NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS DATES SET FOR 2022
AusCycling released the majority of event dates for the 2022 National Championships across all mountain bike disciplines in early November. For 2022, Observed Trials will have a standalone National Championships, and a Gravel National Championships will also be held.
• Observed Trials (OT): Stromlo Forest Park, ACT - 29 January
• DHI, eMTB, XCO, XCC and Pump Track: Maydena Bike Park, TAS - 14-20 February • Fat Bike: Broome WA -, 13 May
• Gravel: Noosa, QLD - 31 July
• Gravity Enduro: Red Hill, VIC – 22-23 October • 24 Hour: Rydal, NSW – 3-4 December • Marathon (XCM): TBC
With some national titles being missed in the past two years, or being run at reduced capacity due to travel or venue restrictions, having seven different events covering a range of Australian states and territories will let each discipline have a location that suits their needs and ideally allow for the best championship event possible.
With the Observed Trials National Title being hopped and bounced out in Canberra in January, this is a prime opportunity for people to see more about this niche sport. So many fundamental mountain bike skills come from Observed Trials, so if you’re in the area this is one to go and watch!
All eyes will be on Maydena Bike Park in February, with the most titles on offer across nearly a week of racing. The conditions in the south-west of Tasmania could be anything from hot to frozen and anywhere inbetween. But that mountain isn’t getting any smaller, so expect a great venue for racing and riding if you make the trip. Maydena Bike Park have committed to some course changes from 2021, and we’re excited to see how that plays out on the ground this February in Tasmania.
We’ll be interested to see where the Marathon (XCM) National Championships end up. The event has moved from stand alone events to being attached to long-standing marathon events, and that’s where we think it will end up in 2022, as a race category within a commercial marathon event. Nothing has been announced at time of printing, but keep your eyes on AMBmag.com.au.