The second round of the Tasmanian Gravity Series was held south of Hobart at ‘The Lea’ near Kingston.
Our contributor on the ground, Andrew Palmer, gives the rundown of the weekend; This weekend saw the second round of the 2012 Tasmanian Gravity series held at The Lea in the statea��s south. Tasmaniana��s downhill series has had a re vamp for 2012 with the addition of shuttles on Saturday at every round for practice as well as new locations added to the calendar. Many hours of work have gone into the track over the last few months to prepare it for the race, with major changes to improve drainage and the flow of the track overall.
Christina Sergeant was coming into this race off the back of victory at round 1.
Both Saturdaya��s practice ride and Sundaya��s racing saw great weather providing excellent conditions for close racing. There was a great turn out with over 60 riders participating in the race. The womena��s category was won by Christina Sergeant, her second win for the season she was followed by Jill Brady in second place.
The business end of the day was Under 19’s and Elite Men, pictured above is Ewan Favretto.
The closely contested Under 19a��s category was won by Clint White Racinga��s Ben Hill, followed by Brent Capel while Tom Gibson placed third. The Elite category was taken out by Kaine Cannon, also his second win for the series coming second place was Andrew Weatherhead and Josh Fuller in third.
Ben Hill from CWR continued his good form taking out Under 19s.Brent Capel, second in Under 19s.Tom Gibson rounded out the top three in Under 19’s.Experienced rider Kaine Cannon took out the Elite Men’s race.Andrew Weatherhead, second in Elite Men.Josh Fuller in practice, giving it a bit of style. Josh finished third in Elite Men.
Overall a great weekend was had by everyone with no major injuries or mechanical issues. The state series continues on December 15th and 16th on the North South track at the Glenorchy Mountain Bike Park.
An amazing year for Connor Fearon, which included a third place at the World Championships, has been recognised by Cycling Australia with the presentation of the Junior Mountain Biker of the Year Award.
Capping off a remarkable season, one that hasn’t even finished yet, Connor Fearon has won the Cycling Australia Junior Mountain Biker of the Year Award. Connor started off the year winning the Under 19 Australian National series and National Championships before embarking overseas for the international season. His first complete international season saw him finish 34th overall as well as third overall in the junior series, the year has been highlighted by his third placed finish at the World Championships. Connor joins names such as Rennie, Cory, Hannah, Hill, Delfs, O’Connor & Brosnan in winning the award, a massive achievement!
Straight to the pool room! Connnor was his usual modest self when we talked to him about his award, down playing its significance!
We would prefer to be downhilling but when we can’t some of these apps might just be the next best thing?! A downhill247.com app anybody?
As much as we would like it you cana��t be out downhilling 24 hours a day 7 days a week! With that in mind we thought we would share a few of the apps we have stumbled on that will help you get your fix when you are not on the bike or checking out downhil247.com and we are not just talking about mapping where you went for your ride! Some of these are free, others are not, if you know of any cool apps we have missed let us know as there are thousands available. Of course apps are different depending on what phone/software/etc you have so keep that in mind!
Maintenance;
ThereA�are a multitude of apps for getting your rig running before you hit the trails, apps such as Bike Repair HD or Bike Doctor allow you to get answers to commonly asked bike repair questions. However,A�dona��t expect specific technical questions related to your exact make and model of downhill bike to be answered though.
It is like having an expert in your back pocket, okay so it might not be as knowledgeable as the mechanic at your trusty LBS but it can help you get out of a jam!
Air time;
This is pretty cool as it allows you to a�?see your hang-time and degrees spun, and hear out loud how high you go with every jumpa�?, it also allows you to see your acceleration. This app works best if a few mates have it so you can compare each othera��s jumps, either that or hand the phone around between runs. Having a leaders board is a nice way to finish it off.
Think you have your mate covered over that jump? Find out for sure.
Training;
The choice of apps that will map your ride is huge, a large multitude of these will now allow you to time sections, whilst the timing may not be super accurate like you would get at a race it will allow you to see decent improvements in time. Strava is popular for this, remember though that you maybe tagging a trail that is illegal/secret and if you choose to share this with the world people will know exactly where it is and where you were!
