World Cup 3 a�� Leogang – Finals

Austria, visually stunning and also home to a lot of cows!
Austria, visually stunning and also home to a lot of cows!

Round 3 of the UCI mountain bike world cup in Leogang, Austria was one of the most memorable races for years, if not ever. By now everyone knows the results and what a one Mr Aaron Gwin did sans chain but there’s more to the race than just that race winning run.

The week was a constant guessing game in relation to the weather, the alpine weather could change at the drop of the hat. Conditions went from dry and dusty to monsoonal and wet in no time flat, in the end the conditions for racing were okay, the biggest challenge for the riders were the strong winds.

Conditions were crazy all week long, in the end Mother Nature tried her best for the finals.
Conditions were crazy all week long, in the end Mother Nature tried her best for the finals.

Juniors were on track first and for anyone that wasn’t fortunate enough to be track side the live timing was the closest to the action you could get. As there often is it looks like the race for the overall will be a see-sawing battle, this time it was Australia’s own Andrew Crimmins who took the win by 3 seconds over Irish rider Jacob Dickson who is being mentored by Ben Reid. Laurie Greenland, one of the other strong overall contenders finished 3rd with a broken chain (did he start a trend for the day?!). It is also worth mentioning Jacckson Frew took home a solid 5th place and Remy Morton suffered a mechanical and finished down the bottom of the list but is as positive as always!

Is getting disqualified worse than crashing or a mechanical? Unfortunately Manon Carpenter hasn't had a season any where as near as successful as 2014. Her race finished with a DSQ next to her name on the time sheet as she exited the course and went over one of the bunting poles.
Is getting disqualified worse than crashing or a mechanical? Unfortunately Manon Carpenter hasn’t had a season any where as near as successful as 2014. Her race finished with a DSQ next to her name on the time sheet as she exited the course and went over one of the bunting poles.

The women’s race was always going to be interesting with a few riders capable of the win, in the end the British showed why they are the power house of the sport taking gold and silver. Rachel Atherton, the most dominant female rider of this generation, surprisingly had never won at Leogang before. Rachel was quietly hoping for rain but in didn’t need it as she took a 3 second victory, finishing second, for the second race in a row, was Tahnee Seagrave. You would think that Tahnee is going to grab a maiden victory sooner rather than later. For Australia Tracey Hannah grabbed 6th, missing the podium on her birthday weekend by one place and Tegan Molloy A�finished 15th.

Rachel Atherton overcame her Leogang dry spell by winning on the weekend.
Rachel Atherton overcame her Leogang dry spell by winning on the weekend.

Moving onto the men’s race and the anticipation was high, Loic Bruni came down early on after issues in his qualifying run. He was blunt during his hot seat interview saying he didn’t think his run was enough for the victory. True to his word he eventually finished 8th.

An issue in qualifying saw Loic Bruni come down early on in finals and set the time to beat.
An issue in qualifying saw Loic Bruni come down early on in finals and set the time to beat.

Coming into the race there were any number of riders who could have won the race, Greg Minnaar has a fantastic record here and had won just the weekend prior. Unfortunately for Greg (who is a tall fella) he hit his head on the start gate and had to rearrange his helmet/goggles and in the end couldn’t notch up another victory.

A favourite for many, Greg Minnaar has won world cups and championships on this course.
A favourite for many, Greg Minnaar has won world cups and championships on this course.

Flo Payet came over the finish line jump and had a tyre blow of the rim, sending tubeless sealant all over anyone standing close by. Dean Lucas powered home for 24th, his team mate Stevie Smith wasn’t so lucky crashing and finishing way down the order. Gee Atherton couldn’t replicate his sisters race and finished off the podium in 6th. Trpy Brosnan finished 4th, a solid result and one that will help his chances for the overall, 0.2 ahead of Troy was Remi Thirion claiming 3rd. If there is a danger man for the world championships in Andorra later this year surely it is Remi.

A strong 7th place for Josh Bryceland!
A strong 7th place for Josh Bryceland!

