Cross country racer Rowena Fry not only conquered the opposition but the pounding rain and howling wind on board her Avanti Team Competitor to take her second victory of the 2010-2011 Jayco Australian Mountain Bike Series at Mt Buller in the Victorian high country on Saturday.
The elite women were the first to tackle the challenging conditions, with Fry taking an early lead. "It's pretty muddy out there. It was really good fun, but it's hard work. It sucks the power out of your legs and you feel like you're not going anywhere. The worst thing is getting mud in your eyes, you can't see anything but you just hope for the best."
Although Fry believes she still has some work to do, the 28-year-old Launceston rider is on track to win her third consecutive national crown later this month.
"I'm slowly getting there. I'm just having a really slow start this season, but I really want to have a good crack overseas this year. I head over in March and I'll be racing until September.
"I definitely want to win nationals, for my third year in a row, and hopefully my form will come together to do that."