Josef Winkler tackles the track at “Pomi”. Photo: Josef Winkler.
It’s survival of the fittest across 75 km of hard-racing, 25 km laps through twisting single track with about 500 metres of climbing taking in the best of Pomingalarna Park.
This weekend, Wagga will host the 2022 AusCycling Marathon National Championships (XCM Marathon champs), bringing the best mountain bikers from across Australia to compete for the national jersey.
For me as a local enthusiast, this will be one of the toughest events I’ve competed in and a chance to test myself in the elite ranks.
It’s my first home national-level event since I started riding, so it’s something special.
Josef Winkler takes us through the trail. Photo: Josef Winkler.
There’s nothing like racing on home turf – knowing where to go and where every rock is lurking makes the experience that much better.
“Pomi”, as we locals know it, is like my backyard and living in proximity to the trails allows me to get out on my bike and spend hours on the mountain at a time.
Unlike other machine-built tracks, Pomingalarna Park is known for its hand-cut trails that flow through the native landscape, providing thrill and adventure for riders of all levels.
This weekend’s course will take in most of the trails, missing out on only about 3 km of track.
It’s a tough course with a huge climb at the start of the loop, reaching a grade of 26 per cent, which will have you biting your handlebars and is guaranteed to get your heart rate red-lining.
This will separate the field in the first lap, showing the fittest riders of the bunch.
Despite the tough start, it’s also quite fast, using fire roads with pinch climbs and single track with flowing descents.
Cycling in Wagga is booming, with events such as Gears and Beers in October and the Tolland Cycling Open in March; however, the XCM national round is the biggest mountain bike event we’ve hosted since the Evocities six-hour event was shelved some years ago.
Mountain biking has opened up a whole world of opportunities across Southern New South Wales, creating new businesses, pouring money into local economies and just bringing people closer together.
The multisport complex has helped with accessibility by bringing water facilities to the trailhead, allowing for riders to refill water when required – which is a huge bonus.
The cycling infrastructure in Wagga is second to none, with connecting trails between the park and the city providing safe access for riders who want to explore.
This weekend will be a spectacle with plenty on offer for spectators, with the Good Grind coffee van brewing on site and food available for purchase on the day.
If you have never been to Pomi, this weekend could be your chance to see what everyone is talking about!
The event is on across two days, 13 and 14 August, starting and finishing at the new multisport cycling complex at Pomingalarna Reserve. For more details or to enter, go to Auscycling.
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