Specific areas;
If you are riding in an unfamiliar area, you may be able to get an app specifically for that area. For example, Whistler Bike Park has an app, they even do one for Crankworx! These may be produced by the bike park, local government authorities or even other riders and each vary in their complexity, features and cost!
If you are heading somewhere new for a ride, check whether an app is available you never know!
Apps you hope you never have to usea��
Apps such as Yodel let you designate an area and approximate time of return that trusted people can see, if the ride doesna��t go as planned one button click allows the user to send all their information and location to these people. Hopefully this is one you never have to use!
Games;
Are these the next best thing to riding your bike?! Probably not but they can help fill in some time, Steve Peat has his own game, there is also a new for 2012 is a game called a�?LinesDHa�� and there are others out there but dona��t expect realistic graphics or amazing user inputa�� You have been warned!
Steve Peat has his own downhill game, what a legend!We don’t think you will get confused as to whether you are actually riding or not though as this screenshot from DHlines illustrates! Still it is good to see developers spending time on downhill games.
Juice Defender;
You may consider some of the apps available, such as Juice Defender, which limits battery use when you are riding so you can ride the whole day without flattening your battery completely. If you have used tracking or high power requiring apps you quickly realise your batteries wona��t last that long!
Various apps;
Whilst not being downhill specific there are thousands of apps out there which are handy when riding, anything from weather apps that will let you know what conditions you will be riding in to apps such as Photoshop Express which allow you to edit images before you use a Facebook app to show the world. Sometimes you need to get away from the screen and pick up a magazine in your own hands, flick through and smell that new magazine smell! If you cana��t do that you need a an app, fortunately [R]evolution mountain bike magazine has an app in which you can get all their issues, when you are not checking out downhill247.com of course! Chances are if you have thought about it there is an app for it!
Dona��t forget if you are taking your phone out into the wilderness with you that you may need to get some extra protection for it, how many times have you crashed and forgot it was in your pocket or thrown it into the back of the shuttle vehicle and watched it roll around? Depending on what phone you use depends on what cases you can get but shockproof and waterproof are a minimum. Just like apps you can really go over the top with accessories for your phone such as covers, extended batteries, etc. no need to get too caught up just go ride!
This shot of Brad McDonnell is a great example of an image submitted by a spectator at the race, great shot Frank Templeton!
After the recent South Australian State Champs we have been overwhelmed with the number of people sending in photos from the event, we love it though! So here are a few of our favourites from the race, to any budding photographers out there don’t be shy to hit us up on email (contact@downhill247.com) and show us some of your shots, you just never know they might end up on the site!
Race winner in Elite, Connor Fearon, taken by Ian Jones.Henry Blake captured through the lens of Matthew Gibson.James Chambers getting sideways as taken by Frank Templeton.Matthew Gibson got his pan just right with this shot of Will Badger.
Some great shots, we always like to share downhill related images and stories with the world, you know what to do!
Jake Royle takes his chances through the dust into a rocky section that claimed a few people during practice
Our latest contributor, Jase Stevens, was on the ground over the weekend at the first round of the VicDH series, here is what he had to say;
Welcome to Mt. Taylor, Round 1 of the Victorian Downhill State Series, the weather came to town this weekend to help us kick off the season in style. Nothing but blue skies all weekend, which had only one thing on everyonea��s mind; dust. There were riders strewn across the track through practice simply waiting for the dust to settle.
Dust! It is Australia after all and it sure beats mud and rain!
Once the dust settled the track was ready to get nasty, throughout practice the track became more rutted and increasingly rough, forcing riders through lines they’d perhaps not try, in some cases there was no other option.
All or nothing, A-line or not at all
The track is really a spectatora��s dream, plenty to see, but she is a long one, taking me almost 3hrs to stroll up and watch along the way. There are as usual some choice spots to watch the action from though, the first rock roller was a great place, some coming in with flats from the previous rock garden. The track was ready to destroy bikes irrelevant of conditions or speed.
