Nerang Throws Up Shocks In National Series Rounds

Riders faced a brutal course for Rounds 3 & 4 of the AusCycling Cross-Country National Series at the famed Nerang course on the Gold Coast.

Saturday - Round 3

In the women’s while many had penciled in Commonwealth Games silver medalist Zoe Cuthbert for the W, it would be Katherine Hosking who would stand top of the podium in Round 3.

After a fourth place finish at the National Championships only weeks ago the Armidale athlete would seize her opportunity to claim the win after Cuthbert pulled out of the race after the opening lap due to illness.

Hosking would be nearly four minutes ahead of second placed Holly Lubcke with Hayley Oakes rolling into third place.

Newly minted elite men’s champion Sam Fox did the green and gold jersey justice by claiming victory in an exciting men’s race.

Fox had to contend with the challenges from Brent Rees and Cameron Wright throughout the seven-lap ordeal.

A puncture saw Rees' chances at the win evaporate but he fought back to give Wright a run for the minors and take third place.

Ruby Dobson and Harry Doye crossed first in the junior categories.

Saturday’s Results

Sunday - Round 4

Sunday would again see changes at the top of the podium in the elite races.

A good night’s rest was what Zoe Cuthbert needed to return to her winning ways in Round 4.

The Canberra rider showed just why she is one of the nation’s best cross-country riders as she took on the field for five laps on the dusty Nerang trails.

Katherine Hosking was trying to win back-to-back victories, but Cuthbert made life hard for the Round 3 winner.

“If I could make a gap on her on the uphill technical pinches, she had to work harder to bridge that,” Cuthbert said post-race.

It would prove to be a masterstroke as Cuthbert notched up her first win of the series.

However Hosking leads the series by a mere six points.

The flat tyre curse would prove to be Sam Fox’s undoing as he chased his second win of the weekend.

While the national champion would have to settle for fourth place, Brent Rees made amends after his mechanical on Saturday to storm home for a well-deserved win.

“A lot similar to yesterday just pacing myself hitting my marks and being consistent,” he said.

Cameron Wright would finish with two silvers for the weekend.

In the junior categories, Ruby Dobson proved unbeatable in the women while Cohen Jessen turned the tables on Harry Doye to land his first win of the series.

Sunday’s Results

Riders will now look towards the Oceania Championships which will be held in two weeks.