Much to the Australian downhill communities delight Connor Fearon managed to replicate his qualifying position and finished second!!! It was a nervous few minutes while officials waited to see if he gained any advantage after he ran off course near the bottom where Manon had earlier. His first world cup podium, check downhill247 for his Inside Info on his first world cup podium. First, without a chain, was Aaron Gwin who admitted ‘strange things happen here’ after losing his brakes at the 2012 world championships, his tyre at the 2014 race and then this year his chain! His win will go down in history as one of the most amazing runs of all time.

Connor Fearon has had great success at Leogang, snagging third as a junior at the 2012 World Championships and 9th last year.
Connor Fearon has had great success at Leogang, snagging third as a junior at the 2012 World Championships and 9th last year.
Crossing the line, with the time board showing green, what every racer strives for!
Crossing the line, with the time board showing green, what every racer strives for!
Connor and Bernard are mates so there was a lot of people stoked for Connor as he crossed the line.
Connor and Bernard Kerr are mates so there was a lot of people stoked for Connor as he crossed the line.
One of the best riders of our generation, absolutely no doubt, Aaron Gwin took first without a chain!
One of the best riders of our generation, absolutely no doubt, Aaron Gwin took first without a chain!

Next world cup is the new track is in Lenzerheide, Switzerland, Steve Peat is helping create it so no doubt it will be epic.

Images:A�http://www.lukasnavratil.cz/ Facebook hereA�or Instagram @luknav

Get more content onA�FacebookA�orA�follow us on Instagram: @downhill247

World Cup 3 – Leogang – Track Walk

We have a 15 second look at the track, a few changes from last year to keep things interesting….!

Follow Tegan Molloy who kindly provided this roundsa�� track walk on Instagram @teganmolloy96

Get more content onA�FacebookA�orA�follow us on Instagram: @downhill247

World Cup Round 4, Leogang – Qualifying

Luca Shaw was todays fastest junior, interestingly enough, only himself and Loris Vergier would of qualified in the Elite Field
Luca Shaw was todays fastest junior, interestingly enough, only himself and Loris Vergier would of qualified in the Elite Field

Today saw the sun over a rain free Leogang, leaving the track dry and loose for qualifying. The ‘B’ group riders had morning practice to themselves before moving over for the ‘A’ group riders, so many of the B group practiced on a track still moist form the overnight dew, having a much more tacky effect, but also a little more slippery, leaving them slightly more reserved when it came to all out speed. As the A group riders began to transition to practice we noticed the speed start to increase, not only as the higher ranked riders flowed down the hill but also as the track dried and became quicker.

Dean Lucas slays one of the bottom corners
Dean Lucas slays one of the bottom corners
Looking down the barrel, quite James Bond-esk
Looking down the barrel, quite James Bond-esk

There was a surprisingly noticeable speed different between riders speed, with each rider seeming to have a part of the track they enjoyed the most and was able to open up. There were some very interesting lines through the wood sections, we wonder if the lines were creative to counteract any rain that may be on the way, or if they were to avoid some of the ruts now forming.

Tracey Hannah looking comfortable on the roots
Tracey Hannah looking comfortable on the roots
no.1 qualifier, Loic Bruni
no.1 qualifier, Loic Bruni

Qualis began with a monster field, 72 Junior Men, 38 Women and 237 Elite Men. The juniors looked tentative through the woods, being the B group, the last time they saw the track it was still moist, they appeared to be expecting it to still be a bit moist, taking it easy over the roots and covered areas. With the Juniors finished the women began to flow down the track, with Manon Carpenter looking right at home, likely riding the confidence from an absolute stellar season, we watched Tracey Hannah come through the roots, taking it all in her stride, in a section very similar to the Bright track where she took national champs out.

Josh Bryceland, have a ball and getting some awesome results
Josh Bryceland, have a ball and getting some awesome results
Needles! Dropping a huge surprise result, qualifying 4th!
Needles! Dropping a huge surprise result, qualifying 4th!

The men then started to flow down, with the top rated coming down first in qualification the speed difference is astounding, the top men attacking the roots and steep parts of the track with an intensity not seen in any other category.

