The Joyride Rookie Cup, a junior race day, and Victorian Downhill Series, a junior and open age event, are set to embrace Dookie’s Mount Major Mountain Bike Trail this weekend, as part of the qualification rounds in the lead up to state and nationals competitions.
As young groms get set to schralp the B-line, GV Mountain Bike Club committee member Jo Jeffers couldn’t be more stoked about the upcoming weekend of airtime, in both senses of the word.
“It’s a really exciting time for the club, there’s a fair few weeks of riding packed into the schedule coming up but we’re really excited to host,” Jeffers said.
“There are three rounds in the series before state champs in November - this one for the Rookie Cup is the second round.
“Bairnsdale hosted round one, while Eildon will host round three.
“The top 20 from under-13s and top 40 from under-15s and under-17s qualify for state champs in November.”
An event sanctioned by the AusCycling body, the junior’s events will ride Mount Major’s B-line trail, while the open age category will tackle the A-line - a more technical ride down the slope.
Tires will kick up dirt, bounce over rocky terrain and leap for airtime on a new track this year too, providing a fresh experience for competitors.
Additionally, Mount Major’s unique environment with sparse trees, makes the track more accessible for viewing than any other track in the qualification rounds.
There are 250 riders anticipated to enjoy a namesake joyride for the Rookie Cup, while an excess of 300 will fit on a full lid for the Downhill Series.
While the naming rights partner of the Rookie Cup will organise and manage the junior event, the GV Mountain Bike Club will be all hands on deck for the open age Downhill Series to make sure the day runs smoothly.
But with a dedicated and tight knit community, Jeffers has full faith in the success of the weekend.
“We’ve got a core committee that are hands on and gets things done,” Jeffers said.
“The mountain biking community we’ve found is brilliant.
“Riders become good mates despite the competition.
“It’s really healthy competition and kids make friends with others from all across the state because of the connection to the sport.”
The first group of riders hit the trail at 9:00am on Saturday.
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