Mount Stromlo is one of Australia’s most well known tracks, both here and internationally. It played host toA�a World Cup inA�2008, won by Greg Minnaar and the World Championships’ in 2009 won by Steve Peat. Not to mention numerous other National Series races and the National Championships’. Widely regarded as a physically intensive track, Minnaar and Peats’ win seemed to prove this theory. If there was going to be a race this year that would test Troy Brosnan’s dominance in Elite Men, Mount Stromlo would be it. Favourite in Under 19 Men must have been a rider such as Joey Vejvoda or Dean Lucas, riders who both suit the pedally track.
Late in the week heavy rain fell in the A.C.T. meaning practice didn’t really get serious until Saturday. A newA�”Rock Garden”A�top section keptA�riders on their toes, the rest of the track was much the same.A�Sam Hill who is known for taking different lines to other riders,A�found an interesting line, that he and teammate Troy Brosnan tried. It involvedA�cuttingA�the inside of a corner and riding off the track on the grass (all within the bunting). In the end they didn’t use this line but hundreds ofA�other riders didn’t even consider it.A�
Qualifying was an interesting affair, with Troy Brosnan and Dean Lucas on top of the time sheets in Elite and Under 19 Men respectively. Once the finals started everyone was keen to see who would be victorious.
It was no surprise to see Tracey Hannah dominate the Elite Women’s category, three from three for Tracey. It will be great to see her racing alongside her brother at the 2012 World Cup racesA�on the new Hutchinson Tyre/Morewood team. Maybe the Hannah family will challenge the Athertons for the title of dominant gravity family on the World Scene? Australia can hope!
Under 19 Men provided a few surprises, namely Connor Fearon taking the win by over two seconds. Connor would be the first to tell you Mount Stromlo doesn’t suit his style as much as it might suit some of his competitors. You realise just how tight the competition is in this category when you see that second through to fifth were separated by just over a second! Luke Ellison stepped up to third, a big result for Luke. Absent were names such as Crimmins, Blake and Lucas, in Dean Lucas’ case he went down in one of the last corners of the track. After a good qualifying time who knows what could have been?!
Elite Men threw up a few surprises,A�third place went to Todd Madsen a relatively unknown rider, he was the highestA�placed rider who hasn’t won a World Championship! Ricky Boyer continued to show he is a super consistent racer no matter what track or conditions finishing fourth. Tim Eaton aboard his gearbox equipped bike pedalled home for fifth. Last season’s winner Rhys Atkinson snuck in to sixth place. Ben Cory crashed hard in the “Triple Treat”A�section, hopefully we see him back at full strength for the National Championships’.A�The top two spots for the day again went to the Monster Specialized team, all season long it has been Troy and Sam dominating. This time Troy won by over 2 seconds, with the first World Cup inA�Pietermaritzburg just over a month away, this must have been a huge boost for Troy. Even more so considering the physically demanding track, much like Stromlo. Next up is National Championships’ at Eagle Mountain Bike Park in South Australia.
A�
Elite Men:
1. Troy Brosnan 2.14.40
2. Sam Hill 2.16.85 + 2.45
3. Todd Madsen 2.20.19 + 5.79
4. Ricky Boyer 2.20.65 + 6.25
5. Tim Eaton 2.20.72 + 6.32
Elite Women:
1. Tracey Hannah 2.38.78
2. Lisa Mathison 2.53.71 + 14.93
3. Madeline Taylor 2.55.32 + 16.54
4. Claire Whiteman 2.58.11 + 19.33
5. Michelle Crisp 3.00.64 + 21.86
Under 19 Men:
1. Connor Fearon 2.19.66
2. Joe Vejvoda 2.22.02 + 2.36
3. Luke Ellison 2.22.68 + 3.02
4. Trent Pirribauer 2.22.73 + 3.07
5. Dave McMillan 2.23.13 + 3.47
Under 19 Female:
1. Danielle Beecroft 2.50.11
2. Gemma Greentree 4.16.02 + 1.25.91