Australian National Series - Round 1 - Mount Buller

: It was an eerie feeling at the top of the mountain with the bushfire smoke blanketing the surronding valleys.

The 2013 National Series has kicked off at Mount Buller for round 1 and it is good to be back racing, 170 people signed up for a weekend on the famous ‘International’ track. The weather forecast was initially for rain on Friday afternoon but that didn’t occur leaving a very dry and dusty track for practice and seeding on Saturday.

downhill247com MB2 — A rocky track was compounded by big holes and ruts as the dry conditions saw the track blow out.

downhill247com MB3 — However, there was no time to hang around and smell the flowers…

Being the first round of the series there were lots of new bikes and kits to see, with many riders having to get used to new set ups. There were also lots of new riders and riders stepping up age categories.

downhill247com MB4 — Kovarik Racing have recently switched to Fox suspension and Chris was making adjustments down the track but said the new parts were good.

downhill247com MB6 — There were some faaasssttt juniors on the track who left us amazed.

By the time practice was over aA�few injuries during practiceA�had reduced the size of the field and left a few others a bit sore. Injury claimed Timmy Eaton who suffered a broken elbow, all the best on your recovery! But after all the dust had settled from seeding (which took some time believe us!) the results looked like this;

Under 19 Female

1. Danielle Beecroft 4.33.68

2. Elle Wale 5.19.00 + 45.32

3. Gemma Greentree 12.40.05 + 8.06.37

Under 19 Male

1. Thomas Crimmins 3.29.34

2. Luke Ellison 3.31.42 + 2.08

3. Aiden Varley 3.32.90 + 3.56

4. Brent Smith 3.33.01 + 3.67

5. Peter Knott 3.34.67 + 5.33

Elite Female

1. Lisa Mathison 4.08.42

2. Claire Buchar 4.11.01 + 2.59

3. Caroline BuchananA�4.16.75 + 8.33

4. Shelly Flood 4.22.82 +14.48

5. Kelly BaylissA�4.36.31 + 27.89

Elite Male

1. Sam Hill 3.21.19

2. ChrisA�Kovarik 3.24.28 + 3.09

3. Jack Moir 3.25.62 + 4.43

4. Connor Fearon 3.26.57 + 5.38

5. Rhys Atkinson 3.27.88 + 6.69

With the length of theA�track a lotA�of the results were relatively close, expect racing to beA�close too. We wouldn’t be surprised if the winner of Elite Men just ducks under 3.20 but this all really comes down to how much the track blows out.

downhill247com MB7 — Thomas Crimmins was the fastest of the Under 19’s in seeding, all the top Under 19’s looked fast though!

downhill247com MB8 — Sam Hill was looking comfortable aboard his new bike and 1st in seeding proved this.

downhill247com MB13 — Chris Kovarik crashed in practice but that didn’t faze him, 2nd in seeding.

downhill247com MB5 — Connor Fearon, 4th in seeding as Phil Piazza watches on…

Check back for a full report after finals!

Australian National Series – Round 1 – Mount Buller – Seeding

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