Tag: National Series

Bright – Australian National Champs Day 1/2

Back in beautiful Bright for the Australian MTB National Champs.

Thursday saw sunny sky’s and warm weather for Track walk. With the weather turning the complete opposite for day 1 of practice on Friday. Rain fell for all morning and early afternoon leaving the track wet and slippery especially on the roots in the forrest.

The sun was shining for track walk.
The sun was shining for track walk.

The view from the top of Bright can't be beaten.

The view from the top of Bright can’t be beaten.
Specialized Mechanic Lachlan McKillop prepping tyre's for the week.
Specialized Mechanic Lachlan McKillop prepping tyre’s for the week.
The specialized tent has all the activities sorted
The specialized tent has all the activities sorted
Finishing off the day with a swim at this place can't be beaten.
Finishing off the day with a swim at this place can’t be beaten.

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Day 2 was the complete opposite to Thursday. With Rain forecast all morning.
Day 2 was the complete opposite to Thursday. With Rain forecast all morning.
The riders set off into fog at the top of the hill.
The riders set off into fog at the top of the hill.
Jordan Prochyra after punching some runs in the rain.
Jordan Prochyra after punching some runs in the rain.
The Specialized team dog.
The Specialized team dog.
With not much going on track kaneophoto took photos from the comfort of the tents.
With not much going on track kaneophoto took photos from the comfort of the tents.

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Dropping into the darkness of the forrest.
Dropping into the darkness of the forrest.
Dave McMillan Throwing mud.
Dave McMillan Throwing mud.
Angus Maddern pushing the limits a little too far.
Angus Maddern pushing the limits a little too far.
Just here for a good one
Just here for a good one
Shelly flood feet up sliding.
Shelly flood feet up sliding.
Josh Clark Slaming into berms, just baller.
Josh Clark Slaming into berms, just baller.

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Wet roots causing trouble for the riders.
Wet roots causing trouble for the riders.
Conor pops over the wet roots.
Conor pops over the wet roots.
Sam Hill smashing out runs in the arvo, and looking fast by the end of the day.
Sam Hill smashing out runs in the arvo, and looking fast by the end of the day.
#panshotfriday
#panshotfriday
Dean Lucas on his new rig.
Dean Lucas on his new rig.
Rem Dog back from his summer in NZ and looking fast.
Rem Dog back from his summer in NZ and looking fast.
Thomas Crimmins two wheel drifting
Thomas Crimmins two wheel drifting

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Mt Taylor – Australian Nationals Round 1

Back and racing!
Back and racing!

Last weekend saw the first round of the 2015/16 National Series, held at Mt Taylor in Eastern Victoria. As the official beginning of the season, this round would set the precedent for the growing Nationals campaign by Mountain Bike Australia. With the annual Cannonball festival the following weekend at nearby Thredbo, this round was a good chance for everyone to dust off their bikes and their skills, simultaneously getting covered in a lot of dust.

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Jackson Davis, once again riding for Specialized Australia styles it up over one of the floaty doubles that had riders cranking throughout the lower end of the course.

Though there had been much upset regarding a severe lack of rider transport on Friday, a last minute dash by organisers, and a heavy helping hand from support crew and family members would see 7 buses and 5 trailers manned for the rest of the weekend. A 50-60 minute shuttle turnaround left plenty of time to ponder lines and rest the legs for the draining descent through rocky chutes, loose switchbacks and flat pedal sections.

Cabbage patch kept riders on their toes; a high-speed, high-commitment section featuring a double drop - littered with cabbage sized rocks as the name suggests.
Cabbage patch kept riders on their toes; a high-speed, high-commitment section featuring a double drop – littered with cabbage sized rocks as the name suggests

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Jake Newell tearing up a berm mid-course, his Summum having no trouble with the rough and loose course.
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Rhys Atkinson, taking time from trail building to get into the new race season. Rhys would take 12th place in racing, 1 second behind his seeding time with a 4.14:61.
Flat tire, flat corner styles.
Flat tire, flat corner styles.

