What's Up
Aussie 24 Hr Champs - English and Wall Takes The Titles
- Category: Event Wraps
- Monday, 25 April 2011 18:02
Whilst many of us were enjoying a well earned Easter long, long weekend some of Australia’s best 24 hour racers were turning themselves inside out at the Australian 24 Hour Solo Championships.
For the first time in recent years the event was moved from the Pines at Majura to Mt Stromlo in Canberra.
49 men and 17 women sign up for the challenge which sees the field split into age group categories ranging from 18-24 years all the way up to 60+. So despite a race for the overall Men and Women's title a battle also exists within each individual age group. I pity those racers around Mr English’s age!
After winning the 2008, 2009 and 2010 titles Jason English again put his stamp firmly on the race taking out the win again. Winning four years in a row is a fair feat however this year is highlighted more by English winning the Aussie Marathon Championships title just last week in Queensland.
In the Women’s overall Jessica Douglas, the reigning World and Australian Solo 24 Hour Champion crashed out during the night and withdrew. This left Torq rider Jo Wall, who had just caught up and passed Douglas to power on to a win by two laps. Douglas has indicated following the race that her 24 Hour solo days might be done. If that's the case then the batton has been passed and Wall is no doubt going to be amongst those ready to take up the challenge.
There's bound to be stories a plenty from the age groups and flicking through the results there are standouts such as Ed McDonald finishing 3rd overall riding a singlespeed! ouch. Were you there and got some stories to tell? Get in touch and share it with the enduro masses.
Australian 24 Hour Solo Overall Male and Female Champions
2011 – Jason English, Jo Wall
2010 – Jason English, Jessica Douglas
2009 – Jason English, Jessica Douglas
2008 – Jason English, Katrin Van der Spiegel
2007 – Andrew Bell, Katrin Van der Spiegel
2006 - Paul Eccleston, Freya Scollay
2005 – Andrew Bell, Freya Scollay
All photos credit to Dan Mackay (who himself finished second to English in 2009) Thanks Dan.