With all the riders down the hill the qualification is as follows:

Junior Men:
1. Luca Shaw
2. Loris Vergier
3. Alex Marix Trillo
4. Adrien Dailly
5. Amaury Pierron

Elite Women:
1. Manon Carpenter
2. Emmeline Ragot
3. Rachel Atherton
4. Myriam Nicole
5. Tahnee Seagrave

Elite Men:
1. Loic Bruni
2. Aaron Gwin
3. Josh Bryceland
4. Andrew Neethling
5. Steve Smith

A39Y9420

A39Y9968

A39Y9380

A39Y9484

Images: Jason Stevens Photography (@jasonstevensphotography or on Facebook)

Facebook:A�www.facebook.com/downhill247

Instagram:A�@downhill247

Inside Info: Connor Fearon – Leogang

After 3rd place here last year in the juniors at the World Championships we were all hoping Connor could snag a big result!
After 3rd place here last year in the juniors at the World Championships we were all hoping Connor could snag a big result!

So Leogang was the last race of the World Cup season for 2013 and the last race until I went back home for the summer so I was pretty excited to get a good result here and get home. Last year the World Championships were here and I placed 3rd so it was good to know I can perform here. The track was really good this year it had some new technical sections which worked in my favour but kept all the turns at the top section where my Kona Operator rips.

Since there was no cross country races at the event the schedule was different to other World Cups. Track walk was on Thursday, practice started Friday with qualifying Saturday and Sunday. It rained a lot during the week so practice was pretty wet and treacherous. I was using wet scream tires which worked well and they roll well so it helps in the middle section where therea��s lots of pedalling. On Saturday it dried up quite a bit but I still used mud tires because I was use to them. I had a big crash the run before qualifying which knocked me around a bit. I broke my helmet and hurt my hand so I had to roll down to the bottom slowly.

When warming up for my qualifying run my hand was really sore and I didna��t know if I could even finish my run. Luckily adrenaline kicked in and it didna��t bother me too much. I finished 13th which is really good, my best qualifier ever. I was looking pretty forward to racing and walked the track Saturday arvo I check out some new lines that appeared from the dried out course.

After qualifying 13th, his best result to date, Connor was in the box seat for a big result.
After qualifying 13th, his best result to date, Connor was in the box seat for a big result.

Waking up on Sunday I was really excited and nervous. Ia��ve never qualified this good before and it piled a lot of pressure on me to do just as well in finals. I did two good practice runs and just waited nervously until it was time to race. Matty my mechanic had my bike running flawlessly and I was really confident. With not much to lose I set off from the gate and gave it everything I had. Luckily there was a tailwind in the pedalling sections so there stronger riders couldna��t gain much time there. I was hoping to come through the finish line in the top 7 so I would be guaranteed a top 20 finish. I actually took the hot seat by almost a second. Once everyone had finished I was left in a career best 10th position. What made it better was before my race Matty said if I got top ten hea��d buy me a set of Brembos for my WRX so Ia��m waiting for those now haha!

Now that the season is done and dusted I can finally make my way back to Aus and relax for the rest of the year. Ia��ve learnt a lot this year, although I didna��t quite reach my goal of top 20 overall (finished 25th) I ticked a big box for the top 10 at Leogang. Ia��m locked in for next year and cana��t wait to train hard and improve my results.

Facebook: Facebook.com/Downhill247
Instagram: @Downhill247

World Cup 6 – Leogang – WC Finals

That’s it! With a spectacular finish, the 2013 UCI World Cup is over. The heart of every rider was in this race, on the famous slopes of Leogang, Austria. With 3 Aussie riders in the Top 10, we’re a proud DH Nation! Read on…

Rachel Atherton has worked hard and pushed the Women's division this year. Her riding has been outstanding, and today she stood proud on the podium, second by a half-second.
Rachel Atherton has worked hard and pushed the Women’s division this year. Her riding has been outstanding, and today she stood proud on the podium, second by a half-second.
Dean Lucas took on the Junior Men one final time, and came out 12 fastest. A strong season sent Dean to 4th place overall, an admirable achievement and a notch in the belt on his racing career. Here he takes on the mud and wet roots; a hazardous combination at best.
Dean Lucas took on the Junior Men one final time, and came out 12 fastest. A strong season sent Dean to 4th place overall, an admirable achievement and a notch in the belt on his racing career. Here he takes on the mud and wet roots; a hazardous combination at best.

