A Riders Perspective – Asia Pacific Downhill Challenge

Welcome to Indonesia! Fitting in with the local dress.

We told you about one of the most epic races of the year earlier with our article on the 2013 Asia Pacific Downhill Challenge but now let’s hear from one of the invited riders, David McMillan, here he gives us the low down on a crazy week;

You get to go to some pretty crazy places when your racing a bike and Bali is one of the last places I thought I’d be doing it. I got an unexpected call about a week before asking if I wanted to come to Bali and compete in a one off race called the Asia Pacific Downhill Challenge, of course I couldn’t say no. Specialized and FJC Clothing hooked it up and I was on my way a few days later with a bike, board shorts and a few t-shirts.

Stepping off the plane I was instantly hit with a massive heat wave, it was crazy hot all week. We stayed in a place called Swan Keremas Villa which is apparently a pretty epic surf spot. I don’t think I’ll ever stay in somewhere so nice again for a race week haha.

Press conference times! We have been to World Cups less organized than this!

The track was built by Gary from Trail Scapes. It had an awesome view looking over the ocean and had a bit of everything. Loose, slippery, dusty, rocky, technical are a few words to sum it up.

Practice rolled round after a few days of hanging out by the pool getting our tan on. I felt a bit rough on my bike having not riden it since Loegang World Cup. I found the track quite challenging with a lot of off camber parts and narrow shelves. After a few practice runs I got my head around it and had lots of fun with the other riders.

Dave getting his eye in and his wheelie on!

The fans in Indonesia are crazy! Always wanting your photo and autograph. We had an autograph signing and the line went for ever. They just love it and make the atmosphere really cool.

The fans just lapped it up! Loving having some of their hero's riding their home tracks. — The fans just lapped it up! Loving having some of their hero’s riding their home tracks.

Crowds lined the track going crazy for all the riders!

I qualified in 6th place just behind the big guns and knew I could have improved my run. Eric, The Lord of Bali hooked us up with a scooter for one night which was pretty fun, we ended up driving it to the track on race day fitting in with all the locals.

Race day was the hottest day for sure, constantly sweating and trying to cool down was hard. We had 2 practice runs then went up and watched some of the local riders try for gold in their categories. My team mate Jackson Davis won the junior category putting together a decent run holding it wide open on the bottom loose section.

Race run for me was not ideal being very messy with a small bobble near the bottom. The winner was the last man on the hill making for exciting racing with Troy taking the win by half a second.

Not the perfect race run but still smashing it as always!

Last rider down the hill and Troy took out the race.

We had a pretty loose night out afterward with all the Drogan (drongo-bogan) Australians and other racers. The whole experience was so cool And I can’t wait till next year to come do it again! Thanks to everyone who made it possible! Special thanks to Specialized and FJC clothing.

It's Bali - why not play tourist?! — It’s Bali – why not play tourist?!

Images: Christopher Berry (thechristopherberry.com/ or facebook.com/Christopher-Berry-Photography)

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November 4, 2013

David McMillan – Chillen Euro Style – #DMD

What are you looking at? It should be Euro Chillen.

Drifts, crashes and electric shocks… This Euro Chillen from David McMillan basically has it all! The boys make friends with a bunch of Kiwis and head to some of the most iconic downhill tracks Europe has to offer.

David McMillan Diaries are on their way but technology is a funny beast when out on the road. Check back soon though #DMD

July 4, 2013

David McMillan Diaries – Fort William – #DMD1

We start off David McMillan Diaries with Dave and his travelling companions as they leave Oz and head over to Fort William for round 1, #DMD lets go;

June 14, 2013

Introducing David Mc Millan Diaries – #DMD

No doubt you have seen Dave and his steed out at races across OZ, now check in with him as he heads across the world!

David McMillan is a name you have seen bandied across downhill247.com for years now, a Junior rider who has now moved into the Elite category Dave has speed and style! When we heard that Dave was heading overseas, to race the majority of the World Cups this year, we had to have a chat to him and we are pretty stoked to introduce David McMillan Diaries or #DMD. We will be bringing you regular updates as Dave and the rest of his travelling comrades (Luke Ellison, Joey Vejvoda and Jack Moir)A�travel the globeA�racing their bikes. It is going to be a pretty epic journey, with that in mind we had a quick chat with Dave just before he was preparing to get on the plane and start the quest!

We will be bringing images to you from across the world, with Dave's style it makes them easy to get! — We will be bringing images to you from across the world, with Dave’s style it makes them easy to get!

Hey Dave, thanks for chatting to us, you must be pretty stoked with the next few months! Tell us a bit more about what you’re up to:

Yeah I am so keen, I am going and doing all the World Cups (except Norway because it is too expensive), after the Mont Sainte Anne World Cup I am going to Whistler for Crankworx and to ride for 6 weeks before I go to the Leogang World Cup. Finally I get home mid September.A�A�Between the World Cups I am hitting up some IXS races, try and win some cash haha! We have 4 weekends of racing in a row, it is going to be pretty full on but we are going to have some fun along the way.

Sounds like you’re living the dream! Who are you travelling with?

Yeah Jared Rando offered to help us sort out some accommodation, etc. Jack Moir and I weren’t sure if we should head over this year but then we thought we should just do it. Now I will be sharing a van withA�Joey Vejvoda, Luke Ellison and Jack Moir, there are going to be lot of two minute noodles! Joey is picking up the van at Fort William, sleeping in it andA�then driving solo down to Val di Sole for the race the next weekend – it is a three day drive!

The mighty van! It needs a fitting name (and a downhill247.com sticker or two!)

Let’s not beat around the bush, World Champs last year followed onA�the disappointment of the year before with numerous crashes. Has that played on your mind and is it something you are trying to rectify?

Worlds was so annoying, I trained so hard for that race and then crashed at the start of the track… I was looking for a top 10 result, so hopefully I will be able to redeem myself this year.

No doubt you can! have you been training hard again for this year?

I have been training a little, I do two gym sessions a week with a trainer and I ride a lot, of everything; skate park, dirt jump, cross country and downhill but I don’t really have a structured training program.

Cool thanks for the chat, finally is there anyone you would like to thank?

I would like to thank FJC they just got me some new kit, Fektor and Specialized for helping out.

We have no doubt Dave will redeem himself this year and we are keen to see him pull out some solid results!

So there you have, we are pretty excited to be bringing you the tales from the road of the 2013 World Cup season, stay tunedA�- #DMD!

Riding Images: Ronnie Grammatica

June 5, 2013

David McMillan – Chillen

Post number 200 on downhill247.com and we are dropping another edit, first for you guys! David McMillan again delivers awesome drifting and airtime (some of it is even on a downhill bike!) for this Chillen edit. What was the aim for this edit? “Basically just all the stuff we do in between riding!” Well it is pretty awesome, check it out andA�enjoy!

We have some more David McMillan content coming at you guys soon but that is all we will say for the moment…!

May 30, 2013