Gears were ripping and tyres gripping on Sunday afternoon as the fourth round of the Joyride Rookie Cup took place.
Even with a heavy downpour of rain, the region’s mountain bike-loving juniors were glued to their seats as they — and the rain — pelted down Mt Major for the final round of the cup.
Despite the poor weather, close to 250 participants turned out for the mountain bike event.
Goulburn Valley Mountain Bike Club hosted the cup for the second time in its brief history.
Club committee member Jo Jeffers said the second edition of hosting a section of the Joyride Rookie Cup went down swimmingly — even in the rain.
“It was amazing,” Jeffers said.
“We got really wet on the first day, but the kids had a ball in the mud.
“Sunday on race day, it was awesome, the weather cleared up and the track was quite wet to begin with, but a bit of wind and sunshine dried it up quick.
“It’s an outdoor event, so it went ahead, rain, hail, or shine.
“The kids were riding all day and as the day went on the track deteriorated, but the kids didn’t care, they just had fun.”
Goulburn Valley Mountain Bike Club is only a fresh part of the region’s famous cycling scene, however, the club’s junior participants are already demonstrating their talent on the track.
Jeffers said a number of the club’s riders impressed at the weekend in trying conditions.
“(The club) did really well,” she said.
“My son placed second on Sunday and third overall for the series.
“We had another one of our boys, Charlie Guest ... he placed fourth.
“He missed the podium by about 0.6 of a second and that was in the under-15s category with about 90 riders, so he did amazing.
“We had another one of the Shepp kids place fifth, so they were all up there, a few placed top 20 or 30 as well.”
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Goulburn Valley Mountain Bike Club's Charlie Guest had his eyes widened going over a big jump. Photo by Rechelle ZammitImage 2 of 10
Echuca-Moama Mountain Bike Club's Archie McCann flew through the air. Photo by Rechelle ZammitImage 3 of 10
Goulburn Valley Mountain Bike Club's Tyson Jeffers had a precarious moment. Photo by Rechelle ZammitImage 4 of 10
Goulburn Valley Mountain Bike Club's Jake Dalen had a smooth ride. Photo by Rechelle ZammitImage 5 of 10
Goulburn Valley Mountain Bike Club's Sonny Brassil soared like a rocket. Photo by Rechelle ZammitImage 6 of 10
Yarra Valley's Ned Monkhorst enjoyed a sun-filled Sunday. Photo by Rechelle ZammitImage 7 of 10
Goulburn Valley Mountain Bike Club's Deegan Johnston looks to stick the landing. Photo by Rechelle ZammitImage 8 of 10
Goulburn Valley Mountain Bike Club's Harry Milne launches himself into orbit. Photo by Rechelle ZammitImage 9 of 10
Goulburn Valley Mountain Bike Club's Luke Calvert zips and zags throughout the course. Photo by Rechelle ZammitImage 10 of 10
Jake Jeffers, 10, placed second in the under-11's on Sunday and third place overall.Next up, Goulburn Valley Mountain Bike Club will be hosting a round of the Victorian Downhill Series.
Jeffers said the event would have participants ranging from under-15 to the elite and masters.
“We are expecting in excess of 300 riders,” she said.
“That is a state-wide series.
“We will do Rookie Cup again in spring next year as well.”
The club has plans to work on beginner tracks at Mt Major in a bid to help grow the sport in the region.
During a conversation with a fellow mountain biker’s parent, Jeffers said her husband concocted a plan to help redevelop old and create new tracks for the club.
“My husband has been speaking to a guy who was there on the weekend, they are from Yarrawonga and have a kid who has just started racing,” she said.
“(The husband) has an excavator and a bobcat, so we will get him to come out and work (on the tracks).
“That will hopefully happen in the next couple of weeks because the track really needs some work before the VDHS round in January because it is pretty rutted out from the weekend.
“We have big plans to get some flow trails going and get a pump track in; we are keen and there is a lot of momentum.
“If people want to get involved we have Facebook and Instagram pages and have our AGM meeting coming up.”