In the Female category there were several hot picks for the win, and though Tegan Molloy had had a big crash during Saturday’s practice, much of the crowd held faith that she might just pull it all together for the race run. With Mondraker riders Sarah Booth and Kellie Weinert, along with Pivot rider Danni Beecroft back from injury, and Norco rider Michelle crisp a�� things were sure to get interesting.

Sian Ahern; new recruit to the Bilt Bikes team was in form all weekend. Having previously flown under the radar at state and national events, Sian will be one to watch this year since joining a team. To match her seeding run time would have seen her grab 4th place in Elite.
Sian Ahern; new recruit to the Bilt Bikes team was in form all weekend. Having previously flown under the radar at state and national events, Sian will be one to watch this year since joining a team. To match her seeding run time would have seen her grab 4th place in Elite.
Vic Armstrong taking on the Cabbage Patch garden with no trouble. A rough bout of health stole the weekend from Vic, we might see her true form at Stromlo in a couple of weeks.
Vic Armstrong taking on the Cabbage Patch garden with no trouble. A rough bout of health stole the weekend from Vic, we might see her true form at Stromlo in a couple of weeks.

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Flagged by the commissaires for wearing his USA jersey during practice and seeding, Deano Machino opted to source local Melbourne apparel for the sake of racing.
Flagged by the commissaires for wearing his USA jersey during practice and seeding, Deano Machino opted to source local Melbourne apparel for the sake of racing.

 

In a typical Aussie gum forest, catching a clear angle of the track was tough at times. We are lucky that the series this year will take us to 4 unique venues, each with their own atmosphere and colour palette. Who says racing can't be pretty?
In a typical Aussie gum forest, catching a clear angle of the track was tough at times. We are lucky that the series this year will take us to 4 unique venues, each with their own atmosphere and colour palette. Who says racing can’t be pretty?

 

Tegan Molloy giving it some during racing a�� despite a solid run she took 3rd, one fifth of a second behind Danni Beecroft.
Tegan Molloy giving it some during racing a�� despite a solid run she took 3rd, one fifth of a second behind Danni Beecroft. Mondraker’s Sarah Booth took the Elite Womens’ title – 8 seconds ahead of Danni & Tegan.
Matt Dinham is a machine. Balancing his final years of school, whilst competing in road, XC and Downhill events, each with stellar results. This round Matt took 2nd in his XCO race and 1st place in the Downhill.
Matt Dinham is a machine. Balancing his final years of school, whilst competing in road, XC and Downhill events, each with stellar results. This round Matt took 2nd in his XCO race and 1st place in the Downhill.

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Kellie Weinert, consistent and strong in her approach to all riding placed 4th this weekend. Kellie will give the Elite girls a reason to push hard this series to keep their ground on the podium.
Kellie Weinert, consistent and strong in her approach to all riding placed 4th this weekend. Kellie will give the Elite girls a reason to push hard this series to keep their ground on the podium.
Troy Weinert, sister of Kellie has a great role model to be riding with, and it shows in his early speed as a youngster. Troy took his U15 title with a time that would've landed him 2nd against the Elite Womens podium.
Troy Weinert, sister of Kellie has a great role model to be riding with, and it shows in his early speed as a youngster. Troy took his U15 title with a time that would’ve landed him 2nd against the Elite Womens podium.
There were plenty of ways to go down in Cabbage Patch, and so many close calls during racing.
There were plenty of ways to go down in Cabbage Patch, and so many close calls during racing.
The man of the hour, Jack Moir grinning after a false start and re-run wouldn't wreck his mindset for racing. A super-fast run would see him elude Muddy by 4 seconds and take the win, while setting a course record at Mt Taylor. Just a few days after jumping on his new Intense M16, Jack must be feeling pretty good about the new bike.
The man of the hour, Jack Moir grinning after a false start and re-run wouldn’t wreck his mindset for racing. A super-fast run would see him elude Muddy by 4 seconds and take the win, while setting a course record at Mt Taylor. Just a few days after jumping on his new Intense M16, Jack must be feeling pretty good about the new bike.

Elite Men:

  1. Jack Moir
  2. Graeme ‘Muddy’ Mudd
  3. Josh Button
  4. Liam Panozzo
  5. David McMillan

Elite Women:

  1. Sarah Booth
  2. Danni Beecroft
  3. Tegan Molloy
  4. Kellie Weinert
  5. Michelle Crisp

Check out the full results from Sunday’s racing by clicking here.