The Elite Men’s Top 10 in Austria for 2013. Packed with the most well-known DH racing teams, and over 1/4 Australian (equal with the Lads!).

1 SMITH Steve CAN19891125 DEVINCI GLOBAL RACING 3:23.959
2 BRUNI Loic FRA19940513 LAPIERRE GRAVITY REPUBLIC +1.311
3 HANNAH Michael AUS19831121 HUTCHINSON UR +1.934
4 ATHERTON Gee GBR19850226 GT FACTORY RACING +2.858
5 BRYCELAND Josh GBR19900323 SANTA CRUZ SYNDICATE +3.402
6 GUTIERREZ VILLEGAS Marcelo COL19900509 GIANT FACTORY OFF-ROAD TEAM +4.267
7 BLENKINSOP Samuel NZL19881028 LAPIERRE GRAVITY REPUBLIC +4.320
8 BROSNAN Troy AUS19930713 SPECIALIZED RACING DH +5.577
9 PEAT Steve GBR19740617 SANTA CRUZ SYNDICATE +6.039
10 FEARON Connor AUS19940119 KONA +6.620

 

As the favourite, Stevie Smith placed ahead of a determined Gee again by  mere 1.5 seconds. It seems like Stevie has a knack for getting us on the edge of our seats!
As the favourite, Stevie Smith placed ahead of a determined Gee again by mere 1.5 seconds. It seems like Stevie has a knack for getting us on the edge of our seats!

Familiar names throughout the Women’s Top 10 too, with Tracey Hannah Bringing Aus home in 8th place.

1 RAGOT Emmeline FRA19860527 LAPIERRE GRAVITY REPUBLIC 3:52.866
2 ATHERTON Rachel GBR19871206 GT FACTORY RACING +0.502
3 CARPENTER Manon GBR19930311 MADISON SARACEN DOWNHILL TEAM +4.817
4 KINTNER Jill USA19811024 TEAM NORCO INTERNATIONAL +7.562
5 NICOLE Myriam FRA19900208 COMMENCAL / RIDING ADDICTION +7.815
6 CHARRE Morgane FRA19900609 MS MONDRAKER TEAM +10.592
7 SEAGRAVE Tahnee A� GBR19950615 FMD RACING / INTENSE CYCLES +10.609
8 HANNAH Tracey AUS19880613 HUTCHINSON UR +13.078
9 SIEGENTHALER Emilie SUI19860919 GSTAAD-SCOTT +13.178
10 GATTO Micayla CAN19880821 A�- +15.348

 

Here is your 2013 World Cup Overall Podium. These are the most elite Downhill racers in the world. While it'd be great to see some Aussie faces up there, these names  deserve to be here.
Here is your 2013 World Cup Overall Podium. These are the most elite Downhill racers in the world. While it’d be great to see some Aussie faces up there, these names deserve to be here.
Tahnee Seagrave finishes in style, soaring for the crowd into 7th place.
Tahnee Seagrave finishes in style, soaring for the crowd into 7th place.
Right behind Tahnee was Hutchinson UR team rider and Australian, Tracey Hannah. This Team Hannah WC Tour was one to be remembered!
Right behind Tahnee was Hutchinson UR team rider and Australian, Tracey Hannah. This Team Hannah WC Tour was one to be remembered!

Here are the full Aussie results, starting with Elite Men:

3 HANNAH Michael
8 BROSNAN Troy
10 FEARON Connor
47 MOIR Jack
65 MACMILLAN David
DNS HILL Samuel

A�Elite Women

8 HANNAH Tracey

Junior Men

12 LUCAS Dean
20 ELLISON Luke
Downhill247noel finishlq
The World Cup Season may be over, but we’ll be back soon with more Australian Downhill content, including NSW DH State Champs in Lithgow. Follow Downhill247.com on Facebook and Instagram for the latest unique content.
Facebook: Facebook.com/Downhill247
Instagram: @Downhill247

 

 

World Cup 6 – Leogang – Qualifying

It appears the whole downhill mountain bike world is focusing in on a quaint little town in Austria known as Leogang!
It appears the whole downhill mountain bike world is focusing in on a quaint little town in Austria known as Leogang!