Brent Harwood destroying the rock roller on his way through
With so many line choices through this section the lower section took a real beating in early practice, making the section slightly lower absolute peril come time for race runs.
Trent Piribauer taking a slightly different line through the mess
With so many rocky sections throughout the entire course crashes and mechanicals were inevitable. The radios were a buzz with calls of riders needing a lift from track points due to flats, broken rims, derailleurs and broken people.
Joey Vejvoda gets loose in a rock garden half way down the hillLeon Amiti goes well past the lander, taking out this photographer in the process
After a trip down the hill to avoid being taken out by more bikes I went for a wander around the pits, the rather sizable pits with so many teams this season. We dropped by to see Clint White Racing and helped decorate their Zerode.
Work of art!
Then it was off to the last big double jump on the track, word was they boys were getting wild on the longest double in the last runs of practice. It was definitely worth investigating. It was one of those shows where some whips are so filthy you just forget to push the shutter button.
Timmy Eaton showing us how ita��s done
When racing came about I was stuck in two minds, I knew the a�?cabbage patcha�� was going to be just silly with some of the elite guys coming down but I wanted to take my chances up top, as it turned out the choice was a well guided one. As the seeding runs began, everyone stepped it up another notch and the holes that had been dug in practice suddenly didn’t count as everyone was carrying enough speed to float over them.
Connor Fearon exiting the rock roller, about to destroy the course and claim the win for today
The move was inevitable, I had to watch the elite guys come through the cabbage patch on their race runs. Surprisingly enough, I was not alone.
The media circus with Jake Lucas and Harry Hartwig, also Clint White showing some love
Then it was on, riders started pouring through the cabbage patch, every rider having to navigate a slightly different route as the rocks tumbled and rolled all over the shop.
Benny Hill finding his was through the rocksDaniel Brooks showing us that the oldies can also have some steeze through the rocks
The racing was excellent and in many cases super tight, with the U/19 1st and 2nd being separated by only 0.178 seconds. After such a demanding run the final pedal was torturous for all the riders.
Liam Panozzo getting that little bit of extra go to finish up in 3rd for the day
We finished the day with the following results:
Elite Men:
1st Connor Fearon
2nd Joey Vejvoda
3rd Liam Panozzo
4th Dean Lucas
5th Tim Eaton
Elite Women:
1st Sarah Booth
2nd Jacqui Lovett
3rd Tegan Maloy
4th Alyssa Lyons
5th Kelly Bayliss
U/19 Men:
1st Andrew Crimmins
2nd Aiden Varley
3rd Ben Hill
4th Oliver Zwar
5th Jackson Armitage
Will we see this kind of tight racing all season? We think so!To the victor go the spoils!
We really couldn’t have asked for a better way to start the season off down here in the Vic DH series. A really big thanks to the organisers and volunteers at the race, and of course all the racers for showing up!
Looking forward to the next round and the rest of the season! Don’t be shy, come and say hi! We don’t bite!
Jase, signing out for now!
All images and words in this article are credited to Jason Stevens, to see some more of his fantastic work follow this link;
The South Australian State were the perfect event to finish off a fantastic year of racing in South Australia. Luke Reynolds on his way to 12th place.
The last event on the South Australian racing calendar was the 2012 State Championships. The last few ChampionshipsA�have been held at Eagle Mountain Bike Park but this year the race was held at Fox Creek, another local favourite. The track received a few touch ups and was riding well. A new double or wall ride, depending on which option you chose, was waiting for riders just after the triple near the top of the course. Whilst Insideline has been holding races here for years we noticed more and more riders jumping and doubling sections of the track that previously riders were riding over. Evidence of progression in the field no doubt.
Conditions were fine on both days, a sharp contrast to the Fox State Series round earlier in the year!
The weather had varied in the weeks leading up to the race but that didn’t deter riders from practicing the track weekends prior, some riders clocking up 20 runs in a day! The weather turned on its best both days with the sun out but not too hot. Favourite for the Elite win was always going to be Connor Fearon, after recently returning from his World Cup campaign peoples eyes were firmly fixed on him. However, to write it off as a foregone conclusion would be crazy, names like Maddern, Marsh, Jenkins, Yates, Blake, Ryan, etc were all capable of pulling out a run to take the crown.
