Gallery: The Inaugural Shimano Gravel Muster Stage Race In The Red Centre

Australia’s red centre was the ideal location for the inaugural Shimano Gravel Muster Stage Race, a four-day event that wrapped up on Sunday afternoon.

Gravel power-houses Karl Michelin-Beard(ACT) and Ella Bloor (NSW) emerged as overall champions with the fastest cumulative times across all four stages of the new Northern Territory event. Both were equally in awe of the quality of exceptional gravel riding on offer in the heart of Australia.

Set against the stunning backdrop of the East MacDonnell Ranges near Alice Springs, the event featured four days of riding on outback gravel roads.

The varying racing segments were a highlight, allowing riders to experience the thrill of “fast-bunch-racing” with timed racing segments within each stage, and “social riding with friends” during the untimed cruising sections.

Richie Porte Returns To Racing

Former professional cyclist and Shimano ambassador Richie Porte said it was a “no-brainer” to be part of the event.

“For me at the moment, it’s been hard to get a little bit of my fitness back; so to come up to the NT and have a good crack on each stage, I really enjoyed it,” said Porte. “We had a really good crew who pushed pretty hard… and that’s what it’s all about at the Gravel Muster – pushing hard when it’s timed, and chilling out in the other segments!”

Stage 1

Day 1 began on Thursday 22^nd August which saw the 78 riders set out on a 47km loop from the Alice Springs BMX Track – along a number of popular local gravel tracks – to the top of Flagon Hill for the events’ first social ‘pop-up-bar’ finish line. Racing included 1 timed segment of 17km with Michelin-Beard setting a solid pace early on to take out the inaugural stage win.

Stage 2

The following morning encompassed the BIG day – a total of 153km for Stage 2 with two racing segments totally 94km. Riders headed out from Alice Springs on a journey towards their first outback cattle station evening at Hale River. The tough, straight country roads made for some tough riding from the front of the pack with the likes of Porte, Michelin-Beard, Mitch Anderson and Mitch Lorkin, throughout the field to the tail-enders; all whilst marvelling at the quintessentially Australian landscape.

The inaugural Gravel Muster event took place near Alice Springs in the Northern Territory. Image: Forktail.

Stage 3

Saturday’s Stage 3 began from Hale River to competitors’ second outback stay at Ross River Station, with a 90km course (and two racing segments totally 47km). And what a jewel of a stage it was thanks to the diversity and sense of journey felt throughout the breathtaking landscapes of the Artlunga Plateau and Trephina Gorge in the heart of the East MacDonnell Ranges.

Headed up once again by Bloor, Porte and Michelin-Beard, competitors raced across dry river beds and past timeless rock formations and a labyrinth of green gorges.

Imogen Smith who placed 2^nd on Stage 3 for the women said it was an eye-opener how tactical the unique style of racing was;

“The event format is not something I’ve done before, so I’ve had to learn pretty quick how to switch on and off out of race mode; and it was quite tactical at times too,” said Smith.

“But honestly, this whole experience is like going to another planet! It’s not something you’ll get anywhere else in the World – and this race really does take you places you would never, ever go otherwise!” continued Smith.

Stage 4

The final Stage 4 on Sunday 25 August saw riders jump on the infamous Numery Road and surrounds as they traversed back to Alice Springs clocking up 95km, and celebrating with a brew at the Alice Springs Brewery. The 55km racing segment was hailed a Roubaix-esque rattler with Porte showing his international class at the front of the pack.

The overall General Classification title in the men’s field was won by Michelin-Beard who hung onto his narrow lead, impressively riding half the race on broken handlebars and holding off a charging Porte on Stage 4! Michelin-Beard clocked a total cumulative time of 5 hours 56 minutes and 25 seconds over the 4 stages; with Mitchell Anderson and Mitch Lorkin finishing in the minor placings.

For the women, Bloor extended her lead taking the inaugural Gravel Muster title in a cumulative time of 6 hours, 19 minutes and 40 seconds, with Shauna Frey and Imogen Smith in second and third place.

As Australia’s first ever gravel stage race, the team at Rapid Ascent and Shimano could not be happier;

“This event may well have broken a number of riders down, to only rebuild them stronger and wilder,” said Maffett. “We are completely blown away to see each and every one of our participants finish with a sparkle in their eye and the knowledge that they’ve just experienced something truly magical!”

“When Rapid Ascent first came to me with this proposal – this one really stood out as something that was unique and different,” said Toby Shingleton, Shimano Marketing Manager.

“This is a race, not a Grand Fondo; and whilst there are a lot of people who love to pin a number on to race and challenge themselves in that way – the majority here were looking for that experience to push themselves in a new direction and that’s something we’ll continue to support in years to come,” added Shingleton.

The event was supported by the NT Government which has assisted Rapid Ascent to design, develop and deliver this new event at a national level.

RESULTS – OVERALL GC

Overall General Classification (GC) – MALE