Jongewaard and Henderson super in Super D

Race conditions changed significantly for the riders just minutes before the scheduled start as torrential rain and hail battered the venue. With the Elite fields already at the top of the course, riders did not have the chance to make tyre changes to respond the vastly different conditions.

Jongewaard (SA) made his first appearance in the Real Insurance Australian MTB Season after spending time working and then training throughout the early races. A four-time National Champion in the Cross-Country Olympic format and a regular Australian representative internationally, Jongewaard came down the field mid-pack to set a time that would never be bettered.

"There were a few puddles out there, it was hard to know which were deep, shallow or slippery. I had a few sketchy moments, but I did my best to get down as fast as possible," Jongewaard said of the conditions.

Jongewaard is known for excellent performance in all cross-country disciplines as well as on the road, and he was happy with the race today to start the year.

"It's always good to get a win on the board early in the season, whether it's Cross Country, Super D or Short Track."

Joshua Carlson (NSW) came into today's race undefeated in Super D in the season, and he finished second by only 3.8 seconds to Jongewaard. With plans to race the Super D format in some of the biggest races in the US in 2012, a strong performance was expected.

"There are so many corners, you have to be nice and sharp. I had a pretty ordinary run, I had no snap today, it just wasn't my day."

Third-placed powerhouse Paul Van De Ploeg (VIC) had some bad luck with two flat tyres in the Super D in Mt Buller but had a much better experience.

"The course was very wet, a lot of puddles, but I pulled my run together towards the end", said Van De Ploeg.

http://media.sbs.com.au/cyclingcentral/upload_media/9806_henderson-640-baker.jpg

Stromlo is Rebecca Henderson's home track, and she won the women's Super D with a time 11 seconds in front of the field.

"I'm stoked with that, I did a practice run earlier and I wasn't happy with the way I was riding - the course was so slick. After the rain I felt comfortable on the track, and with a bit of moisture it was so fun to ride."

"It's a big year ahead for us, I'm having fun and racing well, I'd really like to give Jenny (King) a run in for her money in the XC tomorrow."

Second place in the Elite Women's race went to Jenni King (VIC), who started the day undefeated in all events across the season and will be one to watch in Saturday's Cross-Country Olympic racing. Tory Thomas (VIC) was in third.

In the U23 Men, Kyle Ward (NSW) took the win in the men's race from Jack Haig (VIC) and Trenton Day (NSW). Like Henderson. Ward finished in a time that would have placed him fourth in the Elite field. Amy Austin (NSW) won the women's U23 race from Jacinta Aitken (NSW).

Results: Real Insurance All Mountain Cup Round 3 - Super D.

Elite Men:

1 Chris Jongewaard SA 9:57.6
2 Joshua Carlson NSW 10:01.4
3 Paul Van Der Ploeg VIC 10:03.3
4 Daniel McConnell VIC 10:17.9
5 Andrew Blair NSW 10:18.9
6 Dylan Cooper ACT 10:24.7
7 Neil Van Der Ploeg 10:25.7
8 James Downing ACT 10:26.1
9 Andrew Fellows 10:30.1
10 Matthew Fleming NSW 10:34.8
11 Nick Both NSW 10:35.1
12 Shaun Lewis ACT 10:38.7
13 Adrian Jackson VIC 10:39.4
14 Michael Vanos NSW 10:44.7
15 Jarrod Moroni VIC 10:47.0
16 Chad Gossert NSW 10:52.3
17 Sid Taberlay TAS 10:52.6
18 Sean Martin ACT 10:56.1
19 Lachlan Norris VIC 11:00.2
20 Ondrej Slezak NSW 11:05.0
21 Evan Jeffery VIC 11:08.6
22 Andrew Arthur NSW 11:14.0
23 Matt Ligtermoet VIC 11:14.1
24 Ben Hogarth SA 11:21.9
25 Anthony Shippard NSW 11:28.7
26 John Groves VIC 12:22.2
27 Peter Kutschera VIC 17:06.5

Elite Women:

1 Rebecca Henderson ACT 11:06.0
2 Jenni King VIC 11:17.2
3 Tory Thomas VIC 11:43.0
4 Rosemary Barnes ACT 11:44.7
5 Peta Mullens VIC 11:47.2
6 Lindsay Gorrell NSW 11:57.3
7 Kelly Bartlett VIC 12:20.5
8 Sally Gabriel Other 12:29.7
9 Jenny Fay NSW 12:54.0
10 Nicola Hogan NSW 13:00.9
11 Katherine O'Shea VIC 17:00.2

Under 23 Men:

1 Kyle Ward NSW 10:12.7
2 Jack Haig VIC 10:17.6
3 Trenton Day NSW 10:19.4
4 Robbie Hucker VIC 10:22.3
5 Luke Fetch VIC 10:26.2
6 Alexander Meyland VIC 10:43.2
7 Cameron Ivory 10:53.9
8 James Hanus SA 10:54.8
9 Nelson Tilley QLD 10:55.6
10 Blake Polverino NSW 11:02.4
11 Sebastian Jayne NSW 11:10.7
12 Michael Crosbie VIC 11:13.4
13 Josh Cunneen NSW 11:32.7
14 Daniel McDonald NSW 12:02.0

Under 23 Women:

1 Amy Austin NSW 13:07.4
2 Jacinta Aitken NSW 15:33.6

Under 19 Men:

1 Joey Vejvoda 10:21.7
2 Benjamin Forbes QLD 10:36.9
3 Toby Stewart NSW 10:44.2
4 Ben Comfort ACT 10:48.3
5 Christopher Aitken NSW 11:01.1
6 Billy Sewell NSW 11:05.2
7= Tasman Nankervis VIC 11:06.3
7= Jack Lavis NSW 11:06.3
9 Harry Lindsay NSW 11:06.9
10 Ben Bradley TAS 11:13.6
11 Jason Lowndes VIC 11:17.5
12 Cameron Prosser ACT 11:25.8
13 Chris Hamilton VIC 11:31.4
14 Rodger Pogson-Manning QLD 11:44.5
15 Harry Herne NSW 12:19.2

Under 19 Women:

1 Karuna Henderson ACT 11:51.5
2 Emily Parkes NSW 12:52.7
3 Holly Harris NSW 13:11.6
4 Brooke Tranter ACT 14:19.7