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Albany riders headlined by Harper O’Donnell impress at recent rounds of the WA Gravity Enduro Series

Taj StubberAlbany Advertiser
Harper O'Donnell competing at nationals in Tasmania earlier this year.
Camera IconHarper O'Donnell competing at nationals in Tasmania earlier this year. Credit: Andy Rogers

Rising Albany mountain bike rider Harper O’Donnell claimed back-to-back victories in the WA Gravity Enduro Series in recent months.

O’Donnell finished fifth overall in the under-15 category last year but has stepped up to the under-17 category this series and is showing he is up for the challenge.

In the third round of the series held at the Pemberton Mountain Bike Park on May 23, O’Donnell finished first in the wet and muddy conditions to defeat Denmark’s Zac Wilson among 73 competitors in the division.

O’Donnell backed up that performance in the fourth round also held in muddy conditions at Chittering last weekend.

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The young competitor crossed the line first ahead of 73 other riders to claim four of the five stages and take the overall race victory.

There are nine rounds in the series and the best six results count towards the overall series points.

O’Donnell said he was thrilled to win the two rounds.

“All my wet weather riding in Albany must be paying off for these muddy races,” he said.

“I have enjoyed a great start to the season, and I hope I can maintain this form heading towards State championships later in the year.”

Jess Waldron, from Albany, also enjoyed an outstanding start to Gravity Enduro racing, winning the first three races of the season in the under-19 women’s category.

Round two was cancelled due to the COVID outbreak in Perth.

Albany’s Dinah Roecker won rounds three and four in the women’s 45+ category.

Meanwhile Corben Weinert finished fourth in round three and four of the Men full enduro 19+ category while Hayden Kinnear finished sixth in Pemberton and filled fifth place in Chittering.

The next event is Karratha on July 11 but due to travel distances, many competitors have their sights set on the next South West round which is a double header weekend in Margaret River and Dunsborough on July 31 and August 1.

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