Two familiar names led the way on the opening day of the Enduro World Series round at Derby.
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Visiting the Tasmanian mountain bike mecca for the second time, the series attracted strong crowds as the weather helped create an enjoyable spectacle - in contrast to the rain-drenched maiden visit of 2017.
The newly-built Kumma Gutza and Air Ya Garn trails hosted Saturday afternoon's opening queen stage and the fastest riders were Martin Maes and Isabeau Courdurier.
Maes, of Belgium, who banished memories of an injury-plagued 2018 season by winning every stage of the opening round in New Zealand, carried that momentum across the Tasman with an impressive display in Tasmania.
Courdurier claimed her first EWS win in Derby two years ago and added her second last weekend in Rotorua where she won all but one of the stages as another Frenchwoman Morgane Charre denied her a clean sweep.
With world champion Cecil Ravenal, also of France, out due to a serious training accident, Courdurier dominated on her Derby return.
Around 400 competitors representing more than 30 nationalities are competing on Blue Derby's iconic trails over the weekend with thousands of spectators expected to be cheering them on as Sunday's action graces six trails including Trouty, Kingswall, Return to Sender and the award-winning Detonate.
Rob Shaw
Heralding the impact of Tasmanian sport without saying "punching above its weight" is not as easy as it sounds.
Heralding the impact of Tasmanian sport without saying "punching above its weight" is not as easy as it sounds.
