THE men’s division of the Evocities MTB Series will come down the final race in Orange next February after an eventful five hours of racing produced somewhat of a shock result in Sunday’s Dubbo 300.
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Shaun Lewis capitalised on an early mechanical fault to reigning champion Jason English to claim victory in the five-hour event, which was held near Geurie.
Amazingly, both Lewis and women’s race winner Eliza Kwan wouldn’t have blown a candle out at the end of the gruelling event, which was held in oppressive conditions.
“It’s a lot different to last year,” Lewis said after the race.
“When we took off last year there was frost on the ground. This year it was dusty and hot but that’s the great thing about the sport, you race in a lot of different conditions.
“It was testing out there today but I felt like I rode a good race, and we were probably helped out a bit when Jase had his mechanical issues on the first lap.
“Towards the end the biggest thing was taking on the right amount of fluids because it was getting pretty hot but we managed that well.”
Sunday’s win was the third for Lewis so far in this year’s series, but even so he will need victory in Orange to be a chance of winning the overall title.
English has also recorded three wins, and with other second placings will hold the lead heading into the final event.
It was a different story for Kwan, with the Dubbo 300 win coming in her first event of the 2016 Evocities Series.
The Canberra rider tuned up for the event by riding in a series of other races and said she thrived on the atmosphere.
“This event is so much fun and I think I really enjoy that kind of atmosphere,” she said.
“As you make your way around the course you see so many people and you get those little pushes that keep you going.
“I went out today not wanting to chase the fast wheels early. I just wanted to ride my own race and not burn too hard too early.”
Both Lewis and Kwan were full of praise for the Geurie circuit, which presented in great fashion after a couple of false starts due to damage caused by motorbikes.
“It’s a great course. It’s very different to the others that you come across in the Evocities Series,” Lewis said.
“The climbs aren’t as big as some of the other courses but there is a real technical element to it and it races quick.”
For Kwan, the difference to her usual training tracks was the key element.
“What I train on every week is a lot different to what you get here,” she said.
“It’s a new challenge, something different and it takes some getting used to.”
