Massive week of Gravity Racing for Newhaven College MTB

Newhaven College Mountain Bikers competed at the National Interschools in Thredbo last week.

Fifteen hundred of the country’s best junior mountain bikers descending on Australia’s premium mountain bike park to represent their respective schools.

It was a big week for parents and students alike with a lot of lessons learnt in their first experience racing the big leagues.

Disappointingly the week was hampered by wind halting lift operations which effected scheduling and cancellation of some races but despite this students and parents had plenty of riding across the week.

With younger and older divisions separated by early and later in the roster, unfortunately All Mountain Assault was scrapped for Years 3/4, 5/6 and 7/8 due to scheduling congestion but the main race – Fox Flow Motion Cup – still went ahead on a sunny but windy Monday.

With hundreds in each category Flynn Wright was super competitive in the Years 3/4 placing 14th overall.

Rufus Hollole claimed bragging rights over his mates with a clean and fast ride.

Hugo Wright tracking for a top 20 crashed in the final stages of the race trying to pass the competitor in front who he had caught.

Miller Micallef enjoyed the experience in his first ever MTB competitive race while Jude Rigby showed resilience after mechanical issues in practice and having to compete on a borrowed bike.

Unfortunately the highs of the days racing were soured by a broken collarbone to Harvey Strachan in practice which was a quick end to his week.

The weather improved later in the schedule and after his success in the XC series Kade Rigby tested his downhill skills in both the Fox Flow and All Mountain Assault against Australia’s best juniors finishing a respectable mid field and most importantly enjoying the challenge of racing on Australia’s premier gravity trails.

Unfortunately for Gravity enthusiasts there was a scheduling clash with the Rocky Trail Academy Race at Mt Buller the same week.

Ethan Tilley represented Newhaven College placing 20th out 70 in the Year 7/8 division.

His category comprised of a lot of well represented high country schools with easy access to MTB and almost half the whole field.

Top 20 is a really competitive result.

Thredbo 2023 MTB Inter School results:

Fox Flow Motion Cup
Div. 5 – Year 3/4: Flynn Wright – 14th (6:32).
Div. 4 – Year 5/6: Rufus Hollole – 35th (6:12), Hugo Wright – 60th (6:23), Miller Micallef  – 116th (6:58) and Jude Rigby – 139th (7:40).
Div. 1 – Year11/12: Kade Rigby – 80th (10:13) – long course.

All Mountain Assault
Div. 1 – Year11/12: Kade Rigby – 86th (8:58).

Rockshox Pump Track
Div. 4 – Year 5/6: Rufus Hollole – 26th (26:56).

Mt Buller Rocky Trail Academy
Ethan Tilley – Year 7/8 20th (11:13).