We were back in Brisbane once again for the Oceania Championships, although this time at a different venue to previous years.
The track was fast, flowy, and hard pack, with one very steep main climb and a few other shorter ones thrown in throughout.
I decided I didn’t need the dropper post and put the carbon rigid post in to save a bit of weight. Some overnight rain meant there were a few slippery corners out there, but overall it helped the track as it kept the surface from becoming too loose and sketchy.
I got the hole-shot and led into the first single track. As we hit the first descent, I heard a crash behind me and as I came through the start finish at the end of the start loop, I already had a 5 second lead.
I kept on the gas for the first couple of full laps so I could be out of sight and out of mind of the chasers.
I opened up a good gap, and the last lap was just about bringing it home safely without any mechanicals.
Stoked to put in a smooth and solid performance after a week of battling jetlag and a head cold after my trip home from Spain the week before.
My 9th Elite Oceania Continental title!
Unfortunately, there was no XCC race this year to defend my XCC title at, but hopefully we can have that back on the calendar in 2027.