Photos:

Words: Jaime Black

Thanks for reading our coverage of the 2015/16 Nationals opening round. On December 11-13 we visit Mt Stromlo, home of the 2009 Worlds, and a familiar spot to many of our favourite riders. Let’s see what goes down there!

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The USA jersey didn't last long on race day, the airways were almost in a state of panic over Dean's anti-patriotic move. For everyone else though, it was a bit of fun.
The USA jersey didn’t last long on race day, the airways were almost in a state of panic over Dean’s anti-patriotic move. For everyone else though, it was a bit of fun.

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National Round 2 a�� Thredbo a�� Race Day

Race day in Thredbo!
Race day in Thredbo!

Not often does downhill go to script but to be fair Thredbo over the weekend pretty much played out perfectly in the hands of the favourites across all categories! We are getting ahead of ourselves a little, first off riders awoke to another delightful delay in the Australian Alps! Breakfast for energy and then a practice session before seeding. A few offs here and there, most noticeably Andrew Crimmins having a dig at high speed in his last practice run. There were a few riders out on new rigs this weekend so that took some acclimatising to!

We saw a range of new bikes out on the course, some a bit more exotic than pthers!
We saw a range of new bikes out on the course, some a bit more exotic than others!
Everyone was ready to go and excited for racing!
Everyone was ready to go and excited for racing!
Andrew Crimmins leading the way, his local knowledge no doubt helping his cause.
Andrew Crimmins leading the way, his local knowledge no doubt helping his cause.
With the track so blown out and long, riders fitness was going to really shine come finals.
With the track so blown out and long, riders fitness was going to really shine come finals.
There was a strong field battling it out for Elite Women's glory.
There was a strong field battling it out for Elite Women’s glory.

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As well as some fast up and coming juniors!
As well as some fast up and coming juniors!

Seeding was held on the same day as finals at this round and before we talk about those results we should issue a spoiler alert and say the winners of seeding also won finals! See what we mean about this day running to plan for some of the riders?!

Let’s just move straight onto racing, the results are below and most people wouldn’t be surprised by the outcomes. Troy Brosnan won and posted a time 5 seconds quicker than anyone else, Thomas Crimmins was second and Graeme Mudd, who’s downhill game is really stepping up placed third.

Troy Brosnan showing why he has the Australian Champs sleeve and number 1 plate. Taking the win by 5 seconds or so.
Troy Brosnan showing why he has the Australian Champs sleeve and number 1 plate. Taking the win by 5 seconds or so.
Thomas Crimmins charging into the finish and second place.
Thomas Crimmins charging into the finish and second place.
Muddy with his eyes on the podium. A new bike not slowing him down as he got up to speed quickly!
Muddy with his eyes on the podium. A new bike not slowing him down as he got up to speed quickly!

Under 19 Men is always hotly contested as riders look to make their way onto the team that represents Australia at the World Championships, this time 2 of the more experienced juniors took the top two podium steps. Even after a crash late in practice Andrew Crimmins got his head back in the game and took the win.A�Max Warshawsky showed his 4th at World Championships last year was no fluke and finished second. Another up and comer, Jackson Frew took third.

Winner winner! Andrew Crimmins took out Under 19s and keeps the number 1 Under 19 plate.
Winner winner! Andrew Crimmins took out Under 19s and keeps the number 1 Under 19 plate.
Max Warshawsky looks like he has continued his good for from 2014 and possibly the only rider on Dorados!
Max Warshawsky looks like he has continued his good for from 2014 and possibly the only rider on Dorados!
Remy Morton has stepped up to Under 19s and banked 5th place.
Remy Morton has stepped up to Under 19s and banked 5th place.

Elite Women and it was a good chance for Tegan Molloy to show everyone why she is the current junior World Champion and she did by a whopping 32 seconds, new and up coming racerA�Ronja Hill-Wright was in second and in thrid place was Tegan’s teammate Sarah Booth.

Tegan Molloy grabbed the win at her home round.
Tegan Molloy grabbed the win at her home round.

