September 8, 2002 – The 2002/2003 National MTB season, comprising of five
events in each of Cross Country and Downhill have now been finalized.
Bike Trial dates are yet to be decided and will be announced as soon as
they are finalized.

Tony Scott, president of MTBA said, “The Series represents the beginning of
an exciting time for MTB in Australia, where once again all the nation’s
MTB enthusiasts can meet on common ground and participate or compete in a
single national MTB series. Together with the National Championships, to be
staged at Mt. Beauty in February, the future for MTB looks very good
indeed.”

He added, “The lateness of this announcement has largely been due to the
negotiation process being undertaken by MTBA and AMBA to reunify the sport
of MTB in Australia. It was, however, clear that the process was being
unduly delayed and that our members, and the members of AMBA, needed to
know the series makeup so that travel and participation plans
could be made. A decision was made by both MTBA and AMBA to publish these
dates even though the reunification process has not reached its
natural conclusion.”

“Both MTBA and AMBA still have October 1 as the target date for the
reunification process to conclude and there is a lot of work still to do,
but regardless of the progress being made there is unanimous agreement that
a single national MTB Series and Championships should occur. These series
dates reflect that position”.

2002/2003 XC National Series (including National MTB Championships)

Round 1 – Mitta 26-27, October – Victoria
Contact Details: Team Mt. Beauty, www.team-mtb.org.au
Description: Point to Point type event over a mix of dirt and sealed road.
Great climbing and even better descents. If you have time to look the
scenery is absolutely stunning. An event that has grown
considerably over the last 3 years.

Round 2 – Killingworth 9-10 November – NSW
Contact details, Stuart McNaughton, ssmcn@bigpond.net.au, (02) 49521992
Description: A traditional XC circuit event and depending on the course
setter can involve a solid climb, some fast descending and fast flowing
single track. All abilities will be able to ride the course but the
question will be who can ride it the fastest. Will be the second year on
the National XC circuit and as always will be well organised by the Hunter
Mountain Bike
Association.

Round 3 Beechworth 23-24 November – Victoria
Contact Details, Paul Fitzgerald, www.beechworthchaingang.com, (03) 5727 0280
Description: A new venue on the National circuit. A point to point type
event that was first held last year and achieved 120 riders. It is expected
to be huge this year.

Round 4 Canberra Tour de Dirt 18-19 January – ACT
Contact Details, Tony Scott, www.corc.asn.au, 0416 228 016Description: The
‘Tour makes a welcome return to the national XC calendar after a few years.
It will consist of at least three stages, each adding rider positions to a
final ‘GC’ place. A good solid
weekend’s MTB racing.

National Championships/Oceania Championships
Mt Beauty 18-23 February -Victoria – C, CN
Contact Details, Team Mt. Beauty, www.team-mtb.org.au, (03) 57544405
Description: Nothing more needs to be added about the Nationals at Mt.
Beauty. The 2002 Nationals were the absolute pinnacle of the 2001/2002
Season. This year with the concurrent staging of the Oceania Championships
it promises to be even bigger and better.

Round 5 Whitlsea 15-16 March – Victoria
Contact Details, Chris Bland, www.ftf.com.au, 0418 502 273
Description: A traditional XC circuit in beautiful surrounds – a fitting
final venue for the 2002/2003 National XC Series.

2002/2003 DH National Series (including National MTB Championships)

Round 1 Baw Baw 1-2 November – Victoria
Contact Details: Chris Beales, www.users.bigpond.com/knobbysports/ (03)
97638518
Description: Been on the National DH circuit for some years now and always
a well attended race. Set in the Victorian high country not far from
Melbourne this course always produces close racing.

Round 2 Inside Line 23-24 November – SA
Contact Details, Wendy Mcfadden,
www.coolaroodesign.com.au/insideline.htm, (08) 8557 8495
Description: A new venue for this event at Fox Creek which promises to
deliver exciting and close racing.

Round 3 Thredbo 5-8 December – NSW
Contact details: Colin Battersby, www.rawnrg.com.au, (02) 64576282
Description: Probably the best serviced DH venue in Australia. While not
quite as fast as the old Cannonball Run the winning time for the current
course is still well over 5 minutes making it one of the longest downhill’s
on our circuit. Be prepared to have the body punished, but that’s always
expected at Thredbo.

Round 4 Lithgow 25-26 January – NSW
Contact details: Grant Medlock, members.ozemail.com.au/~cavedweller, (02)
63522130
Description: Another regular on the National DH circuit. A venue that has
hosted many State and National level races. Starts off fairly tame
through a relatively flat section, before the real fun begins. Many great
photo’s have been published of riders trying to negotiate the bottom
section of
Lithgow. Well attended and also well organised by the Central Tablelands
MTB Club. A must for all.

National Championships/Oceania Championships
Mt Beauty 18-23 February- Victoria – C, CN
Contact Details, Team Mt. Beauty, www.team-mtb.org.au, (03) 57544405
Description: Nothing more needs to be added about the Nationals at Mt.
Beauty. The 2002 Nationals were the absolute pinnacle of the 2001/2002
Season. Who can forget the Lizard bridge and the friendly atmosphere
that is Mt. Beauty.

Round 5 Fellcrag 22-23 March – Queensland
Contact details: Two Wheel Promotions,
www.users.bigpond.com/TGRacing/index.htm, (07) 55964105
Description: A new venue making its debut on the National DH calendar. Set
not far from the old Kooralbyn course this course will be one of the
shortest on the circuit. Winning times could be around 2 minutes, but what
a fun 2 minutes it will be. Great for spectators as they just about see the
riders from top to bottom. A course that will add some variety to the DH
calendar. Don’t miss it.