Owing to the Warburton Crossing being impassable, the 2009 Simpson Desert Bike Challenge was shortened by approximately 100km - probably to the relief of the competitors. This year's event was considered one of the most challenging events in the 23-year history in so far as conditions were concerned. However, the spirit of the competitors could not be denied.
The final stage into Birdsville on day five was a 66km ride that combined fine weather, moderate temperatures, sand dunes, spectacular vistas and some hard surfaced gravel roads - a fantastic end to the event.
Ken Schack-Evans won the stage, showing his dominance (and sheer bloody-mindedness) in this type of racing. However, Alan Keenleside (NSW) cruised home for the overall win being the only rider to complete 100 percent of the event. 2008 winner Lynton Stretton was second with Jason Dreggs sharing the overall podium positions.
Slovakian rider Katarina Cervikova won the women's category.
While all concerned with the race were subjected to bleak conditions in the desert, racer experienced a great sense of camaraderie. The final presentation was held at the Birdsville Hotel.
Results
Swipe to scroll horizontally
Final general classification (cumulative times for each racer)
#
Rider Name (Country) Team
Result
1
Alan Keenleside
37:01:54
2
Lynton Stretton
32:48:18
3
Jason Dreggs
33:31:58
4
Andrew Jameson
30:29:57
5
Michael Dalton
33:20:50
6
Jeff Rooney
31:21:34
7
Ken Schack-Evans
30:20:14
8
Ben Turner
32:24:31
9
Rodney Edwards
31:57:11
10
Kane Chandler
30:20:42
11
Kerry Richards
31:53:02
12
Al Descantes
28:18:25
13
Simon Holland
29:16:55
14
Roman Petr
26:14:53
15
Leon Colbert
26:06:59
16
Billy Johnstone
27:49:57
17
Freddie Moojen
26:04:28
18
Ole Kelderman
27:09:01
19
Mark Mclaren
26:36:31
20
Katarina Cervikova
25:09:32
21
John White
23:52:08
22
Mike Brennan
23:14:06
23
David Schutz
22:59:05
24
Rick Neale
22:47:11
25
Elisha Houghton
23:08:57
26
Chris Bain
21:40:34
27
Andrew Hellier
20:46:43
28
Aaron Brandon
18:36:30
29
Andrew Armstrong-Taylor
17:33:19
30
Wayne Chapman
12:31:47
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Percentage completed. Leader's distance: 465km
#
Rider Name (Country) Team
Result
Header Cell - Column 3
1
Alan Keenleside
100
percent
2
Lynton Stretton
95
Row 1 - Cell 3
3
Jason Dreggs
91
Row 2 - Cell 3
4
Andrew Jameson
88
Row 3 - Cell 3
5
Michael Dalton
87
Row 4 - Cell 3
6
Jeff Rooney
87
Row 5 - Cell 3
7
Ken Schack-Evans
87
Row 6 - Cell 3
8
Ben Turner
82
Row 7 - Cell 3
9
Rodney Edwards
81
Row 8 - Cell 3
10
Kane Chandler
81
Row 9 - Cell 3
11
Kerry Richards
80
Row 10 - Cell 3
12
Al Descantes
77
Row 11 - Cell 3
13
Simon Holland
76
Row 12 - Cell 3
14
Roman Petr
71
Row 13 - Cell 3
15
Leon Colbert
71
Row 14 - Cell 3
16
Billy Johnstone
69
Row 15 - Cell 3
17
Freddie Moojen
68
Row 16 - Cell 3
18
Ole Kelderman
67
Row 17 - Cell 3
19
Mark Mclaren
67
Row 18 - Cell 3
20
Katarina Cervikova
67
Row 19 - Cell 3
21
John White
60
Row 20 - Cell 3
22
Mike Brennan
59
Row 21 - Cell 3
23
David Schutz
59
Row 22 - Cell 3
24
Rick Neale
59
Row 23 - Cell 3
25
Elisha Houghton
57
Row 24 - Cell 3
26
Chris Bain
55
Row 25 - Cell 3
27
Andrew Hellier
52
Row 26 - Cell 3
28
Aaron Brandon
47
Row 27 - Cell 3
29
Andrew Armstrong-Taylor
44
Row 28 - Cell 3
30
Wayne Chapman
31
Row 29 - Cell 3
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Sue George is an editor at Cyclingnews. She coordinates all of the site's mountain bike race coverage and assists with the road, 'cross and track coverage.
