Great Otway Gravel Grind
Gravel Race Delivers at the Otway Odyssey Weekend
Press Release / 26.02.2023
The Great Otway Gravel Grind – known as “The GOGG” - has often been regarded as one of Australia’s best gravel events, and the 7th edition of the race as no exception.
A record field of 600 riders took to the spectacular rolling dirt roads throughout the Otway Ranges in Victoria as part of the event’s two courses on Sunday 26 February 2023.
The 97km and 49km courses formed part of the Grand Fondo World Tour – Gravel Series where each participant received a ranking according to their finish result. Participants are then able to compare their achievement to riders across the World.
“Including The GOGG on this World Tour gives it recognition as an international level event, and we couldn’t be happier to see the gravel cycling community coming together on such a level,” said Rapid Ascent’s General Manager Sam Maffett.
The time-out zones are a key feature of The GOGG courses, with riders taking full advantage of the untimed rest stops. In the 97km Big Ring Gravel Grind, such race tactics ensured terrific wins by Charles Stuart for the men, and Justine Barrow for the women in times of 2:58:30 and 3:15:20, respectively.
As a true testament to the excitement of the course and the racing tactics in play, the men’s field always seems to deliver an adrenalin-charged race to the finish line in Forrest.
Official results that take into account the time-out zones saw Stuart take the crown ahead of Matthew Bird (2:59:35) and Scott Bowden (3:00:12).
“It was hard work out there; I jumped in the move early on the first climb where we gained about a minute, so from there I just held on after each segment – fending off a few attacks from these guys!” said Stuart.
Bowden was our King of the Otways, placing 4th in the 100km Odyssey MTB yesterday, and backing up with 3rd place in the 97km gravel race.
“This has been a bucket list event for me, I’ve never done this race so when I got my gravel bike recently I just had to give it a go,” said Bowden.
Courtney Sherwell once again proved why she is Queen of the Otways, also backing up her 4th place in the 100km Odyssey MTB by placing second today. But it was Barrow taking advantage of her climbing power to take the official overall first place in 3:15:20.
“How beautiful are these roads – thanks for putting all the climbing in too!” laughed Barrow.
Sherwell finished in 3:31:25, with Nicole Mitsigeorgis coming in third place in 3:37:05.
The day also saw some quality riding in the 49km Gravel Grind Course with Lachlan McDonald proving too strong across the finish line over Harry Nankervis in 1:47:55 a piece! For the women, it was Ruby Taylor clocking in an impressive time of 2:00:44.
“That was good fun – such a beautiful course; nice and cool too so I could push hard especially on the rolling down hills,” said McDonald.
“I took advantage of the untimed sections for a break with a coffee and a muffin; I just loved the course today,” said Taylor.
The 30km Rookie mountain bike race was also held Sunday in conjunction with the Gravel Grind as part of the Otway Odyssey weekend.
More than 300 riders took to the popular Forrest trails on the 30km course which is designed specifically for novice mountain bikers and developing juniors.
First across the line was Peter Sargent in a blitzing time of 1:28:16. Clara Blersch was our first Odyssey Angel (female) posting a time of 1:31:15.
“It was a beautiful track again; I did the 50km yesterday so when I heard I could ride the 30km today I jumped at it,” said Sargent. “I got dropped for a couple of hundred meters from the lead group; but I put in a couple of efforts on the single track to work my way back.”
For more event information head to www.TheGOGG.com.au and www.OtwayOdyssey.com.au
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