With strong wind tearing through the event hub on the eve of Friday 11 September, speculations were high on whether or not the marquees were going to hold! But the winds eventually receded, fires stayed away from the course and the event went under way without any glitch.
This didn’t mean an easy ride for the 1,000 riders who took part in the Angry Doctor 100km event and the Irate Intern 50km event on Sunday 13 September, as they had to contend with unseasonal hot weather and dusty conditions making this race challenging for every rider, from the elite to the first timer! The smiling faces showing up at the finish line – nothing more than white teeth on a dusty face – were proof that those single tracks were well worth it! Some of the 100km riders elected to retire at the 50km mark, the smell of BBQ at the event hub and the prospect of a fresh beverage being too tempting for them: they swore they would be back next year for another shot at the full distance!
The third year for the Doctor has also crowned new champions yet again. Warren Burgess from Sydney Northern Beaches was just racing in the Open but took out the win over Elite riders in hot dusty conditions in a time of 4:38. Heather Logie from Canberra showed what an all-round champion athlete she is and backed up from winning The North Face 100 (100km trail run) in May to win the Netti MTB Enduro in 5:27. Rod McGee did it tough but fast on the single speed coming an amazing 13th place overall in 5:00. Age doesn’t slow regular Hugh Stoddart with a first in the Vets and 15th overall.
The competition was hot in more ways than one in the Irate Intern with many of the elite riders taking this option and conserving themselves for the Australian Enduro Championships on next weekend. Matt Fleming won the day in 2:08 for the males, while Kristen Vallance in 2:57 won the women’s category and was also the first female in the Vets. She had taken the Nasty Nurse the day prior to that as well. Congratulations to all participants as it was a tough day out there.
Thanks go out to the Walbunja people of Mogo for welcoming the event on their land, the Mogo inhabitants, Eurobodalla Coast Tourism, Mogo School, the Runnyford Fire Brigade, Mogo State Forest, Mogo Council, Batemans Bay Sand & Gravel, and the Fleming family and finally the many, many volunteers: the local mountain biking club Eurobodalla Cycling Club; the local trail bike riders; St John Ambulance, and many more.
The organisers wish to extend their condolences to the family of Greg Slater who passed away of an apparent heart attack during the 50km event. Greg, a father of two – his son Alex who rode in the event and daughter Madaline – and husband to wife Jenny, was the Deputy Commissioner for the NSW State Emergency Services. His death comes as a great shock. Greg was a very active and fit man who had competed in the Australian Ironman Championships four times.
Photo: Krystle Wright (wrightfoto)
