Riders completed the first stage of the Port to Port mountain bike race in Nelson Bay in a little over one hour.
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While a short stage it still required a big effort according to one of the sport’s elite, Brendan Johnston who crossed the line in 1h 13m 44s.
Hot on his rear tyre were Ryan Standish (1:14.06) and Rohan Adams (1:14.07).
“I remembered form when I was here in 2013, that it was really sandy and that made it really tough,” Johnston said.
“There’s no free momentum so there’s always pressure on the pedal.
“That combined with a couple of steep steep climbs made for a pretty tough stage.”
As tough as it was Johnston said there was plenty left in the tank for tomorrow.
“I’m feeling pretty good,” he said.
“This is something I’ve been doing for a while now so I shouldn’t have any problem backing up.”
Stage one results male open:
- Brendan Johnston 1:13.44
- Ryan Standish 1:14:06
- Rohin Adams 1:14.07
- Mark Tupalski1:15.01
- Jayden Ward 1:15.11
Stage one results female open:
- Emma Viotto 1:24.55
- Jessica Simpson 1:25.27
- Kathryn McInerney 1:25. 27
- April McIndough 1:27. 58
- Briony Mattocks 1:28. 50
Male ages 40-49:
- Stefan Merriman 1:16.37
- Liam McGuire 1:19. 09
- Stu Adams 1:19.13
- Matt Dec 1:19.27
- Andrew Low 1:20:05
Female ages 40-49
- Kristen Gardner 1:32.22
Male ages 50-59:
- Peter O’Sullivan 1:22.29
- Tim O’Leary 1:24.32
- Richard Read 1:26.07
- Mark Ward 1:28.07
- David Lander 1:28.50
Male ages 60-plus:
- Kevin Nichols1:32.48
The event, now in its fourth year, beckons to many riders.
Among them is the Newcastle Herald team.
