The 16th edition of the Jetblack 24H lived up to its reputation as one of Australia’s toughest endurance mountain bike races. Held at the iconic Lidsdale State Forest in Western NSW, this year’s event was a true test of physical and mental endurance, made even more challenging by relentless rain.
From the outset, the weather played a significant role. The 10km course, normally a fast and flowing track, transformed into a muddy quagmire, demanding technical skill and brute force. Despite the challenging conditions, the spirit of the racers was unwavering.
A Night of Grit and Glory
As the sun dipped below the horizon, the race intensified. Kaydee Raths, a US-based rider now based in Tasmania, emerged as the standout performer, leading the overall race at the 18-hour mark and setting a blistering pace. The local hero, Aaron Rodgers from Bathurst, gave a valiant effort, pushing himself to the limit to keep Raths honest.
A Triumphant Finish
As the final hours ticked away, the intensity reached fever pitch. Kaydee Raths secured the Female 24H Solo title, a testament to her incredible strength and resilience. She completed 29 laps in 24h16:27! Her emotional victory was a poignant reminder of the sacrifices and dedication required to succeed at this level – to claim the OUTRIGHT third place in the race!
I love bike racing, I usually compete to achieve a personal goal… when I went to WEMBO (24H World Champs) this year, I took the wrong focus and for the first time raced to win, normally it’s always having fun with your friends riding your bike trying to push yourself. So that’s what I tried to do today to proof to myself I can still do it, even if I didn’t finish WEMBO. – Kaydee Raths, 2024 Jetblack 24 Hour Solo Female Champion
Aaron Rodgers claimed the Male 24H Solo title, overcoming the brutal conditions to emerge victorious. His victory was a testament to his skill and determination. The 23-year old rode an exceptional race and his family said that Aaron had been bound to a wheelchair in his teenage years with a bone disease. In between the many operations he started riding as a way to keep us with his peers. What an amazing achievement to now be on the top step, having completed 32 laps in 23h51:51- over 300km in one hit.
Battling in the rain for 18 out of the 24 Hours was the toughest part of the race, that was rough. I grew up racing road and XC and I’m really content to back up last year’s U23 category win with the overall win today.
The Mountain Culture Racing Team of four lead the teams classification into the night and on Sunday the overall line-honours was claimed by the team of 3 of the Wylde Squadron who clocked in 41 laps in 24:10:45 ahead of the Mixed Mayhem team of four with a gap of just over six minutes. The Mountain Culture Racing Team finished in third on 38 laps.
The 6+6 hour solo category also saw some incredible performances. Wesley Hurrell and Lana Moy dominated their respective fields, showcasing incredible stamina and determination.
A Race to Remember
The 2024 Jetblack 24H was a remarkable event, showcasing the best of mountain bike racing. The challenging conditions pushed riders to their limits, and the incredible performances inspired us all.
A historic moment captured below: a quarter of the field at this year’s Jetblack 24H was female, and the energy was absolutely electric. The women’s field with National Event Manager Jo Parker (right) surrounding our incredible solo winners, Kaydee Raths and Lana Moy, is a testament to the growing strength and diversity of women’s mountain biking. This photo encapsulates the camaraderie, passion, and sheer determination that fueled this incredible event.
As we reflect on this incredible race, we’re filled with gratitude for our dedicated team, our amazing sponsors, and most importantly, our incredible riders. Your passion and commitment make events like this possible.
This year’s JetBlack 24H was a resounding success, despite the challenging weather conditions. It showcased the incredible passion and dedication of our riders, volunteers, and staff. We are incredibly proud to have hosted such an iconic event and look forward to even bigger and better things in 2025.