Riding on his “Fox” bike, a single crown, trail style dual suspension bike, Connor Fearon was the man to beat, you don’t end up number 34 in the World Cup overall for no reason! The new number 34 looking good next to the new downhill247.com stickers if we don’t say so ourselves!Team ACR are always a force at South Australian races and were looking for a good finish to the local season.Henry Blake is another rider capable of big results, this may have been the last South Australian race but Henry and his Clint White Racing team mates have a busy schedule of VicDH and National races ahead of them.In fact, with many of the locals returning from the Northern Hemisphere in time for summer it was hard to know just how the race was going to pan out. Photo: Ian Jones
Practice saw plenty of flat tyres as rocks and roots became more exposed, as usual some riders also required attention after coming into contact with said rocks and roots.
Game over! For this front wheel at least, luckily this happened in practice.From the practice session in the morning, until the end of racing, spectators lined the track, just like the riders they were making the most of the conditions. Photo: Matt Gibson
In between the morning practice session and the start of racing was a fancy dress competition and a thank you to all the volunteers that have helped out over the course of the year. After having travelled to countless World Championships, World Cups, Nationals, etc we can safely say, that here in Australia, the vibe and atmosphere at local races is as good as any of these other events!
Ah what a sight! The fancy dress competition took it to the next level, this rider even had custom pedals to help keep his big paws (?!) on the pedals!
Moving on and it was race time. With 175 entrants racing there was close racing across all the categories butA�as expected seeding for both Under 19’s and EliteA�was tight meaning it was going to be tight come finals.
Chill out or get revved up! Everyone has a different pre race routine.
The Under 19’s kicked off the finals and it was a two horse race between Matt taylor and James Chambers for the win. In the end Matt prevailed by just over 1.5 seconds.
Matt Taylor. 2012 South Australian State Champion after looking fast all weekend. Photo: Matt Gibson
Under 19
1. Matthew Taylor 2.11.77
2. James Chambers 2.13.37 + 1.60
3. Bryce Wing 2.20.44 + 8.67
4. Conor Clancy 2.21.00 + 9.23
5. Sam Keogh 2.25.13 + 13.36
Elite Women saw Jolene Knight continue her blistering form by comprehensively taking the win ahead of Molly Payne. Moving onto the Elite Men and the commentators predicted the winning time would be in the region of 2.10, we would soon find out if they were right!
Flat! Flat tyres and crashes took out their fair share of competitors during racing.
Young Cam Ryan rounded out the top 5 with a solid result, series winner Steve Marsh was in 4th, Steve Gebert 3rd and the final two riders on the track took the top 2 positions. After being on the same second in seeding as Angus Madern,A�it was Connor Fearon who was down next, the time to beat and get onto the hot seat held by Steve Gebert was 2.10.78, sure enough Connor came down with a blistering 2.07.97, the commentators couldn’t believe it and the rest of the crowd was pretty impressed. One rider left, Angus Maddern, he came bursting out of the trees and charged to the line, his time; 2.09.07 meant Connor was crowned 2012 State Champ.
A successful return from injury for Angus Maddern who pushed Connor all the way for a deserving second place.2012 South Australian Elite Mens Champion Connor Fearon.Connor and everyone was happy, it was good to see!
Elite Women:
1. Jolene Knight 2.41.40
2. Molly Payne 2.57.21 + 15.81
3. Julie Harris 3.27.68 + 46.28
4. Moira Love 3.30.85 + 49.45
5. Elsbeth Falster 5.05.71 + 2.24.31
Elite Men
1. Connor Fearon 2.07.97
2. Angus Maddern 2.09.07 + 1.10
3. Steve Gebert 2.10.78 + 2.81
4. Steve Marsh 2.10.98 + 3.01
5. Cam Ryan 2.13.11 + 5.14
That wraps up another successful season, bring on 2013!
