On a warm, sunny Sunday in the Southern Highlands of NSW, a field of 1600 mountain bikers lined up for the start of the 2009 Highland Fling. An event that’s popularity had seen it sold out in 5 hours.
An impressive field of Elite riders (including past and present world champions) exploded from the line as the gun went off at 8 am.
It didn’t take long for the action to start. Clarence Street Cyclery rider (and occasional ROCKSTAR RACING team member) Matt Fleming broke a chain 1km into the race and worked hard to get back on to the field. ROCKSTAR Hamish Elliot was the next to suffer with 2 punctures in the first 10km.
At the front of the field a war of attrition was unfolding. As the Elites hit the 50km mark, the furious pace was taking its toll. At the climbs at 70 km, it was ROCKSTAR Hamish Elliot who had caught the field and then attacked! As he reached the summit of the major climb, his job was done and he passed the lead over to fellow ROCKSTAR Craig Gordon.
As the front runners hit the final feed zone at 80km, Craig turned up the heat and was never beaten, winning the 110km event in 4hrs and 16 minutes.
In early October Toyota RAV4 and ROCKSTAR RACING joined forces to produce a documentary showcasing the preparation, travels and interests of the ROCKSTAR RACING team as we set forth on our journey to Canberra to compete at the SCOTT 24hr.
With the best support seen at a 24 hour race in this country; a couple of Toyota RAV4's stickered up and an awesome team, we made a statement from the moment we arrived.
We were here to WIN. If not, we were gonna fight for it – big time!
The trip to Stromlo Forest was one that I won’t forget, with cameras rolling the whole way down the highway on Friday. When we got there, Toyota rally driver Neal Bates, (what a legend!) was kind enough to take us for a spin in one of his rally cars. Actually to say a spin is a lie, it was something that I am still struggling to describe. I am in total awe of what that man could with a car!A bit like what the boys and I like to do in the singletrack – except Neil had an extra 400 horsepower!
After this little diversion, we were back to Stromlo in the Toyota RAV4's to hit up a lap of the course, hoping for grippy conditions as there had been some rain. It wasn’t to be, with only patchy puddles littering the course. As always, the CORC crew threw in some new trails and a few of the usual suspects. No great surprises then, so we packed up and head back to our accommodation for dinner. Feeling confident.
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ROCKSTAR RACING’s Hamish Elliot leads the Circus!
After the recent win at the state XC championships, ROCKSTAR Hamish Elliot was keen to continue with his winning form.
A field of 600 riders lined up on a cold and windy morning in Wingello for the inaugural running of the 3 Ring Circus. A winning time of 2 hours was expected for the 50km event, and a fast pace was set from the gun.
ROCKSTAR RACING’s Hamish Elliot has exploded out of the blocks again!
With 3 wins from his last 3 races, the defence of his 2008 Noosa Enduro title remained a priority. After 4hrs and 30 mins of tough racing the title remained firmly in his hands.
Former pro road racer Ian Cuthbertson made the 1st move of the race. Attacking the field solo, he sped off and came through the 50km mark with a 2min 15 sec lead over the chasing bunch.
As the 65km mark approached (and the notourious "Mother" climb) Hamish put the hammerdown. After catching the breakaway rider Hamish accelerated away and was never threatend.
