By Sharon Payne The Men's final run down the State Mine Track at Lithgow was cancelled in an...
Bryn Atkinson finishing second (Image credit: Evan Jeffery / evanjeffery.blogspot.com)
By Sharon Payne
The Men's final run down the State Mine Track at Lithgow was cancelled in an unprecedented decision by officials at the Australian National Mountain Biking Series opening round. The decision saw elite men and under 19 riders unable to complete their final run today. Record numbers of riders, delays in accessing a section of the track to assist injured rider and concern over safety as light began to fade led to the organiser's decision.
"The decision was based on the injured rider's safety and the number of competitors yet to go down the track," said Chief Commisaire Grant Medlock. "It's the first time I've had to make that type of decision. In the 20 years of mountain biking it's the hardest decision I've had to make."
Tony Scott, the CEO of Mountain Biking Australia added, "There is a technical rule that allows the winners to be recorded from their qualification times."
World bronze medallist, Nathan Rennie (Gold Coast), qualified in tenth place and had no chance to improve his position or breaking his course record of 2.58.0 due to the cancellation. Brad Kelly (Sydney) qualified the fastest in the seeding run, posting a time of 3.05.59, and was the eventual winner. Bryn Atkinson (Victoria) was second fastest and second overall while Adam Smithson (Newcastle) and Dave West (Adelaide) qualified third and fourth respectively. The 2005 World Junior Champion, Amiel Cavalier (Wollongong) qualified fifth fastest.
