Ben Cory wins gravity enduro race on home track – Odams and Thompson take out series elite titles

The final round of the FLOW Rollercoaster Gravity Enduro State Series attracted more than 200 riders to Stromlo Forest Park on the weekend. Ben Cory was able to claim the day’s fastest race run and the elite men’s victory. Fellow Canberra racer Ronja Hill-Wright won the female category. In the series, Jon Odams from Sydney and Vanessa Thompson from Yanderra secured the overall elite series titles.

With a record field of racers the final round of Rocky Trail’s gravity enduro series included three timed race track challenges that riders had to complete throughout the day. All race times were combined and the fastest time of the day was 14 minutes and 21 seconds by elite racer Ben Cory.

Ben Cory takes out race win by one second

Only one second decided the final result among the elite men racing the FLOW Rollercoaster enduro gravity state round at Stromlo Forest Park on the weekend. Ben Cory was able to take advantage on his home track and won ahead of Jon Odams from Sans Souci and Aiden Lefman von Alderley (QLD). In the elite female field another Canberra racer, Ronja Hill-Wright won with a time of 16:23 min ahead of Phillippa Rostan and Vanessa Thompson.

The three-race series had taken riders to some of the most popular mountain bike destinations and tracks in NSW and ACT – starting earlier in the year in Ourimbah near Wyong, round two was held at the Del Rio Resort in Wisemans Ferry ahead of last weekend’s finale at Stromlo Forest Park. With consistent performances throughout the series and claiming podium positions at each round, Jon Odams from Sans Souci and Vanessa Thompson from Yanderra (NSW) claimed the overall Elite Series Champion titles.

Rocky Trail gravity enduro series returns in January 2014
“Again the podiums at Stromlo and the overall series winners have shown that our gravity enduro races are the ideal playground for cross-country and downhill racers alike”, said Martin Wisata from Rocky Trail Entertainment. “We tried to feature a wide range of tracks and challenges throughout the series and are already scouting new venues for next year – with Jon Odams who has a strong cross-country racing background and Vanessa Thompson, a multiple 4X State Series winner and downhill racer, we have crowned great series ambassadors for this new type of racing.”

Wisata also confirmed that Rocky Trail’s next gravity enduro series with four rounds and a championship event will commence as early as January 2014 with dates and locations expected to be announced in the coming weeks. For more information and details results visit www.rockytrailentertainemnt.com

Elite Category Results Round 3, Stromlo Forest Park
Full results here.
Elite Male
1. Ben Cory / Giant OnyaBike Canberra / Canberra ACT / 14:21 min
2. Jon Odams / Bikeculture | Whyte Racing / Sans Souci NSW / 14:22 min
3. Aiden Lefmann / RLC Sports / Alderley QLD / 14:36 min
Elite Female
1. Ronja Hill-Wright / Ainslie ACT / 16:23 min
2. Phillippa Rostan / ADCC / Canberra ACT / 16:28 min
3. Vanessa Thompson / Yanderra ACT / 17:38 min

Congratulations to our all our Series Winners!
Congratulations to our all our Series Winners!
Elite Male Podium (l-r): Martin Wisata (Rocky Trail), Jon Odams (2), Ben Cory (1), Aiden Lefmann (3). Photo: Jaime Black
Elite Male Podium (l-r): Martin Wisata (Rocky Trail), Jon Odams (2), Ben Cory (1), Aiden Lefmann (3). Photo: Jaime Black
FLOW Rollercoaster start ahead! Photo: Jaime Black
FLOW Rollercoaster start ahead! Photo: Jaime Black
Pioneers of gravity enduro racing in Australia at the start line (l-r): Mick Ross (FLOW MTB), James Hall (JetBlack Cycling) and Dave Musgrove (CellBikes). Photo: RTE
Pioneers of gravity enduro racing in Australia at the start line (l-r): Mick Ross (FLOW MTB), James Hall (JetBlack Cycling) and Dave Musgrove (CellBikes). Photo: RTE
FLOW Rollercoaster gravity enduro racing goodness. Photo: Jaime Black
FLOW Rollercoaster gravity enduro racing goodness. Photo: Jaime Black
FLOW Rollercoaster finish. Photo: Jaime Black
FLOW Rollercoaster finish. Photo: Jaime Black