Under clear skies and rising temperatures, 25 riders lined up for the return of the Trail Bikes Mt. Washington hill climb. The regional level event featured a bunch of local riders, triathletes, and some riders coming up from Victoria for the 16.7km hill climb.
Immediately from the start a select group of five rode away from the rest as local riders Jordan Duncan and Doug Merrick (Team Trail Bikes Eatmore Sprouts) rode valiantly to try to limit their losses as the select group rode on.
In the dash to the line, Victoria rider Bruce Schlatter pipped team H&R Block rider Mathew O’Hagan to take the fastest time of the day in 49:23. Visiting triathlete Tenille Hoogland put in a major effort to take top honours as fastest female rider after making up serious time in the latter half of the race.
In the junior race, five local racers lined up to race the final 7.5km to the top. Right from the start James and Mark Grant (Team Trail Bikes Eatmore Sprouts) jumped away to take the lead and ride together. In the closing kilometres older brother James powered clear to take the fastest male junior award.
Behind the Grant duo, Jessica Reynolds and brother-sister combo Isaac and Kia Van der Vliet battled it out. In the closing kilometres Jessica rode clear with Kia in close pursuit as Isaac powered on to finish right behind his older sister. Jessica took the fastest female junior award.
“A big thanks to all the volunteers, Mt. Washington, the DH Skateboarders, and Trail Bikes for all their efforts and prizes donated,” an event spokesperson said.
– Trail Bikes
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