My victory in 2023 was a big shock but this year I was coming into the race as the favourite. We returned to the same venue as last year at Mt Cotton in Brisbane. The course had changed slightly but still had many of the key features to it and overall is a fun course that suits me with plenty of steep punchy climbs.
On race day it was overcast which kept the temperature down around 25deg which felt mild compared to the scorching heat and humidity of the 2023 race. A couple of the Aussies lit it up off the start line and up the first hill, but I was able to snake them into the first singletrack and set about riding my own pace.
At the end of the start loop Sam Fox was still on my wheel but as we hit the first full lap, I had started to open up a gap. I settled into my rhythm and rode fast, consistent lap times, stretching out a comfortable lead to win the race by almost 3mins and taking my 8th Oceania title in a row in the process.
I was very happy with the way I rode and how I felt. A big confidence boost ahead of some very important upcoming World Cup races.