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South Australian State Champs – Willunga

With another season done it was time for the State Champs, for the last few years it has been at Eagle, this year it was Willunga that held the race.
With another season done it was time for the State Champs, for the last few years it has been at Eagle, this year it was Willunga that held the race.

The final Inside Line race for South Australia in 2013 was the State Champs held over the October long weekend to the south of Adelaide at Willunga. Here everyone was vying to take home the state champion jersey, a cool prize and one that everyone liked.

The track had seen a visit from the trail fairies, they brought their bulldozer to make a few changes which was good of them!
The track had seen a visit from the trail fairies, they brought their bulldozer to make a few changes which was good of them!

The trail was different from the State race earlier in the year held here but onA�one ridge over, the top section was made up of technical features, such as rock gardens, g-outs and big jumps while the bottom section was flat turns before the finishing chute.

There were a lot of flats over the weekend, one rider apparently even copping 5 in a row! The reason, little ninja rocks hiding everywhere!
There were a lot of flats over the weekend, one rider apparently even copping 5 in a row! The reason, little ninja rocks hiding everywhere!
Different styles were displayed all weekend long!
Different styles were displayed all weekend long!
Overall the track was fast and riders just blurred past.
Overall the track was fast and riders just blurred past.
Transport ran well over the weekend, the ride up can sometimes be as crazy as the ride down due to the access road!
Transport ran well over the weekend, the ride up can sometimes be as crazy as the ride down due to the access road!

The weather was good, the wind did cause a few crashes on some of the jumps as riders got thrown around, best recovery thoughts to all that crashed!

Ouch! He walked away though, literally crashing a few metres from the finish beam.
Ouch! He walked away though, literally crashing a few metres from the finish beam.

The big draw cards for the racing were Troy Brosnan and Connor Fearon, unfortunately could only do one run, a sore ankle meant he didn’t want to risk hurting it more and spectated over the weekend instead.

Elbows up! Troy Brosnan brings his international speed back home.
Elbows up! Troy Brosnan brings his international speed back home.
There were all sorts of random things spotted over the weekend, large numbers of the police force, people mowing the lawn in their pit areas... All sorts!
There were all sorts of random things spotted over the weekend, large numbers of the police force, people mowing the lawn in their pit areas… All sorts!
Nice view! Not that the riders would notice as they sent the kicker.
Nice view! Not that the riders would notice as they sent the kicker.

Racing saw tension levels higher than just a state round for obvious reasons, the Under 19 race was possibly the most dramatic as Matt Taylor, Conor Clancy and James Chambers battling it out all year, in the end Conor prevailed by 2 seconds. Full results are on the Inside Line club site (or should be soon!). Elite was always going to be Troy Brosnans race to win and he did just that taking the race ahead of Will Rischbieth.

Winner winner! Troy Brosnan adds the State Champs to his impressive list of achievements for 2013.
Winner winner! Troy Brosnan adds the State Champs to his impressive list of achievements for 2013.
Angus Maddern has had a good season all year including heading over to race his first World Cup, he shows us the middle line through the bottom chute.
Angus Maddern has had a good season all year including heading over to race his first World Cup, he shows us the middle line through the bottom chute.
Henry Blake, another rider who had a good year, including heading over to Whistler earlier in the season takes the outside line.
Henry Blake, another rider who had a good year, including heading over to Whistler earlier in the season takes the outside line.
There is talk of doing a 20 year anniversary race here to mark 20 years of Inside Line next year, this bike would fit in perfectly.
There is talk of doing a 20 year anniversary race here to mark 20 years of Inside Line next year, this bike would fit in perfectly.
A good crowd witnessed a fitting final race for 2013!
A good crowd witnessed a fitting final race for 2013!

That is a wrap for 2013! We can’t wait for next years series, thanks to Inside Line, the volunteers and everyone that has supported the site this year.

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NSW DH State Champs – Lithgow

On a weekend where Severe Weather Warnings outspoke TV news, over 160 riders gathered to race on Lithgow’s Pony Express trail. Warmly hosted by the Central Tablelands MTB Club and Lithgow Pony Club, the racing atmosphere was buzzing early Sunday morning.

A dry, dusty track had riders on their toes, pushing for grip to beat the clock.A�Downhill riders are familiar with coming home covered in dirt, dust and sweat, usually accompanied by a huge grin and/or battle scars. There were plenty of spills and near misses, including an unlucky fall by Steve Humphreys (NSWDH) who left by ambulance, but has since been confirmed OK.

