World Masters MTBO Championships

Slovenj Gradec, Slovenia – 17-21 May 2023

BY PETER CUSWORTH

Four Australians made it to Slovenia for this year’s World Masters MTBO Championships: Ben Coetzer (WA) and Steven Law (VIC) both in M60, Carolyn Cusworth (VIC) in W65, and Peter Cusworth (VIC) in M70. They joined around 320 other masters competitors, and with the open classes almost 400 riders took part.

The Slovenian organisers had originally planned these events for 2021, but as we know, other things happened that year. They had obviously put in years of work and were keen to see their carnival finally taking place.

This part of Europe was experiencing a wet few weeks with temperatures lower than average as well, and so we all headed out on the model event in drizzling rain to get our first experience of Slovenian forest. It was wet and muddy with lots of slippery tree roots, which did not fill us Aussies with much confidence. And when I say ‘tree roots’, I mean masses of roots weaving their way across double and single tracks. Admittedly, this model map was the worst of the week, with things getting marginally better with each race.

The mass start, on Thursday, was the first race of the championships with the assembly, start and finish happening at the Slovenj Gradec Airport. Fortunately the airport was closed to air traffic on the day. Start groups lined up on the concrete runaway and took off in 10-min intervals. There was a mad sprint down the runway and off into grassy tracks and then into the forest. It was muddy, and there were many tracks with lots of them appearing rather indistinct. Some large areas of water and mud brought back memories of the Australian MTBO Champs last year near Cessnock, but with many more roots thrown in.

Mass start events are always a bit chaotic, but there were certainly some navigation challenges for us all and it was pleasing to get to finish with an ‘OK’ on your printout. Unfortunately, Ben suffered damage to his bike, which meant he was a DNF and a long walk back in. Steve managed a creditable 24th in a big field in M60 – his first international MTBO event. Carolyn battled hard to finish sixth in W65, and Peter managed fifth in M70.

Next was the middle-distance race, which was held at Komenda, around 90 km away. This town is apparently where road cycling champion Tadej Pocačar hails from, not that it made any difference to us as we raced around our courses. There was no rain during the event and the sun was out. The forest here was a little bit drier and slightly less rooty, but our bikes still needed much washing after the event with the bike-wash queue being very long! Steve finished in 30th, and Ben 38th, Peter managed another fifth place, Carolyn had a mispunch after struggling to complete her course.

The long-distance event was back in Slovenj Gradec and judging by the old map posted in the bulletin, it was going to be a very steep area. The 2 km ride to the start even had 150 m of climbing! The event itself was quite amazing with some hard muddy climbs mixed in with some very fast sealed roads through villages and settlements. Other legs took us down narrow trails between steep fields, with some stunning views, if you wanted to take time to look. It seemed many routes involved going through private land with one track even going through the middle of a barn! Peter had quite a good ride finishing fourth. Ben and Steve had a very tough course with a lot of climbing and finished down the list in M60. Carolyn had given herself a rest day with a DNS. The final event was the sprint held in and around Slovenj Grade itself.

Courses took riders through urban streets and paths, into small forest areas and parkland, through a tunnel under the main road, then into a sporting fields area with fences and steps, and finishing with controls in a skate park before a final straight in front of the local swimming pool. Some very fast times were posted. Peter again finished fourth, Ben had a good ride in 27th place, Steve was 31st, and Carolyn sixth.

And then it was all over. Congratulations go to the organising team, made mostly from the local clubs, for putting on some terrific and challenging events and courses. Everything seemed to run smoothly during the week, even with the less than perfect weather. The four races covered a good mix of conditions giving everyone a great range of experiences. Well done Slovenia.

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