Wild Geese make mark on international MTB stage

The Wild Geese made their debut in international mountain biking, with a credible performance at the Amulet 24hr marathon MTB event in Liberec-Vesec in the Czech Republic. This was the first time that trio Fergus Fahey, Andrew Fleming and Oliver Tormey had ever competed in mountain biking and it was a fine achievement even to complete the 24 hours of lapping the 12.5km circuit.

Fergus Fahey - 24hr MTB debut

The Wild Geese team started with the handcap of having only three cyclists - despite having to compete in a four-person team competition. At midday June 12th 2010, Oliver Tormey was one of over 400 cyclists who started the race in Le Mans style.  Competitors (see video below) broke the tape and ran 500 metres before collecting their bikes. For the next twenty four hours they cycled, in sun and darkness, with the risk of sunburn and the risk of being drenched, navigating tracks made from tarmac, rocks, mud, grass, woodships and dealing with inclines and declines of every degree.

Andrew Fleming about to start a night-time lap

Heavy rain, along with thunder and lightening, began at 8.00pm just as Fergus Fahey left the Wild Geese camp HQ, but he bravely put in another excellent lap which further fueled the high morale in the team. But it was the three shifts in the night time darkness of the forest that allowed the Wild Geese team to finish in a comfortable ranking among the 4-person teams. It was a tremendous debut performance from an inexperienced team.

Oliver Tormey at the starting line

Andy and Oliver at Wild Geese basecamp

Wild Geese MTB manager Miroslav Chmelik

For other photos see Liberec MTB gallery: http://www.wildgeesefc.org/?q=gallery&g2_itemId=1019 

Official Amulet Bicycles 24hr MTB race website: http://www.24hours-mtb.com/cs/

Official results: http://24hod.sportsoft.cz/2010/

Start of race

Start of cycling - after the 'Le Mans' start (Oliver Tormey in white Geese tshirt)

Heavy rain makes race even tougher

Andy gives report after 8hrs

Fergus reports as Gaeilge

Oliver in the Woods