TAS MTB coaches (Joanne Benham, Mat Benham, Gary Eastment) who did seven laps in 5 hours and 24 minutes; Black Mountain Panthers (Darrell Savage, Judy Wark, David Mills) came second with seven laps in 5 hours and 31 minutes and the Pretzels (Peter, Barbara and Isabella Hosking) came third completing seven laps in 5 hours and 38 minutes.
In the solo male six-hour category Michael Hoynes came first completing seven laps in 5 hours and 16 minutes; John Hiscox came second completing six laps in 5 hours and 7 minutes and Paul Whitford came third completing six laps in 5 hours and 35 minutes.
Walcha locals Virginia Crawford and Jack Feltham both did well, appearing in the top 10 in the fastest lap tables. Virginia came in at number eight on the women’s and Jack came in at number five on the men’s.