For the under 19 women it was Ellie Wale showing her bike handling versatility to take the win ahead ofA�Sian A’hern.

Elite Men:
Troy Brosnan 4:38.35
Thomas Crimmins 4:43.48 + 5.13
Graeme Mudd 4:44.46 +0.98

Under 19 Men:
Andrew Crimmins 4:46.34
Max Warshawsky 4:50.34 + 4.00
Jackson Frew 4:51.85 +1.51

Elite Women:
Tegan Molloy 5:20.06
Ronja Hill-Wright 5:52.76 + 32.70
Sarah Booth 5:59.23 +6.47

Under 19 Women:
Ellie Wale 6:17.16
Sian A’hern 6:52.71 +35.55

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The holder of the national champions sleeve for a reason....
The holder of the national champions sleeve for a reason….
Riders really had to weave through some sections, most commented on how the overall flow had been improved.
Riders really had to weave through some sections, most commented on how the overall flow had been improved.
Jackson Davis stepped up to Elite this year and just missed the top ten in eleventh place.
Jackson Davis stepped up to Elite this year and just missed the top ten in eleventh place.
Perfect weather over the course of the weekend (excuse the pun).
Perfect weather over the course of the weekend (excuse the pun).
Race weekends can often be a blur!
Race weekends can often be a blur!
Finally thanks to all the crew that brings you guys the action! Show them some love on social media! Ps look hard at this picture and you will spot our next product release....
Finally thanks to all the crew that brings you guys the action! Show them some love on social media! Ps look hard at this picture and you will spot our next product release….

We have some more content to come from the race so check back with us soon!

Images:A�RFPhotographics (FacebookA�hereA�or follow on Instagram @rfphotographics).

Jaime Black /A�www.jaimeblack.com.au

Get more downhill action on Facebook.com/downhill247 or follow us on Instagram: @downhill247

National Round 2 – Thredbo – Practice

Back to the high country of Australia and the epic view at Thredbo!
Back to the high country of Australia and the epic view at Thredbo!

National round 2 is upon us and we are back at one of Australia’s most iconic downhill venues, Thredbo! There have been a raft of changes lately to help keep things interesting so the riders are all enjoying the variety and having to learn new sections. We have an assortment of images for you from practice so check them out and enjoy.

Nationals for a lot of people mean road trips!
Nationals for a lot of people mean road trips!
And without the saying 'it's the journey not the destination' often applies!
And without the saying ‘it’s the journey not the destination’ often applies!
It is all worth it though to get sideways on the track!
It is all worth it though to get sideways on the track!
And of course chairlifts in Australia are hard to come by so you have to jump on the chance to ride them!
And of course chairlifts in Australia are hard to come by so you have to jump on the chance to ride them!
Yes all those rocks are still there!
Yes all those rocks are still there!
Some beautiful scenery on the hillside!
Some beautiful scenery on the hillside!
The new Mondraker Australia team are getting amongst it.
The new Mondraker Australia team are getting amongst it.
The usual suspects are there as well of course! Troy Brosnan on the way down.
The usual suspects are there as well of course! Troy Brosnan on the way down.
Of course there are riders across all categories enjoying themselves, not just the pros!
Of course there are riders across all categories enjoying themselves, not just the pros!
Popping up and onwards!
Popping up and onwards!
There is certainly a lot of terrain for the riders to cover, one of the longest tracks going around!
There is certainly a lot of terrain for the riders to cover, one of the longest tracks going around!
Blue skies and mint conditions put a smile on everyone's dials!
Blue skies and mint conditions put a smile on everyone’s dials!
Literally destroying corners Andrew Crimmins will be a favourite for fastest time of the day!
Literally destroying corners Andrew Crimmins will be a favourite for fastest time of the day!
Dean Lucas blurring past!
Dean Lucas blurring past!
The bottom section features some cool jumps, after riders have negotiated the rest of the course and are tired they need to have their wits about them going to the finish line through this section.
The bottom section features some cool jumps, after riders have negotiated the rest of the course and are tired they need to have their wits about them going to the finish line through this section.
Foot out flat out!
Foot out flat out!
Railing the Canadian style wooden berm!
Railing the Canadian style wooden berm!

