World Cup 6 – Windham – Finals

Race day, Windham, 2015.
Race day, Windham, 2015.

Your alarm goes off, it is 6.30am, you are nervous but not overly hungry, you force yourself to eat something. That bowl of oats gets forced down while you are checking the old social media before you realise it is getting close to go time, you go put your fresh kit on before you get in the hire car to get to the pits. What is this music station? Why do they always play such strange songs haha. Driving through the pits you see your fellow countrymen you put the window down and yell ‘the amateur race was yesterday mate! haha’ – you crack a smile as you drive off, I got him! As you get to the pits your mechanic wheels your steed out, fresh cut down tyres, all set and ready to go. First chair up for the day, it’s cold gah why aren’t these jerseys thicker! You look across to the track, is that ground wet? If so you might need to take the line around the rocks as you come out of the woods. You ride from the chair lift to the start gate, your left leg is stiff from that crash you had in practice, it will come good later you say. There are a few riders ahead of you at the start gate before you push off for the first run of the day, you have 2 hours of practice before racing starts. You are in the gate and the marshall nods and says ‘whenever you like’, you crank out of the start gate… welcome to race day. Windham 2015.

Tracey Hannah has traditionally done well in Windham, fourth here put her onto the podium again.
Tracey Hannah has traditionally done well in Windham, fourth here put her onto the podium again.

It was a race that had it all. A few points of interest;

Rachel Atherton won by 9.3 yes 9.3 seconds, she had won the overall title by this stage.

The Aussie juniors ride strong filling various positions from 5th on.

Aaron Gwin won by 3.5 seconds ahead of Greg Minnaar. That 3.5 seconds was the same time gap from 2nd through to 15th. Gwin has now won 12 world cups.

Loris Vergier shows he is another French rider who will be winning races soon claiming his first podium in 3rd after stepping up from juniors last year.

Stevie Smith gets back onto the podium in 5th.

Troy Brosnan finishes 6th with a crash, his time from the first split to the finish is only 0.398 seconds slower than Aaron’s time…

Matt Walker from the VANZACS does the privateers proud with an impressive 11th place.

Dean Lucas keeps his good season rolling with a 15th place.

Connor Fearon steadies his results with a solid 25th.

Loic Bruni flatted which really hurts his chance for the overall and ends up in 66th, Greg Minnaar now overtakes him into 2nd place in the race for the overall world cup win.

Another solid result for Danny Hart in 14th place.
Another solid result for Danny Hart in 14th place.
With his third win in a row Laurie Greenland has won the overall junior men's title with an insurmountable points lead over Andrew Crimmins.
With his third win in a row Laurie Greenland has won the overall junior men’s title with an insurmountable points lead over Andrew Crimmins.
Gee Atherton has had a quiet year by his standards, 4th here shows he's still in the mix as ever.
Gee Atherton has had a quiet year by his standards, 4th here shows he’s still in the mix as ever.
For a short period of time there it looked like Greg Minnaar might be adding to his overall wins tally but not today, second for the South African.
For a short period of time there it looked like Greg Minnaar might be adding to his overall wins tally but not today, second for the South African.
Man or machine?
Man or machine?
Absolutely no denying Aaron Gwins speed, it looked as if he was in fast-forward mode.
Absolutely no denying Aaron Gwins speed, it looked as if he was in fast-forward mode.
As humble as ever, Arron Gwin said he was delighted to win at home, with this week having been one of his most memorable races to date.
As humble as ever, Arron Gwin said he was delighted to win at home, with this week having been one of his most memorable races to date.

The next race sees riders head back to Europe for the last world cup in Val di Sole and the world championships in Andorra, see you there!

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World Cup 6 – Windham – Qualifying

We packed our back bags and headed south into the good ol' US of A.
We packed our back bags and headed south into the good ol’ US of A. Image: Zach Faulkner.

We headed down south from Mont Sainte Anne to Windham in the United States of America for round 6 of the world cup. In relation to last race this track is much shorter, around half the time overall. It does have a combination of fast sections, jumps and some rocky shale which is common in the area.

After last race where Josh Bryceland proved he's back will Windham be his second win this year?
After last race where Josh Bryceland proved he’s back will Windham be his second win this year?

Qualifying took place in pretty dusty conditions and results are as below. A few pointers, Rachel Atherton is the 2015 overall world cup champion, after qualifying first she now has an insurmountable points lead! Congratulations Rachel. The juniors are again racing to hone their skills, solid result by the group as they lead into world championships. Aaron Gwin shows he is keen to win at this home race, a solid gap on short course means he is the man to beat.

The juniors have been neck and neck all season, this trend continues in Windham, it is anyone's guess as who will take the victory.
The juniors have been neck and neck all season, this trend continues in Windham, it is anyone’s guess as who will take the victory.
Rachel tops the timesheet and has wrapped up the overall, it looks like she is on track for win number 5 this season. Look closely and you will see old school racer Missy Giove making an appearance. Throwbacks for days...
Rachel tops the timesheet and has wrapped up the overall, it looks like she is on track for win number 5 this season. Look closely and you will see old school racer Missy Giove making an appearance. Throwbacks for days…
Who is your pick? In reality there is a handful of riders who could take the win here, do you fancy the hometown here Gwin? Or do you think Bruni will claim his first win? Maybe you have a darkhorse picked as a surprise.
Who is your pick? In reality there is a handful of riders who could take the win here, do you fancy the hometown here Gwin? Or do you think Bruni will claim his first win? Maybe you have a darkhorse picked as a surprise.
Fastest qualifier, Aaron Gwin, shows us he is the man to beat at his home course with a 2+ second gap from 2nd place.
Fastest qualifier, Aaron Gwin, shows us he is the man to beat at his home course with a 2+ second gap from 2nd place.
Loic Bruni dancing across the rocks, second qualifier and hoping to improve one place come finals.
Loic Bruni dancing across the rocks, second qualifier and hoping to improve one place come finals.
Troy was so close last race, you just know he is hungry to take the win here.
Troy Brosnan was so close last race, you just know he is hungry to take the win here.
You can never rule Greg Minnaar out, the most successful male world cup racer of all time can increase his haul at anytime!
You can never rule Greg Minnaar out, the most successful male world cup racer of all time can increase his haul at anytime!
14th in qualifying Connor Fearon is one spot behind compatriot Dean Lucas, both looking for at least a top 10 this weekend.
14th in qualifying Connor Fearon is one spot behind compatriot Dean Lucas, both looking for at least a top 10 this weekend. Image: Zach Faulkner

That gives a quick snapshot of qualifying, finals yet to come! Tune back for more.

Images: Jeff Henson follow him on Instagram (@JHENSONPHOTO) orA�www.jhensonphoto.com

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