So Saturday practice and qualifying has just added more uncertainty to how the 2013 World Cup season is going to finish. Big news is Stevie Smith qualified first, with Mic Hannah second and Gee Atherton third, the gap between Gee and Stevie is now just 3 points in Stevie’s favour, winner takes all come race day now!

fastest in qualifying, has Stevie Smith now become the favourite? We would say it is still too close to call.
Fastest in qualifying, has Stevie Smith now become the favourite? We would say it is still too close to call.

It wasn’t just the Steve and Gee show though, there were plenty of other plots running through the day. Crashes being one of the biggest sub plots, Greg Minnaar is definitely out, Sam Hill broke the timingA�beam during qualifying but didn’t do a run so he can compete in finals but it doesn’t seem likely, Danny Hart had an over the bars experience as he was trying a new line, unfortunately he has hurt his hands and also appears he is out. The overall positions from 3rd down becomes even more wide open.

A season ending moment for Danny Hart, over the bars into the rocks cutting up his hands and yes he was wearing gloves!
Possibly a season ending moment for Danny Hart, over the bars into the rocks cutting up his hands and yes he was wearing gloves!
For a 'bike park' track there were plenty of people having moments all the way down the course.
For a ‘bike park’ track there were plenty of people having moments all the way down the course.

Looking at qualifying times and results revealed the following;

1. Stevie Smith 3.30.029

2. Mic Hannah 3.31.242 + 1.213

3. Gee Atherton 3.31.292 + 1.263

4. Loic Bruni 3.31.964 + 1.935

5. Sam Blenkinsop 3.33.279 + 3.250

6. Troy Brosnan 3.34.054 + 4.025

13. Connor Fearon 3.38.017 + 7.988

50. Jack Moir 3.43.618 + 13.589

69. David McMillan 3.46.616 + 16.587

121. Sean McCarroll 3.57.681 + 27.652

DNF. Sam Hill (protected rider still qualifies for final).

Troy Brosnan claims 6th during qualifying and is one of the riders in a real battle to improve their overall position as injuries mean others won't be racing.
Troy Brosnan claims 6th during qualifying and is one of the riders in a real battle to improve their overall position as injuries mean others won’t be racing.

Of course we are watching juniors with just as much interest to see if Dean Lucas can bring the Junior Overall World Cup trophy back home to Australia. A strong qualifier in third means it will come down to finals, Australia is cheering for you Dean!

Fastest junior qualifier, Noel Niederberger, on course. Only once the final junior is down will the overall result be known!
Fastest junior qualifier, Noel Niederberger, on course. Only once the final junior is down will the overall result be known!
Third in qualifying, Dean has raced this course last year for World Champs so he knows what needs to happen and where.
Third in qualifying, Dean has raced this course last year for World Champs so he knows what needs to happen and where.

Of course there is also a race for the women’s title too! Rachel Atherton has to finish in the top 14 if second place rider Emmeline Ragot wins to secure the overall.

There is a lot of pressure in the Atherton camp as both Gee and Rachel are fighting for the overall.
There is a lot of pressure in the Atherton camp as both Gee and Rachel are fighting for the overall.
Tracey Hannah taking care of business in the rock garden, a solid qualifier in 9th, expect more come finals though.
Tracey Hannah taking care of business in the rock garden, a solid qualifier in 9th, expect more come finals though.
Yeah Connor! 13th place in qualifying for Mr Fearon, a top 20 finish here would be a great finish to the season for him.
Yeah Connor! 13th place in qualifying for Mr Fearon, a top 20 finish here would be a great finish to the season for him.

The final race of the season has all the trademarks of being an epic blockbuster, not long until we find out now! Check back soon.

Facebook: Facebook.com/Downhill247
Instagram: @Downhill247

Proudly powered by WordPress | Theme: Baskerville 2 by Anders Noren.

Up ↑