Former pro and 2025 Australian National Gravel Champion Mark O’Brien, 38, showed he can also deliver a masterclass in road racing, taking a commanding third-in-a-row victory at the 11th Peaks Challenge Falls Creek gran fondo race on Sunday 7 March in Australia, completing the 235km course with over 4000 metres of elevation gain in a blistering time of 6:46:58 – more than ten minutes clear of the chasing pack.
Starting in the alpine village of Falls Creek, the course opens with a 30km descent to Mt Beauty before the first major climb of the day, Tawonga Gap, followed by the gruelling ascent of Mount Hotham and the feared final reckoning: the 9km stretch of the back of Falls Creek that doesn’t drop below 9% gradient the whole way to Trapyard Gap – a section veterans have long nicknamed “The Beast.”
O’Brien, no stranger to this race having won the previous two editions, was simply in a class of his own on Sunday, finishing well clear of a tightly-bunched group that came home almost as a collective. Scott Burrow edged into second in 6:57:56, with Valentin Cuzzucoli third in 6:58:00 and Alexander Conway fourth just two seconds later. Jordan Villani and Christopher Miller were inseparable in fifth and sixth, both clocking 6:58:06, while Tom Leeper rounded out the elite front group in 6:58:07 – a remarkable seven riders separated by just 11 seconds for the minor placings.
Andrew Foster led the next wave home in 7:01:08, before a three-man group of James Hammond (7:05:12), Josh Brooker (7:05:26), Brad Bannister (7:05:28), and Clint Bowen (7:05:32) crossed within 20 seconds of each other to complete the top twelve.
The event is recognised as Australia’s toughest single-day cycling event , and today’s front-of-field performances underscored why it commands the respect of gran fondo riders worldwide. Everyone who finishes earns the right to claim the coveted finisher’s jersey – a symbol of months of training, dedication, and determination.
O’Brien’s time of 6:46:58 stands as a landmark ride on one of cycling’s most unforgiving courses.
Complete 2026 Peaks Challenge Falls Creek results HERE
Photo Credit: sulnutrition
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