Melbourne University Sport -

Norris wins national MTB silver
12/02/2007
By Rod Warnecke

Lachlan Norris Lachlan Norris (2nd Year Science) recently took out the silver medal in the Cross Country at the 2007 National Mountain Bike Championships at Mt Stromlo, ACT (27 January). Recent Melbourne University graduate Tory Thomas won the gold medal in the Women’s Elite race category.

Going into the race as the U/23 race series leader (and also sitting 4th in the men’s Elite class), Norris was guaranteed a good spot on the front row of the grid. Norris made good use of his starting position and settles fifth as the 60-odd competitors raced into the first single-track section of the course. After hitting a rocky pinch where he needed to dismount and run, Lachlan encountered his first mechanical problem (his chain came off!) which saw him slip back into the second chase pack.

“For the first two laps I struggled to find a rhythm and found that technically I was a bit off centre, perhaps it was the strong winds at the top of the descent throwing me off”, reported Norris.

After consolidating his place in the eight-man chase group, Norris grinded out the remaining laps to cross the finish line 2.18.56, two minutes behind U/23 race winner Shaun Lewis. Melbourne University’s Daniel Braunsteins came home in fourth place in 2.22.24. Both Norris and Braunsteins will now prepare for the Oceania Championships at Thredbo in March before they head off to Europe as part of the South Australia.com MTB team. The team will be based in Varese, Italy and will race in a number of international competitions culminating with the World Championships in Scotland in September.

Continuing her sensational comeback from a career-ending crash with a car in 2005, Tory Thomas (Planning graduate) claimed her third national-level title by claiming the gold medal in the Cross Country. Tory, now residing in Mt Beauty, is the current Australian Marathon and 24-hour Solo MTB Champion.


Home Membership Facilities Group Fitness Health Services Clubs Sport and Recreation Ski Lodge About Us Contact Us News Archive Merchandise	Norris wins national MTB silver 12/02/2007 By Rod Warnecke Lachlan Norris (2nd Year Science) recently took out the silver medal in the Cross Country at the 2007 National Mountain Bike Championships at Mt Stromlo, ACT (27 January). Recent Melbourne University graduate Tory Thomas won the gold medal in the Women’s Elite race category. Going into the race as the U/23 race series leader (and also sitting 4th in the men’s Elite class), Norris was guaranteed a good spot on the front row of the grid. Norris made good use of his starting position and settles fifth as the 60-odd competitors raced into the first single-track section of the course. After hitting a rocky pinch where he needed to dismount and run, Lachlan encountered his first mechanical problem (his chain came off!) which saw him slip back into the second chase pack. “For the first two laps I struggled to find a rhythm and found that technically I was a bit off centre, perhaps it was the strong winds at the top of the descent throwing me off”, reported Norris. After consolidating his place in the eight-man chase group, Norris grinded out the remaining laps to cross the finish line 2.18.56, two minutes behind U/23 race winner Shaun Lewis. Melbourne University’s Daniel Braunsteins came home in fourth place in 2.22.24. Both Norris and Braunsteins will now prepare for the Oceania Championships at Thredbo in March before they head off to Europe as part of the South Australia.com MTB team. The team will be based in Varese, Italy and will race in a number of international competitions culminating with the World Championships in Scotland in September. Continuing her sensational comeback from a career-ending crash with a car in 2005, Tory Thomas (Planning graduate) claimed her third national-level title by claiming the gold medal in the Cross Country. Tory, now residing in Mt Beauty, is the current Australian Marathon and 24-hour Solo MTB Champion.