by Kerry Larson

Sunday's RRR Mountain Bike Challenge produced a fast course, with dry conditions suiting ex-Cairns rider, Andrew Fellows.

Fellows clocked a time of 2 hours 9 minutes and 46 seconds on the Mount Molloy to Port Douglas to take out the 70km course honours.

Now based in Tewantin, Fellows first rode the 40km course in 2002, with yesterday's trophy his second.

Fellow Tewantin rider, Ty Cerlenizza was second with Cairns rider Dominic Hoyal third.

In the women's 70km section, Cairns' Abby McLennan crossed first in 2:47:45 ahead of fellow Cairns competitors Lauretta Howarth (3:02:49) and Sarah Hoyal (3:19:32).

In the 40km classic race, Jonathan Standage won the men’s division in 1:24:27, while Josephine Zammitt won the women's section in 1:49:01.

Now in its 21st year, the iconic RRR (Rural, Rainforest & Reef) cross country challenge is the longest running 'point to point' race in Australia.

The race begins at Mount Molloy, providing a test of endurance and stamina of hill climbs in dirt and dust, before crossing into the deep tropical rainforest of Black Mountain Road in Julatten and the famous Bump Track, known for its fast, downhill section.

After coming through the Mowbray Valley, riders cross the Captain Cook Highway at Craiglie, and head down Old Port Road and Four Mile Beach to finish Port Douglas Surf Life Saving Club.