Emma Pritchard
Four members of the Grafton Cycle Club will journey to the New England region this week to take part in the 2023 WEMBO World Solo 24 Hour Mountain Bike Championships in Armidale on November 4 and 5.
With Australian riders enjoying plenty of success in the event in recent years, Michelle Newstead, Grant Hodgins, Benjamin Luxton, and Brendan Howard will be looking to add their names to the winners list this weekend.
Competing on a 14km course which has been established on the grounds of the University of New England, riders will be aiming to complete as many circuits as possible within 24 hours.
Ms Newstead will represent the Grafton Cycle Club in the 55-59 Years category, Mr Howard will compete in the Under 23 Years, Mr Luxton will line up in the 45-49 Years category, and Mr Hodgins will race in the 40-44 Years category.
Speaking with the Clarence Valley Independent last week, Mr Hodgin revealed he and his fellow club members are feeling confident ahead of the 2023 WEMBO World Solo 24 Hour Mountain Bike Championships, and they are all looking forward to the competition.
“Michelle and Brendan are heading into the event in good form after winning their respective categories in the Gbomb 2023 which our club hosted recently, and we’ve all been focused on our training moving towards these championships,” he said.
“We’ll be racing over different gradients and different terrains, and there will be quite a lot of climbing involved too as some parts of the circuit are quite rocky, so it will be challenging, but we’re all focused on what we need to do.
“There are roughly 100 entrants in total at the moment, so it’s going to be tough, but we’re all ready and we’re going to give it our best shot.
“I’m aiming to do more than 20 laps, and hopefully, I’ll achieve my goal.”
Formed in 2011, WEMBO (World Endurance Mountain Bike Organisation) events are hosted by the three founding countries which encompass its membership, including Italy, Scotland, and Australia, to support and promote 24-hour mountain bike races while ensuring the future of the sport thrives at the highest level.