Hucker and Mullens triumphant at the Otway Odyssey
Nearly 1500 riders lined up for the Otway Odyssey in Forrest in February, and the 100km Otway Odyssey had a new course record set by professional road cyclist Robbie Hucker of Team UKYO, in what many claim was one of the strongest fields at a mountain bike race in years.
Hucker has recently returned to mountain biking and broke the course record by almost three minutes in a time of 4:15:39, ahead of Cameron Ivory in second place (4:18:14) and Reece Tucknott third (4:20:05).
“It was a good course; tough, hard work, but I just tried to keep my momentum and stay calm so I’m pretty happy with that,” said Hucker. “I knew my fitness was there off the road bike, but my skills are a little bit less desirable, but when I saw that the time was quick, I really tried to empty the tank to get the record,” said Hucker.
Ivory was all praise for Hucker on what is renowned for being a tough course.
“I’m pretty empty after that one; that last climb at about the 70km mark, that’s real tough up there,” said Ivory. “That was where Robbie left us for dead; he’s such a strong climber. He still has a lot of skill on the singletrack, so was hard to chase down, so after sitting about fourth place I managed to get a few spots back on that steep climb,” continued Ivory.
The front of the race was a who’s who of crosscountry and marathon racing with the likes of Sam Fox, Tucknott, Russ Nankervis, and Benny Allen all fighting for top five. Defending champion Brendan Johnston and Tasman Nankervis both suffered mechanicals, pulling the pin at the 64km mark.
“The pace was on a lot more than last year and it was a really great race up front. It is the strongest field that I have seen at a mountain bike race in a long long time, so it was great to see so many of us on the start line,” said Tucknott.
It was a game of tactics in the women’s race between Peta Mullens (former National Champion in just about everything), and former XTERRA pro athlete Renata Bucher, with Mullens taking out her 6th Otway Odyssey 100km win.
“It was my 10th edition this year and my first sprint finish; I don’t think I want another one!” said Mullens. “Renata and I got a bit tactical towards the end; I like tactics. She attacked four or five times in the last few kilometres so I knew a sprint finish was on our hands.”
According to the 2013 Otway Odyssey winner
Bucher, it was a big day!
“I tried everything that I could with Peta, because the last thing I wanted was a sprint finish,” said Bucher. “I knew Peta had the legs and experience. But I am happy, I gave everything I could. Mountain biking is such a good sport, I’ll definitely be back here,” continued Bucher.
The 50km Otway Shorty event also saw some fast racing up front, with Joshua Sek taking line honours in 2:28:32; Ian Kelly in second place (2:19:10) and Conor Flett in third (2:20:53). Kim Willocks won the female 50km Otway Shorty, and is a previous winner three years ago when her third child was only 3 months old. Kim finished in a jet setting speed of 2:42:04. Cheryl Coombs was second (2:49:27) and Elise Buriss placed third (2:50:06).
300 riders took on the 30km Odyssey Rookie designed specifically for novice mountain bikers and developing juniors. First across the line was a tight battle between two talented under 16 twin brothers Cohen and Jude Jessen, with Cohen taking the win… just(!) in a time of 1:22:25 to Jude’s 1:22:26. Tami Iseli was the first 30km Odyssey Angel in 1:27:34.
BACK TO APOLLO BAY IN 2021
Rapid Ascent announced that the 2021 Otway Odyssey will be returning to its roots in Apollo Bay to celebrate 15 years since the beginning of the Odyssey. The ‘original’ 100km Otway Odyssey course is the stuff of legends, tackling the Otway Ranges from the coast and taking in so much of Forrest’s singletrack. All other formats for 2021 will start and finish in Forrest as per the current format.
“The event has had a huge following right from the get go and we’re rapt that its popularity continues. The trails of Forrest are world-class, combined with the wilderness, the terrain and the friendly atmosphere all help make it the successful event it is today,” said Sam Maffett of Rapid Ascent.
Keep an eye on the event website for 2021 dates and entries.
rapidascent.com.au