The medics were busy tending to riders' cuts and scrapes after losing it in the brown pow, on the rocks.
Dust isn’t as soft as it looks, as many riders found out. JB.
Rick Boyer carves a wave of dust late in his race run, moments before spectators are sprayed with dust.
Rick Boyer carves a wave of dust late in his race run, moments before spectators are sprayed with dust. EE.
Teejay Clark took the Expert Men's title for 2013 with a blistering run. Here, midway down the track TJ has his eyes on the prize.
Teejay Clark took the Expert Men’s title for 2013 with a blistering run. Here, midway down the track TJ has his eyes on the prize. JB.
Del Rio and Ourimbah had a designated 'Heckler's Corner', here is Lithgow's. As Jacob McCormack hit the deck on 'Mega Thunder' the crowd winced. With a facefull of dust, McCormack recovered and finished 21st.
Del Rio and Ourimbah had a designated ‘Heckler’s Corner’, here is Lithgow’s. As Jacob McCormack hit the deck on ‘Mega Thunder’ the crowd winced. With a facefull of dust, McCormack recovered and finished 21st. JB.
On a modest spring day, even reptiles made it out to watch the state's fastest battle it out. Spot our reptilian friend.. EE.
On a modest spring day, even reptiles made it out to watch the state’s fastest battle it out. Spot our reptilian friend.. EE.
Michelle Crisp on the gas to Third place in Elite Women. Michelle has had an impressive comeback after a serious shoulder injury just one year ago. 2014 will be a big year for her!
Michelle Crisp on the gas to Third place in Elite Women. Michelle has had an impressive comeback after a serious shoulder injury just one year ago. 2014 will be a big year for her! JB.
Lithgow locals celebrate their racing with true Aussie rider style - here 'Skin' stops for a well earned draught mid-race run.
Lithgow locals celebrate their racing with true Aussie rider style – here ‘Skin’ stops for a well earned draught mid-race run. EE.
Megaphones, tree-climbing, yelling, cheering, and sometimes drinking, the Hecklers were out in force come Elite racing. It's like a miniature world cup atmosphere. At any level, Downhill racing represents the same values and passion; from grassroots to World Cup people are united by riding their bikes, in the bush.
Megaphones, tree-climbing, yelling, cheering, and sometimes drinking, the Hecklers were out in force come race time. Despite all the noise, here it’s a rider and his bike against the clock. JB.
It's like a miniature world cup atmosphere. At any level, Downhill racing represents the same values and passion; from grassroots to World Cup people are united by riding their bikes, in the bush.A�JB.
It’s like a miniature world cup atmosphere. At any level, Downhill racing represents the same values and passion; from grassroots to World Cup people are united by riding their bikes, in the bush.A�JB.

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Graeme Mudd, on a high since taking out Dual Slalom at Crankworx was expected to perform in racing, and he did, falling into second place to Andrew Crimmins by less than a second.
Graeme Mudd, on a high since taking out Dual Slalom at Crankworx was expected to perform in racing, and he did, falling into second place to Andrew Crimmins by less than a second.
Crimmins attacks the same corner, blazing a trail of dust behind him. Andrew has shown his pace at every round this year, tough competition with Graeme Mudd and Blake Nielsen.
Crimmins attacks the same corner, blazing a trail of dust behind him. Andrew has shown his pace at every round this year, tough competition with Graeme Mudd and Blake Nielsen.

Elite Male
1 – Andrew Crimmins, NSW. 1:47.79 1:46.42
2 – Graeme Mudd, NSW. +2.09
3 – Ben Cory, ACT. +4.64
4 – Mathew Dodd, QLD. +6.08
5 – Cody Eichhorn, NSW. +6.09

Elite Female

1 – Tegan Molloy, NSW. 2:13.29 2:11.91
2 – Sarah Booth, NSW. +1.48
3 – Michelle Crisp, NSW. +9.77
4 – Kellie Weinert, NSW. +11.99

Here’s a few extra snaps from Lithgow’s State Champs for 2013. What a great weekend of Downhill! The next round of the NSW/ACT RedAss Downhill Series is in Awaba, November 17/18.

Photos:
Edwin Emmerick / Edwin Emmerick Photography
Jaime Black / www.jaimeblack.com.au

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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.

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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
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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.
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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.

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