No risk, no reward

In the midst of the pandemic in 2020, it was announced that the 2021 and 2022 Mountain Bike National Championships would be held at Maydena Bike Park, Tasmania. A popular announcement for anyone who had visited, riders knew the potential for major events at the gravity bike park. With a date shift to March the event was still touch and go given the border closures in Australia throughout summer. But Maydena Bike Park and AusCycling were committed to the new date and riders focused on top performances had to stay committed as well.

Any rider chasing a national title understands the sacrifice required for the reward. On race day the reward can require calculated risks. With the real possibility that  the Championship event may not go ahead even weeks beforehand, the organisers also needed to walk the line of risk versus reward in the lead up to the National Championships. Would more borders be closed? Would there be limits on gatherings?

Come rack week, the event village at Maydena Bike Park was pumping with event vendors, team tents, riders and fans. The beer garden was almost always full, and there wasn’t a bed free in the surrounding townships – everyone wanted to be there and I would say the reward was there. Maydena Bike Park hosted their biggest event yet and showed they are growing into a leading mountain bike venue, with near limitless potential for the future.

How the races were won

Champion riders make winning look easy – but that isn’t the case. The final run, or race day battle, is the last step for months of dedicated preparation. Our daily coverage, results and galleries are on , but these are insights into how some of the top tier