Check back for the next installment real soon!

Images:A�RFPhotographics (FacebookA�hereA�or follow on Instagram @rfphotographics).

Get more downhill action onA�Facebook.com/downhill247A�or follow us onA�Instagram:A�@downhill247

Australian National Series – Day 2 Seeding – Eagle

Riders were a lot more comfortable on track today, the weather conditions may have played some part of this...
Riders were a lot more comfortable on track today, the weather conditions may have played some part of this…

Back to Eagle today for practice and seeding, albeit in much cooler conditions! Riders were coming to grips with the tough conditions, we saw a few crashes but nothing too major.

Practice was split into A and B categories today. B practice (and seeding) was held in the morning but all riders were focused!
Practice was split into A and B categories today. B practice (and seeding) was held in the morning but all riders were focused!
Rain fell overnight, not that you would have known! There was still a lot of dust...
Rain fell overnight, not that you would have known! There was still a lot of dust…
It was Tegan Molloy's birthday today and she managed to score the title of the fastest female in seeding, across all the classes, sounds like a good day!
It was Tegan Molloy’s birthday today and she managed to score the title of the fastest female in seeding, across all the classes, sounds like a good day!
The Swell/Specialized team have had an interesting weekend with a snake (as in the animal) being found hiding out in the team accommodation!
The Swell/Specialized team have had an interesting weekend with a snake (as in the animal) being found hiding out in the team accommodation!

Looking at the qualifying results revealed Andrew Crimmins had a solid gap in front of his closest competitor, some 4.57 seconds Matthew McCorkell. Andrew will be keen to impress this weekend with Kona’s World Cup mechanic in town.

Under 19 Men:

1. Andrew Crimmins 2:03.16

2. Matthew McCorkell 2:07.73 + 4.57

3. Max Warshawsky 2:09.61 + 6.45

4. Ben Hill 2:09.89 + 6.73

5. Aiden Varley 2:12.04 + 8.88

Under 19 Female:

1. Tegan Molloy 2.32.59

Fourth place for Ben Hill in qualifying.
Fourth place for Ben Hill in qualifying.
Fifth place in seeding for Aiden Varley, a quality field means the win could be any of the top five riders from seeding.
Fifth place in seeding for Aiden Varley, a quality field means the win could be any of the top five riders from seeding.

Moving on to the Elite classes and with her overseas experience coming into play Danielle Beecroft seeded first in Elite Female ahead of former Adelaide local Sarah Booth. The Elite Men was always going to be a showdown between the local riders, Connor Fearon and Troy Brosnan. In the end Connor took the number one spot by just over half a second from Troy with Thomas Crimmins a few seconds back. In reality, with no rain forecast for tomorrow, these positions won’t have any real influence on the final results.

Elite Female:

1. Danielle Beecroft 2:34.06

2. Sarah Booth 2:38.87 + 4.81

3. Michelle Crisp 2:39.36 + 5.30

4. Victoria Armstrong 2:49.68 + 15.62

5. Shelly Flood 2:52.78 + 18.7

Elite Male:

1. Connor Fearon 2:02.87

2. Troy Brosnan 2:03.40 + 0.53

3. Thomas Crimmins 2:05.55 + 2.68

4. Dean Lucas 2:06.37 + 3.50

5. Luke Ellison 2:06.90 + 4.03

Connor Fearon, number one in seeding!
Connor Fearon, number one in seeding!
A huge contingent of riders are racing under the Giant banner, so much so it was hard to keep track of who was who! Will Rischbieth getting it done.
A huge contingent of riders are racing under the Giant banner, so much so it was hard to keep track of who was who! Will Rischbieth getting it done.
It is not just about all the big name riders though as everyone starts somewhere!
It is not just about all the big name riders though as everyone starts somewhere!
And while racing was serious there was still style to be had!
And while racing was serious there was still style to be had!
If you have a crystal ball you probably already know who is going to win, for the rest of us we will just have to wait until finals!
If you have a crystal ball you probably already know who is going to win, for the rest of us we will just have to wait until finals!

Check back for the final results and images soon!

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Instagram: @Downhill247

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