Staged at SCUM’s Cabbage Tree MTB track on January 24, and among many familiar faces from previous years of racing, there were many new faces on the start line.

It was great to see such a strong turnout for the beginning of the 2010 SCUM XC race season.

Thanks to the experience, efforts, efficiency and prior planning of the race organisers and registrars the race was started on time at 9am.

An abatement of the high temperatures of the previous day and a morning shower on the track created some fast racing conditions and it seemed Josh Calson’s lap record could be in danger of being bested.

The introduction of a new race category system has seen fewer open age categories and larger fields of riders competing against each other.

One only needs to look at the race results to see some competitive racing taking place during the course of the day.

The men’s A grade category had current Nowra Optus World Veloclub champion and former 24 hour Endurance Mountain biking World Champion podium finisher, Mark Fenner (Fenner Performance Racing) in a racing duel with Southern Highlands Cycling Club noted rider, Rod McGee.

Nothing separated the two riders other than the time it took to enter their respective race numbers into the timing equipment for the first four laps, averaging 15 minutes 40 seconds per lap.

In testament of the incredible endurance and will to win of these two riders, the fastest lap of both Mark’s and Rod’s race was their fifth and final lap with a blistering time of 15 minutes 09 seconds, beating the track record by six seconds.

Fenner came way with the win by the closest of margins with McGee a respectable second and Wade Carberry was third.

In women’s A grade Meaghan Binder placed first with a fast overall time for five laps with some fast and consistent lap times, with Sheridan Wicks placing not too far behind Meaghan in second.